Hattie's Photo Shoot

I did some one on one mentoring with Stephanie Gardner from GiovannaLou Photography back in February, and after mentoring with her she lets you rent out her studio with the use of all of her props and backgrounds.  I was excited to do Hattie's newborn shoot, but it ended up being a lot harder than I thought.  The newborns always look so peaceful, but it was difficult to get Hattie to stay asleep, and  bringing Hazel was probably the worst part.  I thought I would take some pictures of Hazel as a 2 year old photo shoot, and get a few cute shots of them together, but as you can see below that didn't happen.  While Brendan and I were working with the baby, Hazel was into all of the props and hats.  She had taken off her shirt, messed up her hair, and had some carnival hat around her neck and that ridiculous hat with the flower.  She was then more than willing to take pictures in her chosen attire.  Although she looks very happy in these photos, don't let her fool you.  She was throwing a fit half the time we were there. 

Catch Up

I just recently got the internet a few weeks ago after not having it for two and a half months.   We used to split it with our downstairs neighbors and when they moved to Florida for the summer they discontinued the service.  We were moving in a few weeks and it wasn't worth it to have it set up again until we moved to our new place (only a block away from our old place.)   In the process of moving we went on two trips, and the internet people kept putting us off for a month.  So I've finally caught up on a few posts.

California - Funderland

While we were in California, we spent one day in downtown Sacramento at Funderland.  It is a small theme park for kids 2-12.  It was a little chilly and rained on and off throughout the day, but we all had a great time.

        

   

Hazel loved the rides, but also loved spending time with her cousin Jon.

Since I was pregnant I couldn't go on the rides with Hazel, but Brendan sure had a blast.  Hazel is shown at the beginning of the roller coaster with her hands up, but as soon as it took off she was frightened.

My dad, Hazel. my sister Paige, and her son Lewis.

California - Pool Party

For my Grandpa Hollingsworth's 80th birthday, my aunt Holly had a BBQ and pool party.  My whole family came into town, except for Blake, who is on a mission.  It was a fun get together with lots of wonderful food.  My aunt Roxanne also came from Oregon, and it was great to see her. 

Hazel enjoyed the water, especially the slide.  The bottom left corner is my mom and sisters except one.  The top right is my mom and nephew.

We had some great canon ball and diving contests.  

The top left is my dad with his two sisters and his parents.  The top right is my sister Brook and her daughter Rivers.  The bottom left is my niece and nephew, and the bottom right is my aunt Holly with my youngest sisters Holly and Ivy.

Hazel turned 2

We came back from Canada the day of Hazel's birthday, so we had to celebrate it a few days later.  I made a  layered vanilla cake with lemon curd and strawberries and a pink whipped cream frosting.  

Hazel was ready to open her gifts and we told her to wait a minute while Brendan got the video camera, and she stopped and folded her arms.

Canada

In May Brendan's brother, Christopher, got married in the Cardston temple.  We took a two week trip to attend the wedding and spend time with family.  Unfortunately the weather was really cold.  It rained almost everyday, except the day of the wedding, and even snowed one day.  After the wedding festivities were over, we headed to Banff National Park for 5 days.  We couldn't really enjoy the outdoors because of the in between weather.  It wasn't the middle of winter with all of the snow activities, and it wasn't nice and sunny to take a hike and have a picnic.  Most of the time we drove in the car and got out just to take pictures.  It was nice to come back to the states where everything is so much cheaper.  Gas was $5 a gallon, and I couldn't believe the price of groceries.  A container of Breyers ice cream was $8.   

 (I'm not looking my best in the photos.  Being 7 months pregnant with braces is not the best combination.)

Two days before the wedding, we spent some time with Brendan's grandpa and Christopher in Waterton Lakes National Park.

At the wedding dinner with Hazel.

I was a bridesmaid along with Brianna's sisters and Brendan's sister Taryn.  I made my maternity skirt myself with a little help from my friend Diana.

The reception was at Brianna's parent's high rise condo in downtown Calgary.  The view was beautiful.

 Brendan and Hazel are in front of the Banff Springs Hotel.

I didn't get a good photo of the hotel myself, but here is one.  The hotel is very old, but beautiful inside.  Photo from here

We are in front of Lake Louise, but as you can see it is still really icy.

Here is a picture of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the summer.  Picture from here

Hattie Joy

Baby Rowland #2

Baby Rowland was born on July 15th at 9:10 a.m.  She weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and is 20 1/4 inches long.  She doesn't have a name yet because Brendan is having a hard time deciding.  I've given him lots of options, but he has some kind of association with every name.  I've been waiting for her to have a name before I posted pictures, but everyone keeps asking what she looks like.  I'm not sure who she looks like, and she doesn't have nearly as much hair as Hazel did, but of course we think she's cute.  I'll be sure to give an update when Brendan has decided on a name.  

Happy Easter

 We did a little Easter egg hunt for Hazel up at Brendan's parent's house before dinner.  Brendan's brother, Christopher, and his fiancée were there, along with Bruce and Whitney.  Brendan's dad made a nice lamb dinner that we all enjoyed.  I was hoping to get a picture of Brendan and I, and not just Hazel, but it didn't end up happening.  Maybe another time.

When I asked Hazel to smile for me this is what I got.

Toddler Trouble

(Hazel loves to watch the birds on the side of our house, but they always fly away from her.  She of course will then proceed to climb up the steep hill, which usually results in her rolling down in the dirt.  She also enjoys collecting rocks in her bucket.)

As cute as she can be, Hazel is wearing me out lately.  Her personality and independence are really starting to show through.  She doesn't like to put on clothes I pick out, unless they are new, and then she gets excited.  She always wants to wear sandals when it's snowing, or crazy pants that don't match.

Just a few weeks ago she loved baths.  She hates baths and me brushing her hair.  Her hair always has a big rats nest in the morning, and she is constantly getting food and sticky stuff in her hair, but I can't brush it unless I somehow distract her.

Getting out of the house before noon looking decent, is a difficult task to accomplish.  It takes a lot of time and planning.

Her favorite phrases these days are "I want this" or "I need  this."  

The weather has warmed up and I've been taking her on walks or to the park, but as soon as something doesn't go her way or we have to leave she is throwing the most embarrassing fit.


Hazel used to bring us a diaper and wipes when she needed to be changed, but lately she is taking the diaper off herself, which can be very disastrous.  One day she even managed to take her diaper off while wearing a onesie, and the onesie was still snapped up with skid marks on the back.   

Naps and bedtime are the worst.  The past two days I've had her skip her naps and we were able to put her to bed by 9 p.m. which was better than 12 a.m.

Everything seems to be a battle with her all day long, except for food.  I have to say she is an excellent eater.  She will eat anything.  So far the only thing she says no to are apples.

Of course she isn't trouble all day long.  This morning she was pretending to leave in her play car and she yelled, "Bye, see you yater" and then she came over and gave me a kiss and said, "I wuv you."


As troublesome as she can be, we still love her!