Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hassell

This past weekend Alex's parents visited and we had a great time! Alex and his dad got a ton of work done in the backyard and it looks fantastic. The sprinkler system is ready to go, and all the new plants and trees are planted. Thanks so much for your help!

Grandma and Grandpa Hassell with Hailey

Bill, Alex, and Brooke Golfing (Brooke got a bogie on the first hole by making a 40 ft putt (best shot of the day) after not playing for over a year!)

Alex and his Dad having a great time together!

The Loch Ness Monster

We began a Parent and Tot swim class. It is a lot of fun and we are getting Hailey ready for a summer of exciting pool parties. Hailey and Brooke heading to the first day of class Alex attended the second day so Brooke could document the excitement. Her hair keeps getting blonder and the crazy curls keep getting curlier. The teacher told Hailey to kick slow, medium and fast. We were just hoping the monster would kick, let alone at a specified pace. She has been a great sport and seems to really enjoy it (a lot more than the kid in the top right corner). Hailey loved sitting on the edge and jumping in.

Babies grow too fast...

A friend just emailed me some pictures of Hailey she took in August. I can't believe how much she has changed in only 8 months! Actually, the second picture was taken last month, so only 7 months! I miss my little baby... but of course I love how she is now :) They just shouldn't grow so fast.

Pismo Beach

Last week Alex had a business trip to Wichita, so I went with Hailey to California to visit my family and see my new niece. We took a trip down to Pismo Beach for the weekend and had such a great time! Hailey loved playing with her cousin Rowan and Grandpa. Grandpa would build sand castles and Hailey was the "little destroyer". She loved playing on the beach and getting all sandy, although it wasn't warm enough to wear a swimsuit.

We ate really, really good Italian food at a place called Guiseppi's, and our last night there had fish and chips at the Cracked Crab. We also went to this really fun farmers market on the Avila Beach Boardwalk. There was live music, fresh strawberries, and I got to see my friend Ellen. On the way home we went to Hearst Castle which was so cool, and the drive there was gorgeous. The hills were so green and covered in wild flowers. It was such a good time, but were eager to get back to see Dad. Well, at least I was :) When Hailey saw Alex she cracked no smile and screamed her head off when I left her with him to go get our luggage. Not a very nice way to greet Dad, but she warmed back up once we got home!

I need to get more pictures from my mom, and will post more later, but here's a few from the trip.

Hailey with Grandpa and Rowan

Hailey on the beach

Hailey's sandcastle she just destroyed

View on the drive back to Sacramento

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny brought plenty of candy to the Hassell Castle.

in her pajama's,

and in her special Easter dress.

The Monster Learns to Hunt

As usual our exciting moments involve the monster and something new. Now that she has become a two legged roamer she was able to partake in the great Easter tradition, The Easter Egg Hunt. We do feel she is the smartest kid ever, slightly biased as always, and quickly picked up on the game and was brilliant.

She got into the March Madness fever and decided to pad her stats with a rebound and a basket.

It was a great time and because we keep it real in Arizona, the grass is fake.

March Madness

In the wake of the Cougar loss, the monster tore off her shirt and hopped on the Marquette bandwagon, home of Little Timmy and Aunt Anna (Shirt courtesy of the Milwaukee Kraft's).