I've got a new Camera

I've taken a few pictures over break, and wanted to share them. I'm still practicing with the camera, but I'll get there.

Christmas Hangover

A few pictures from the crash that is known as Christmas Hangover

My parents, older brother and sister came to our house for Christmas, and we had a great time. I wanted Adam, Heidi, Betsy, and all the rest of our family and friends to see some pictures of KJ, and how hard she attacked Christmas this year, and how hard she crashed shortly there after.

Interesting Holiday Season

This holiday season has been an interesting one. It started with Laura and I making some holiday treats, and then taking Laura to the hospital to get 4 stitches because she sliced her finger open. When we walked in to the Emergency Room, all of the nurses thought we were there for Laura to have the baby. Nope...just my wife cutting her finger open.

Laura was able to tough out the next week at school, only to slip on some ice on her way to her car while at work. Thankfully, the baby and Laura were fine, however, she did fracture the top bone in her foot. Laura has to wear an air cast around, but she is doing pretty good now. Her foot is still a little bruised and swollen. You would think that being 34 weeks pregnant, stitched up, and walking on a fractured foot would get a girl down, but not my wife. She made Christmas dinner, cleaned the house for a showing, and has been out visiting family through all of this.

Today, KJ got a little too close to Laura's foot and Laura warned KJ to be careful. KJ kept looking at Laura's foot, and then reached out and slapped it. Laura yelped in pain, and KJ started apologizing immediately saying she didn't mean to hit her foot. I guess she wanted to see if mommy was faking it. I don't think she is.

By the way, I was not sitting down watching TV while Laura was doing all of this stuff. I was helping her. No, seriously, I was.

Thanksgiving 2007

We had a great Thanksgiving. Laura, KJ, and I went down to St. Louis to see my parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. Throw in Aunts and cousins all into a friends house who wasn't in town, and you have a great time. We all stayed at the O'Dell's house and were able to just hang out for a few days. It was great to see Adam and Heidi who were able to fly over from New Zealand. It was our first time in about 18 months to talk in person, and not through a computer.

Kennedy had a great time seeing all of her aunts and uncles, as well as Great-Grandma Kayser and Great-Grandma ad Grandpa Picker. Of course, she spent quite a bit of time with Nana and Papa.

Kennedy actually woke up one morning and said, "Where's Joshy?"

She didn't initially have the same fondness for Adam, but she soon grew pretty fond of him as well.

Drunk on Candy

This was too funny to keep to myself. Let's just say that we probably let KJ have a bit too much candy.




Kennedy was given the cheerleader outfit before she was even born by a few girls in my youth group.

Halloween

Just a quick post to let you see KJ on Halloween. She was VERY reluctant to go up to houses, until she realized (by the 4th house) that she got candy at the houses. Then, she kept saying, "More candy?"

We had such a fun time.

Fun Times

What can I say? She gets her moves from her Daddy.

Scratches

Well, this morning I woke up, and KJ had healed quite a bit. I guess that's a good quality is she's going to take things from other girls. I still took this picture to show you a little bit of the scratching.

No black eyes...it was a girl fight.

Scrapper

Well, KJ took part in her first fight today. Don't worry, the other girl is fine. Actually, the other girl has 2 older siblings, and knows how to defend herself. KJ...not so much. She was a little scratched up though.

YES, pictures are on the way! Do you really think that a dad that put a picture of his daughter's first black eye is going to let this moment pass without posting a picture?

Apparently KJ wanted a ball that the other girl had...so she took it. I don't think she'll be doing that tomorrow. If she does, then we might have to get her checked out.

On a bright note, theu were playing together, and hugging when they had to part ways.

Meet--Ansley Grace Picker

This is the first real picture of Ansley. She is only about 18 weeks along, and hasn't quite made any fat for her arms or legs yet. She is only in the 54th percentile for weight, which is a little different than KJ (who dominated the 98th percentile for most of her time in Laura).

God is amazing isn't He?

Hello Llama

We went to Tanner's apple farm this past weekend, and we had a great time watching KJ run wild. She loved feeding the llama and the goats, as well as running through the hay maze. Take a peek at the rest of our pictures from the day.

Time Out

I guess we all need a little time to think about what we've done. KJ decided not to obey us, and then she thought about it for a little while. She doesn't really enjoy timeout, but she just sat there and didn't make a peep. Laura was trying so hard not to laugh. We've put KJ in timeout before, but she always went in her crib. I decided that this was a better idea, and it was hilarious.

San Antonio

This past week, we got to visit with Brett and Stacy down in San Antonio. Sidney and KJ have loved their time together. I will post more after we get home, but here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Child Labor

You see, if you teach them early to clean, then they won't fight you later (At least that's the theory right?").



~~A little side note~~I start working in the office after camp, so these daily updates will end after tomorrow.

Year 2

Here are a few pics of KJ during year 2. She was very sick when she woke up this morning (her birthday), and was not happy about it. By the end of the day all she wanted to do was go outside.

Hopefully she'll be better this weekend. We leave for camp this weekend for a week.

Summertime

This week is my first week off of school, and I am with KJ by myself until about 2:00 everyday this week. We have had a great time so far. We've been to "Ronald Donald's" (her name for McDonald's), to the park, and running errands. We've also experimented a little with the video camera, and she wanted to show off to her Uncle Adam and Aunt Heidi.

Peace Out! (For a year)

A few months ago, Betsy got Kennedy and Sidney both to say "peace out!" every time they left. That's what KJ said to Betsy last night as we were saying goodbye for a year. Betsy is on her way to Uganda today.

We absolutely LOVE when Betsy comes home from school. She gives Kennedy all the attention she possibly can, and just loves on her every moment. It was pretty tough for Betsy to say bye to her niece last night. She wrote about KJ and Sid in her blog last week, and how much she'll miss them.

We're hoping for fast internet connections so we can iChat and let her see KJ. I just wanted to take a little space on here to ask for prayers for Betsy, and let you see the joy that Betsy brings to Kennedy.

It's been a while

This time of year is always the most hectic time of year for me. I am finishing up school stuff and getting ready for summer youth group stuff. So, I decided I better put a picture up here. I love this little group of pictures I took a little bit ago. KJ was having such a fun time playing. It's great to be reminded what's important among all of the craziness.

Bubble Time

Bubble Time, originally uploaded by jeremypicker.

I know one day, Kennedy will not think fondly of me for posting these pictures of her on the internet, but this bath time was hilarious.

We were down in Searcy for Easter, and we stayed at my grandparents house (while they were in New Mexico). So I thought I would send them a picture of their great-grand daughter enjoying their bath tub.

Kennedy really enjoyed seeing family that she doesn't get to see that often. She might have been a little apprehensive at first, but she warmed up pretty quick. Plus, she got to see her Na-Na and Paw-Paw. That's always a good thing.

Don't forget to click on the picture to see more pictures of Kennedy.

She got me first...I promise

She got me first...I promise, originally uploaded by jeremypicker.

KJ and I had a bath time, color fight. She started it though. I just ended it. :)

Visit to Great-Grandma's

Great Gtrandma Kayser, originally uploaded by jeremypicker.

Laura, KJ and I went down to see my grandma a few weeks ago just for the day. We had a great time, and I think Great grandma enjoyed seeing the little stinker. Josh came over as well to spend the day and see us. It was good to be with family. We just wish we could do it more often.

Snow Days

Blocks, originally uploaded by pick1230.

Last week, Laura and I had 2 snow days. I wasn't all that excited about snow days, seeing that I am going to have to make them up in the summer. However, having 2 days to spend with Laura and KJ was great. We had so much fun just being together, and being lazy for once.

What a blessing snow can be...Shoveling the driveway 3 times in one week...not so much. I am officially tired of snow for this season.

Cuz

AAAWWWWW, originally uploaded by pick1230.

About a week before Christmas, Laura's sister and brother-in-law (Brett and Stacy) came stay in Peoria until the end of January. Brett had one of his medical school rotations at a local hospital.

Well, Kennedy got a little attached to her cousin Sidney. They had quite a good time together. When they were separated (just overnight would do), their reunion was hilarious to watch. One would start squealing, and that would get the other one going. They even have names for each other. Kennedy is "K-K" and Sidney is "Me-Me".

We were so thankful for the time these girls got to spend with each other. (It was great having Brett and Stacy around too.)

We are so thankful for all the family that God has blessed us with.

Christmas time

Here are just a few pictures of Kennedy during our Christmas break. We visited my parents in Omaha for a few days, and visited the Omaha Childrens Museum. Kennedy LOVED visiting there, and her Paw-Paw at work. Seeing my parents is always a great time for all of us. When we got back, we had Laura's siblings over to our house on Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning. Kennedy and her cousin Sidney had a ball opening presents and playing with the paper and boxes. They played with the toys a little too. Here are a few pictures of the festivities. Also, if anyone out there has Skype, feel free to call me sometime. My Skype name is "Jeremy Picker". I pretty much use it to talk with my brother in New Zealand and my parents (once we get the video calling to work better).