Spring Break Part II: Whistler

After spending a sunny three days at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in Sunlands, WA, Hazel decided it was time to point the car towards points north, specifically Whistler, Canada. Along the way, she picked up Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa and most importantly, Dad.

Hazel knew there was a long car ride ahead, so she decided to prepare the best way she knew how: by stripping down to nothing and putting on her sunglasses. "I GO!" she yelled.

After the long car ride, Hazel was pretty excited to hang out on the Village Stroll and laugh at people's silly outfits.

Hazel learned an important skill in Whistler: toasting with a refreshing beverage (in her case, water) after a long day of skiing. "Cheers!" has become her new favorite word AND her new favorite activity.

Walking the Village Stroll and trying to look fashionable is hard work.

Hazel also had the opportunity to sit in an Olympic bobsled during her stay. She was more interested in the big kid watching her.

All hail the Canadian hockey team, says Hazel. Good work, boys!

At the end of the ski day, Hazel was ever so helpful in helping Mom extricate herself from her ski boots.

After spending the day with her new favorite Canadian babysitter, Julianna, Hazel was pretty interested in riding the gondola with Mom and Dad. Dad, being the geek he is, was all too happy to explain the inner workings of a gondola to Hizz.

A shot of the prettiest baby around on the gondola.

Dad and Hazel alike love to ride gondolas.

Hazel was duly impressed with Whistler and kept telling Mom and Dad how badly she would like to come back next year. Mom and Dad quickly agreed. Whistler 2011 it is!

Hazel on spring break

Hazel gets to go on spring break, even at the young age of 19 months. Fortunately, Mom is a teacher, which means that for one week every March, Mom, Dad, and Hazel will be hanging out in beautiful places.

Hazel started her spring break in Sunlands, WA at her grandparents' cabin, where the sun shown spectacularly and the playground was blissfully empty.

Sunlands' awesomeness lies in its proximity to the river, where Hizz can spend hours upon

hours throwing rocks in the water and covering herself in mud.

Next stop: WHISTLER to remind her skis who's boss.

Saturday with Daddy - On the Town

Mommy is ski patrolling, so Daddy decided to take Hazel downtown to look at trains, bridges, boats, buses, dogs and people. We also stumbled upon her first news conference with the mayor.

(Above) Hazel hangs with the "allow me" statue in Pioneer Square.
Hazel loved staring at the water and examining the tools of daddy's new trade at "that other" fire department.

Saturday

Despite epic powder conditions on the mountain, the Barker family stayed home today. Mom has a rotator cuff injury and the doc said NO SKIING if Mom wants to ski at Whistler in 2 weeks. So, the Barker family created their own adventure in town.

Every kid needs to prepare adequately for adventures by fueling up and making sure the sunglasses still fit.

This is Hazel's pre-race face. She likes to first intimidate and then demolish her competition in the bike/baby seat tandem races.

Dad is quite the baby hauler. He has spent 16 months hauling Hazel in the bike trailer and now she sits on his cyclocross bike in her own seat where she can point out busses, bikes, trains, dogs and anything else of interest that she can see.

The more things change...

...the more they stay the same! Mom threw Hazel in the bike trailer today for an afternoon spin and that led her to thinking- exactly how long has Hazel been riding in this bike trailer?

Well, here's your answer. The Hizz herself on November 15, 2008, at the ripe old age of 3 months (she obviously liked it):

Here's The Hizz in more modern times (aka today):

She actually ran from the door of daycare towards Mom's bike, screaming "BIKE! BIKE! BIKE!" and then tried to climb in the trailer herself.

Here's another oldie but goodie- Hazel in the high chair on January 13, 2009, at the age of 5 months:

She apparently found her fingers a lot more appetizing than whatever Mom and Dad were feeding her.

Here's The Hizz in all her naked glory today, eating spaghetti with a fork and pretending to be all grown up:

Spaghetti night is always Eat-Your-Dinner-Naked-If-Your-Name-Is-Hazel Night.

Notice the lack of hair in all pictures? Yep, some things just always stay the same.

Hanging Out in Estes Park

Hazel in Colorado

Hazel and her daddy are visiting Hazel's grandparents in Estes Park, Colorado this weekend. Hazel saw a huge herd of elk not far from her grandparents house and can now say "elk!"

She also likes to ride in the back of her grandparents car prepared for whatever comes her way, especially snow. She loves snow.