Hazel's Blog

Continued from the previous post, I loves me some jelly fish. And even more than that, I love this creepy shot with Geoff being reflected in the glass. And even MORE than that, I love the Geoff.
Okay, this is a less creepy shot.
Hazel played tour guide.

Labels: Geoff, Hawaii, hazel, meadow

And then we went to Orlando.
Oops, this is on the airport tram and is before we met the pink princess statue, but whatever.
At the water park, which was truly a highlight of Orlando. They had all ranges of slides, from itty-bitty for Hazel to crazy tall for Geoff. Videos in the next post.
It was a chore to get Hazel to try the tube ride but once she did it she was hooked (again, video in the next post).
And then she progressed to the even bigger slide.
Family shot.
As we were going through pictures, Hazel said, "Remember when you stuck my hand in Fritos and made me go to sleep?" Yeah, that is what happened. Really, she was tuckered out from the water park. My conference gave us sack lunches at the end and it was perfect for eating after the park, on our way to Tampa.

Fireworks on the cruise.
Disney's island with Captain Jack Sparrow.
Family with Donald Duck. Hazel said, "He is the captain of the yacht." Yacht?!?! How does she even know what a yacht is??
Geoff snorkeling.
He took this picture himself. You can barely see Minnie Mouse.
Family shot in the ocean. We only got one shot and then the batteries died. Doh.
This was at the REI, Hazel was exhausted and fell asleep in the cart. I think she wasn't feeling good.
More to come. But now I must go and enjoy the beautiful fall day.

Labels: florida, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation

Hugs for everyone.
Then we saw Belle (or "the yellow one" as we like to call her). She was oddly tan. I know she works on a cruise ship but, come on. She needs a little sunscreen.
I don't know if Belle got a hug. Maybe Hazel was afraid of the tan...
Pink princess. She was nuts. Do you see the massive quantities of make-up? Of course you do because, holy cow, that lady had a heavy hand with the eye shadow and lips and everything. Hazel didn't mind.
Next up, the blue one, Cinderella. Hazel repeatedly told her that she had the same dress at home.
Cinderella was cute and nice. And even though her dress is not pink, Hazel loved her best. And will be her for Halloween, if she can have a headband and necklace. Easy-peasy.
And, then we were in the Bahamas. Yee-haw.
Hazel was not a fan. We went through the Straw Market (meh) and bought some random-y souvenirs and then we went back to the ship and hung out at the pool. Much better...
Huh, this should be sooner because this is right after we got off the boat. Alas, I am not rearranging, just explaining. I love this shot of the two of them. And it is a nice shot of our boat. Look, that's our room!
It was Pirate's In the Caribbean night and we dressed like pirates. Barely.
And we got to meet Jack Sparrow. Hazel and Jack did not care for one another.
And then Hazel went to kid-land and dressed up. Because that is what she does.
Whilst at Kidlandia she obtained booty in the form of pirate head scarfs. Matey. Oh, and we won a pirate trivia game and got medals. Because we are winners. We win.
It is a big production, pirate night. They have dancing pirates and singing pirates and then Mickey Mouse comes in to save the day and then fireworks. (I have pictures of the fireworks on the mysterious "other camera" that I claim to own but never upload from. Because I am lame.)
I wish I had a better shot of the three of us. But Hazel was more impressed with all the characters and music and dancing and whatnot.

Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation

And an alligator. Possibly a stick, except it really is an alligator and we saw it swim and yawn. They also have a swimming pool at their house. Lucky.
And, Hazel favorite part. A BABY! Yeah, for baby Aysia! Hazel was in baby heaven. She got to hold the baby and feed the baby and pat (burp) the baby. She wanted to sleep in the baby's room so she could "help her in the night" we put the kibosh on that. It was great seeing them and we would love to go visit them for more than a quick overnight trip.

Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation

We recently returned from 8 days in, or around, Florida. Meadow had a conference at Disney World for 4 nights, then we spent a lovely night with Geoff's cousins in Tampa and then 3 nights on a Disney cruise. It was great but, holy cow, Florida is h-o-t. And muggy. Oh, the muggy, muggy Florida air.

Labels: Geoff, GFA, hazel, meadow, vacation

Okay, first off, if it was for the Awesome Bonnie we never would have gone camping. And that would be a shame because we had a great time. We went up American Fork canyon for the night and while it was chock-a-block with people it was still fun. We had a fire and roasted marshmallows, hunted for bears (none found, however), hunted for moose (Geoff "saw" one), hiked and ummm... camping stuff.


Second, remember how I despise some things about blogger? One of them is the crappy way it moves pictures. I have complained about this before but haven't taken the initative to move to a different site. Just deal with the odd order of pictures because it is a pain to move them without losing the big picture (literally, the BIG picture which I like to keep a copy of at work.)


Moving on.


We hiked/walked around Casade Springs. Hazel took this lovely picture of me and Geoff.
And she took this nice picture of herself.
And then Bonnie took this shot.
And a better one. Hazel got a piece of candy for behaving.* I haven't been up to Cascade Springs since I was a kid. Geoff had never been. You can no longer play in the springs, you have to stay on the path. Still, it was a lovely time and a perfect hike/walk length.
Hazel climbed the rock across from our campsite. There was also one in our campsite that she climbed and almost fell off of. Luckily, I have reflexes like a cat** and was able to grab her before she toppled off backwards, head first.
Hazel and Geoff chilling by the fire. It was hard to get a good fire shot without using the flash and keeping the ambiance. But, I think you get what I was going for. We also told ghost stories and they were awesome. Hazel's was about 30 seconds and incoherent. Nathan's (Bonnie's son) was about 30 minutes and incoherent. In his defense, he was constantly interrupted. Still, it was good times.

Hazel really liked playing in our tent. Not her tiny tent that she insisted on us bringing, only the "whole family tent". She was reading stories to her babies. Except that I notice now that one baby is smashed under her back.
She wanted to take my picture with her dog book. "Look happy!"
Behold the power of static electricity.
Playing frisbee with Geoff. She was not great at catching.
But not too bad at throwing.
Look at that follow through! It is as if the heaven's are shining down upon her and bestowing the power of frisbeeing. Or something.
After being fed (because we are super lame and no one is feeling really great so we didn't even pack breakfast) and packing up camp we headed down to hike Stewart Falls. Except everyone in the UC was up the canyon and traffic was horrible and parking was worse and Hazel was tired and just wanted to visit Grandma and Grandpa. So, we bid adieu to our friends and headed to my dad and Anne's house. We hung out and chatted and then decided to go to the Festivale Magnifico!*** We ate some tacos and Hazel won a toothbrush and really, Really, REALLY wanted to go on a ride except (a) I don't trust carnies, (b) I don't trust those rides and (c) I didn't want to pay the outrageous prices for the lame-o rides. Lucky for Hazel, she found two tickets on the ground and that was just enough to go on the train. So, I still don't trust carnies or the rides but I didn't have to pay and the train didn't go in the air or very fast so I agreed.

She had a fabulous time.
As we were leaving we saw this poster and Hazel was quite concerned about the missing cat. Except it is not missing.
The sign actually says "Have you seen this cat? Because it is Awesome." Oh, Provo, you are so high-larious.

Labels: camping, Geoff, hazel, meadow

Geoff and Brandon at Affleck park. Geoff was umm...not happy? I don't know. I don't know if I chose to upload this picture or if I mistyped. But, it is here now for all my readers. All 12 of you.
Hazel at swimming lessons. She was the smallest and only girl. Which reminds me, I need to see about signing her up for the next session.
On the mermaid statue at the International Peace Gardens. I am sure this was allowed behavior.
And the lions at the same park.
Oh, this is a shot of the door I was stripping. Technically, it is sitting on my front porch and thus is still being stripped. Did you know that ammonia takes off shellac? No!?!? Well, now you do. Thanks, internet.
Hazel and I at the 24th of July children's parade. Except it is really on the Saturday before the 24th. We are pink.
Hazel waiting to get her first haircut. Oh, she is such a brave little driver.
Hazel and I at the Bee's game with the mascot. I believe is name is Bumble. Actually, I have no idea. Again, we are pink. This is at my work's summer party. It was very meh.
Hazel (pre-haircut) with Nacho. Poor, poor Nacho.

Labels: hazel, meadow, Nacho, Random

And then we went to the beach. I cannot even begin to quantify how much my child loves the beach. We could have spent four days at the beach and she would have been happy. Note to self: Must go to Hawaii this winter.Then we went to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles (per Snoop Dogg's suggestion) and it was delicious. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend RC&W. We went to the Long Beach location. Hazel had a drumstick.
The family at Disneyland. Look how non-plussed my kid is. Does she not know this is the happiest place on Earth? HAPPIEST!
These were the first characters she met. I am thinking this could be our family group costume this year...
The first ride we took Hazel on was the Pirates of the Caribbean. In case you don't remember this ride, it is dark, loud and has a couple of drops right at the beginning. She had a death-grip on my arm the entire time. Based on this (and the fact that we are dopes) we took her on the Haunted Mansion next***. She was on sensory overload.
We then wised up and took her on Winnie the Pooh's kid-friendly ride. She got off and said that she loved it and "none scary parts."

Labels: Disneyland, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation

Ack! This one slays me. Could she be any tougher? I think not.
A fabulous shot of my friends Candi and Amy that Hazel took. Hazel portraits are easy to tell as (a) there is normally a finger and (b) they are pointed up.
Oh! This one does not follow the rules and points down. But, Cedric is a baby AND there is still a finger in the shot.
I know I posted pictures last time of the sprinkler playing, but I have more. You know, two cameras.
I like this running away one.
Okay, first up. All my pictures are in random-y backwards order but this is because it is a pain in the butt to reorder them. I am trying to not let it make me crazy.

Labels: Geoff, hazel, meadow

Okay, so in my last post I implied that I would be leaving Blogger. Well, as it turns out, I am lazy. And possibly a dope. Thus, I am still with Blogger. And still annoyed with it for a few things (why don't my freaking archives work?? how come Chrome doesn't uploade pictures??), but I am moving on. Or staying put. Whatever. If Geoff wasn't madly trying to finish up house projects I would ask for his help. But, frankly, I would rather have a renter.

Moving on.

Hazel loves this bunny costume from her friend Tayvia. It is kind of too small but she still wears in constantly. She can no longer really get the hand nor feet things on but she manages. Also, she tried to escape.
I still maintain everything is cuter when done in a bunny costume.

Labels: Geoff, hazel, meadow

Labels: Dentist, friends, hazel, Jenni, meadow, Vegas

Hazel on her first day of ballet. She had a cute little ponytail that Geoff put in and she looked like quite the ballerina.
Pictures from swimming lessons. Hazel took this picture and wanted me to include it. So, here it is.

Labels: Gloria, hazel, meadow, Sadie, sick, Tayvia, zoo

First, a picture of Hazel and Triscuit. I think this one is sweet. Notice they are both wearing pink. Awesome.
I find this combination of clothing odd. Or funny. Or something. Whatever. It is late, and I am tired.

Labels: Birthday, Geoff, hazel, meadow, Triscuit

Yes, Hazel is helping update. She likes to type h. A lot. Plus, she just sits and watches for h's and then wants to type them. She would like to spell her name: hazel. Okay, I am back (you don't realize it but that took like three minutes. In my impatience, that is a really long time, and it was probably 30 seconds). Now she would like to spell my name: mom. Okay. Pictures. ***Okay, I still can't use Google Chrome to update, lame.***
Hazel wanted "tiger ears" one day. This was the best I could do.

And here is the ferocious face to go with the tiger ears. I hope this picture doesn't upload blurry. It isn't blurry on my computer, but it is on the preview. Aaaahhhh...stream of conscious blogging.

So, here is my tear-jerking story of the day. I heard Hazel in her room this morning, when she was first waking up, she was milling around and then I heard her talking. So, I went and spied on her through the doorknob hole* and she was holding Triscuit on her lap, much like this (cont'd after the picture):

and talking to him. She said, "Triscuit, I know you are sick and you are going to die. But, I love you very much and I am going to miss you." And then I sat at the doorknob hole and cried. I didn't think she really knew what was going on, or that she would be upset. I was wrong. I think this is harder on all of us than we would care to admit. It was very touching and very sweet and absolutely heart-wrenching. It chokes me up to just think about it. And just now she asked if we could check on Triscuit because, "He is sick."

* because I live in a house of horrors and we don't even have doorknobs.

Labels: hazel, meadow, outfit, Triscuit

Stolen from Jenni's blog. It is like being tagged but not. Things I have done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog (technically, it is Hazel's blog, but I started it)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (not yet this year, however. Oh, Hawaii....how I miss you and would rather be there than working on the Wilde Manor)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (I don’t really think this is possible, if I couldn’t afford it there is no way I could give it.)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (does karaoke count?)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (depending on the definition of “art”)
15. Adopted a child (my dogs were my first babies)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (I have, however, slept on a non-overnight train and spent the night in a train station)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (that is immoral, also, I am a workaholic. I barely take sick days when I AM ill)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon (ha!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (total eclipse of the heart?)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (double-ha!)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (taught myself? I had schooling, but I am counting it)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (really, I am never truly satisfied, I am a paranoid crazy person about money. I really don’t want to be this way, but I am.)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (there was a reproduction at the UMFA and Hazel was obsessed with his package, much to the amusement of the guard)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (the line was like 3 hours long, we just saw it from the bottom, next time we will go to the top)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (HATE IT!)
52. Kissed in the rain (this is a lame question, and kind of girly)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China (I totally want to do this and would have gone the year I got my MBA if I hadn’t got knocked up)
57. Started a business (okay, so I am really just in the process of it, landlords have to have a business license)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (Although, I think there is always a reason)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (In, no. Under, yes)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar (love it, but not enough to buy it)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades (seen them, haven't "toured" them)
75. Been fired from a job (triple-ha! I am toooooo awesome)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (kind of)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (Hazel's first year and our trip to Europe, totally counts)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (never)
88. Had chickenpox (barely)
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury (Oh, quiz-thing, why must you mock me!!)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club (I totally want to have a book club, however, maybe I will start one)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (yuck, I have been in it, but I wouldn’t “swim”)
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Thus, I have done 64 things on a RANDOM list. I am going to start my own life list. Currently, I just need to get dressed so I can go to a viewing. The list probably needs to be longer and more long-term focused.

Labels: meadow, Random

Labels: Geoff, hazel, meadow, Packing, tattoo

This picture is a good indicator of yesterday. Even the mermaid was in timeout. I am just saying some days are hard.

Today was better. Except when it wasn't. But, the mermaid behaved. So, that's good.

Tonight we went to the Red Butte Garden After Dark. It was pretty awesome, but COLD. Luckily, our wicked-smart friend, Christie went too and she had handwarmers. Oh, Jordan went too, but he did not bring us handwarmers. The Red Butte was fun. They had stories and crafts and blacklights. My contacts glow in the blacklight. So much that it was like looking through a dense fog. Like I have cataracts. Oh, and they had face painting. Hazel's awesome face paint:
And the entire family: We all have evil mustaches. Geoff had his the longest, that is why he is extra evil.

Labels: Geoff, halloween, hazel, meadow

In no particular order (because, dude, Blogger uploads pictures stupidly, and then I have to move the code to keep the pictures clickable, so just deal with it.)

Geoff and Hazel unpacked the Halloween decorations a while ago and Hazel found this: A GIANT LADY HAND! ACK!
Oh, and we went to the zoo. At the begining of October, I only remember because I got off work early because of the ground breaking for our new building. But, this zoo trip was special because we took the camera. Here is Hazel and mama on the elephant. She has never been brave enough to stand in front of the elephant while he sprays but this trip she did and it was hilarious. If I was a better mom, I would have video. One day you will have to come to the zoo with us and see it for yourself. And then keep it in your brain, because I will probably never make a video of it.
Oh, and Hazel sat on the rhino statue with NO HANDS! Oh, what a brave little girl.

Labels: clothes, Geoff, hazel, meadow, outfit, zoo

More of Geoff's nature photography. Hazel and I "caught" this crab in the pool. It was actually already dead when we got to it. We later got one out that was still alive. But, it didn't hold nearly as still for pictures.
Family portrait on the beach. This was our last day to play at Playa Flamingo.

Labels: Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, swimming, vacation, Wedding

Thursday, August 28: Obviously, we swam. We also decided to go on a trip to Tamarindo. This is the most developed of the towns we saw in Costa Rica. We were going to do some shopping but just after we started out it started raining. Hard. Harder than we had seen all week. And we had seen some big rain. Geoff went to get the car and Hazel and I (and the camera) huddle under some shelter. Then we went to look in a store and Hazel, despite adamantly denying the need to use the potty, peed on the floor. In the bathroom, we were so close. And then started whine-crying. Which is the absolute worse. So, we left without getting anything, after my kid peed on their floor. Luckily, it was raining a lot so maybe they just thought it was rain. Or that we were jerks. And we walked around the Tamarindo mall and got some ice cream. Then we went back to the hotel.
This is the only good picture I have of the day. It does not even begin to show how much rain there was.

Labels: Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation, zipline

Tuesday, August 26: We swam a lot. And we went to dinner at the sub shop. Because, when I think “tropical vacation”, I think “sub sandwiches.” There were not a lot of food choices. And then more swimming. And playing in the sand. It rained really, really hard at night and our power kept going on and off and on and off and on and off. And so on. And so forth. And every time the power would come back on our air conditioner would beep and the light on our TV would flash and the pool lights would flash. It was less than ideal. I have no pictures of the annoying power surges. But here are Geoff and Hazel playing in the waves.

Labels: animals, Costa Rica, Geoff, hazel, meadow, vacation, zoo

Aaaah. The joys of Photoshop. But, I liked this picture and our faces were in the shadows. Now we just look crazy. But not shadowy.

The Costa Rican people (Ticos) were probably the nicest people I have ever met. Without exception everyone was friendly and helpful and nice to my baby. Which is all I ever want on a vacation.

Sunday night: We took the red-eye to Atlanta. Or as I like to say, “The Midnight Plane to Georgia.” The flight went from ‘no-problem’ to ‘our-we-going-to-get-on’ in hours. And it was nerve-wracking, and sucked. But, we made it on. The last three, not sitting together, seats. But, we made it. Hazel slept a little and kicked the lady next to us repeatedly (not so much kicking, just stretching out in her sleep).

Monday-Part 1: We arrived in Atlanta at around 6:00am Atlanta time and then had to hang out until our flight to Costa Rica at 10-ish. I don’t remember the actual time of anything… Hazel did NOT sleep in the airport. Geoff and I both took turns doing the head-bob. It was miserable. However, the Atlanta airport had these fascinating displays of contraband items. Like a polar bear rug, a snake in a bottle, a stool made out of an elephant foot, and, best of all, a narwhal horn. NARWHAL! Seriously, this was the best part of Atlanta. I guess we have never been in that concourse before because I don’t remember seeing the displays before. And then we ate some grits and then got on our plane. And it was blessedly empty. We all got some “sleep” on the plane. The only one who was really invigorated was Hazel. Because she is little and can sleep anywhere.

Monday-Part 2: I think these need separate sections because they are so vastly different. We left ATL and it is a giant airport, with a train. And air conditioning. And 3.5 hours later we arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica. LIR is little. With no air conditioning. We got to walk down the stairs from the plane, no jetway. Then we hit “customs”, there were two lines. The first one the dude just looked at us and stamped our passports. Then the second one, some guy grabbed my suitcases for me (I had two of the suitcases and Hazel) and then cut me in line, had the guy stamp something and then we were through. Seriously, we didn’t talk to anyone. **Remember this story when I get to the return trip in Atlanta** This was the first of many times people would be lovely and nice to us.

Then we got our rental car. We had a Kia Something. 4WD. Diesel! The guy showed Geoff how everything in the car worked. (not that he remembered) And then they gave us directions to our hotel (stay on the only road, basically) and directions to a delicious restaurant. (see picture with Hazel drinking her delicious blackberry smoothie) And we had food. And it was delicious. And we saw cows and a dog. So that was great. And then it started raining. Not a light drizzly but RAIN! Buckets and sheets and cats-and-dogs. And it rained almost until we got to our hotel. And then it let up. And we probably did something like swim or nap or whatever. But I don’t remember. I think it was nap. We were really tired.
I had to take a picture of Geoff's awesome volcano chicken. It was beautiful and delicious.

But now it is late and Hazel is still awake. She spent the evening with Aunt Jenni and Nova while Geoff and I helped move Auntie Michelle. And Geoff is grumpy. Which means I better get off the computer and help.



More later. Maybe tomorrow. We have a lot of pictures.

Labels: Costa Rica, food, Geoff, hazel, meadow, swimming, vacation

I passed!!
Audit and Attestation = 87! Woo!!

Now, I just need my dang Regulation score. That is the one I think I failed. But, at least I can go to Costa Rica knowing, at most, I only need to study for Reg. Not that I will study in Costa Rica

Yeah, me!

Labels: CPA, meadow

City Search rated this place rather highly, so we went. They stuck us all by ourselves at a big table then proceeded to bring us lots and lots of food. We ate way more than we probably should have. A lot of it was really delicious, some of it was seasoned differently than our preference. Seems salty is in around here.

Labels: fried food, hazel, meadow, Tennessee

Back from San Francisco, got an 87 on my FAR (Financial something Reporting)!!! WOO HOO! I am awesome!

Really, I had no idea how I would do on this exam, so I am thrilled and surprised by the 87. A lot of time and candy (mostly Whoppers) went into that 87.

Go me!

Update on SF later. Or check Jenni's blog (kittypotpie.blogspot.com)

Labels: CPA, meadow

Woo hoo! I passed one section of my CPA exam. So, one of four national tests but then there are two state exams too. Thus the three or five to go. The state exams are much smaller/easier than the national exams so they don't count as much.

Anywho, passed one. BEC. With an 86. You could say I 86'ed it. HA!

The end. I am going to San Francisco tomorrow with Jenni. I am sure she will update when we are back. I probably won't...

Labels: CPA, meadow

I am testing out Post Options. If it works, this will post exactly (ish) when I am starting to take my next CPA test (#2 out of 6, assuming I pass everything the first time, like 8% of people do).

Instead of partying after this one, like I did with the last one, I will be going to the dentist. Hooray for dental hygiene. I will be getting the gas.

Wish me luck. I'm gonna need.

PS I will post a real entry, with pictures, after my test. Maybe even before I go to the dentist.

PPS It looks to me like the "post options" (Now! With Extra Sarcasm) do not so much work. As I can see my posting at it is 10:10pm on 04/28/08. Stupid Blog.

Labels: CPA, meadow

Okay, so the answer was "duck". Jenni will be getting a prize soon. Even though she should be disqualified because she gave two answers. But, the prize is the duck art, and I think Candi probably gets enough kid art as it is, what with three boys and all.

Anyway, that is my only update. I have two weeks and like 13 hours until I take my first CPA exam, and even though that sounds like a lot, it is not. Oh, and I am freaking out about it.

Thanks for playing my game. I may have a better contest when I my stress level drops to a bearable level.

Labels: contest, CPA, meadow

I am not so hip on this whole blog thing, but I am pretty sure if you have a blog you are required to mention March madness at least once. During the month of March. March madness has something to do with really wanting to get out of the house after being cooped up all winter. Or so I am led to believe.
I am editing this part so my mom can't read it, because it will make her sad. So, mom don't read the following sentence. Everyone else, highlight it and you should be able to read the white text.

Lucky for my March madness, today was a BEAUTIFUL day. Warm, sunny, a gorgeous spring day. Seriously, like almost 70 degrees. I didn't even wear a coat to work. And we have crocus (croci?) coming up. And no deer to eat them. Geoff and Hazel met me at the Wheeler Farm for lunch and we saw the animals and walked around and it was fabulous. Except it kind of smelled like poo.

Anyway, on to the photos.
This photo is a great shot of two things.
One: Hazel loves to dress herself. She was wearing pink tights with hearts, a pink dress with skulls, a pink tutu and a pink jacket. Oh, and brown shoes. I am guessing because she didn't want to overdo it on the pink. I tried to get her to pose for a picture but she flung herself to the ground yelling, "No Pictures!"
And Two: Her job is letting the dogs in and out. She loves this job and is fairly good at it. But, gets crazy mad (and not just in March) if you do it when she thinks it is her turn.

See the post-fling wailing?!?! That kid. She will drive me crazy. Or mad. Because of the whole "March Madness"

Hazel helped me cook on Sunday. We made magic cookie bars. They were magically delicious.

Labels: contest, cooking, funny faces, hazel, meadow

So, to celebrate the new year, we (Jenni, mostly) decided we should have a Deep Fried New Year's Eve (DFNYE). This is as delicious as it sounds, but deadly.
We had donuts. Covered in sugar.
Also, clockwise, starting from the top. Cream cheese wontons, mini corn dogs, panko covered brie and onion rings.
Also, we deep-fried a Twinkie.
You see how we used whole-wheat flour? It is almost like our batter was "healthy".

Labels: fried food, friends, Geoff, Jenni, meadow, new years

Christmas was fabulous this year. Hazel was far more into it this year. She loved giving presents and getting presents and wrapping presents and unwrapping presents and a sleepover with Auntie Jenni and seeing relatives and going home and all the other joy that comes with Christmas.

Hope everyone had as fabulous a Christmas as we did. Hugs and kisses.

Hazel got these super-cute jammies for Christmas from Shauntil. She got the matching robe (without even planning it!) from her mama. I thought I uploaded a picture of it but apparently I didn't. And since I have to upload in reverse order (stupid blogger, stupider Vista) and the Internet (the ENTIRE Internet!) has crashed twice, requiring two reboots, I am done. Just enjoy the pictures from Christmas.
Our three-generations (and Santa) picture. Apparently, I don't know how to brush my hair.
The normal Christmas Eve chaos. Meadow, Ashton, Anne, Hazel, Dylan and Sadie.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Labels: Christmas, cousins, Geoff, Grandma, Grandpa, hazel, Jenni, meadow, signing

Hazel was a vampire for Halloween. You know, she bites. Although, she only tried to bite once the whole night. She had a great time Trick-or-Treating and was a big hit. She was cute and friendly and wished people "Halloween!" The "happy" was really more just implied, not so much spoken.







I was a Lazy Eye for work. It was hilarious. to me. No one got my costume. But, I found myself to be quite funny. But way too hot.

Labels: Geoff, halloween, hazel, Lazy Eye Costume, meadow, vampire

**NOTE: I know the formatting is funky, but it is too hard to fix it. It went all crazy when I edited the HTML. I am just happy that I updated. **

Last weekend we went to the zoo with Gloria and Anthony and Steven and Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Bernie and Jenni. The cousins posed for a picture on the rhino. Jenni got a better picture but I am too lazy to go get her picture. But, it would look like this, but better.

It was a rather adventurous day at the zoo. We saw the giant tortoises, let's say "hug". Oh, it was hilarious. And then we watched the zoo keepers feed the crocodiles rats (dead rats). It was disgusting, but awesome.


We also saw lots more animals. And we rode on the train. And we fed some ducks. And we played on the playground. And we pet a snake. And Hazel was so nice about holding Gloria's hand. Until she wasn't. (Note: this was the only "incident" of the day, the rest of the time Hazel was nice and kept her hands and mouth to herself, and we caught it pretty quickly)


Then on Sunday we celebrated Auntie Jenni's 27th birthday. Grandma and Hazel bonded over slots.










Yesterday, the mama and the Hazel went to the Farmer's Market. The mama likes to wear her hydration pack. The Hazel likes to do what the mama does and wanted her own. So, I rigged a waistpack hydration pack (that I hated) into a little backpack (that Hazel loves). Here she is showing off how cute she is in her little backpack.

She thought something was hilarious. I am not sure what...

Labels: bike, cousins, Grandma, hazel, meadow, zoo

The months are speeding by, our little piranha is 19 months old! She is learning new words and signs everyday. She adds them without even thinking about them. One day she is just grunting and the next she is asking for beans for dinner and a bib to wear. She will even say peoples' names. Except for Jenni's because she is mean like that. Or, for example, she just came up to me to point out the turtles on her jammies. It is like she actually knows things, instead of just parroting back what we ask her to say.

Labels: hazel, meadow, monthly update, museum, swimming

I am hoping this is easier for me to update... Which might mean I update more.


We will see.
At least it is easier to put up cute pictures. Such as Hazel in pigtails.

And our trip to Snowbird for the mama's company party.

And the naughty playing the piano with one's bum.

Hopefully, I will soon download the pictures from the zoo, and Florida, and whatever else we have done since June 16th (the last time pictures were downloaded). Plus, I need to get this hosted on my site.

Labels: hazel, meadow, snowbird