Dollywood with the Lawlor's

Evie, Kate, Andrew, & Phil riding the horses on the carousel.

Here we are riding the train -- Evie, Kate, Andrew, Janet, & Phil.  We got covered in soot!

Kate riding the Veggie Tales roller coaster for the first time.  She had a lot of fun!

Andrew, Evie & Kate riding the pigs together.

Mommy & Kate waiting to ride the elephants.

It was a really nice day at Dollywood.   It was so sweet of the Lawlor's to invite us to join them.  It was my first day not working so it was great to have a distraction.  Thank you Janet for inviting us to spend the day with you all at Dollywood.  We had a great time and Kate can't wait to go back with Evie & Andrew!

Kate's 4th birthday!

Here is Kate by the front door on her birthday.  We put her birthday banner up on the front door for the weekend.  She was very excited for everyone to know it was her big day!

Kitely & Kate at school on her birthday (and the Mother's Day tea).  She loves Kitely so much!!  They are such great friends and have so much fun together!

Kate got Wall-E for her birthday and was so excited!

Clay, Paul, & Kate at Chick-fil-a after their baseball game.  We went to watch the boys play baseball and then to Chick-fil-a with the Dowdy's to celebrate Kate's birthday.  This was her choice for what she wanted to do for her birthday.  It was lots of fun!!  For the moment, this is as close as Kate will be to having siblings and she loves every minute of it.  They are like family to us here in Knoxville.  Kate had a fun birthday.  It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years!!

Happy Mother's Day

Kitely & Kate made a picture together for "the Mommies".

After dinner Saturday night while we were still finishing up downstairs, Kate & Kitely went up to Kate's playroom.  They decided to make a picture for the Mommies to wish us a Happy Mother's Day.  It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  No one said anything to them about making a picture.  They decided on their own to make a picture together for Suzanne and I to share.  We cute the picture in half and had them write their names on both halves.  It still makes me speechless when I think about it.  These 2 little girls are so sweet and special!   I am so thankful to be Kate's Mommy!!!  And I'm enjoying the extra time with her at home now during the week.  We're looking forward to a great birthday week with her as she turns 4 on Thursday.  Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom, Mother-in-law, Sister-in-law (who will have twins anytime), and all my wonderful friends!  What a great day!!

Kate's 4th birthday big present

Kate's expression when she first saw her new bike.

She was so proud of her new bike and she loved that it is pink!!!

A sweet picture...

Daddy helping Kate ride her bike.

Kate got her birthday present a little early.  We got her a Trek Float bike.  She loves the pink bike!  This bike is different because it doesn't have training wheels.  You take the pedals off while they learn to walk and balance  on it.  Then when they can balance and walk, you put the pedals on it.  They should be able to learn to ride it easier that way (from what they tell us at the bike shops).  We'll see how it works but she loves it!!  She has been waiting for at least 6 months to get her first bike!  She is thrilled!!  It was so wonderful to see that look of pure joy on her face when she saw it for the first time.  It was amazing!!  What a great feeling for us as her parents!  It's hard to believe our little girl will be 4 on Thursday!!  Happy Birthday Kate!  We love you!

Kristen's baby shower in Atlanta

Kristen & I at the shower in Atlanta.

The party favors....candy bars!

Brandon & Kate playing....Brandon is Kristen's nephew and Kate had a great time with him!

Kristen's neighbors came over on Saturday to play and then again on Sunday before we left.  Kate loved playing with the girls.  If you could have only heard the conversations they had on this porch swing....they were priceless!  

We went to Atlanta the last weekend in April for my best friend from college, Kristen's, baby shower.  I helped give her a shower with a couple other friends in Atlanta.  We had a great time visiting with Kristen & Greg and her family.  Saturday night, they had a house full.  We stayed with them along with her brother, Chad, his wife, Becky, and their 2 boys, Brandon & Tyler, her parents, and her grandparents.  It was a lot of fun to be with them all!   We don't get to see them often but enjoy all the times we get together.  Kristen and I are a lot alike and had some great times in college and afterwards.  I love her dearly and cannot wait to meet little Chase when he is born.  Thanks for a great weekend, Kristen & Greg!  We appreciate all your hospitality & had a great visit!