How Cute Are We?...Seriously, I Want An Answer.

Kennedy keeping the world safe at Firehouse Subs

Kennedy isn't a baby any more. She is a cute 1 year-old. Suzanna and I never wanted her to grow up. When she was only a few days old we would hold her and whisper in her little baby ears, "promise me you will stay this small forever." She was very non-committal and in the end she decided to do things her way. Right now she is out and about and all around. Kennedy loves walking around and getting into things.

I remember people saying that their kids had made it impossible to go to restaurants or the grocery store. I didn't believe them. I thought they just weren't patient enough or that they were too self-conscious about how much trouble they were causing. Now I know that they were not lying. As much fun as Kennedy is, now that she is walking, throwing food, and screaming, it has officially become impossible to take her out. IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT. I guess it is fast food and take-out for at least a few more (10) years.

Kennedy has a great new game, maybe you've heard of it, Peek-a-boo. She plays this game anytime she gets. She hides behind hands, blankets, doors, stuffed animals and...well...pretty much anything you can hide behind. I took Kennedy swimming and she started having fun with the lockers. She went in on her own. I promise I didn't lead her into the locker. Although, truth be told, I did shut the door. Don't worry, she doesn't have any traumatizing middle school memories that are triggered, so we're good.

It's been awhile

Well, it has been way too long. I'm not a good blogger. I've tried to be, but it just doesn't pan out. To my credit though, I know I'm not a good blogger. I know that I am neglectful and, well, at times just plain lazy, but I am getting one out today. Let's just look at the positives.

• We are happy and healthy. Being sick sucks and having a sick kid is even worse (ask Suz, working with sick kids is her thing). Aside from a runny and snotty nose, Kennedy has gone through the winter unscathed despite dropping her binky on floors from classy establishments like the Cheesecake Factory bathroom to the not so classy Chevron station in Plymouth and everywhere in between.
• Suzanna's hair is short. She has wanted to do this for ever, but has always been a little apprehensive (this is Suzanna adding something. Not so much apprehensive as just plain lazy.) It is amazing what having your hair pulled by tiny kid claws will do to your hair cutting inhibitions.
• My beard is back baby.
• There is finally some snow on the ground. This winter has been lame so far. It started out super cold. Then it got super hazy (which sucks). Then it got super warm (nice, but it just doesn't feel right). Then, last night, we finally got some snow. Ski season for Jeris can finally begin.
• As stated earlier, I'm blogging.
• Kennedy can not only stand on her own (as seen in the picture), she can also do the zombie baby stagger. Kennedy loves her new skill. It allows her to chase Roxie, go upstairs and unload the DVDs, follow us and pound on the bathroom door, and (saved the best for last) go and get me snacks from the pantry...alright, she isn't doing that yet, but I have big plans (she likes to bring Roxie her bag of treats, though, for some reason). This has been going on since the early half of December and we love it (she loves it more).

As you can see/read things are great here in Salt Lake. We had a wonderful holiday season and we are getting close to Kennedy's first birthday.

Some time ago and Today (December 4th, 2011)

As you can see, there are a few things that have changed since the last time I posted, and even between the two pictures I am posting today. Here in Utah we are waist deep in winter. T6he air is cold and the world is brown. We don't have snow (here in the valley), but as I have said, it is very cold and the flakes are beginning to fly. Some of the things you can't see by the pictures is how much Kennedy has grown. She is no longer a little baby...she is a big baby. Kennedy has lots of new tricks like waving, clapping, climbing up the stairs, sliding down the stairs, standing alone, and using furniture as a crutch as she walks around. Some of her new tricks are good, but there are some that are a little exhausting. She has learned to do a crocodile like death roll when she is faced with a diaper change. She has also learned about how much better mom is than any other human on earth. Kennedy loves her mom and wants to be with her mom 24/7. When Suzanna goes to work, Kennedy spends most of the night crying and clawing at the back door or crying and clawing her way up the stairs. She may not be that sweet peaceful little baby that we loved, but with every new trick, smile and giggle she becomes more and more entertaining. We love her and can't wait to watch her enjoy her first Christmas in a few more weeks. 

Sunday Shots (October 2nd and 16th)

I have been really bad these past couple weeks. Now that school is in session I have a lot less time to do the important things (the amount of time wasting has stayed about the same). However, we have been having a lot of fun. We spent conference week with Rob and Kari Williams and Kennedy got her first trip to Temple Square. It was pretty exciting. The more active she gets, the more active our parenting strategies have become. Pretty much I move her as far away from the trouble she is trying to cause and then I take a little break as she makes her way back. Roxie's food has become a constant goal. She gets a handful and starts a munchin. It is a great new game. Anyway, life is more hectic, but with it comes a fair amount of entertainment.

After this last picture was taken, some lady started to freak out. She thought that some dumb parent had put their kid down and walked away. I was seriously standing about 5 feet away.

This is October 16th. Kennedy is getting big. She isn't that cute little baby that used to just stare at everything all day. She grabs and blabs and gets in all sorts of trouble. Come see us sometime.

Going Mobile

Hide yo toyz, hide yo outlets because Baby is fully mobile. It was a day that we were all looking forward to, but now that it is here we want to turn back time.

Ok, I'm done with the music...for now. In fact here I am writing this blog post and Suzanna is upstairs doing something. But where is baby? Well, she just unstacked the DVD player from atop the cable receiver and now she is ripping the A/V cables out of the wall. Hold on, let me distract her.

Alright we're back. Having a mobile baby is super cute, but it also a handful. Last night, while Suzanna was working, I watched Thor. Correction: last night, while Suzanna was working, I tried to watch Thor. Kennedy was all over the place. Climbing over me. Pulling herself up on the couch to grab the computer. I had to stop the movie every so often just to catch her. It is exhausting. Which raises the question. How is it not exhausting for her? She struggles and wallers all night long and it doesn't seem to phase her. My guess is, it will only get worse.

It isn't all bad though. First, it gives her something to do. I'll put one of her toys on one side of the room and have her crawl to them and then I pick her up and we start all over again. It is quite entertaining. Second, it is very cute to have her follow you. Last night she was working up one of her fits, so I left her so I could make a bottle. Before too long I hear her crying getting closer. And closer. Then, I see her poke her sad, tear soaked face around the corner...Only to have me pick her up and carry her back to her spot to start the routine all over again. What fun, eh? So here it is, with out any further prattle, Kennedy Fully Mobile.

Sunday Shots August 7 and 21

Suzanna, Jeris and sleeping Kennedy on the deck of the house boat

On August 7th Suzanna, Kennedy and I piled into a 13 passenger short bus, along with almost the entire Call family, and embarked on a wonderful vacation to Lake Powell. By all estimations it should have been a disaster. We had way too many people, not enough space, limited amount of food, and sweltering hot weather. We also had one of the best Call family trips ever. I had never been to Lake Powell and I was not disappointed. We wakeboarded, tubed, jumped of cliffs and the house boat, and swam like fish (not so much as well as fish, but like fish do, you know, in the water). Probably the best thing we did was stuff our little family in a small two man tent. Kennedy was awesome. She went to sleep early and slept late. Aside from taking up more room than a full sized adult, Kennedy makes for a great camping companion.

On August 14th we didn't take a picture. Suzanna worked the night before and by the time I got home and ready she had gone back to sleep. Just know that we looked real good.

Lindsey, Andrew, Natalie (cousin), Brett, Carma, Harold (Grandpa) Jeris, Suzanna, Kennedy

This week, August 21st, we have been living it up in Idaho Falls. Every time I come to Idaho Falls during the winter I remember why I love living in Utah. Every time I come during the summer I can't figure out why I left. The weather is perfect and the land stretches out as far as the eye can see. On Saturday we went to Island Park and floated the river. We rented a flat bottom boat and blew up a couple tubes and relaxed as we meandered through the some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. We saw fish, osprey and 4 moose. Then on Sunday we got together with the family and had a great dinner. Idaho is the place to be; don't let anyone tell you different.

Sunday Shots (July 31)

So I guess I have no idea how to blog. I wrote up a post (I'm not even sure if that is what real bloggers call it) almost a full week ago and it turns out that I never actually published it. Well, now you get two in a row.

Welcome to another edition of Sunday Shots. As I explained in the previous post, Sunday Shots are an excellent way to force people into seeing our family grow on a weekly basis. This might bore you and I think very few people will ever see this, but just like my lower back tattoo, this isn't for you. This is for me and my closest family and friends to enjoy.

The Family: Kennedy (stroller), Suzanna, Andrew, Lindsey (my sister), Jordan (her man), the man (my dad), and Jeris

As you can see here this isn't a traditional Sunday Shot. This picture was taken in exotic Paris...Idaho. I know you might think that is odd or weird, but I'll tell you one thing, I think I would trade my life for almost any Paris native. I love the green hay fields and the rolling mountains. Paris, Idaho is about 10 miles outside of Bear Lake's Northern beach. The Hobbs family had a wonderful vacation this past week. We rented a boat (this is the way to go: 300 bucks for 4 hours, no maintenance, no towing or storage, and no wiping it down with a strange vinegar solution. Sorry boat owners, this is the way to go), wave runners, sat at the beach, skipped rocks, ruined our phones (only my phone was ruined), ate smores, watched movies, and just sat around. Hear this fellow readers: Hobbs family vacations are rad.