Destin beach vacation - part 1

Kate & Ava waiting to jump during Kids Mardi Gras at Baytowne Wharf.  They love each other!  Ava had her face painted like a butterfly -- it wasn't quite what we expected!

Swinging in the tire swing at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin

Enjoying the outdoor concert at Baytowne Wharf with Mommy

Enjoying the concert with Daddy!

Swimming in the big girl pool with Mr. Turtle - she loved swimming in the float by herself!

We got to go to Destin, FL with our friends, Greg, Shannon & Ava Meadows.  (Shannon & I grew up together and were best friends in high school).  They invited us to spend the week with them at their condo on the beach.  We went with them last year also.  Kate & Ava love each other so much and had the best time playing together all week.  We were able to spend mornings and afternoons on the beach and at the pool.  Then we were able to go out to eat at night and do other fun things with the girls in Destin.  We went to Sandestin to Baytowne Wharf 2 nights to enjoy various activities for the girls.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time!  Thank you Shannon & Greg for inviting us to go with you!  We can't wait to see you all again!!

Brooke's Birthday Party

Today, we went to Brooke's birthday party at Jumpity Jump.  Kate had a really good time and really enjoyed the Ariel cookie cake!  It was a special treat because I picked her up from school at noon and then we went to Brooke's party at 2pm.  She was really excited to be invited.  She couldn't wait to tell Brooke "Happy Birthday" and say hi to Ms. Kelly.  Have a great birthday Brooke and thank you for letting us share it with you!! 

 

Picking blueberries

She's paying close attention to which blueberries she's picking.

For some reason, Kate is laughing hard at me....

Showing off their blueberries

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

We went to pick blueberries again off Bluegrass Rd. (not too far from our house).  This time we let Kate & Kitely come with us.  Surprisingly, Kate did a really good job.  She was very focused and really into finding "blue" blueberries.  She had a great time!  I was so proud of her!  Now, if she would only eat some of them.  She says she likes them now but she hasn't really eaten many yet.  She had fun though!

Guitar Fun!

Playing at the Mall

We went to the mall after dinner at Big Ed's tonight.  It was raining so we couldn't go to the park like we had planned but the girls still wanted to play.  They had a great time!

MOPS Playdate

We had a MOPS Playdate at our church playground today.  We took Kitely with us and had a great time!!  It was hot but it didn't seem to bother them!!

Kate's "picture"

Kate made a "picture" last night outside with Jarett.  She took pictures out of the house and cd's.  She was very proud of her "picture" and wanted me to take her picture with it.  She definitely has a lot of imagination.  

Afternoon at the zoo

Kate loved having a snack while we looked at the animals.

As you can see, we were having fun.  We actually saw a gorilla for the first time -- they are usually always hiding when we are there!

Kate wanted to "ride" the turtle.

Another favorite part of the zoo -- the Kids Cove where she gets to play in the water.

When we got home, she gave her Daddy a big hug.  He had stayed home to wash & wax my car!  So, I was very thankful that he did that for us!!  We had a great afternoon at the zoo though.  The elephants were out (usually they are inside when we come by) and so were many of the animals.  It was a lot of fun!

Happy 4th of July!!

Kate & Kitely in the wagon waiting for the parade to start

We took the girls to the Farragut 4th of July parade.  They rode in Kitely's wagon and had a great time.  We stayed for about half of the parade.  Then Jarett & Phillip took the girls to the park to play while Suzanne & I went to the Fresh Market to get everything for dinner.  Later that night, we cooked out and had a great time with friends.  Kate had a wonderful time all day and we had a great July 4th!!!

Ella's 1st Birthday party

Kate playing with Kate & Anne Claire

Kate Myers and Kate playing together

Sarah Hazel & Kate together

June 27, 2008
We went to Ella Finley's 1st birthday party at the splash pad.  Kate had a really good time.  The Myers were there at the splash pad also and Kate played with Kate and Anne Claire.  She had a great time playing with them.  She's not really a water girl yet but we're working on it.  She had fun with them though.  And she loved Sarah Hazel.  She just loved patting her and tickling her.  They were really cute together!  She really enjoyed Ella's party!

Father's Day

June 15, 2008
Kate had a great Father's Day with Jarett.  The day before, I took her to get her picture made for the first time since she was 2.  She did a great job and even took a special picture for Daddy.  She let Daddy pick where we went for lunch after church and he picked Five Guys.  He had a rough end of the week at work and needed a fun day.  He had an accident at work Friday morning (by ripping his finger nail off completely during inventory preparations) and I had to take him to the ER.  (You'll notice his finger is completely wrapped in the picture).  And our TV upstairs had died Friday also (it was Friday the 13th).  So, he picked out a new TV on Father's Day too.  And we had our great friends, the Sherman's, over for a fun dinner Sunday night.  It was a really good day!  Kate loves her Daddy!!

Saying bye to Luke

June 11, 2008

We had dinner with Wes, Mary Beth, & Luke one last time before they left for High Point. Kate & Luke had a picnic on the floor.  Then we took them outside to play and watch the train.  They were both in awe of the train and loved it.  We will miss them so much!  We met Wes & Mary Beth several years ago and have really enjoyed becoming great friends with them.  We are planning to definitely stay in touch and get together as often as possible.