Same Looking

In college, Clay's friend Mishaki Shimizu used to say that my Mom and I were "same looking." Well, I know that he would repeat this if he saw my children! Of course they have their unique personalities and things that set them apart, but God made them very similar looking. I never dreamed I would have two light-haired, blue- eyed, fair-skinned children. I have been happy to see this summer, however, that Jack tans very easily despite the large amount of sunscreen applied each day. Anyway, here are photos of our Jack and Josie at approximately the same age - 10 1/2 months. Do you agree - are they "same looking?"

Hats

Did I mention that Jack loves hats? He loves wearing them, filling them up with unusual things, and putting them on others, namely Josie. She, on the other hand, is not into dress-up yet. I am sure the tables will turn in a matter of years.

Country Time

One of our favorite things is to spend time in the country on the Kennedy farm. While growing up there, I didn't fully appreciate it's simple pleasures, but now that I have children, it's a retreat for me and a theme park for the kids! While Will was in Utah with his youth group we had some country time with Doc, Mam, Lisa and Ethan. The week went by quickly and we made lots of memories. I know I have shared lots of photos of the farm but a few new additions this trip were a giraffe inflatable pool with a slide and a tire swing. Jack became a lover of Doc's homegrown watermelon, while Josie was Mam's human vacuum cleaner. When we were reunited with Will on Monday, he couldn't believe Jack's expanding vocabulary and it's clarity, as well as Josie's mobility and expressions. I guess a lot can happen in 10 days, especially on the farm! Thanks to Doc and Mam for the vacation.

Our Favorite 10-month Old

Kisses to my fans -
How big is Josie? So big!



Happy 10 months to our Josie-girl. She has been a busy little girl this month, learning to pull up on her knees and then to her feet. She loves her new view and is quite graceful when falling - unlike big bro Jack! She has become quite the little copycat and that has been fun to watch - she initiates games of peek-a-boo with her pink blankie and loves to wave "hi" and "bye" to everyone. Her tummy scoot is now a knee crawl - fast and with purpose. She follows Jack around most of her day....babbling, squealing and laughing at his antics. She continues to be such a joy to us and we can't imagine our family without her. Her loves include her left thumb, her pink blankie, morning naptime, bathtime with Jack, finger foods, and morning music time. She is learning to communicate and express herself - using signs for "more" and "all done" in the high chair, and blowing kisses to those she knows and loves. Her newest expression is answering us when we say, "How big is Josie?" She raises her hands up high and smiles. She truly is getting so big and I wonder where the time has gone....we love you, JoJo.

Just the 3 of Us

I will be taking a brief blogging hiatus as the kids and I travel south to the farm for the week. Will, aka Daddy and Pastor Will, left early this morning for Salt Lake City with his youth group. Will talked to Jack last night about his trip - that he was going bye-bye for a week to Utah. This morning when I lifted Jack out of bed, he said "Daddy? Bye-bye, trip, week." I was amazed by his memory....and later, how quickly he could forget as he asked again where Daddy was! Since Jack is definitely in his "Daddy is my best friend" phase, I planned extra activities today to keep him busy and distracted - lots of outside time, Chick-Fil-A lunch/playground, library, swimming at the YMCA pool, and reading our new books from the library. It was a good day, and at 7:30pm when I laid him down for the night, he didn't make a peep.
This week at the farm will be full of adventures for both Jack and Josie. Check back next week for the full report.