Jack turns TWO!

We buckled our seatbelts and made our way to Columbia for Jack’s second birthday party.  Michelle made this sign last year and it will be posted at each of his parties….love it! The party theme this year…airplanes. And boy, did everything come together perfectly.There was a gate number to welcome all of Jack’s guests, baggage tags…And of course lots of yummy, handmade goodies. The propeller pops were very tasty.I think Jack’s cake was one of the only things Michelle didn’t make.  She’s so talented and crafty.  Jack was ALL OVER the place and it was really hard to get a picture of him. I think I got two. Last year, Jack wasn’t too sure about the Happy Birthday song or his cake, but this year proved to be different.  He was so excited to hear everyone sing to him and was quite the pro at blowing out the candles.  He was even able to do blow them out twice for all of the pictures.Kendall had an absolute blast at the party.  She played in the wagon off and on and wanted to be in the swing for as long as we would let her. We had to remind her to give the other kids a turn.Daddy had a very proud moment at one point.  Kendall went to her first basketball game (her cousin, Sullivan) the night before the party. She played with a basketball during the game and watched the kids run up and down the court.  Ryan gave Kendall the ball at the party and told her to go put it in the basket.  Other than him pointing at the basket, which she clearly wasn’t even looking at, she knew right where to go with the ball.  It was a slam dunk!  She (and daddy) was so proud of making the basket and even dunked a few more times.Balloons kept a few of the kids occupied, until they let them go high in the sky.  At the end of the party, when all of the bigger kids were done jumping, I let Kendall try the jump castle. I hopped in to supervise. It took a little bit of warming up and then she didn’t want to get out. There were white beach balls inside the castle that Kendall enjoyed kicking around.Grandpa even stuck his head in, which she thought was pretty funny.  Proud grandpa! Love my girl!As we departed, we picked up our goodie from Jack, a wooden airplane. Thanks buddy!  We always have such a good time in Columbia and look forward to our next visit.  We hope you had a great birthday party, Jack. We sure did enjoy celebrating with you! We hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow when you really turn TWO!

Applesauce

I haven’t been giving Kendall applesauce lately because she eats diced fruits that she is able to pick up with her fingers.  Well, we tried applesauce the other night and she had so much fun with it.  Although I tried not to laugh because it is not funny to spit your food out, I couldn’t hold back.  She was trying to make funny noises with the applesauce in her mouth.  I let her do it for about a minute and then decided she had made enough mess.  Her laugh is so contagious!

Thirteen months old

Another month has arrived but not much new to update about.  Kendall is faster then ever, it seems and enjoys running from room to room.  We have to remind her to slow down sometimes.  She enjoys her playroom and on most days it looks like she has played with every toy in the room.  She still just has two teeth but that doesn’t slow her down too much.  Her favorite right now is fruit.  She has learned where her belly is and if you ask her to find her nose, she’ll get yours first and think about finding hers.  I love watching her play and often wonder what is going on in her mind as she is picking up the toys. The faces she makes are priceless. Kendall-

You continue to light up mine and your daddy’s lives.  You always make us smile and are starting to become so cuddly and affectionate.  You really like to give hugs and kiss mommy all the time.  I think daddy’s facial hair is prickly on your soft skin so you don’t give daddy kisses yet but you’re working on it.  You’re a great sleeper and know your nap and bedtime routines like the back of your hand.  You love to look at books when mommy reads to you and are really starting to have your favorites.  This past month, you weaned yourself from nursing. Once your bedtime story is over, we rock and say prayers and then it’s into your crib without a peep.  You also no longer use a bottle.  We started whole milk from a sippy cup the day after your 12 month visit and you transitioned without any fight.  We are so proud of you sweet girl and you continue to grow and develop so quickly.  I am cherishing each and every moment with you at every age and it just keeps getting better.

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy

A day at the park

It was absolutely beautiful out today so we headed to Middleton Park to play.  Kendall explored a lot of the parks equipment this visit.  She found twirly things, spinning things, things she could push and pull and a climbing wall.  She tried everything…to an extent.  So. Much. Fun!!    Daddy helped her get to the top of one of the slides, which she loved going down.There are six slides at Middleton Park and I do believe lil’ miss found all but two to play on.  The sun caught this picture but I just love it, I had to share it. We couldn’t leave without a few pushes in the swing. It brings a smile to her face every time!As you can see, she was not into the camera.  There were too many kids doing fun things. We said bye-bye to the park after lots of running around and went to eat some lunch. I am thankful we live so close to this park.  Kendall LOVES to be outside and this park is perfect.  We had such a fun time today and look forward to our next visit.

Kendall & Sadie

Kendall ABSOLUTELY loves Sadie! She can’t get enough of her when we visit Grandma and Grandpa.  Good ole’ Sadie, she just lays there and takes all of what Kendall has to give her.  My dad says you couldn’t make a better dog.  You can see the love between the two of them.  I had a black lab growing up and I am thankful Kendall can have the same.  I adore watching the two of them play! 

Twelve month photo shoot

What an exciting photo shoot this month! Kendall was all over the place, literally.  Michelle took a road trip to Charleston with Jack and Sam on Thursday, so we put her to work while she was here.  We decided to go to Middleton Park with the kiddos to burn some energy that Kendall and Jack had built up. 

Kendall wasn’t as still as she has been in the previous months photo shoots, thanks to her two little legs that take her anywhere she wants to explore.  Michelle and I ran in every direction possible trying to get her clothes changed, capture her smiles and get the right lighting.  It was great exercise and lots of fun!

Thank you, thank you, again, to my wonderful sister for chasing my sweet girl around for her twelve month pictures! And thank you to my mom for playing with Jack and watching out for Sam while Michelle was preoccupied!

This first set of pictures was the longest she sat still the entire shoot.She played on the slide.She played in the swing.And tried the merry go round and part of the playground.  So adventurous! LOVE. IT!

Too funny!

I have been teaching Kendall a few things and this is one of my favorites.  Although guppies don’t exactly talk she at least knows what they ‘do!’  I love it!