Dad Kennedy's 70th Birthday

We were planning to go on a secret trip Saskatchewan in April - we had flights booked, and an off-season camp paid for - a place that had room enough for every family to have their own room/space, while having large gathering spaces, and a big kitchen/dining room. At the time of his birthday this year, there are 49 of us - with 2 more due soon! (Amy in May and Jillaine in Sept). So we'll close out 2020 with FIFTY ONE people. That's so crazy to me! But not crazier than the COVID-19 hysteria that shut down the universe in March. Our tickets were credited, and all plans cancelled. Sadness.

We rallied and decided to do a little birthday video for Dad, since we couldn't be there in person, we made a video. Chantelle compiled all the footage...and there was too much for one video (it's almost an hour long!) so a second video/bloopers reel is in the works too I think.

Dad's Birthday Video on YouTube.

On his actual birthday we set up a Zoom call - and that was kinda weird, but fun. (The empty chair was Janessa, leaving to attend the current youngest member of the family, baby Jhett:-)

We're hoping to get up there for a visit before Vale turns 2, and we need to purchase another ticket, but we'll have to see what the world will allow first, I guess:-/

We love you DAD!

Family Picture Day Video 2019

Here is our video for this year...

 

12 Months of Vale

 I took a picture of her, each month on the 8th. Here is the compilation of the whole year strung together.

Vale's 1 year old birthday video

Our family picture day for 2018 was Vale's birth-day pictures. It was a busy time, and I didn't get around to posting them in the typical family picture day style, but I included them in her birthday video...She had a whirlwind 1st year, but oh how we love her.

Brooks' 12th Birthday Trip

So the big 12th birthday trip tradition is in full swing. Brooks has had a full year to think about what he would want to do/where he would want to go, and he decided - to watch the GOAT, Tom Brady play in person. 

To have that occur, he had to wait from his birthday in May, until the season started in the fall. We picked a day when the Patriots would be playing the Redskins, since that's our "local" NFL team, 4 hours away.

Brian and Brooks spent the weekend in DC. They rented Limes to scoot around town quickly and see all the sights.

They did quite a few of the museums, and scooted past so many monuments!

They ate lots of yummy food. Their hotel didn't serve breakfast so they had to go find their own...they were not disappointed. 

They got a donut the size of Brooks' head, apparently😂

Brooks' first NFL game - and note: little did we know that actually this would be Brady's last year with the Patriots, and also the Redskins last year as the Redskins. An epic choice and timing of turning 12! Oh yeah, and the Patriots won that day:-)

They had such a great time! It was the perfect weekend for Brooks, combining basically every aspect of his favourite things. Memories to last a lifetime! 💙

9 months old!

I've been keeping up with the monthlies on IG, but figured it was time for something on here. She's a sweet little thing - if she gets her way. If not, well, you'll know it. She's cute as a button, and definitely the favourite in the house, adored by all. She's a wonderful blend of each of them, in both looks and personality, so it's fun to be able to point out and observe the different traits, and have them notice them too, as "big kids". She still doesn't have much hair:-) Haha! Poor kid. We love her, and we're so grateful we get to keep her.

She loves it when we sing "Shaunie Vale" to the tune of Baby Shark...Shaunie Vale do do do do do do, I love you!

Fierce!

Chubby baby fingers are my favourite

She loves all her stuffties, especially her sloths. She's very expressive with them.

Oh, that face!!

Beach pics

The beach today was fun. We went in the 95 degree afternoon, so we couldn't bring the dog this time, but I don't think the kids minded. They found lots of hermit crabs, a dog welk (which is?! I don't even know), and fish! The baby is getting used to the water, and seems quite enthralled with both the taste of sand, and the saltiness of the water. Next summer she'll be coming up on two, and it'll be a whole 'nother scene:-) I'm enjoying the peaceful lack of mobility this go around, for sure. We sit and chat on the waters edge. And it's bliss.