Target Practice

This is what happens when your child becomes a moving target during mealtime...

Rough Life

Poor Kennedy. We caught up with her after a hard day at the office. She didn't have much to say, but her body language told us she was pooped and needed to kick back and relax. It's rough being 6 1/2 months old.

The Great Escape

The other day I decided to conduct a little test. My test included one human subject and a Fisher Price bouncy seat. I was curious to see what would happen if I were to place the test subject in the bouncy without a restraint. In order to ensure that said test subject would suffer no injuries, I positioned the bouncy seat on a flat, somewhat cushioned surface and I was prepared to step in and abort the test if things got too out of hand. At 8:01 a.m. I placed the test subject in the bouncy and deliberately did not fasten the safety harness. Within moments the test subject seemed to realize or sense freedom and took to arching her back. By 8:03 a.m., I had to abort the test. The following pictures depict the sequence of events that took place between 8:01 a.m. and 8:03 a.m.

Kisses

Kennedy decided to suck face when her Great Aunt Jon came to town. Lucky for me, I happened to catch her getting ready and finally planting a big wet one on her. She's quite the welcoming committee.

Going in for the kill.

Giving some love.

Give and you shall receive.

Nonnie, Kennedy, Great Aunt Jon

"Reunited and it feels so good"

The Hokenstad Five is back in full force! That's right, folks, Brandon is finally back from Europe after being gone since September! Did you hear me, I said September! Phew. This single-parent thing is definitely not for the weak. Thank goodness I had my family to count on. I'm not sure what I would have done without their support, love, HELP, company and good cooking. For those that don't know, three weeks ago Brandon and I packed up two dogs and a baby and DROVE the grueling 19 hours back to Nebraska so I could be with my family while Brandon was away. I know what you're thinking and, yes, in fact, we are crazy. But it's the crazy things that you do in life that you remember the most...or so I keep telling myself. If nothing else, Kennedy was able to hang out with all of her grandparents, all her uncles and got to meet her great grandma and Great Aunt Garen. And if Brandon and I can survive almost a month apart and manage not to throw each other out of the car after a drive like that, then I'm thinking we can survive just about anything.

Great Grandma Dorothy and Kennedy meeting for the first time

Kennedy and Great Aunt Garen

Black and whites

Courtesy of Uncle Jay.

Will the real Elton John please stand up...

Uncle Jay and E.J. sharing some camera time.

Kennedy The Friendly Ghost

I have to tell ya, Kennedy proves to be some mean competition for Casper...

Vikings Fan

Kennedy wanted to be decked out in purple to support her Vikings. I had nothing to do with it. Go Vikings!

Thanks, GM Jen

Godmother Jen got Kennedy this adorable, adorable outfit to wear this fall. She hasn't had a chance to see her in it, though, so I thought we'd have a little fashion show...

halfway to one

6 months

our magician

Kennedy knows magic. It's true. I know I've been under her spell since the day I first laid eyes on her. And I know Brandon's been under the same spell too. She can get us to do anything at the drop of a hat. This includes changing a dirty diaper. There's even been times when Brandon has raced me to the changing table. She's just that good. At first I thought her magic only worked on Brandon and I, but then I witnessed her put a spell on a whole table of adults. She simply demanded without using words that a table full of talking adults stop their conversations and look at her, and just like that all eyes were on her. Then she smiled and everyone laughed. Now, how many people do you know who can do that? See, it's magic. I recently encountered just how strong her magic really is. I had asked my older brother Jay to watch Kennedy for a second. When I came back in the room...

Abracadabra.

Poof.

Kennedy had turned Jay not into a toad but a softy. Yes, she got Jay--who still deems it necessary to hit me every time I walk by him--to read to her. Take it from me, that is simply magical.