Friday, August 14, 2009

Emmie and Saffren host the innaugural Hand Family Cousin's Reunion



This is Emmie, playing for the first time with her cousin Saffren, who is a mere month younger and even a bit bigger. They have, so far, had a big time. Emmie just looks at her and belly laughs. When Saffren laughs, so does Emmie. When Saffren has to have an aspirator to the nose, Emmie hides her face in sympathetic pain. She....just....can't....watch!


Uncle G, Aunt Jen, Saffren, Pops, GiGi, and soon DiDi have all come to town for the baptism on Sunday and we are hosting quite the baby showdown. Emmie is cuter by all accounts, but they do have fun together. Aunt Kara, Uncle Cody and Emmie are enjoying playing host.
Uncle G took a moment to pose with the cousins, Emmie got a little tickled.

More photos soon. Pops brought the official reunion onzies and the photo shoot went well. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Peaches for Emmie




Breakfast........I have tried sweet potato (ok) I have tried peas (yuck)
What has mom got for me now?



Movin' to the country gonna eat a lot of peaches


Millions of peaches, Peaches for free


Millions of peaches, Peaches for ME!













Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

We promise to post some photos and video from last weekend, Emmie was a rockstar for the camera.

Just to let her fans know, Emmie's baptism has been rescheduled for August 16 at 8:25 am at the First United Methodist Church.

Stay tuned for photos...

Sunday, June 21, 2009

2 First Father's Days

It was a sad irony that my first Father's Day as a Father was Kara's first without her's. The wounds of his very recent death are still very fresh, so I was unsure how today would go. I wanted to celebrate my first, but did not want to impose my joy on those who weren't ready.

But Kara made today very special for me. I awoke to her talking and laughing with my very talkative daughter in the nursery. I love baby monitors on these days. As Emmie becomes more "vocal" it is easy to get lost in conversation with someone whose vocabulary consists of coos and squeals. Beginning my day with the sounds of mother and daughter having a ball is, well, indescribably awesome. Kara had a stack of presents for me at the bottom of the stairs when I came down to the smell of coffee and home made monte cristo sandwiches. My favorite was this photo in a frame:

We went to target to buy some supplies for Emmie's first time in the pool. We bought an itty bitty swimsuit, a giant floaty boat, and some baby sunscreen.

We had some folks over for a cookout and then tried out the pool. Emmie LOVED it. Just for your enjoyment, here are some photos:

The later is post swimming in a tube top that her Aunt Jill (one of Kara's fellow Chi Omegas) made for her. Not that I want her in sorority garb just yet, but she did seem to like wearing the thing.

Children, especially perfect ones, can bring joy in the midst of sorrow. Check this out. Yesterday I let Emmie try out her Jenny Jumpup. She could not get enough. She is by far too small, but has enjoyed every minute (and taste) of it. Here is a video for your viewing pleasure:


We miss Papa Jack and each day we try to remember the good parts of a great life and not the tragedy of his death. Today, Father's Day, I remember what an amazing job he did raising my wife and strive to give some guy, some day (in other words...60 or so years from now) the gift of a well grounded and brilliant woman who knows what she wants and how to get it, just like he gave to me.

To all the dads out there, especially Papa Jack, Uncle Garrett, Pops, and Daddy Bob, happy Father's Day.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Papa Jack

As many of you may know my father was killed last Tuesday June 9, 2009. It is a very hard time in my life but Emmie is helping in ways that I can't even describe. She makes me get out of bed in the morning and see a little piece of God's goodness everyday. I have posted the one of the only pictures I will ever had of these two together but I thank God that my dad got to know her and she for a short time knew him. He loved her and was so excited about her...I am going to have a big job describing him to her. Emmie has gotten off of her routine because of all the people and all the commotion but luckily her Pops and GG were her to give her a constant. Thank you to you both for helping us in such an awful time. Please pray for my mother, Cody, and I that we can endeavor to keep Papa Jack alive for my little girl who he loved.