Welcome Lilly!

Last weekend, Molly's (really) long time friend Molly Voris came to visit us with husband Jesse and new daughter Lilly from our nation's capital. It is always a blast to hang out with Jesse and Molly, and it was equally special to meet Lilly for the first time.




















Molly (right), sister Amy, and daughter Lilly. Great picture.




















Lilly sleeps.




















Everybody checks out the new baby.




















Jesse tours our backyard in hopes of rocking Lilly to sleep. Don't worry, he doesn't run into the hawthorne tree pictured to the right of the frame.

Dinner with the Johnson clan (minus Claire)

Last Friday, we had the good fortune to have dinner with Kevin, Emmy, and Andrew. It was a combination pizza party, dance party, and ice cream cone speed eating contest (Kevin was the winner).




















Like Kennedy, Ansley also looks up to Emily (literally in this instance).




















Kennedy, Emmy, Andrew, and Ansley. Does this look like a group that has had their picture taken before. Ummm.... yes.














Kennedy makes Ansley laugh... again.














Is it a dance party or a race around the room? You decide.

A Day at the Fair

In blazing early morning temperatures, the Applegate family braved the Hamilton County fair. We survived until 11:00, when the temperature gauge hit 88 degrees.

Ansley loved the air conditioning; Kennedy loved the bunnies (big surprise); I WOULD have loved some good fair food... or being a 4-H pie judge; and Molly loved sanitizing our shoes after we got back to the house.














Mom and Kennedy enjoy the goats.














A sheep gets a "wool" cut.















In hindsight (literally), this is not the best angle to take a picture of a freshly shaven sheep.














Ansley eats her hat. Yum.

Kennedy's 1st Dentist Visit

Another new and exciting step... Kennedy has now officially visited the dentist.

Thanks to Molly making me brush Kennedy's teeth, and me going through a nightly routine of holding Kennedy down and forcing her to brush her teeth (actually this has improved recently), we received positive reviews from Dr. Joe.

So yay, we avoided the prospect of holding down a screaming 2-year old. And oh yeah... we learned that we shouldn't be giving Kennedy mouthwash until she is at least 5. Whoops...














Kennedy prepares to be inspected by the dental hygeinist. Molly offers encouragement.














This picture shows Molly, Dr. Joe, and Kennedy during the exam.














Kennedy: "Seriously, who is this guy?" I'm not sure if you can see her face... but she is definitely ready to leave the dentist's office.














The 'ol picture with Dr. Joe and Kennedy. Classic.

Softball Season is Over

Goodbye softball season. It's truly been a blast playing with the same group of guys from church for the last several years and many of them have become like brothers. Although we have never won a playoff game in the last few years, we have steadily increased our season record each year (we started with a 2-win season the 1st year).

It is basically another excuse to hang out, get the wives together, and let the kids play in the dirt (see below)... it also presents another opportunity to get injured (which has happened to me often). Another great year... thanks everyone.















E91 Team 4 photo after our last game. Back row (L-R): Eric, Bo, Jonathan, Matt, Todd, myself; front row (L-R): Adam, Jeremy, Josh, Nic, and Tom.




















This picture does not do justice in showing the dirtiness of Kennedy. She was dirty... and she loved it.















Group prayer after the game.














Kennedy and her buddy Brendan throw all of Nic's softball down the hill. Oh what fun.

Swimming at Papa Joe's and Noni's

On the Sunday after the 4th, we had a scrumptious dinner at Papa Joe's and Noni's house... and Kennedy got to do an overnight. It was a nice bonus for everybody! :)














Cousin Ella pats Ansley on the head. It is difficult to describe, but Ella's hands are constantly moving; she loves to touch things.... she is very cute.














Uncle Pat and daughter Ella.




















Kennedy plays a piece from Bach... or was it Mozart?














Ella and Kennedy. 2 cute girls.

Fireworks

In the annual tradition of keeping your children up past 11:00 and watching colorful explosions in the night sky, we again celebrated another 4th of July. Highlights included sitting less than 100 feet from the band (and speaker system), having particles of fireworks dust us throughout the display [seriously, it was pretty wierd], Kennedy ignoring Molly and me, and most importantly... my grandma (Gigi) volunteering to watch Ansley for the night (thank you).

It was a great night... but a little late for us 'ol timers (Molly and I). We got home at midnight and it felt like 3:00 in the morning.

Finally, I love the 4th of July. I recently read 1776, which really details the Revolutionary struggle against the British. In addition to this war, many Americans have given their lives defending the rights that we so often take so for granted. I feel blessed by the efforts of so many people who have gone before us... in God we Trust.













Kennedy rides to the park on my dad's shoulders.















A patriotic pose. Ironically, Kennedy refused to have her picture taken with Molly and me (see below).














This is our picture with our beautiful daughter. Notice how Molly and I had to lean "into" the picture when my dad was holding Kennedy? And notice the far off expression in her eyes? She almost seems to be rolling her eyes at us... but we know she loves us.

Kennedy enjoys the band rocking out.

A cacophony of fireworks.

Living in Princess World

Yes, I live in a world of sparkling lip gloss, baby dolls, glittery purses, pink crocs, and now a pink "princess" house. As you probably know, I am the dad of 2 girls and will be inundated with these types of items for years to come.

Does a macho guy (don't laugh) like me like having tea parties, burping cabbage patch dolls, and having Kennedy apply pink lip gloss to me? This might shock you, but yes. It's fun. And sometimes I catch myslf thinking: "Would I have enjoyed this 3 years ago? Or even imagined myself doing _____ (fill in the blank). For example, Molly and I have recently become obsessed with hitting garage sales. On a recent expedition (and yes, it is an accomplishment to get the 4 of us to a garage sale by 8:00 on a Friday morning), I was overjoyed by the great deals we found (see below). Princess boots and a princess house for $2.00 apiece! Can you believe this made my day?

I'm sure if we had a boy I would be looking for football shoulder pads, WWF Wrestling outfits, toy bazookas, squirt guns, and Spider Man gear, but this hasn't happened yet. It seems evident that having girls in our genes, but who knows... we'll find out someday. Until, I'll enjoy living in my pink-colored world with 3 awesome ladies.





















Princess boots: $2.00; Princess house: $2.00; bunny: $13.99; glittery purse: $8.99; watching Kennedy have fun: priceless.





















Princess boots close-up. Unfortunately they don't fit me.




















Kennedy works the cash register in her "store." Can you believe she charges $5.00 for stuffed animals? And for some reason she wouldn't sell me her bunny.

Songs

As a temporary stay-at-home dad who is hanging out with his 2 daughters on a random Tuesday morning, I have attached 2 videos for your pleasure. The first song (Ba Ba Blacksheep) is one of our favorites; the 2nd song is Itsy Bitsy Spider,

The backdrop for this musical extravaganza (sp?) is the interior of my car. Sometimes Kennedy likes to randomly climb through my car, which always makes it fun when I start my car (wipers on, radio blaring, etc...)

Have a joyous Tuesday.

Kennedy rocks "Ba Ba Blacksheep"

Itsy Bitsy Spider