Birthdays!

We have had a very busy couple of weeks! We have had lots of visitors around because of the Invitational at VHGC. Our niece Emma was here for a week before her parents arrived and so we got to spend some time with her and Norah got some quality play time with her. Then, we celebrated Drew's birthday with his family, Drew and his partner, Ryan, won the Invitational, we got together to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th birthday, and our sweet girl Norah celebrated her 3rd birthday. Needless to say, we have done a lot of celebrating (and eating! :)) and it has been a fun couple of weeks!

Norah and Emma had a great time playing with our real strollers and their baby dolls outside!

Taking a stroll down the street!

Then, they had to pull out the double stroller of course.  When we asked Norah what her babies names were she told us Stella, which we of course already knew, and she said her second baby was Carlos!  HHHmmmm......not sure where she picked that one up from, but we'll go with it!

All the girls minus Grace.  We missed you Grace!

Daddy's little helpers

This was the first time Norah tried the Big Wheel at Grammy and Papa's house.  It is the first time I actually saw her pedal a bike and make it work.  It was at the perfect angle for her.

She was just so thrilled to be able to ride along with the other girls, finally!

Drew with his sister, Jennifer, and brother, Mark.

Traditional tractor ride

Then, we got to celebrate Grandpa Baird's 80th birthday.  I unfortunately didn't get a picture of Grandpa (or him with the kids), but we will all be together again on Tuesday, so hopefully then!

Norah and Thatcher blowing bubbles in the garage.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NORAH.
SHE WAS SO EXCITED WHEN SHE WOKE UP TO ALL OF THE BALLOONS ON HER FLOOR.

Of course, Hazey had to get in on the action.

Just what she asked for....Doc McStuffins and Lambie!

After seeing Norah's excitement about the Big Wheel at Grammy and Papa's, we had to get her one for her birthday!  Drew and Norah trying to figure out the directions!

Off she goes.....

My friend Jennifer was down the street for a bridal shower, so Claire and her got to stop for a little play time afterwards.

Our little Hazey Bean.  We'll be celebrating her birthday next!

Norah got her very own camera from Aunt Dinah and Uncle Kenny.  Let's just say she has been a little obsessed with taking pictures of EVERYTHING ever since!  

Playing in the Rain

We had a very unexpected rain storm last night, that lasted FOREVER! There was no lighting or thunder going on with all of this rain, so Drew and Norah decided to take advantage of the WARM rain and have a little fun! It was so much fun watching them! I am pretty sure they had a great time too! :)

All done and drying off!  

July 4th

We had a great fourth of July this year. The day was a little hectic for Drew at work, so we were anxious to get up to the lake and enjoy an evening with friends. We headed up to the Flanagan's house where we had a delicious food, drinks and lots of playing time. Norah had a great time playing with all of her friends, but she would probably say that was the highlight of the evening. It was definitely not the fireworks. She is very sensitive to sounds and obviously fireworks right above your head is about as loud as it can get. She wasn't a fan last year either, but I was hoping this year would be a little different. Not so much! We ended up having to go in the house and watched them from the living room about halfway through. She was hysterical when they were over though. She kept clapping and telling everyone she loved the fireworks. Little Stinker! Hazel slept right through the fireworks. Unfortunately, once she was awake for the ride home, she had a tough time getting back to sleep. I think she finally fell asleep at 12:45am. Yikes! We made it though! Thanks again for the hospitality Flanagans! We had a wonderful time and it was so great to see everyone!

This is how we started our morning.  I turned my back for one second and this is where her oranges ended up. Silly girl!

Hazey enjoying her dinner at the Flanagan's 

Having some chips and water on the deck

One of the few family photos we have of the four of us.
More family photos to come in August! :)

Norah and her pal Cole

The Cubitt Family
Claire, Mike, Jennifer and Cole
I figured I would post a family picture for her since she hasn't posted on her blog in 2 WHOLE YEARS!  (Ha!  Love ya Jenn, just had to tease ya a little!)

Sweet Bryn getting rinsed off after take a dip in the lake!

Jenn and Claire

Beautiful sunset before the fireworks

Tea Party and Swimming

Our niece Emma is in town a few days early before the rest of the Hamilton's (minus Grace~we'll miss you) get here. She planned a lovely tea party for all of the girls this evening and it was a big hit. Grammy just finished painting the inside of the playhouse and Emma got to go shopping for some decorations and accessories for the playhouse. I must say, she has great taste in decorating! The girls had a great time sharing drinks, cupcakes, cookies and a few laughs. When they were finished, it was time for our first dip in the pool of the season!

Norah, Audrey, Emma, Hazel, and Lilly
Ready for their tea party

As you can see, Emma has had a busy couple of days helping Grammy decorate the playhouse and getting accessories to bring the whole thing together.  Thanks for all your hard work Emma. You hosted a wonderful tea party!  Cheers!

Pool time!

Grammy and Hazel

Hazel's first time in the big pool!  She wasn't very comfortable at first and wasn't enjoying it, but she got used to it and by the end she was in her own floatie just enjoying the water!

Emma and Norah

Daddy and Hazey drying off!
Don't forget to keep scrolling.  I updated with another post below!  Just didn't want you to miss it!

Pancakes and Prima Ballerina

Hazel has officially given up baby food. I have packed up all of her 'jar' food to give away to our little buddy Bresnan who will be starting baby food soon. Apparently, Hazel is more of a 'big people food' eater. She loves pancakes, cooked carrots, green beans, watermelon, peaches, pears, bread (she eats the slimwich bread like it is going out of style) and she has even started having grilled cheese for dinner! I know, crazy! But, she is a great eater and is still drinking her bottles like crazy, but won't eat anything you try to feed her on a spoon. She is a bit stubborn and wants to do it herself. Hey, more power to ya girl! Norah continues to be smitten with her ballet dancing and I managed to capture a few shots of her the other night. She loves either listening to The Fresh Beat Band cd she has, which is a little more up tempo and requires a little more 'hip hop' moves or we recently found a George Winston cd we had around that has lots of ballet type music on it. That, combined with her ballet shirt/tutu and her new chevron leg warmers and we had ourselves a little mini dance recital right in Hazel's bedroom. I could watch her all night!

This was her first time trying pancakes.  She loved them, and come to think of it, she ate two whole pancakes for breakfast this morning!

The start of her ballet session

This one just totally cracks me up.  The words she is singing are "JUST LIKE A ROCK STAR, HEY, HEY, HEY".  Why wouldn't those lyrics call for a fist pump in the air!?

I told her a while back that she needs to keep her eyes open when she dances so she doesn't run into anything.  I guess the emotion is just too much for her, she must close her eyes!

Love these next two silhouettes!

Once again, fist pump!  That seems to be a favorite move!

Uh-oh!  Prima ballerina in distress.  I can't remember what she was throwing a fit about here, but even ballerinas are allowed to have a meltdown!

I can't wait for her to start dance in the fall.  I'm pretty sure she is ready! :)

Since Hazel was Born

Here is a little video I have been meaning to make for awhile.