April 2011

As many of you know there was the possibility of a Government shutdown because Congress had not come to agreement on the budget.  Normally the Government operates on what as know as the Continuing Resolution Agreement (CRA).  CRA goes into effect at 12:00 AM eastern time Oct 1.  The beginning of the new fiscal year and it end 11:59 local time 30 Sept.  In years past Congress has agreed to a budget sometime between November and December.  Since the Government is financially strapped, it has taken a bit longer for Congress to come to an agreement.  This year if I remember there were roughly 8 extensions to the budget.  Finally it came down to crunch time the first part of the month.  If Congress had not come to agreement by 11:59 pm eastern time, the entire Federal Government was going to being furloughed.  That means all civilian worker in the Department of Defense, Forest Service, National Parks, etc would be closed.  However, the Post Office and Military would have remained open because they are paid and operate out of different pot of money.  The possibility of a furlough scared me. Blake and I are prepared because of the type of job Blake has.  But I did not want to dip into savings if I really had to.  This was almost the case.  Finally Congress came to an agreement.

This made me think about workers that are laid off.   It made me really respect their position.  Because at the end of the day for me, I still had a job and position to go back to just no pay.  But when one is laid off, they have no job or pay and are left wondering how they will provide for their family.  I after this I count my blessing.  It may seem like a lot, but I have a job, Blake has a job, we both have vehicles to transport us to point a to point b, we have a home, we have clothes, food to eat, and a beautiful daughter aka a family. There are many that don't have all of that this day and age.  We are definitely VERY fortunate.  Remember to be thankful for the small stuff.  It is the small stuff that counts, not the big stuff.

We went to Iceburg's.  This was the kid's cone that Kennedy got with her meal.   Not sure what their definition of kid's cone this is.  It is more like a monster ice cream cone. 

Blake and I had a chance to go to my favorite country singer - King George Strait.  I convenienced my dad to go and my parents came with us.  Along with Blake's friends Ryan and Kristina.  With George came LeAnn Woolmack and Reba McEntire.  I saw this same show in Las Vegas with my friend Whitney the year before.  I wasn't too sure about Reba.  But man is she a GREAT performer.  Such a crowd pleaser.  When I heard they were coming to Salt Lake, I jumped on it.  The show was great, however our seats sucked.  Yes I know I picked them, but no one wanted to pay an arm and a leg for seats.  I was ready too, but I went with the group.  We sat in the lowest possible upper bowl seats in the ESA.  From that expirence now, I will make sure to cough up the extra bucks and get lower seats.  I was a bit jealous of my my Lynley, because she and her husband got floor seats.  And to make me more jealous she got to shake George's hand.  Their seats were right by the isle where they walked on and off the stage.  The music and food were great.  Can't wait until George comes again. 

Since we celebrated Easter.  We had some Easter Egg hunts.

 My Dad

 Ellie and Sharon

Sister-in-law Jordyn 

Me and Kennedy

We also made it to Tepanyaki with Blake's friend Quinn.  He recently got engaged and wanted us to meet is cute finance Stacie.  We took Kennedy with us.  Trying out the chopstick.  She has some work to go.  At least she tries.  She follows in her dad's footsteps.  I don't eat well with chopsticks, I just go for the fork. 

Not much other than that took place in April.

March 2011

Not much happened in March.  But we did make it to Phoenix for my cousin's wedding. 

So before we left for Phoenix we pulled out Kennedy's next size of car seat (the convertible).  Well, it was a bit big for her.  Plus, if someone other than me was to pick her up from day daycare they would need a car seat.  I was on the search for a new one.  Here is suppose to be one of the last times she rode in her infant seat.

This was a big a decision of do we turn her face forward or leave her refacing.  It seems still kinda conversational at this time, because they had not American of Pediatrics had not come to with their published recommendation.  The current publication was to be rear facing till the age of 1 and 20 pounds.  Key word "AND".  Well, rewinding Kennedy at her 1 year old appointment only weighed 16 pounds.  I always asked her pediatrician what I should do.  Ever since I started taking Kennedy to him, his recommendation was keep her rear facing till she doesn't like any more.  Basically as long as we could.  So that is what we did.  Many think I am nuts.  But she didn't mind.    

Before we headed to Phoenix I felt like I had pieces of glass in my throat every time I swallowed. Since we were leaving town, I thought I better head to the doc. The doc took a rapid strep test. It came back positive. The medication I took that night was a miracle. It helped so much. My throat felt a whole lot better.

We were leaving on a Friday. Thursday night Kennedy was not in a good mood, nor was she acting like herself.  She was more clingy than normal too. So before we left we headed into the doc for her. We were thinking that she may have had strep too. Her doctor's office took a rapid strep test for her too. But her results were NEGATIVE. Off went to Phoenix.

That night we stopped in St. George.  I thought it might be easier only driving half-way for Kennedy.  When we went to Reno in January, it was ALONG ride home.  Friday night we meet up and had pizza with good family friends the Charlton's.  It is aways fun to see them.  Before we meet up with them Kennedy was trying out her "new" sleeping arrangements.

Yes, she fits in the door of a dresser. 

No, we did not have her sleep there.

We got back and ready for bed.  Kennedy did her nightly routine.  Brush teeth, change into pjs, and tried to go potty.  She did.  YA.  Not the first time, but that is always good.  The next morning we got ready.  She went on the potty again.  Then we meet Dave for breakfast.  We had a yummy breakfast.  Once we finished.  We prepared to get on the road.  Blake took Kennedy to the bathroom.  As luck would have again she used the potty.  Just as any person would think, but she cant keep this up the whole way to Phoenix.  Well, she used bathroom all along the way.  Never once went in her diaper.  She kept this up until she started playing with my cousin's son Hayden Sunday afternoon.  I sure got my hopes up.  But one has to remember when she ready she will do a good job and it will be on her terms.  Along the ride though the Phoenix we thought Kennedy might like to face forward.  This was not a good idea.  Facing forward for the first time on a long car ride do not mix.  I am sure you can guess what happened.  Needless to say we pulled over found a car wash to wash her seat out.  Poor thing.  What is one to do since it is the law children are supposed to be in a child seat.  Well, we put it all back together, put a plastic black garbage bag over the seat, then a fleece blanket.  That way Kennedy would not sweat on the plastic the rest of the way.  We arrived at Curtis and Debbie's and the first thing we did is get the car seat in the washer. 

Saturday and Sunday we all just hung out.  On Sunday we went to the park and played with everyone. 

On Monday we had a bit of time to kill.  I persuaded my mom and dad to go to Pei Wei.  In the parking lot there was this sign.  I wasn't sure how to take it.  I thought those bumps in the road were called Speed Bumps.  But in Arizona they called them something else. 

Breanne is my cousin that was getting married.  She married a cute kid named Andrew.  They were married in the Mesa temple.  Breanne ended up getting married on our grandma Bernice's Birthday.  Kinda a cool way to remember.  Grandma Bernice pasted away in Oct of 1997. She will have been gone 14 years in Oct.  Man, I wish she were her.  But I knew she is around.  

Uncle Curtis, Aunt Debbie, BreAnn, Andrew, Andrew's Parents

My Cousin Danielle, her baby Jordin, my aunt Debbie, and Debbie's mom JoDene.

4 Generations.

My cousin Danielle's son Hayden.  He is 3. 

Kennedy loved this pond at the wedding reception.

Headed home.  Kennedy wanted to wear Blake's sunglasses

and she wanted him to wear her sunglasses. 

Blake looks pretty cute in pink. I tried to get him to keep them.

But he switched back.  I can't image why...

Kennedy is keeping entertained by watching various Disney movies.

Man, I think what did I do when I was a kid traveling.

Oh, that is right.  I have this wonderful trait from my dad.  We

call it the Lindsay sleeping gene.

Random Pictures.

I was able to get Kennedy's first single pony tail.

February 2011

Poop Episode
So one Saturday, the 5th of Feb to be precise.  I put Kennedy down for a nap about of 2:00.  She was tired.  We meet up with my mom, dad, Colton, and Jordyn for lunch.  Blake was out of town or at a work outdoor retailer type show.  But the main thing was he was GONE. 

It is about 5:00 pm.  I thought she would have been up by now.  But nope still she sleeping so I thought.  I wanted to run to The Children's Place.  They were having a pretty good sale.  About 5:30 I went to wake her up so she would go to bed later that night.  Well, she was up alright.  She was playing.  She was playing not with any toy, but with her poop.  GROSS is all I have to say.  I immediately called my mom for moral support.  She came really QUICK needless to say.  I wondered why she was so quiet.  My friend Whitney had this happen once with her twins.  But they did it at the same time.  YUCK.  So I felt I was prepared and my child would not do that.  Never think that way.  Anything is possibly. 

The pictures really do not jusitify all where the poop was.  It was in her finger nails, around her mouth (yuck - but she is still alive), caked in the Velcro of her shoes, blankets, and quilt.  As you can tell ALL OVER.
Let's say I am very thankful for the person who came up with the idea of disposable diapers.  Those people who use cloth diapers and have to clean them all the time are up in the night.  This is one area that I am not earth friendly. 

Early preparation for Halloween costumes

Any takers for her to be a Ghost?

Being Grandpa Bart
At my parent's house there is this picture of my dad in his shorts and cowboy boots.  I think Kennedy has sneaked a peek.  i will have to give her some fashion lessons as she gets older.

Snowmobiling Cabin

We were able to make it to the cabin on at least one snowmobile trip.  The snow when we got to cabin was quite deep.  Kennedy got a new helmet from my mom dad that she can wear either for snowmobiling or for the four wheeler.  Normally, I would prefer gender neutral on these type of items.  But after talking over with my mom and dad.  We figured the helmet would fit to her head and she would be wearing it still by the time the next child would need one. So we have quite awhile before that.  Plus since grandma and grandpa purchased it, we shouldn't be so picky.

Getting suited up to head in to the cabin.

Kennedy just "LOVES" her helmet.  I hope

she start to eventually like it. She will have

lots of opportunity to wear it in the future.

This is what the front of our cabin looked like when we arrived.

 Blake and Kennedy

Kennedy doesn't quite like the snow yet. 

Doesn't she look so happy?

 Remember the first picture of the snow. 

Yes, Blake dug the front door out. 



 Because the snow was so deep we have to enter from

the back.  Since it was before Blake dug the front

door out.  CRAZY MAN!

Kennedy and I enjoying the porch after Blake's

hard work.

 My mom.

 Kennedy

 Grandpa cleaning up the snow.  So our feet don't get wet later on.

Packin' up to head home.



January 2011

We were not to very eventful this month.  Kennedy and I made it to the Treehouse Museum and then  went to Reno. 

Treehouse Museum

 Riding like a professional.

I have a story with this picture.  Kennedy was playing on her own fine. 

She decided she wanted to get and take a chess piece.  Obviously, I would

not let her take it from the area.  She was still just playing.  Well, this little girl

any from about 5-7 came over and stole the chess piece from her.  Of course,

I jumped it and tried to explain.  This little girl wasn't having it.  And after I gave the

chess piece back to Kennedy, this little took it again.  Needless to say Kennedy and I

moved on to another area of the Treehouse.  Some people's kids.  Poor Kennedy 20

months had no idea what was happening.  She was a bit upset that this girl took her toy.

Then the last weekend of the month Kennedy and I tagged along with Blake to one of his shows he has to travel to in Reno for work.  It is called the Safari Club International.  This is a convention has safari guides come from all over the world to try and get people to come to their property.  I felt very out of place.  Not only because Blake and I were quite young, but also financially.  When we looked around at various hunts or items that were being sold, they were well out of my checkbook.  We walked pasted one gun and it was $150,000.  Yes, One hundred fifty thousand dollars.  The gun alone is whole more than my house.  I can't believe people pay that kind of money.  This show was amazing.  Just things one would not normally think of.  Here are some photos of the show.

Kennedy modeling her new chaps.

Grandpa Bart LOVED them.

Also while we were in Reno, Kennedy and I stopped by our good friends house Erik and Jaylssa.  They used to live in our ward.  Jaylssa and I became pretty good friends.  We sure miss them. 

Kennedy, Kaisha, and Erik (dude)

Kennedy liked the chairs not so much playing the Wii.

Random photos.

Daddy Daughter Time

 Uncle Kevin, Kennedy, and Gidget



 Kennedy and cousin Jet playing the piano.

Looking cool at daycare.