Girls Can't Play Washers and other nonsensical stuff

This weekend was the Aggie season opener so Kevin and I dropped Josh off at great Grannys, picked up Kenneth and Shawna and headed to College Station.  We got there early enough to drop by a friends tailgate party before the game.  When we pulled up I noticed they were playing washers and I asked Kevin if I could be his partner to which he quickly responded, "I'm pretty sure girls can't play washers at this tailgate".  So Kenneth was his partner.  Punk.  Well as it turns out girls could play and guess what?  I happen to be a champion washer player!  Seriously, I don't know if it was beginners luck or just plain talent, but I'm definitely trying out for the olympic team in four years.  And guess what else?  Kenneth is an absolute awful washers player!  They lost every game they played which is a bummer for Kevin because he is pretty good.  Of course when he saw my raw talent and realized his big mistake it was too late.  There was no way I was going be his partner now!  

I won't talk about the rest of the night.  For those of you who watched the game you know the outcome.  Sad, very sad.  

Well we don't have washers at home but we do have horseshoes and on Sunday Josh decided he was going to learn the game.  Excuse the nakedness of our son, it is still in the 90's here and way too hot for clothes!  

Kennedy Four Plus One More

Honestly, we really didn't plan on adding to the family right now.  It has been a crazy year already with the move back to the states, a new baby, and Kevin's new job.  We are quite happy with just the four of us: Kevin, Misty, Josh and Maggie.  But I guess sometimes things change even when you don't plan it.  So let me introduce you to the newest addition to our house - Yogi - About a month ago this big black dog started following us on our walks.  At first I was very apprehensive, he didn't have a collar and Maggie was not friendly at all.  However Yogi was extremely friendly and mellow and would tag along on our walks as long as it suited his fancy.   I noticed he ran loose around the neighborhood a lot and a few people around started calling animal control.  So one day I actually put him in our back yard and fed him.  I even called Kevin to see what he thought about having another dog.  He of course, like with all my crazy ideas, supported me.  But after thinking about poor Maggie who has already undergone a huge adjustment with Josh and the fact that this dog might actually belong to somebody, I let him go.  I have kept my eye out to see if he lived any where and noticed he stayed around the same two houses on a regular basis.  Then Tuesday when we went for our afternoon walk and Yogi joined us.  He stayed along the left side of Josh's stroller, Maggie was on the right, and he walked around the entire block without ever leaving our side.  When we got back to the house he just sat on the front porch long after the rest of us went inside.  Then yesterday I ran into his "owners".  They are moving in a month and can't take him with them.  They already had too many dogs in the house and so they let Yogi loose.  I found out he is almost 2 years old and can sit and shake on command.  He is also great with kids. So... I called Kevin one more time and once again he said "sure, as long as he stays OUTSIDE".  I guess that will make Maggie feel a little better.  I have no idea what we will do with another dog, but I just couldn't let such a sweetie go without a home and some love.  

Josh loves it outside and anytime the door opens he makes a beeline to get out before we can shut it.  It has been raining all week here and so we haven't spent much time outside so the other day when he ran for the backdoor we didn't stop him.  As you can see he had no problem with the rain and he probably would have stayed out there all day if we'd let him!

10 Months

Yes I finally made it home! If you're wondering why I haven't posted since returning it's because I've been too busy catching up with my little man, who by the way, was ten months old the 18th!

It is so amazing how quickly they change.  In the seven days I was gone Josh learned to say ball, wave, give hi-five, and walk.  He was taking a few steps before I left but I came home to a cruising baby!  Poor kid is so banged up from walking and falling all day long.  He completely skipped the stage of hand holding for support and wants no help what-so-ever from any one.   He is into everything and really loves loud motors and water.  He still eats some pureed food, but mostly enjoys whatever we have for dinner.  I'm trying hard to introduce him to a variety of food (not just the stuff I like) so he's had cottage cheese, black eyed peas, and okra this week.  He isn't picky at all but is starting to give some opinions about his favorites by using loud wails and puckered lips.  Maggie is starting to enjoy him more as he is able to play ball with her.  I guess she is finally realizing that Josh can be useful after all.  Of course his cousin Owen is still is favorite person in the world.  His legs start kicking and he starts talking every time Owen gets near.  

It sounds like he had a great week with his Grandpa Ohlsson and weekend with his Nana Kennedy.  I'm glad they got to experience the fun boy I love so much.  I am so thankful for such supportive and wonderful family!

Take the long way home...

I'm actually posting this from the airport in San Diego and it is day two of my journey home.  My mom graciously gave me a Buddy Pass from Southwest Airlines which means I can fly free on standby.  This is usually a great situation, however, the flights have been so overbooked that I have spent the last two days in the airport and I'm still a long way from home.  Yesterday I started out in Kelowna, BC and made it as far as Seattle, Washington.  After spending the entire day waiting I finally grabbed a hotel room and decided to try again today.  After waking up at 3:00am to be the first on the list I flew to San Jose then to San Diego.  Now I'm waiting to catch a flight to Las Vegas and then HOPEFULLY I'll catch another to Houston tonight!  Wow... but you can't complain about a free ticket right?

Round Trip to Canada Please

So I'm writing this post from our neighbors to the north in a little place known as Vernon, Canada.  I am up here helping a friend whose family was in a motorcycle accident last week.  I won't write all their personal details here except that things are looking so much better and each day progress is made.  When I first heard about the accident I knew right away I wanted to be there to help but obviously the hospital isn't the best place to take a 9 month old baby.  I also knew the trip up there would be long and so I'd need to stay for a while to really be of any use at all.  Not only did I need to find a place for Josh for an entire week I also had to deal with the reality of leaving him for an ENTIRE week.  Well the first part was no problem at all!  We are so amazingly blessed with supportive people in our lives!  Between family and church friends we had everyday covered in a matter of minutes.  No hesitation from anyone at all.  Even my dear friend Bethany who has a busy 20 month old and another one in the belly was willing to take Josh for the entire week!  However my dad surprised me the most when he went to his boss and asked for the time off so that he could fly out to Houston and stay with Josh at the house.  This was a super arrangement because it allowed Josh to stay in a familiar environment while my dad had the chance to bond with his only grandson.  I was so impressed that he was willing and excited to change diapers, feed, entertain, and put Josh down for his daily naps.  He stayed until Thursday and then Nana Jean (Kevin's mom) took over.  I have definitely missed him, mostly his smile (I picture it in my head many times during the day).  However we have been so busy here that I don't have much time to dwell on the fact that my baby is a whole country away!  We have been staying at the hospital but yesterday they released her daughter (her husband is still in ICU) and so we came home to a friends house and that is where I am writing this morning.  We have to wait until the Red Cross opens before we can move out this morning so it has forced us to sit and rest for a while.  I had to post because this is the most beautiful non-vacation place I've ever seen.  Of course there are beautiful places around the world but they are meant for honeymooners and tourists.  This place is a normal town were people actually live out their day to day lives.  There are lakes every where and mountains with large green farming acres spread across them.  I am actually sitting outside on the balcony in 75 degree weather writing this.  The pictures aren't the best because the are taken by computer. (I basically turned the screen around and clicked the camera button) I can't wait to come back up here with Kevin and Josh and spend some time camping and on the lake.  Anyone interested in joining us?  I'm telling you this place won't disappoint! 

The Zoo

Part 2 of our crazy time last week.  On Thursday we loaded up the 12 passenger van and mom's car and headed to the Alb. zoo.  Considering Alb. is not a major US city I think it has a pretty great zoo, although a lot of the animals seemed to be MIA that morning.  We took a train ride around the grounds and Josh seemed to enjoy watching the people much more than the animals.  The babies also took turns feeding the giraffes.  I thought Josh would love it because he isn't usually scared by anything. (For example he loves the vacuum cleaner, the weed eater, the giant waterfall at the pool, and the man dressed up like a big cow at Chic-Fil-A)  He was not a fan of that giraffe though. I think the giant tongue was too much to take.  He also had his first try at sherbet that day.  He didn't know what to think at first, I think the cold shocked him, but after a few tries he seemed to like it a lot!  By the end of the afternoon we were all pretty wore out! 

Oh I forgot the best part!  Recall my fourth of July post and my nostalgia for small town parades and matching cousin outfits?  Well Aunt Patty decided to keep the tradition alive!  We just celebrated a little late that's all!

Josh asleep as we headed to the car.  He just couldn't make it another step.