The Kenners

2009-06-03T21:46:00.004-04:00

It has been a long time since I updated, I seek forgiveness by uploading not only new pictures, but 2 new videos as well.

We've had a great summer so far: walking to the farmer's market, drinking juice boxes at the pool, sweating, um I mean, swinging in the backyard and wrestling in the basement (when it rains). I think that last shot is Hudson's "game face."

2009-06-03T20:51:00.004-04:00

Here are the boys playing around after dinner tonight. I keep telling Mclain that one day Hudson is going to be bigger than him and he should be nice to his little brother. That day is drawing much closer ...

2009-03-30T20:37:00.001-04:00

We're just two wild and crazy guys.

2009-03-30T20:34:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness Spring is here. We can play and play (and pee) in the backyard!

2009-03-30T20:28:00.002-04:00

All of a sudden, one day at lunch, Hudson started and mastered the use of a fork. He won't touch his food without one now.

2009-03-30T20:16:00.004-04:00

Here are the boys at a local playground. Hudson follows Mclain everywhere and tries to do everything he does. Up ladders, across the monkey bars, down slides ... don't tell him he isn't big enough to do these things yet. I just try to make sure no one breaks an arm.

2009-03-30T20:11:00.004-04:00

It was really too cold to be outside, but we were tired of being cooped up in the house ... so we bundled up and ate our snack outside on the deck. It was nice to get some fresh air.

2009-03-30T20:03:00.004-04:00

Mclain's first trip to the dentist. He did great! This kid loves to brush his teeth and was thrilled with the toothbrush they let him take home. He was way more excited about the toothbrush than the ball they let him pick out too.

2009-03-30T19:57:00.004-04:00

It is hard, but I try get both of them in the same picture and looking at the camera, at the same time. These are some recent attempts. I think the mug shot on the sofa is funny.

2009-03-30T19:45:00.003-04:00

I apologize for the very long delay in uploading new pictures. I promise to be better in the future. :) I've just been busy!

Here are some snow pics. We had a ton of snow! The boys loved it! Of course we made a Bob the Builder snow man. Good thing Daddy was there to show us how to make snow men and snow forts.

2009-02-18T19:09:00.003-05:00

For a good laugh, watch our "tiny dancer" move on the dance floor instead of getting the rest of his PJ's on for bed. The raw talent is evident.

2009-02-18T15:27:00.005-05:00

Graham, Brian and Kelly came to visit us on Jan 30 weekend (Hudson's real bday, so we had cupcakes). The cousins had fun playing together, although I think Graham was a little overwhelmed with all the "love."

2009-02-09T13:00:00.004-05:00

Hudson turned One on Jan 30 and Mclain turned Three on Feb 6. We had a "construction" themed family party on Feb 7. Lots family came in from FL, NC and GA to eat cake and celebrate!

2009-01-22T14:53:00.004-05:00

Hudson is into everything nowadays! This kid is always grinning and loves to laugh. He really enjoys hamming it up to get a smile from his audience too.

2009-01-19T20:16:00.002-05:00

The boys can't wait to take baths together. Some nights, we can't get them undressed and the tub filled with water fast enough.

2009-01-02T15:00:00.004-05:00

Christmas in NC. More cousins and more presents! I let Santa know the boys would be in NC on Christmas morning. Thankfully, he got the message and was able to deliver lots of fun toys to all the good boys and girls.

2009-01-02T14:39:00.002-05:00

Christmas in TN (the Saturday before Christmas). Mclain and Hudson were the only boys in a swarm of girl cousins. They didn't mind a bit.

2009-01-02T14:31:00.002-05:00

Bob the Builder was at the Children's Museum downtown! The boys loved all the cool trucks. Mclain got to shake Bob's hand (he told me he was going to as we were driving there). Hudson enjoyed waving and pointing at Bob, he didn't want to be held by him.

2009-01-02T14:14:00.004-05:00

In other music news, here's our little Piano Man singing, dancing and tickling the keys. (Sorry, I can't turn the video right way up.)

2008-12-17T15:37:00.003-05:00

What is the minimum age for American Idol? Here, Mclain sings "The Santa Claus One." He makes up the words and says "Santa Claus will bring me presents, presents, presents." (Yes, we are clearly doing a good job of teaching him about "giving" during Christmastime.) He also sings "Fa, la, la."

2008-12-17T15:26:00.003-05:00

Misfit Photo Shoot, take 2: Different clothes, different day, same results. We did manage to get one decent picture for the card. You'll have to wait until you get in the mail ...

2008-12-16T20:41:00.004-05:00

Take 1: Here are a few outtakes from the Christmas picture photo shoot (the first day I tried). Needless to say this try didn't go too well. I really needed Shannon to help baby wrangle.

2008-11-25T10:39:00.005-05:00

Hudson and I were having a nice little conversations the other day at lunch. I'm not sure what all the crazy blinking was about. He's such a total sweetie. You can hear Mclain in the background. He had finished his lunch and was talking to George (aka Curious George).

2008-11-25T10:28:00.005-05:00

Mclain and I made fudge the other morning. It was well "tasted."

2008-11-13T14:19:00.003-05:00

He's only 9 months old and he's using the walker! Yeah, we're proud of him.

2008-11-11T10:35:00.008-05:00

A normal afternoon in the basement with a jumping 2 1/2 year old. I'm trying to get him to do the "hot dog" dance, but he's not much into it. More interested in the crackers I guess.

2008-11-10T20:07:00.007-05:00

We went to Nana and Papa's house this weekend in NC. We worked on the farm, played in the leaves (tasted the leaves) and visited Old Salem.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T21:20:00.004-04:00

2008-10-30T10:18:00.004-04:00

We had a dress rehearsal for Bob the Builder yesterday. Since this photo was taken, we've decided to go with a tool belt. Sorry, no photo available. He went to school this morning dressed up (left the tools at home) and is very excited to eat cookies. I think we're ready for the big night tomorrow!

2008-10-27T20:10:00.005-04:00

Last morning at Babo and Gee's house. Here's Mclain singing (and dancing) in the rain.

Pure joy.

2008-10-27T20:08:00.000-04:00

Mclain: "I guess this is ok. Hudson clearly doesn't know what he's doing, but if you're all ok with it, I'll just wait until he's out to show him how to use this correctly."

Hudson: "Mom, look. I'm in the Jeep. See me standing? I'm standing up in the Jeep."

2008-10-20T14:29:00.006-04:00

Shannon made it through India without getting Delhi-belly and now is in the Philippines. He didn't have any meetings on Sunday and was able to take a fancy carriage tour around Manila. He's having a really great trip!

2008-10-20T14:25:00.007-04:00

We're having lots of fun in Florida while Shannon is overseas. We've painted, fished, had boat rides, visits with Graham, picnics and bug projects.

2008-10-13T13:40:00.004-04:00

Since Shannon had today off work and he's going to India for 10 days leaving tomorrow, we decided to spend a little family time at the putt-putt course. Mclain actually scored a hole in one on the 18th hole (pictured here)! Hudson enjoyed the scenery and Jimmy Buffett music.

Halloween comes early

2008-10-12T15:05:00.004-04:00

We got out the Halloween decorations Friday afternoon. I had help going through the box. Mclain was going to be Bob the Builder, but currently loves this Teletubby outfit (which I didn't even remember we had.) Hudson is going to be a pumpkin and is excited about it.

2008-10-02T10:23:00.002-04:00

It is official, I've become one of "those" moms who drive the ridiculously large shopping race carts through the store trying not to knock things off the shelf. Mclain loves it though. I told him we were going to Publix and he said, "Green race car?" Yesterday I broke down and let him get in it. Now I'll never be able to go to Publix without using the green race car.

I still have Hudson in the Bijion, but he'll be in the driver's seat soon enough. Good thing there are two steering wheels!

2008-10-01T10:33:00.006-04:00

We went down to Florida last weekend to meet little Graham. He is absolutely adorable and quite the snuggler!

Here's Babo with all his grandsons (he looks pretty happy, doesn't he?)

2008-09-22T20:07:00.004-04:00

I've been a little camera-crazy lately and taking lots of pictures of my poor kids. Here are a few recent ones from the backyard. I was constantly telling Mclain to sit next to Hudson and taking grass out of Hudson's mouth.

2008-09-22T19:57:00.003-04:00

Now that the weather is cooling off, we've walked to the duck pond a lot lately. We don't just look at ducks while we are there, we play soccer and take naps too.

2008-09-22T19:52:00.004-04:00

I should have posted these on Sept 2, but here are the first and second day of school at Haygood Methodist. He's getting the hang of being dropped off and even uses the potty at school.

2008-09-15T13:34:00.001-04:00

We took a walk to the duck pond this morning. Mclain enjoyed waddling after the ducks and Hudson enjoyed watching Mclain.

2008-09-15T13:27:00.004-04:00

This was the last weekend at the pool. Mclain and I had one last swim Saturday and of course had to have ice cream. He ate that whole thing, but did offer me one bite (unprompted).

2008-09-09T19:47:00.005-04:00

Hudson got baptized this weekend! Babo and Gee (Ike and Janie) and Nana and Papa (Linda and Tommy) came to celebrate. Hudson wanted to play in the holy water and smiled at everyone in the church.

2008-09-03T21:28:00.003-04:00

My boys!

2008-09-03T10:14:00.004-04:00

Mclain is doing such a good job on the potty! He has not worn a diaper since Friday. Yippee! He even went in the Publix bathroom yesterday. I tell you, that was a sight ... I had Hudson in the baby bijorn and so had to stand Mclain up on the toilet seat and he aimed into the potty. The super loud flushing was a little too much for all of us. But we washed our hands and then finished up our shopping.

2008-08-30T14:34:00.003-04:00

No, those aren't Oreos ... that's dirt. Boys will be boys!

2008-08-30T12:03:00.013-04:00

Three of us are potty trained in our house! Mclain's gone on the potty 5 times this morning and 3 more times totally unassisted and unsupervised (yeah, we gave him a lot to drink). He goes in the little potty and then empties it on the big potty, all by himself. Zero accidents so far. We'll see how he makes it through his afternoon nap ...

3pm update: Dry all through nap. He woke up and we practiced with George. And then a few minutes later Mclain went on potty totally by himself!

8pm update: We had 2 accidents this afternoon in the backyard and 3 or 4 successful potty trips. I just put him to bed without a diaper ...

2008-08-29T09:34:00.005-04:00

Man, these kids really do grow up so fast. We're already teaching Mclain to shave. (Fret not, there isn't a blade on the razor.)

2008-08-28T19:27:00.004-04:00

Not officially a video, but close. Hudson has recently tried walking on his feet instead of his knees while "crawling." We still aren't crawling by the textbook, but he finds ways to get around (and under the sofa).

2008-08-28T19:25:00.002-04:00

Today on the playground. I'm telling you, this kid loves to swing!

2008-08-28T09:14:00.001-04:00

There's nothing like a fudgesicle on a hot summer day!

2008-08-27T16:24:00.002-04:00

This past weekend at Nana and Papa's farm. Mclain loves to ride that tractor. (No, he's not actually driving. He can't even reach the pedals.)

2008-08-27T16:20:00.001-04:00

Hudson enjoys a good swing!

2008-08-27T16:16:00.003-04:00

Our next gold medalist on the rings or bars?

2008-08-27T16:13:00.001-04:00

It must be time to get this child in a real crib, since he's about to launch himself out of the pack-n-play.

2008-08-27T16:01:00.002-04:00

Who needs to wear pants when you're watching TV? Here are the boys watching their current favorite movie, Babe. Mclain calls it the "the pig show" and he loves the duck scenes.

2008-08-17T21:56:00.000-04:00

Here's Hudson figuring out how to crawl. The background noise is Elmo's Potty Time video, ha!

2008-08-17T21:39:00.005-04:00

Mclain shows off his mad dance skills. He doesn't know I'm filming him. He's dancing and singing to the Elmo Potty Time video again. We watch such good programs at our house. Sorry, the video isn't straight (I didn't realize my little camera can only take video in one direction).

2008-08-17T21:23:00.002-04:00

Hudson discovers real food.

2008-08-17T21:22:00.006-04:00

The boys playing together in Hudson's crib.

2008-08-17T21:18:00.002-04:00

Sing it, Mclain.