High Jump

Okay, maybe it's not really a high jump, or even a jump... however, our daughter Kennedy demonstrates the art of "jumping" from the bottom stair.

Happy (Official) Birthday to Kennedy!

Dear Kennedy-
Thanks for being such a nice big sister. Congratulations on being 2. You are now 8 times my age!! Enjoy these pictures from your first week of life with mom and dad. Gosh, you look tiny! Lots of love,
Ansley



Day 1 with Kennedy, mom, and dad

More deep thoughts

Even deeper thoughts still

Sillyness

In another day that includes indoor swimming pools and mom performing indoor acrobatic stunts, it was a normal day at the Applegate household!

Kennedy wades in the Applegate indoor pool. Where should we put the diving board?

Being cute.

Kennedy and Molly demonstrate the "Airplane" move. [Kids: Don't try this at home.]

Molly demonstrates a somersault maneuver.

Kennedy's 2nd birthday (Part 2)

Not surprisingly, I shot more than 80 pictures at Kennedy's birthday party this weekend. Again, I wonder how our computer continues to have enough space to hold all of the pictures!

We had so many fun pictures, I wanted to share more of them.

In possibly the most exciting moment of Kennedy's day, she enjoys throwing a rock in our street.

Aunt Becky sits by as Kennedy cakes lip gloss on her face.

Kennedy and mom work together to read a birthday card.

Ansley and Papa Joe share a moment.

A quick Ansley video

Kennedy's 2-year Birthday Party (Part 1)

Today was Kennedy's 2nd birthday party. Thank you Kennedy for being such a great addition to the Applegate clan these last 2 years. It's hard to remember life when I could sleep in whenever I wanted. You are a blessing from God. Truly.

In today's blog, I experiment with video for the first time. Hopefully it works. Look forward to a multitude of birthday blogs this week... and lots of pink, LOTS.

Kyle and Kennedy work together to learn how to use her new princess camera.

Yum, birthday cake. Notice it's pink? Shocking huh?

Our attempt at a family photo op. It's hard to round up the 3 ladies in my life, especially when all 3 of them are ready for a nap (they actually all took naps shortly after this picture).

Shoes are Fun

Apparently Kennedy has received the "shoe" gene from her mom (this could be trouble). She loves to walk around the house in Mommy's shoes and is undeterred by high heels, flip flops, dress-up shoes, or excessively falling down. She's definitely a girl, through and through... and we love her.




Kennedy fashions mom's pink flip flops on the back porch.

Kennedy wears her shows everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

In this picture, Kennedy is actually wearing her own shoes (sparkly huh?). Although dad has a matching pair of shoes, he had to take the photograph.

Ode to Bunny

Oh Bunny, oh bunny... how much do I love you? Let me count thy ways!
1. Best friend.
2. Warm snuggler.
3. You have that special smell that only I can love.
4. You are pink (coincidentally my favorite color).
5. You like to ride on my head (see below).
6. You rock me to sleep every night.
7. You play hide and seek with me (at least this is what dad claims when I am lost).
8. Did I mention you are soft?
9. You go down the slide with me.
10. I can bite you when I get mad, and you still love me.

As I approach my 2-year birthday on 5/29, I am reflective and thoughtful about my first 2 years of life. When I have been sad, tired, hungry, grumpy, or upset, you are always there for me. Thank you for being my best friend.

Love, Kennedy

p.s. if you are reading this and want me to say hi to Bunny, please email me at leftthumbsucker@gmail.com.



Bunny waves at me.

Bunny is silly and likes to play on my head.

Bunny loves to dance with me and my friends. In fact, his (or her [bunny is neither male nor female]) favorite dance move is either the "Lawn Mower" or "Robot." He also does a dead-on Michael Jackson impression from Thriller.

Bunny loves Grandpa almost as much as I do. In this picture, Grandpa, Bunny, and I were watching dolphins jump in the water behind our boat. It was radical.

Fun with Horses

Last weekend, we experienced the most exciting Saturday that we have experienced in months. What exciting endeavor were we engaged in? Nothing. We literally had nothing on our calendar (no appointments, dinner dates, parties, fiestas, or birthday parties). This is rare in the Applegate household. So how did we celebrate this rare occurence? We headed to the 4-H fairground to watch a horse show.

Our babysitter's (Dondee) daughter (Ale) was participating in one of her first horse shows and we wanted to support her. This might have been the most "free" fun (if this term exists) we have had in eons. If Kennedy gets her wish, we will buy a horse for her next week.

Although we didn't have a chance to watch Ale compete in the competition, we got to see her ride her horse in the practice arena and meet some of the other riders and horse. Good times.

Dondee introduces Kennedy to Bullwinkle, Ale's horse. He's quite a stud. Literally.

Mom and Kennedy. Check out mom's sunglasses... she got them for $1.00 at Target at they cover 1/4 of her face.

Ansley enjoys the confines of her car seat.

Kennedy watches the horses in the practice corral. She was mesmerized.

Applegate Wild Kingdom

In today's post, you will learn that although the Applegate's live the suburbia life, we have somehow become the neighborhood's epicenter for wild animals. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to photograph the 17-pound rabbit that lives under our deck, or the many rabbits that have infested our neighbors' yards (our rabbit has to be the queen rabbit if such a thing exists).

Although Molly has banned domestic animals from our house (not entirely), it's nice to know that animals are nearby.


"Mommy duck" is shown nesting under the bush in the picture, which is directly outside of our front door. And no, there is no lake in the immediate area. Luckily this duck is not very territorial of the nesting area as we often walk by and wave (and talk) to this duck. Fun times.

Can you find the duck?

Can you see the nest and bird on the front gutter of our house? "Baby bird" is perched on the gutter and enjoying the day. [Editor's note: See earlier posts on "Baby bird" learning how to fly.]

Dance Dress

Recently my mother gave Kennedy a new "dance dress," as we like to call it. In addition to having a relentless desire to express herself in the art of the dance, her dance dress has given her an ever greater motivation to dance (and some great pictures). She has also slept in the dance dress, twice in the last week, following our great parenting strategy of: "Anything that works."


Kennedy boogies down.

Striking a pose.

Future belly dancer?

Kennedy executes an advanced dance move called the "standing swan" (and no I didn't make it up).

The Ansley-Only Post

Believe it or not, we have a 2nd daughter named Ansley. We're a little biased, but she is a pretty sweet little baby. She barely cries, she eats great, and she has a very sweet nature. Although I have some awesome pictures of child #1 in her new "dance" dress, Ansley needs to get some facetime!

On a sidenote, it's amazing to be a parent and see this awesome little person that God made, who is completely unique in her own special ways. God is good.


Ansley is "keepin' it real." This is a favorite pose.

Ansley tells Aunt Becky a story.

Another favorite pose. This is a picture on the hotel bed a few weeks back. Her favorite place to sleep is in our bed (we better not start this habit).

Ansley enjoys "mommy's baby spa."

Adventures with Lily

Thanks to my brother Kyle and his wife Becky for a most awesome Mother's Day brunch. Very, very yummy (especially that chocolatey / brownie / cool whip / sugary dessert). Bottom line, you guys are the best.

Secondly, Kennedy enjoyed her cat-and-mouse game with Lily. I'm sure they will grow to be good friends.


My mom acts as a buffer between Lily and Kennedy.

The race is on... Lily is in hot pursuit of Kennedy as they round turn 1.

Lily closes the gap. Becky can be seen in the left of the picture jumping up to intervene.

Kennedy races back to the kitchen area. In the background, Becky holds Lily, allowing Kennedy to get a 5-second head start.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the many great moms out there. It is often a thankless, "dirty" (literally), worrisome, tiresome, and difficult job. You are more irreplaceable to your kids, even though they don't always say "Thanks."I am very humbled to have a mom who has taught me the importance of treating others more important than myself, loving God with all of my heart, and brushing my teeth more than once a day. The words "Thank You" are never enough.My wife Molly is an unbelievable mom. Thanks for being the role model you are to Kennedy and Ansley on a daily basis. During our first date, I knew in my heart you would be a great mom. And it's true!To Linda, thanks for being a great mom to all 5 of your kids. You have an amazing family (still growing) and you are now a great grandmother (sorry, had to use that word). Thanks for all that you do.

My mom holds my worn out daughter Kennedy at my brother Craig's wedding.

My three favorite girls: Kennedy, Molly, and Ansley.

Noni and Papa Joe dance with Kennedy at Uncle Joey's wedding.

A special shout out to Jenny on Mother's Day today; you are a special mom. We are thinking about you and hope that you have a great day today! Also, Kennedy says "Hi" to Lucy and wants to tell her she can't wait to have another dance party.