I’m a little late getting this up here, but our little Hazel is 4 months old!  She is 16 lbs 8 oz and 24.6 inches long.

She is seriously wonderful.  She loves to practice sitting on her own, standing, and jumping.  She has the sweetest, most awkward little laugh when she is tickled.  She gives smiles to anyone who makes eye contact with her, unless she’s tired.  When she’s sleepy, she just gives a deadpan stare.  Those cheeks are heavy!

She loves watching her big brother play, and he loves making her tents and sharing his toys with her.  I had no idea how great it would be to have siblings.  I am just overwhelmed with gratitude for these two.

This is my Grandma, my mom’s mom.  This is how I remember her- beautiful smile, hard working, on their land deep in rural east Texas.  Going to visit Grandma and Grandpa was one of my favorite things to do growing up.  The last few miles to their house wasn’t paved, so we got really excited when we left pavement for the rocky road.  She’s with Jesus now, but so much of her legacy of love remains.  

When my parents came to visit in April, my mom brought the sweater and booties she knit for me when I was a baby.  I cherished the opportunity to put my own sweet baby girl in them, and the chance to reflect on the woman who made them.  I miss her greatly and I’m so grateful for the family she built.  I know she would have loved to meet Hazel.  Thank you, Mom, for keeping these and bringing them to me.  (And thanks to my cousin Amber, for posting so many family pictures for us to enjoy!)

We had the best visit with Aunt Megan a few weeks ago!  It was short, but we still managed to get in a castle tour/hike, the beach, several walks and lots and lots of books!  Our favorite bakery was closed while she was here, but we still ate well.  😉  I am super bummed I didn’t get any pictures of her with Hazel but I was pretty much wearing her the whole time.  I need to figure out how to get more pictures of H while we’re out and about on the rare occasions she’s not strapped to me!

Megan, we are so so glad you came.  Max still says daily, “I liked having Aunt Megan here.”  Me too, little guy.  Me too.  

See you in December!

Congratulations on your promotion, Major Pimentel!  I can’t overstate how proud I am of you, how blessed I am to be your wife, how beyond thankful I am that our children have you as a father, or how rich you make our lives.  God has gifted you greatly, and it was so gratifying to see you honored today.

2017 feels like a benchmark year in our family.  I feel a little more “grown up.”  2017 marks 10 years of marriage and 10 years in the Marine Corps.  We welcomed our second munchkin.  You entered the ranks of field grade officer and I finally earned my Certified Financial Planner designation.  We have six moves under our belt including an international one.  I am not sure what the next decade holds (or even the next year!), but I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be on this adventure with.  God has given us much.  Let’s charge full steam ahead into the next 10 years and beyond toward all the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do.