Summer, Summertime

We'll let the pictures do the talking...

Cousins

Hazel went back to Seattle to see Cousin Eli. This time, she brought her mom AND her dad. She also made sure to convey to Eli that being a member of the Kaiser family means being busy and going on adventures.

First stop: Greenlake Park, where she swam in the wading pool despite cool temperatures and cloudy skies while Eli slept.

Second stop: Discovery Park for the Seafair Indian Powwow. Everyone took time out for a photo. Eli slept.

The next day, after numerous protests (oh, I mean tantrums), Mom and Dad decided to take Hazel out of the house and on the Bainbridge Island ferry. Dad was pretty excited to show Hazel the ferry boat. Hazel was pretty excited to throw a few more tantrums. Apparently, being around Cousin Eli does not bring out the best in her.

Upon return to the mainland, more boating ensued, this time on Uncle Nate's Laser. Despite asking her numerous times and even bringing along her never-used life jacket, Hazel was not interested in riding on the boat. She just wanted to run around with her shirt off and ignore Eli. Oh, and "help" Aunt Marissa with snacks.

After three days of tantrums (which is actually completely unlike her) and desperate clinginess to Mom, Hazel finally settled for sitting next to Mom while she held Eli. She even swallowed her pride and offered to share her oh-so-precious baby with her tiny cousin.

To finish off the weekend, everyone went to Luther Burbank Park on Lake Washington for some playground action, cycling, swimming, and sleeping (that would be Eli's job). Mom and Dad made sure to pay lots of attention to Hazel, though that didn't stop them from smothering Eli with kisses before driving home.

Back to the desert

Mom and Hazel were home from Seattle with just enough time to nap, wash clothes, grocery shop and head out again, this time to Bend for the High Desert Omnium bike races. As you know, Hazel is a bike race pro and even asks about going to bike races almost every day of the week (do you think Mom and Dad have a problem?).

Here she is, cheering Mom on in the criterium:

In Bend, Hazel got to hang out out with her best bud, Ky. Ky is wonderful to Hazel- she plays with her, takes her swimming and loves on her.

After the first race of the weekend, everyone descended upon the Deschutes River for some sand-play action and swimming.

Then, Hazel went back to the Rocking A in Powell Butte (headquarters for all things fun in Central Oregon) and tested the kid safety features in the house:

It was a good weekend. Everyone was sun-baked, tired, and sore by the end. For her part, Hazel was pleased to come home on Sunday night and snuggle in to her own bed. For the next 4 days at least.

Cousin Eli!

After spending four days at the cabin, Hazel headed straight to Seattle to distract Aunt Marissa from Dim Sum's imminent birth. Nothing like a toddler to distract you from just about anything, says Mom.

First, she had to teach Uncle Nate and Aunt Ailey how to use the swing at the playground at Magnuson Park:

Then, she had to kick Uncle Nate out of the toddler-size playhouse:

The next day, when Dim Sum still had not come, Aunt Marissa took Hazel swimming at Green Lake while Mom ran around the lake and then did an open water swim.

Hazel modeled her tutu swimsuit to all the passersby:

That night Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa (you know, the couple about to have a baby?) hosted dinner for all of the Kaisers who were around: Aunt Ailey, Uncle Ritchie, Grandma, and Grandpa.

Hazel greeted Aunt Ailey (her BFF) with a kiss:

Hazel and Grandma made sure to mark up Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa's brand new bricks with sidewalk chalk:

Then, right before Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa left for the hospital, everyone thoroughly entertained themselves watching Hazel eat ice cream:

Guess what happened the next day?? Cousin Eli was born! Hazel was very excited. Well, okay, MOM was very excited. Hazel wondered why some other kid was suddenly stealing everyone's attention.

Hazel wasn't too thrilled when Mom wanted to hold Baby Eli. She insisted on sitting on Mom's lap at the same time.

After some quick family time and cooing over Eli, Mom and Hazel headed back home to Portland for the first time in a week. They were both excited to see Dad and sleep in their own beds, if only for a short period of time!

Happy Birthday, America!

Hazel spent one whole day at home before heading out again. She's a traveling fiend, this one. This time, the destination was Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in Sunlands, WA, in search of sun, heat, and 4th of July fun.

She found all of the above and more, along with her BFF, Aunt Ailey, and two doting grandparents.

It is important to hydrate before exerting oneself in such strenuous activities as a 4th of July parade.

Haze likes to give Grandpa advice when he fixes the wagon. She is very good at giving orders. Taking orders? Not so much.

For the second year in a row, Hizz was part of the Sunlands kiddie parade. She dutifully played the part, waving to her subjects and smiling on cue for camera shots (except for this one).

Why, yes, I AM cute, thank you very much!

All of the parade participants received a fudgesicle for their hard work. Haze ate half of it and spilled the rest all over herself.

On the actual 4th of July, everyone drove up the hill to George, WA for the annual parade and festivities. Hazel hung tight to her BFF.

No amount of coaxing could convince Haze to pet these animals.

In addition to being in parades, Hazel quite enjoys watching them.

Horses. She was really in to the horses. Mom made a mental note NOT to mention horses at home.

Why, hel-LO Sunshine!

Hazel has gone to Sunriver for a short family vacation every year, starting in 2008, when she went as a fetus. This year, everyone stayed for 6 days and soaked up as much sunshine and bikes as possible.

First bike ride of vacation: a trip to the river on Sunriver's 33 miles of paved bike paths.

It is essential to take your baby everywhere you go and point out all of the sights to aforementioned baby.

Everyone likes to catch up on their reading while on vacation, the Hizz included.

Waiting for Mom at the finish line of her triathlon. Yes, the omnipresent baby is there too.

Hazel got to hang out with her buddy, Eli, in Sunriver. Seeing as Eli is one whole year younger, she made sure to tell Eli who was boss, much to Mom and Dad's chagrin.

No trip to Sunriver is complete without multiple trips to the pool, especially in a tutu bathing suit.

Hazel says: I LOVE sun!

Back on the bikes for the millionth time. Hazel is not displeased.

Haze liked to steal Eli's food and wait and see if Eli would notice. Yes, Haze, Eli noticed. Nice try though.

On the way home on Wednesday, Hazel went to Newberry Crater National Monument and threw rocks in the water until Mom and Dad dragged her back to the car.

Baby found a patch of snow at Newberry Crater and took the opportunity to do a little sunbathing sans Hazel the Dictator.

Hazel practiced her snowball throwing on the Big Obsidian Flow. Her aim was spot on.

After a dinner with Craig and Katie in Powell Butte, the Barkers sadly pointed the car for home. Vacation in sunny, hot Central Oregon was over. Fortunately for Hizz, vacation restarts again in one day when she and Mom head to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in sunny, hot Central Washington for the long weekend. More sun? she says. MORE SUN! says Mom.