Bye Elmo

This is just a quick video of Kennedy saying bye to Elmo. She is getting to the stage where everything must be played 50 times in a row. Let's just say that Elmo is not on my "let's watch" list right now.

Snow Storm

Dec. 1st snow storm
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

For those of you that don't live in the northern states...this is a snow storm. We got over a foot of snow AFTER 2 inches of ice. The ENTIRE family was stuck at our house all day. After a weekend of shoveling and getting cars unstuck, KJ and I got to play a little. Be sure to check out the pictures by clicking this picture.

(yes, this makes 3 posts in one day)

Black-eye giggles

black-eye giggles
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Well, this past Monday Kennedy decided to pull a TV tray down on top of her. She obviously thought it was funny.

Great Grandpa & KJ

Great Grandpa & KJ
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

This past friday (Dec. 1st), Laura's grandpa Horsley passed away. Grandpa had cancer for quite a while, and it finally beat his physical body. Over the last couple months, Grandpa was in and out of the hospital and ws in the nursing home for about 2-3 months, and Kennedy would love to go visit him. We passed the nursing home every day on the way to school, and she would point and say, "paw-paw" everytime.

This picture is of the last family breakfast we had with grandpa, in October. Grandpa was always trying to make KJ laugh, and wanting some kisses. She obliged as much as a 1 yr. old would. She even would go up and touch his tatoo on his arm saying, "TOO". (His tatoo said "EJH" it stood for Ed J. Horsley...the funny thing is that he didn't have a middle name, he just didn't want his arm to say EH)

Grandpa Horsley's passing brought back so many memories of my Grandpa and his passing 8 years ago. So much of Grandpa Horsley reminded me of my Grandpa Kayser. From their jokes to their servant hearts.

I know how much we were blessed by being able to spend time with grandpa and seeing his Godly example, but I can't wait to tell Kennedy about her Great Grandpas that loved her so much.

CANDY!!!

CANDY!!!
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

This why I stopped coaching basketball. Kennedy was so much fun to take around trick or treating. She was terrified of the older kids dressed like monsters. She would hide behind me, or try climbing up my leg. While we walked up to people's houses, she would hold out her bucket and say, "more". She has found the true meaning of Halloween...SUGAR!

Finger Painting

1st time finger painting
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

KJ and I spent the day together this past Saturday while Laura was out with some friends from church. I decided it would be a great opportunity to introduce KJ to the art of finger painting. She picked it up very well, and is quite the artist. The problem is that her canvas was herself and the kitchen table, and not the paper. She had a fun time, and I had a blast watching her. Be sure to click this picture and see some more pictures of her in action, as well as one with KJ and her boyfriend.

Sneek Peek

Chicken Girl
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

This is just a preview of KJ's halloween costume. I'm not quite sure if she likes it or not, but it sure makes me chuckle.

Stressed (Not really)

Busch Stadium
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

OK, I can't hold my silence anymore. I know most of you look to this blog as your source for picures of my sweet baby. I apologize, but I must vent about my beloved birds.

Why do they do this? They are on the brink of one of the most historic meltdowns in baseball history. 2 years ago it was the sweep by the Sox. Last year it was Oswalt and those cursed 'Stros who had our number (Lidge does not count because of the massive homerun the Pujols hit off him...have they found that ball yet?). This year, it's themselves! WHY!?

I have such fond memories from all of these seasons:
-When Jimmy Edmonds saved us in game 6 with a clutch homerun in 04 against the 'Stros
-Last year I ran around the house in my underwear ,jumping and screaming silently (as not to awaken the baby or my wife), when Pujols hit the farthest homerun I have ever seen (and consequently the sound of a packed stadium going silent in .68 sec...that must have been very eery). And then I watched them blow it at Busch two nights later.
-This year I had the opportunity to see my first game at the new Stadium with my brother Josh and friend Wes. (they beat the Cubs)

Anyways, I write all of this to say that all of you Astro fans out there are just getting your hopes up. The cards are going to win the division, and go to the World Series...Take it to the bank...I think

Walkin' and Talkin'

Here is some video of me trying to get KJ to say HI to Adam and Heidi in New Zealand.

Labor Day Weekend

Swinging
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

My family was in town this weekend and we took a trip to the Apple Blossom Farm. Kennedy had a great time on the playground and really enjoyed digging into an apple. She sure is blessed to have so many people in her life that love her so much!

Sunscreen

Aww, come on dad
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

When we were down in Gulf Shores we had to lather KJ up with some good ol' SPF 45. Needless to say she didn't like it that much.

This week was my first full week of school. I was on my way to take KJ to Laura's aunt's house today and I look back and she threw up all over herself. This picture shows the same look I got from KJ this morning. It was like she was saying, "Why are you just staring at me...pull over and clean this nasty stuff off of me!"

Vacation

KJ in pool
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

It's the end of the summer, and school is about ready to start. It has been a very different summer, but a good one. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to relax in Gulf Shores with Laura's family. It was fun to see KJ at the beach for the first time.

Elmo & KJ

Elmo & KJ
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Laura and Kennedy got to go see Elmo today over in Peoria. For those of you who don't know, Kennedy is CRAZY about Elmo. She watches his videos, plays with her Elmo doll, and always asks for "Meh-mo" as she calls him. A lot of the kids were afraid of the big red guy for some reason, and I thought KJ would be the same way, kind of like how kids love Santa Claus until they see him. Kennedy would have nothing of the sort. She did not want to wait in some silly line to go see him. It took all Laura had to keep her from butting in line. Finally she got to see him, and just turned and grinned at him. Laura was barely able to take a picture of Kennedy looking at the camera because she was gazing into his big eyes atop his red head and oddly unproportioned nose.

Summer

Garage Sale
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Along with summer comes garage sales. We had ours a little while ago, and I just wanted to use that segway to show a great picture a friend took of KJ at our garage sale.

Wilderness Trek 2006

Me on Summit
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Wow!! I know this isn't about Kennedy, but I couldn't help but write about my trip to Salida, CO. Myself, along with Alisha Berry and Kevin Thomas, took 8 teens from Central Illinois to Salida, CO for Wilderness Trek. We met up with a group of 11 from the North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, TN. I wasn't quite sure that I wanted to share our time on the mountain with a group we didn't know, but I am confident that God had a great plan in mind. Our two groups became one within the first night at low camp.

The first day was supposed to be about rappelling, but God had a different plan...called hail. It hailed soooo hard and we all got very wet. Not exactly a great way to start the week. I thought most of the kids would be upset, but their attitudes were great. After that, God really started to work on our hearts. Despite being from different youth groups, we shared our struggles and messes in our spiritual lives. We prayed for each other, and kept dry from all of the rain we encountered. We spent 3 hrs. by ourselves to pray, read, sing...whatever. Then we made out summit attempt on Mt. Shavano (14, 229 ft.) We started at 5:30 AM, and made the unbelievable journey. All 24 of us made it to the top. Despite knee injuries, fainting, and throwing up, we ALL made it, and it was beautiful. The view was great, but seeing how God blessed all of us was the beautiful part. Alone, I never would have made it.

On the last night, we had our final devo. After a week of tearing down barriers and walls, we spent over 3 hours building each other up. We almost left (for an 18 hr. drive) but decided to stay. I'm so glad we did. That devo took the trip from great to an unbelievable spiritual experience.

I know this was longer than normal, but oh well.

By the way...it was great to not have to dig a hole this morning :)

Happy Birthday

1st b-day-1
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

OK, so I'm a little late. I've gotten a TON of grief from too many people about not updating my blog. Well, I've done it now, and Kennedy has been 1 for a couple of weeks. Here is a picture of her, and you can see about 30 more once you click on this one.

We had a great time with friends and family celebrating her birthday. Laura mad a delicious Elmo cake, and My parents were able to come over from Omaha. I hope to put her 1 year photos up here soon. I will be gone for another week to Colorado, so don't be betting on a quick upload.

Also, I ask that you continue to pray for my aunt and uncle who were in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. You can check my cousin's blog to get the most recent update.

Mommy look-a-like

Laura's mom was cleaning out her attic and gave Laura all of her old stuff. Well, amongst all of her stuff was this picture. We couldn't believe the similarity between Laura and Kennedy. We thought we would pass these pictures along. Let us know what you think.

First Goose Egg

Not sleepy
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Kennedy has proven to be pretty tough. She takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. On Easter night, she took a pretty good fall and hit the corner of our coffee table. It popped out pretty quick, and she only cried for about a minute and then she was back to normal. I think we were more shaken up be it. The first photo is from just minutes before, and the second is about 2 minutes after.

This came right after a great trip to Searcy seeing family. Kennedy go to see a lot of family, and also got to meet more family. It was great to see everyone. To see more pictures from the weekend, click here.

Guys Weekend

What a great weekend. Even though I am pooped, the weekend in Atlanta with college friends couldn't have been better. There was 36 holes of golf, 4 hours of basketball (playing), who knows how many hours of watching basketball, card playing, and just some great catching up. God has blessed me with some pretty amazing friends, and I do feel blessed to be able to call them friends. Once a year never seems enough to do this, but I am grateful for this weekend every year. This was our 5th year to do this.

Take a look at some of these pictures of our golf outing.

Weekend Photos

Biter Biscuits...yummy!

Biter Biscuits...yummy!
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

It's been a little while since KJ had the tubes put in, and what a blessing. She is a different baby. She wasn't real bad and fussy before, but now she is just happy. She is on the go too. Eating has become her favorite thing to do. Actually, it's more of a "put anything in my mouth" fetish that she has. Thankfully, this was a biter biscuit and not something she found on the floor.

I CAN HEAR!!

Happy
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Well, KJ just got the ol' tubes put in her ears. It is amazing what a difference it has made. I think she laughed more on the day she got them than she did the previous week.

She is now 9 months old, and REALLY wants to move around.

Laura and I were reading a book called "Baby 411" (actually she just told me about it), and it said that the real parenting begins at 9 months. My first thought was, "well what have I been doin for the last 9 months?" Then I realized how true that was. She understands what "NO" means, and when we say no (usually when she is trying to get in the trash) she just looks at us and smiles.

great!

Hello

Here is a little bit of me trying to get KJ to say hi to Adam and Heidi.

don't mess with my food

don't mess with my food
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

If there's one thing KJ is serious about, it's her food. Seriusly, don't mess with her food.

Little Swimmer

Bath Time
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Kennedy loves to move around, but she hasn't quite figured out how she wants to do it. She wants to crawl, but only backwards. She likes to "swim" but you can only go so far in a 5 foot tub. She LOVES to walk, but only if Mom or Dad is holding her hands. So we'll just have to wait and see what happens with her transportation methods.

Loud Mouth

Just singin
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Kennedy is getting pretty vocal. She still reverts back to blowing spit bubbles now and then, but she's got a great "raptor" noise. She does this noise that sounds just like one of the dinosaurs in Jurrasic Park.

Everyting around here is going great. We are about half way through the school year, and we're already just about done planning for the summer. As long as we get to spend time with this little girl, we'll be fine.

We hope this finds everyone doing great.

The house that Christmas puked on

The house that Christmas puked on
Originally uploaded by pick1230.

Laura and my mom probably don't care for me to put this on the blog, but this house is crazy. This is the house that Christmas puked on.

KJ's First Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. God has blessed us with such a great year all together. This Christmas was a little different for our family. Not only were Kennedy and her cousin Sidney celebrating their first Christmas, but their Grandma Glover (Cordry)was getting married 2 days later.

We had a ton of stuff going on. On Christmas eve, we had the Horsley family Christmas party (Barb's family), and on Christmas night we were at the Hanson's house for the Glover christmas dinner. After church on Christmas morning, we had lunch At Barb's house with Dave's family. Dave is now my new father-in-law. Laura's father passed away 5 years ago, and this past summer Dave and Barb met, and the rest is history. Barb's life is now blessed with Dave Cordry (our lives are blessed as well by Dave).

Through all of this excitement, KJ was going through her 2nd ear infection. In fact, she decided to stay up until about 2 a.m. waiting on the "Big Man" on Christmas eve --not fun.

Laura and I also celebrated our 5th Anniversary this year by going to Chicago for two nights. Thankfully, my mom was able to come up with my Grandma to spend some time with Kennedy while we were gone. Laura's sister, Betsy, also watched KJ for an evening. We are so thankful for our family, and their love for us and Kennedy.

All in all, we had a great time with family and friends the past few weeks. We missed not being able to see all of my family (Mom and Dad in Omaha, Josh in St. Louis, Adam and Heidi in Australia, Cassidi in Phoenix--I guess we get a little spread out as we get older), but we are so blessed to have all of them in our lives.