Pictures of Kennedy's 1st Birthday

Waiting to eat Carrot Cake

Reading her Princess Storybook

Close up of Carrot Cake

Mommy, Kennedy, & Daddy

Playing with her Birthday Plate and Kazoo

Eating Carrot Cake

 

Happy 1st Birthday Kennedy!!!

Our little munchkin turned one! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. As you can see from the picture, she is wearing a princess crown and holding a princess cup. 

I made her birthday cake, which you can also see in the background. It is carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting and large sprinkles on top. It was absolutely delicious! Not to mention...I LOVED that I got to use my glass cake stand. 

As a bonus, all of the toys you see in the background were actually purchased at a yard sale that morning for a third of what I would have paid at a regular store. In Texas, large communities hold an annual yard sale (where everyone can have a yard sale in their front yard on the same day). The community website even posts online what each house will be selling (if they choose to participate). I happened to spot a listing for all of these toys and knew that was the sale I wanted to target. So I dragged Brandon and Kennedy out of bed and by 7:30 we were off! 

It was so exciting to get Kennedy some pretty cool toys for really cheap! Who doesn't love a bargain! Later that day we Skyped with Brandon's family, as well as mine. It was a very memorable day.

It's Raining Cats & Dogs!

I could barely see anything in front of the car!

Yesterday, the forecast for today was 40% chance of rain. If you are like me, I decided that although there was a chance of rain there was a greater chance of sunny weather. Well, apparently I was flat out wrong. Not only did it rain, it POURED! I am talking sheets of rain! 

It has only rained this hard twice since moving into our apartment. Ironically, I have been at the public library both times. Each time Kennedy and I make a MAD DASH for the car. 

Despite my amazing running skills, both Kennedy and I never get to the car unscathed by the treacherous rainstorm. In fact, we are both soaked to the bone by the time I manage to get the car door open. 

To the left you can kind of see the wet spots on her shirt and her hair matted to her head. I don't look quite so cute with wet hair, or with wet pants for that matter. 

Some of the people at the public library were waiting at the front doors for the storm to let up before going to their cars. The only problem with that plan is that the rainstorms out here can sometimes last an hour or longer. I had a hungry wet baby, and frankly...she wasn't going to wait an hour for the storm. 

So ultimately, I decided to run fast and look upon this experience as our adventure for the day. 

Next time the forecast says 40% chance of rain, I think that Kennedy and I may make another trip to the public library. That would be three for three; and I think we have officially started a tradition. (i.e. tropical rainstorm ='s a trip to the public library)

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The Many Faces of Kennedy

Contemplating Kennedy

Mischievous Kennedy

"Are you kidding me?" Kennedy

Tired Kennedy

COOKING 101

I recently (about three weeks ago) discovered the art of cooking. I figure that if I am now responsible for making nutritious and delicious meals for my family, I better know how to cook! 

Kennedy and I immediately took a trip to the local library and found this little gem! I must say....this book "spoke" to me. It was as if someone out there knew that I had NO IDEA what I was doing in the kitchen.

On my behalf, however, I will say that I DO know how to boil water. It's just all of that other stuff that I need help with. One thing I am particularly intrigued by is how those chefs on Food Network cut vegetables so fast. Believe it or not, there is even a chapter about how to hold your knife in this book!!!!!! I tell you, this book was written for me! 

Brandon's Stunning Haircut

Brandon's Stunning Haircut

This stunning haircut was done by yours truly, the amazing amateur hairstylist Amy Frenza! That's right folks! I dared to cut my husband's hair!! It only took 6 years of marriage to gain enough courage to pick up the shears and make a go of it. 

Amy the Amateur Hairstylist

Many years back, in approximately 2003, I cut my mission companion's hair and it ended dreadfully. Her hair was.....less desirable by the time I was finished. Needless to say, I have stayed away from the scissors until now! 

Our State-of-the-Art Workspace

To your left is a picture of my workspace. (If you look really close....you will see that I even had an audience!) That's right, for those of you who can't tell what or who exactly is in the bathtub...it is little Miss Kennedy!

Miss Kennedy's "Play Pen"

She wanted to be where we were, and the bathroom wouldn't fit our pack n' play. So the tub became a makeshift playpen. She actually LOVED it!  

The 80's are back & they want their Step Aerobics!!

I think I might have found my exercise niche. As 80's as this might seem...I am REALLY enjoying my Basic Step Aerobics DVD. The time flies by when I do it! I can't say that for my treadmill. I've been doing step aerobics now for about three weeks, and I don't feel burned out! That's AMAZING!

Galveston Beach

Ya'all Come Back Now!

So we are officially in Texas now! (Actually....for those of you who know us well....we have been in Texas since July 17th). I must say that Texas has been an amazing experience so far. I have had employees in burger joints take pictures of my baby. I have driven in downtown Houston and within a 3-block radius drove by what appeared to be a crack house and then "luxury" condominiums. On their behalf, the condos looked nice but seriously...would you want to live down the street from a drug dealer? I have also learned what TRUE humidity is. My friends....it is MUCH different than dry heat. Often, at least three times a day, I get the distinct impression that it wouldn't be a bad idea if I showered...AGAIN. As for Brandon....who's Brandon? I hardly see the guy anymore! He has a pretty intense schedule with law school! He is up and out to school by 6:45 AM. I usually see him that night around 8 PM. But don't get too excited! Once he comes home, it's back to the books until bedtime. So basically...I have decided that it is a VERY good thing that I am not a super needy person. I am what I like to refer to as "self-entertaining". If you don't believe me...ask my mom. Apparently, when I was a wee little lad, I would sit at the table writing my name over and over again for about three hours at a time. Yep...now that I am a mother...I know what all of you mothers are thinking...WOW!!! WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE TO HAVE THREE STRAIGHT HOURS OF PEACE!!!! Well...it is the price we pay for those cute little faces and fun memories!