Home Again!

Chris got into NOLA a few hours before Hazel and I (on July 2), and was nice enough to wait for us, even after a long red-eye flight.  Our friend picked us up from the airport and we all headed back to Hattiesburg.  It had been a LONG 6 weeks and we were so excited to have our husband/daddy back.  He had grown out his beard while he was down there, and even though we skyped all the time while he was there, Hazel was a little apprehensive about his facial hair when she saw him again. 

He brought back some cool presents for us too.  Hazel got a new little purse and she LOVES it... and she and I both got some really pretty traditional bracelets.  He also brought back a cool instrument that Hazel wanted to play.  We LOVE having him home!  

 

Also,  Hazel finally WALKED ON HER OWN!  The whole time we were in California, she was pretty much walking, but would only do if if she could hold onto your pinky finger or something... As soon as she was on her own, she would immediately drop to her knees and crawl.  She either couldn't get the confidence to do it on her own or she was just waiting for her dad to come home so he could be there to witness her first steps... because on July 4, she did it... She basically started RUNNING, and it SO FUN!

Part VI: Foster Family Reunion in St. George

June 27-July 1, the last week of our trip, we drove up to St. George for our Foster Family Reunion.  We went to the lake, went swimming every single day, went to the splash pad, and played non-stop the whole time we were there.  It was fun to see Chris and Mikelle's family before we headed back to Mississippi, but we missed Trevor and Roxanne. 

Playing games at the house.

The view from our balcony in Santa Clara

Sand Hollow with the family.

Jorli and Drew

Tate and Hazel, and Hazel's belly :)

More stairs to climb!

Hazel with her bff, Jake.

Cade and Hazel at the splash pad.  I wish we had something like this in MS!

Charly and Hazel

Kaylee, Malia, and Kennedy at the splash pad.

California Part V: Camping at Doheney State Beach

June 15-19 we went camping at Doheney Sate Beach Park with Grandma, the Larsons, and the Hunts. We had a blast, and Grandma even let us take over her camping trailer for most of the week. We got spoiled, but I was extra grateful, because Hazel actually slept once we were in there!

Hazel, Drew, and Jorli playing in the trailer.

Hazel and Drew took turns pushing each other around on this thing.

All the cousins playing

Hazel's private, beach-front pool.

My friend Lindsay Norling came up from San Diego one day to visit! 

My favorite picture of Hazel and I.  Ha, ha!  We are so photogenic.

Charly taking Hazel on a walk around the campground.

Jake singing "head, shoulders, knees and toes" with Hazel.

Love this girl!

Hazel pushing her stroller around on our last morning at camp. 

California Part IV: Visiting Rob and Sara

Chris' Grandpa Dan just happened to be visiting southern California at the same time we were so Hazel got to meet him for the first time!   We drove out to Garden Grove for a day and visited Uncle Rob and Aunt Sara, Grandpa Dan, and Andrew.  Andrew's kids, Brantley and Maddox were there too so Hazel had fun playing with her cousins.  Grandpa even took a dip in the pool, fully clothed of course :) and Hazel wanted to join.

Brantley and Hazel

Grandpa Dan

Uncle Rob... Hazel wasn't too sure about this situation.

Hazel made Aunt Sara walk her through the doorway about 100 times.

Hazel and Aunt Sara.  So glad we got to see them while we were in town!! 

California Part III: Visiting Friends!

 I got to see a few friends while I was in town too!  Jess Lang and Sam (not pictured) met up with us for lunch in Temecula one day and it was soooo fun to catch up.  They are the best and cutest couple. 

6/25/15

I also got to meet up with Jennilee in San Diego!  We don't get to see each other nearly enough so it was fun to spend the day together... We went to lunch and took a trip to the beach.  Velzy was the best "big sister" and played with Hazel the whole time.  Wish we lived closer!

6/9/15

California Part II: All the In-Betweens

Jorli on the swing at Grandma's house.

Hazel went swimming with her cousins in Grandma's spa a LOT while we were visiting.

Grandma and Hazel at Newport Beach.  It was freezing that day, but we had fun.

Newport Beach.  Amy and her kids came too!! (6/4/15)

Hazel being a couch potato

Hazel basically learned how to walk while we were home.  She never got the courage to totally let go of someone's hand but she would just barely hold onto your finger and cruise around.

Drew let us borrow his toy while we were there and Hazel LOVED it.

This is Drew... passed out mid lunch.

 Rachelle and Marc let us tag along with their family to Lake Elsinore.  Rachelle took their family flyboarding for Marc's birthday and they were nice enough to let me try too!  It was pretty awesome. 

6/20/15

 

Tate and Hazel

This is me trying it out.

Sunday dinner at Rachelle and Marc's house for Marc's birthday (6/14/15)

Hazel giving grandma kisses.

Hazel pushing Grandpa Harrison's walker around.

Hazel's yoga routine

Hazel and Drew

Hazel LOVED climbing up these stairs at Grandma's house.  It was a constant battle.