L'il K

Here is Kennedy's picture we had taken around Christmas time. I love how her fingers are all ready to take a picture too! I really can't believe how grown up she is getting. She is talking up a storm and can be such a good helper when she wants to be. She has also grown a strong sense of independence and seems to have an opinion on everything. We love her so much and can't wait to add another little cutie to the group.

House Hunting

2010 has already been a year of surprises. And so far the biggest surprise of all is our family's decision to house hunt here in Michigan. I guess I always knew that we would end up living here for a while, especially now that Ford has agreed to pay for MBA school, but I was still unprepared for this very permanent gesture of purchasing a home.
So far the process has been very enlightening. It is amazing how complex it is to buy a house. Everyone wants in on the action. The bank wants to rob you with interest. The government wants to kill you with taxes. The insurance company wants a piece of you as does the inspector, the appraiser, not to mention your "friend" the real estate agent. Whew! What a mess. We have basically decided to live off ramen noodles and get our kicks watching library movies for the next year to help finance this whole deal. Or win a game show.
Well, we have already been out to see a few houses, but nothing to get too excited about. It's hard because we want to stay very frugal, but it's amazing what a few more thousand dollars can get you. I am already nervous to negotiate prices and make an offer. I mean this is big money we're talking about. I feel way to young for all this grown up business of house buying.
Crazy times. Well I'll try to keep you all updated on our search. Oh and I still am going to post pics from Christmas (hopefully before Easter) If anyone has any advice on home buying or know of a good buying agent I'd love to hear from you!

Overdue Update

After checking out all the well updated blogs of my family and friends, I decided I had to write something so my latest post would not be a Christmas countdown.
A lot has happened for the Clawson gang not the least of which was an awesome trip out to Utah to see the fam. The only problem with a great trip like that (other than the loads of laundry) is that is makes you all the more homesick when you get back. Ah well, there's always Skipe I guess.
Tim is feeling much better although he is certainly not 100% yet. This swine-flu/ pneumonia thing is the pits I tell ya. We can't wait to be done with it once and for all.
Kennedy has had a hard time adjusting to a empty house with only one less enthusiastic fan around to play with her. She sure misses all her aunts, uncles, grandpas, and grandmas. We need to move back out there quick or buy her a dog. You can guess which option I'm rooting for.
As for me, it has been a bit of a challenge to get back in the groove. I don't know if it is the Michigan chill, reverting back to our tiny apartment, or just missing my family, but I'm having a hard time putting my shoulder to the wheel if you know what I mean. I am looking forward to my latest and greatest project, namely growing baby Clawson #2. This project had taken much of my time and energy as of late and I can't wait for the second semester when I will hopefully get my life back. By the way, our baby is due July 16th for all those I haven't allready told. I think it is a boy, but Tim is convinced it is a girl. I think he is just hoping we don't have to go out an buy all new boy stuff. We'll see!
Well that is my update. Sorry no pics this time, but I assure you I have plenty from our trip to post.

11 Days and Counting!!!

We can hardly stand the wait! Hurry Christmas! Hurry Now!

Poor Tim!

My poor sweet husband Tim had the flu, almost certainly the H1N1. I feel so bad for the guy and don't think I've ever seen him this miserable before. We took him to the doc this morning and they put him on some medication, but his condition really hasn't improved much. This afternoon he started coughing up blood and his fever came back. The doctor didn't sound too concerned, but I am more than a little freaked out. I feel so helpless.
The cherry on top of all this is now it is very questionable as to if we will make it down to Georgia for Thanksgiving. We had planned to drive down to visit Tim's sister tomorrow (Sat) morning, but that is obviously not happening. Tim is saying that maybe if he's feeling really great by Sunday we could try driving down on Monday, but right now I don't see him feeling up to it. I just miss family so much! We were all really looking forward to this trip and I just want to cry thinking that we'll could be spending Thanksgiving sipping chicken broth and watching lame movies instead of partying with the Kimballs and Jefferies.
Well that concluded my therapeutic writing session for the night. I know everything will turn out fine. Tim is a tough guy and I know he will feel better soon. Life will be ok.

Polly want some candy!

Halloween was a huge hit at the Clawson home! Going for a family theme this year I dressed up as a pirate, Kennedy my parrot, and Tim the sailor. It was a blast making Kennedy's costume this year using a few dollar store feather boas and hot gluing felt and googly eyes to a salvation army red hoodie! At first Kennedy was a little nervous about wearing all the feathers around, but as soon as she realized that the get-up equaled candy she was all in! We got her to say "trick-or-treat" but never could catch it on video.

Posing with a pumpkin

Ready for some candy!

"Can we go already?"

Pirate Mom and her Perching Parrot Pal

It's go time!

"Trick-or-Treat!"
We spend Halloween night with some friends from our ward. They had a perfect neighborhood for trick-or-treating and it was fun to have other kids to go with.

Of course we had to stop by our adopted grandma Margret's house before we set off.

Party Dress!

Today we received the most exciting package in the mail. Kennedy tore through the packaging to reveal a darling purple dress sewn just for her by Auntie Kayla! It is sooo cute. Of course we threw it on her as fast as she would allow and snapped a million pictures. I can't believe what a talented girl my 15 year old sister is. She is going to make the best mom someday. She can cook like crazy, sew, sing, play the violin, and is the best babysitter west of the Missisippi. We can't wait to visit her and the rest of the Bradshaw clan at Christmas time. Thanks again little sis, you're the best!