Our Elephant and her Peanut

Hazel was quite agreeable to getting photos taken the other day in her elephant costume as you will see below. I do have a little ham...likely next year she will be Miss Piggy!

Getting photos of my elephant with her peanut was difficult, but we managed a couple. Crying photos are endearing as well, right? They are REAL children after all!

What a REAR! :)

Ready for the hat to come off I suppose.

Beau's MEMORABLE Halloween...

Was GREEN & YELLOW!

Beau was fortunate enough to have two tickets to the BIG game in Eugene this past weekend. His Halloween night was spent with my brother at the Oregon vs USC football game. THE DUCKS BEAT THE TROJANS in a historic game and they were quite hoarse after from all the yelling.

What a memory for the two of them, and I must say I was quite nervous as the game began as I knew how desperately the entire city of Eugene was hoping our DUCKS would come out on top! They did with an incredible showing, defeating the Trojans 47 to 20. Here are some photos from the game that Beau took on his cell phone (therefore the poor quality).

GO DUCKS!!!

View from their seats - not bad!

My brother Patrick at the game - I am so happy that he and Beau were able to go together!

A very happy Beau after the Ducks won the big game!!!

The final score - a big victory for our DUCKS!

Halloween with Aussie Michelle!

My friend, Michelle, from Australia arrived for a long-awaited visit last Thursday!!! She and I met just shy of four years ago online, and had never met. It was a nerve-wracking day for both of us, but we were quickly made comfortable as we started chatting and realized that though thousands of miles separate us, we do really have MUCH in common.

Henley and I were at the Portland airport with a sign that said, "Welcome Aussie Michelle," awaiting her arrival. She darted quickly right past us in the airport (not giving us a glance) and we then had to scurry off after her!! Thankfully, she heard me the second time I YELLED "Michelle!" I was relieved when she turned, not just that I was to meet her finally, but that it really was her I was YELLING at!

We got out to the car, and she proceeded to go to driver's side of the car. Silly! In Australia they drive on the other side of the road and therefore the driver sits on the other side of the car. We headed south, but before taking her to the house we had to make a pit-stop at the Woodburn Outlet Center for some necessary shopping!! Her boys had sent her to America with specific requests for gifts - Nike was top on the list.

After shopping, we came home and Hazel loved meeting her mommy's friend. She has since, thoroughly loved the attention from Michelle, cell phone, camera, lotions, perfumes, treats, and GIFTS she brought for us all. Here are some pictures from our visit thus far, and especially last night as Michelle celebrate Halloween with us at home.

Michelle's first taste of American shopping - and Halloween decor.

Henley enjoys having his Auntie Michelle hold him - the feeling is mutual I believe!

Hazel models her new Aussie hat - such a cheese ball!

We HAD to take Michelle to an authentic pumpkin patch for the full MUDDY experience!

Since we had been to this patch only a few weeks prior with her Grandma and Grandpa, Hazel was quick to take Michelle by the hand and aid in the pumpkin hunt.

They both found great pumpkins!

Happy Halloween!

Hazel was ready for a ride after the walk to the pumpkin patch.

Later - Hazel kisses her precious pumpkin.

Our pumpkins are MUCH easier to carve (apparently) than those found in Australia. Australian "blue pumpkins" are much harder and are gray in color.

Here we are working hard on our pumpkins - Hazel being the assistant with great ideas!

Fuzzy, but you get the idea. What fun!

Can you believe Hazel's skills with a knife at two! Wow!

Bring on the trick-o-treaters!

Henley got into the festivities as well.

Halloween night - my elephant was just a little unnerved by the ninja that came trick-o-treating (aka Donald).

We didn't take the kids out trick-o-treating this year, and instead opted to stay home and hand out candy. Hazel was very excited by all this, and was quite the helper. She rushed to the door when a child would knock and dished out candy (sometimes it made it into the child's bag). Here she is pretending to be a trick-o-treater at our door. :)

My cutie pie elephant!

The rear view of this costume is priceless, and bound to make you smile! (The photo doesn't do the elephant wedgie justice!)

Michelle with our peanut, he is missing his elephant however. We hope to get a photo of the two together when Hazel is more agreeable to the idea. We didn't want to force the idea - our peanut is still rather fragile and not ready to be cracked!

Hazel on the lookout for more trick-o-treaters. She was great at this task!

I had another costume for Hazel from last year - a pirate! AARGH!!

She donned the pirate costume all morning and enjoyed spending time in Bella's crate.

I hope to have a post telling you about Beau's SPECIAL Halloween soon...he was missing from our festivities for a good reason. :)

Happy Birthday Grandma

Hazel called her Grandma this morning to wish her a very happy birthday. Calling Grandma was so important to her that she even gave up eating her bagel and cream cheese to make the call! I don't have a video clip of the call, but here are some pictures of Hazel taken just after she made the call and was headed off with daddy to school for the day. You can see she didn't want to give up my phone once she made the birthday call to her Grandma...

Hazel wearing FUN striped tights today to celebrate her FUN Grandma's birthday!

Family Tradition...

Family is very important to Beau and I. We both come from supportive and loving families and feel strongly that it is important to honor those family ties. My family has a bassinet that has been passed down through four generations. Beau's family has a cradle that has now been passed down to it's second generation. The bassinet and cradle are two tangible items that symbolize the connection to family that runs deep in our new family of four.

My dad's mom, Henley's great-grandmother, slept in the bassinet below. My father and his three siblings slept in this bassinet. Years later, my brother and I took our turn as well as our three cousins. Two years ago, it was time to introduce the family bassinet to it's fourth generation when Hazel joined the ranks. Below is Henley in the bassinet. Fits like a glove!

Beau's father, Henley's grandpa, made the cradle (below) for his own children. He crafted it by hand for his children. Two years ago, it was Hazel's turn. Now, Henley rocks to sleep in this cradle.

Our children also carry names that come directly from our families.

Hazel Elizabeth was named after Beau's great-grandmother Hazel, and my mother Elizabeth.

Henley Roland was named after Beau's great-grandfather Clayton Henley (whom Hazel married and thus became Hazel Henley), and my father John Roland. My dad actually is the 3rd in a line of John Rolands, so Henley shares his middle name not just with his Papa, but also his great-grandfather and late great-great-grandfather.

Weekend at Nana & Papa's House

We headed north this weekend and stayed with my parents. Beau had a conference in Portland all day Friday, so the kids (sounds funny still) and I spent quality time with Nana and Papa. Uncle Patrick was able to come visit as well, though we missed Aunt Bonnie! Patrick hadn't been able to meet his nephew yet, due to illness, so it was great to introduce Henley to his doting Uncle!

Uncle Patrick holds his nephew Henley for the first time.

Hazel enjoyed a visit from her friends, Nathan (above) and Ryan...as well as their mothers, Patti and Angela. Hazel and Nathan played chase out on the lawn!

Ang holds Henley.

Papa with Henley.

Hazel always up for a photo-op!

Hazel sharing her special box with Nathan.

Ang & Ryan, Patti & Nathan, Hazel, me & Henley.

Henley tuckered out after a weekend with Nana and Papa.

Peeking out at mommy.

My little peanut.

Hazel LOVED assiting Nana in bathing Henley this morning.

Henley relaxed in the warm water and enjoyed getting his back scrubbed.

Hazel reaching in to assist. Such a little mommy!

A Beautiful day for PUMPKINS!

Today, we took the annual trip to Lone Pine Farms to pick pumpkins and get farm fresh fall produce. Beau's parents, Bruce and Roberta, were visiting and able to come along for the festivities...along with about 1/2 of Eugene!

Hazel enjoyed her third season of pumpkin hunting more than in the years previous. Okay, so her first trip was when she was just a month old, maybe that wasn't so memorable for HER. She loved stomping through the pumpkin fields and riding in the pumpkin cart. What fun we all had. Henley, at two-weeks old, was quite a sport. He enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather, and blue skies. I enjoyed LOTS of kettle corn, which I suppose he then has enjoyed second hand! :)

Who are those pumpkin heads?

Hazel telling Grandma all about the llamas she saw.

Out to the pumpkin field she goes.

Bumpy, but FUN ride!

Here we come pumpkins!

On the hunt for the perfect pumpkin.

The hunt continues...

...and continues...

Ooh, does Grandpa spy a pumpkin?

Hazel found one she likes!

Grandpa finds a perfect sized pumpkin for Henley.

Hazel loves the baby pumpkin.

Beau was drawn to this strangely colored pumpkin. He always goes for the odd ones, in wives too?

Enjoying the muddy pumpkin fields with my kiddos.

The family enjoying our day at the patch.

Hazel takes a ride back to the car courtesy of daddy.

My silly pumpkin hunter.

Henley meets Grandma and Grandpa Garner

Beau's parents, Bruce and Roberta, came to visit us this weekend to meet their first grandson. Henley was quite overjoyed and even stayed awake a full hour this morning to enjoy their company! Unfortunately, Bruce could only stay through this afternoon, but Roberta will join us through Wednesday. Henley is not the only one happy to have them visit, Miss Personality (Hazel) has been thrilled with the extra attention and has enjoyed performing all weekend!

Three generations of Garner men.

Henley quite relaxed with his Grandpa and Grandma.

Grandpa with Henley.

Grandma and Grandpa with their grandchildren.

All us Garners on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Grandma admires her grandson.

My son and I.

Hazel "Lizbeth" Garner

Hazel has just recently begun reciting her FULL name when asked what her name is...I find it quite adorable and just had to share.

All CLEAN!

I was thrilled yesterday when I discovered that Henley had lost his umbilical cord remnant! Hazel was confused as to what that shrivelled strange object was on the side table. I was excited as the loss of the cord meant Henley could take a BATH!! After 9 days of life on the outside, he was due some good sudsing. Beau was my photographer, and I was the bather. Hazel was a curious observer!

Henley began the experience less than pleased to be naked and submersed in the suds, however he soon relaxed, the cries stopped and he seemed to like the warm water.

The initial dislike is obvious from Henley.

Starting to relax...

Oh, maybe not quite relaxed yet...

Hmm...this is interesting...

Oh, I think this feels pretty good...

Thinking about his next meal?

Henley was content in the bath, not such a happy guy when he was taken out!

Hazel has to test out all of Henley's baby apparatus!