Friends!!!

Our dear friends the 'Furni' (the plural version of 'Furniss') came to visit us in D.C.!!! Our kids have been shoved together literally since the day they were born (I think we wanted to make sure the infants were imprinted with the faces of their friends) and we were so excited for them to visit the kids made a count-down paper chain. The first picture is the first night; while they were waiting for dinner they were all holding hands and making different shapes with all of their arms together- I about fell over when everyone smiled for the picture! Kohen and Maile are only one month apart and very alike so I didn't have high hopes either would even acknowledge me and I was thrilled. Next is a picture of them playing out in the baby pool which they played with until they had splashed and played nearly all of the water out of it. And finally the picture of the Fantastic Four with their Smoothy Mustaches which they were all quite proud of...To be fair I should say that these 4 in a many ways act like siblings and that means that they have a lot of fun together but there is also the occasional dispute over a toy or tattling on each other, But overall they seem so happy to be able to play with one another again and we are so excited to have them here!!!

My New Little Helper

This is Aly using her newly learned skills to better the entire family. Maybe she can sense I need help with laundry, either way I appreciate her willingness to 'help'. Since learning to get around she has also become infatuated with the toilet (her next stop after she tired of laundry this night) and last night when I caught her standing up to the toilet bowl I started walking towards her and as soon as she saw me coming she quickly plucked her pacifier out of her mouth and dropped it into the water. I walked up as the pacifier sunk to the bottom and she looked up at me, gave me the cheesiest smile and happy little squeal- she was so proud of herself- she cracks me up.

Memorial Day

Since we live in Broadlands we have access to 3 community pools which opened on Saturday. It has con 7kfnveniently been hovering near 90 degrees so /[p;767ltoit was certainly hot enough to go. Memorial day afternoon we met the Bells at the pool that is literally right around the corner from our homes. It was so nice because there was always someone willing to toss the kids around in the pool for a while. Aly is entering her 'I only want my mom' phase which she adheres to fairly strictly with the occasional exception of Dad, Rosie and Peter. It was nice to have all of these people around all day so that I could just hand her off when I needed to, I felt so spoiled. I love the picture of Kohen because some kid accidentally splashed him in the face and he was showing us where the kid splashed him (in his eye); and in the last picture you can see 7 of 11 of us hanging out (if anyone would like to see a closer up version just double click on any of the pictures and it should bring up a bigger version). Then everyone came to our house to brake in our new BBQ and we had a feast that was so good it would be rude for me to sit here and tell you all about it. This was some of the most fun we have had here yet.

Facial Hair Removal

Poor Nathan was just trying to have a little rest on the couch after work. As he settled in Dr.Kennedy saw her opportunity to perform some exploratory procedures on a helpless patient and got straight to work. In what I can only guess was an attempt at a radical/revolutionary Facial Hair Removal procedure Dr.Kennedy gently and patiently covered her patients face with stickers. She would occasionally do calculations on her 'computer' (aka. calculator) and the answer always seemed to be the same- more stickers. Thankfully Dr. Kennedy's gentle application ensured that it predominately remained a hair removal procedure. She generously removed the skin for free.

Baby Beethoven

At 11 months old Alyssa is now composing her first symphonies...on her tippy toes...one handed. She was so proud of herself when she pulled herself up and realized she could hold on to the piano bench and reach the ivories with her other hand. I have video of this but in the middle of Concerto #1 in A minor (ha ha, 'A minor', Nathan thought of that one) Kennedy comes up and attempts to lift Aly up onto the piano bench and so the clip ends with me admonishing Kennedy to 'put her down!!!'. I know Kenna was just trying to help her sit and have proper posture so I can't really fault her for that. In the end Alyssa just stood there plunking out a little tune pleased as punch with herself for learning her new trick.

Frying Pan Park

One of the girls in my ward organized an outing group and this month we went to Frying Pan Park. We took a 20 min tour of the equestrian park and farm on a trailer pulled by a tractor which was fun except that the guide would stop and name all of the different types of animals that you 'may' see in the woods and both Kohen and Kennedy grew more and more frustrated when the animals we 'may' see decided to be aloof. But that was soon forgotten as they explored Kidwell Farm where there were cows, chickens, roosters, peacocks, turkey, lambs, goats, and horses. Oh yeah, there were also new piglets who Kennedy declared were 'stinky'- proving once again she inherited her Papa Dixie's superhuman nose. There was fun farm equipment to check out and play structures to play on and even a picnic in the shade. At this juncture I would like to point out that the fact that we had a picnic means that I actually packed it the night before which means I was prepared and I feel like I should recieve some sort of Brownie Button or something...hmm. I will have to look into that...at least the Brownie part...

Busy Bee

Meet Alyssa AKA: Busy Bee.

(I think of the line from Monsters Inc. when Mike Wasowski says "Well someones been a busy bee!")

She thinks she can wait to learn how to sit up until she is 8 months old and then lull her parents into a false sense of security by waiting longer than her older siblings to crawl. The following is not an exaggeration. One day about a week and a half ago Alyssa decided to start crawling...and pulling herself up on things...and crawling up stairs!!! In the same day! Talk about shock and awe- we have been completely blind-sided by Aly's sudden decision to be Ms. Mobile. I cannot believe she can crawl up stairs!!! Somebody save me! Or at least pick up all of the hazardous material my 2 and 4 yr old are in the habit of leaving around on the floor! And to add to her list of impressive accomplishments; in the last month Alyssa got her first two teeth, was weaned, figured out how to drink out of a sippy cup (one she conveniently found on the floor) and is now standing for several seconds without assistance. And just like that my ' little baby' is gone.

Kodak Moment

Moments like this between Kohen and Alyssa are rare. They usually consist of him leaving her crying in his wake because he was too rough with her or knocked her down as he goes roaring by. So when I saw him sit down next to her and gently pull her up onto his lap I grabbed the camera to catch a true Kodak moment!

Monkey see Monkey Do

~Monkey See - Monkey Do~

An exchange

The scene: Our family is sitting around the dinner table eating homemade pizza whose wheat flour I ground up in our vitamix blender.
Kennedy: I know where you make pizza.
Dad: Oh yeah? Where?
Kennedy: In the thunder.
(mom and dad exchange a questioning glance)
Mom: What do you mean?
Kennedy: (with sincerity) I don't know.........
Kennedy: You know, where you make smoothies and pancakes?
Mom: Ohhh, you mean the blender?
Kennedy: Yeah! The blender!!!

The Man saves The Princess from The Dragon

Kennedy had a friend over to play the other day and they were playing dress up. When Kohen brought me one of Kennedy's princess dresses to put on him I knew that I could wait no longer to find this kid some dress ups of his own...preferably ones that weren't made of pink tule. So we found this Knight Armor for $10 and thought it would work. Heretofore I have been against buying my children weapons not wanting to encourage violence. But over time I have discovered that boys in particular don't need you to buy them weapons. They make them out of anything and everything from a piece of wood to a stack of blocks- if swung at your sister while saying "yahhh!" it will have the exact same effect as a store bought sword. Anyway, this is video of Kohen with his armor on...he just keeps repeating "MAN!" over and over...is this only funny to Nathan and I?...
Click on this Link to see the next clip.
Pretty soon Kohen the 'Man' was saving Kennedy the 'Princess' from Nathan the 'Dragon'. You can hear Kohen saying 'dragon!' and 'dungeon!' trying to will the Dragon there. Pretty soon the Man is overcome with testoterone as he makes his first Dragon 'kill' -and Erin the 'Mom' is already regretting getting her son a sword so she calls a cease fire to have a talk about pretend fighting vs. real fighting. The Mom suspects the Man's helmet prevented the information from reaching it's desired destination. I may have lost this battle but I will win the war.

Nice Save

Check out Kennedy's nice save - I was about one foot away and I moved to help (as you will see, sorry) but turns out there was no need. And in case you are wondering, Kohen is the one that calls out - bless his little heart. Had Kennedy not caught Alyssa the water was not deep enough to cover her face, but I am glad she didn't have to find that out through experience. Though I do think this is a good example of why you can never walk away even for a second. Nice reflexes Kennedy!

Gwen Stefani Concert

This was an awesome concert! It was way high energy. Nathan and I had no idea our seats were so close, we were only about 20 rows away- AMAZING! I took these pictures with my camera ...usually pictures I take at concerts, the performer looks about the size of an ant so this is a nice change. We remembered our binoculars this time- found our seats and felt like idiots using them so close so we took them up to the Bells who were up in the 'nose bleeds' (where did that name come from?) back where that first pic was taken. Anyway, the concert was so good it just flew by. I couldn't believe it was already over when they wrapped it up. Gwen Stefani put on a rockin show- I will even admit when she said, "What's up D.C.!???" I might have wooped it up a little- which to an onlooker might have appeared like I was claiming D.C.- well, maybe for the moment I was...

Say Cheese!

This is Alyssa's new favorite look. If she sees the camera she scrunches up her face into the cheesiest smile you have ever seen. The bottom pictures are only 3 of about 10 I took one morning trying to get just one good shot. She just kept chees'n it up and the less amused I was the more it seemed to egg her on. I think it shows how her little personality is coming out these days and she definitely has some goof ball in her!

Mother's Day 2007

To my Mother, Mother-in-law, friends and family who are or someday will be Mother's...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! And if you are in the 'someday' category trust me when I tell you to start celebrating now...while you can enjoy it without any children interrupting you! No, this has been a wonderful Mother's day because of my kids. These are the projects they made me at church and yeah, I am going to gush over them as if anyone other than me would appreciate them. The bottom picture is Kohen's hands and I love how you can see how chubby they are. When he handed it to me he was so proud and he said "my..hands!...two a 'dem'!!!" (In case I haven't mentioned, in Kohen's world right now everything is all about the two. His favorite thing is to find 2 of something and comment "two a dem!" Fitting, seeing as he is two). And then Kennedy's card with the package of seeds on the front. They are called 'Aster' and that made me smile because that is how Kennedy still pronounces 'after'. On the inside there were questions that Kennedy had answered about me:

• My mom is 6 inches tall. (close enough)
• My mom is ? years old. (good girl, remember that.)
• My mom's favorite food is waffles. (actually that is more her favorite.)
• My mom's favorite thing to do is vacuum the floor. (really? You'd think I'd do it more often then)
• My mom helps me clean the floor. (man I sound like a slave driver!)
• I love it when my mom and I drive to the airport. (I think this is more cuz she likes who we are picking up then because it is quality time with me...)
• My mom is the best mom because she is nice. (Well, I don't know if I am but I have been before :)

Sunday School

This is Kennedy on Mother's day. She was very excited to wear this new dress and she insisted on having her toes and nails painted red to match. In church they had all of the Sunday School children go up to the front and sing a song to the mothers' and Kennedy, as proud as ever, marched right up there with the crush of children. Fairly quickly I lost sight of her though she is very short even for her age so it isn't too surprising. They usually do a pretty good job of getting all of the little ones up to the front so you can see them but the song started and there was no sign of her. Finally I spotted her little red and white hair bows...I have no idea why she was facing backwards, but at least I knew she was back there. As the second verse winded down all of a sudden through the crush of little bodies I see Kennedy straining. Though I could only see part of her little face I could tell she was up on her tippy toes. The two girls in front of her weren't budging and I see her push her little head between their sides and she only can hold that position for a moment as she searches to find where we are sitting. Right as she was getting squeezed back out again our eyes met and she broke into a big ol' smile. Then she was gone. The whole thing was actually really funny and I was laughing so hard I had tears coming down my face. To see her struggling back there but determined to make sure I saw her up there was truly priceless.

Issues

This is what Alyssa looked like this morning. And though she has been a bit fussy and clingy over the last day or so, I attributed it to the 'Sunday Hangover'- a term we use for how our children act Sunday afternoon, evening and usually most of Monday after they miss naps on Sunday while we go to church. Anyway, shortly after this picture her nose started streaming green like someone had turned on a faucet...sorry that was a bit overly descriptive. So this afternoon we were driving down the road and I heard Aly sneeze. Uh-oh. I pulled over and reached back to wipe her nose and then as I pull back onto the road Kennedy chimes in with this gem: "Mom, Aly's nose just keeps running and she can't 'snuck' it up...(sympathetic sigh) She has issues." What?! I laughed so hard- because it was funny, and because it was true! And I suppose that could be said about most of us, really :)

Ballet Shoes

Kennedy has been working hard for over a month now to earn a pair of real ballet shoes. She had to fill up a whole page with small stamps by helping mom and obeying etc. She was so excited to finally put them on and start twirling around, it was so fun for me to watch. I have been very careful not to push her in any direction with sports and activities because I really want her to find what she loves. But she has gravitated towards dance and performing and if I am being honest I am tickled that she loves what I loved. And I am impressed with her natural ability to observe something and reproduce it without any instruction (but I am her mom so of course I'm impressed). So now the temptation is strong to put her in a little dance class though I am sure it is disproportionately expensive here like everything else. I won't be paying college-like tuition for someone to show Kennedy how to point her toes...she's already figured that out anyway...

Howdy Lil' Lady

Kohen found the cowboy hats that my Grandpa Bob gave me for the kids and as soon as he put it on his head he morphed into the role of the gruff talkin, rough riding cowboy. It's a shame you couldn't all see him strutt'in around- I have no idea how he knew to tip his hat like that- it seems to have come very naturally for him. Then he pulled out the piano bench, and mounted up on his horse. Pretty soon Kennedy joined in the fun (though you'll notice she relied on the horse power of her Dora 'Vamanos Van' to pull them...interesting) and they were testing the sturdiness of our piano bench! The hat certainly brought out the cowboy in Kohen...I had no idea it was even in him...though I suppose I might have guessed.

Thank You!

I feel like I am giving a speech for some award, but I still want to say it anyway. Thank you to Taylor and Nathan for making this trip happen for Kysa and I!!! Especially Taylor for taking work off and being a stay-at-home dad for the long weekend. We had such a wonderful time just staying up late and talking. When you are suddenly without your barnacle-like children it is suddenly the most fun to be able to just go shopping. And to go out to eat and not have to get up and get something for someone else is a rare treat. Heck, to eat uninterrupted is unprecedented at this point in our lives! I know that over the last month with all of the visitors we have had (and enjoyed every minute of having!) the theme of the many pictures has become 'same places/different faces' but that is the nature of living someplace like D.C. I could NOT believe how much Kysa and I packed in to our one sight-seeing day. On the Segway tour we saw (all up close) The Capitol, The Supreme Court, The Library of Congress, The White House, and much more. After, we went to the Museum of Natural History and then walked clear over to the Holocaust Museum (hadn't been there yet, in a word: sobering) then we walked down the National Mall and saw The Washington Monument, WWII Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. OUR LEGS AND FEET WERE KILLING US! But nothing that some Tylenol washed down with Ben and Jerry's couldn't fix! Thank you so much husbands!!!! We love you!!!!!