The desert meets paradise as another Hatch found a California girl. Westin and Rachel were married on 5/22/10. Morgan Christine Hatch was born on 5/5/2012 just before moving from Palo Alto California to Evanston Illinois. We live in a high rise 12 miles from Chicago and right by Lake Michigan. Westin is getting an MBA at Northwestern and Rachel is at home with Morgan exploring their new home and making new friends. Life is great as we continue to find new adventures with our family and friends.
This year for the 4th of July my sister Jenna and her kids Addison (3.5), Lauren (2.5) and Michael (6 months) came for the weekend. It was jammed packed with lots of food, fun and time in the sun! The week leading up to the holiday we got to spend more time with Auntie Anne since she had a few days off work.
Sleeping in Auntie Anne's brand new bathroom, she stayed on the blanket and loved it!
Probably my favorite picture of Morgan this summer. It's totally an ad for Little Tikes.
Morgans first video message for Dad and she didn't understand why she couldn't see him.
Walking on the pathway in front of our neighbors house with cousin Lauren and Addison.
4th of July last year...
4th of July this year.
Severa of my friends asked where I got this outfit, it was from Janie and Jack. I got it on sale back in March for only $15, such a steal!
Uncle/nephew bonding time. This is the second time they've fallen asleep together, so cute.
Lighting off sparklers!
Mumcie showing Morgan and Addison how to dig in the sand.
Classic childhood photo, eating the yummy sand.
I love this girl!
Morgan was burying Auntie Anne's feet with sand.
Just finished riding the carousel at the Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk!
Every year of Westin's life his family has gone to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons during the summer. Without fail his dad makes reservations and whoever can make it will come. As the years have gone on the number of people that go has fluctuated due to work, school, other travels, etc. I have not gone on this trip yet and was lucky enough to make it this year.
Morgan and I flew to UT on Thursday June 20th and spent the weekend with Jenna and her kids. Luckily Westin was able to fly to UT for the weekend instead of back to SF and we all were able to enjoy the hot dry Utah weather together! Morgan and I drove with Westin's family up to Yellowstone on Sunday while Westin flew back to Olympia WA. He met up with us again later in the week when we drove to the Grand Tetons on Wednesday. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back!
Keeping cousin Michael company.
Out to dinner with Aunt Ruth Ann (my dad's sister) who just returned home from her mission to Hong Kong.
Checking out her favorite animals - the elephants
Westin was very impressed with the polar bear made of legos, Addison not so much.
Building a tower with giant legos!
Morgan slept for almost four hours straight on our drive to Yellowstone, UT wore her out!
Walking by Old Faithful on our first night there.
Morgan's cousin Sylvie LOVED playing with her and was such a good helper in pushing the stroller!
The steep 1.5 mile hike to see the Lower Falls was much harder then I expected. Morgan is too big for the bjorn now. So sad!
On the way back up the trail Morgan made it even harder by falling asleep!
The Lower Falls are behind me, we trekked over to the Upper Falls to see them from another view.
Morgan and cousin Will are just a few weeks apart! They are such a fun pair.
Out on Westin's Uncle Gerald's boat with a gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons.
Daddy daughter reading time in front of Colter Bay.
This was one of my favorite nights of the trip. Aunt Deb and Uncle Harmon made a delicious feast and we enjoyed the sunset while skipping rocks on the water.
The last few weeks of school were probably the busiest weeks we have had in a very long time. Westin started his internship in the beginning of June before spring quarter at Kellogg ended. He flew back and forth from Chicago to San Francisco while doing training with Deloitte and finishing up classes at Kellogg.
While Westin was busy with school and work, I was trying to get our apartment ready to be sublet for the summer and train for the Ragnar Relay race on June 8th. All of this while taking care of Morgan on my own. Little did I know this would be a preview for our summer. Westin's project with Deloitte was up in Olympia Washington, so he will be traveling there every week Monday through Thursday.
I have been lucky enough to be living at home with my parents, so I am very grateful that they have supported us and had the chance to spend one-on-one time with Morgan.
On our flight from Chicago to Oakland - Morgan wasn't too happy that we took her off the tray table seat.
Uncle Carson couldn't wait to snuggle with Morgan on our first night home.
Auntie Anne playing in the backyard with Morgan.
Enjoying our first week back by hanging out at the pool.
Morgan is a fish, she loved the water!
Morgan and the Rachels at Angelina's wedding!
Carson, Me, Anne, Morgan and Westin enjoying the gorgeous day at the wedding.
Who knew she was such a dancer?
Happy Father's Day and birthday for Dad! We love you!
Maren, Rachel, Kristine and I at the Giants vs. Padres game. Carson was behind the camera, thanks Cars!
Our last post we couldn't believe how quickly Morgan's first year has gone by, now we can't believe how quickly our first year at Kellogg has gone by. It feels like just yesterday that we packed up our things and drove across the country to our new home.
People have asked us why we went back to school, the number one reason is the people. Our network of friends has grown so much and everyone is so talented. We are lucky enough to be going back for another year at the end of the summer and can't wait to meet the 1st years and what they have to offer the Kellogg community.
Our friends Yumi and Kouta came over for dinner and Morgan loved Kouta's school books!
At Raymond park swinging with her friend Charlotte!
My friend Chelsie took Morgan and her daughter Lucy on a bike ride!
Morgan and Oak in Nauvoo playing outside our hotel
Morgan working on her walking skills at the Kellogg Kids Picnic!
I ran the Chicago Ragnar race and survived it! Way to go team Prefontaine Experience!
I can't believe it but a year has flown by! Our sweet Morgan Christine turned one yesterday. She has changed so much in just 365 days and we are so blessed to have her as our daughter. Every day her personality continues to grow. She is a kind, patient, loving, fun, spunky, sweet little girl. I would say her three favorite things to do are smile, eat and sleep.
We had a few of her friends over for dessert and she had a great time. In just a short time here in Evanston we have made wonderful friends and we are blessed that Morgan is growing up with some great kids. Her favorite animal is an elephant, so we played "Pin the trunk on the Elephant". Westin cut out the elephant and the seven trunks to get pinned on it. It was a great first birthday and we can't wait to celebrate the many more to come!
Dad was a super star and made her elephant for "pin the trunk on the elephant"!
Morgan was so happy to have her friends over!
Morgan picked the spot, Dad just helped her put it on!
Our friends behind the camera did a great job making us all smile!
She was so excited for the cupcake...
...but it took several tries for her to actually put it in her mouth!
