Kate's 5th birthday party

Everyone starts by stretching to get warmed up!

Kate practicing on what she called "a skateboard."

Kate while everyone sings Happy Birthday to her! (with her friends Evie & Elizabeth).

Kitely, Loryn, Maddie, & Kate - 4 great friends who used to go to school together but have stayed close friends!

Ava & Kate -- best friends & sisters almost -- Thanks for coming from Nashville for Kate's party Ava!! We couldn't have a party without her!

We did Kate's birthday party 5 weeks before her actual birthday since Macy is due May 18th. I didn't want her to miss her birthday party. Especially because Kate was 4 weeks early! We did her party at Premier Athletics where she took gymnastics last year. She had a great time and was so excited to have so many friends come to celebrate!

Easter 2010

Kate was so excited to find her Easter basket outside the front door. She loved looking through it!

A really bad picture of Kate & Mommy but it's the best we got. The sun was in our eyes and it just isn't a good picture. But I was happy to be with my girl!

Here's a good picture of Paul, Kate, & Charlotte. The Dowdy kids are like Kate's brothers & sister. She LOVES them as much as she will love Macy (I think). We're thankful to have them across the street! They are part of our family!

Easter Egg Hunt

Kate swinging on the swing set.

Hanging on the rings!

Looking for Easter eggs.

Kate, Jarett, & me (with Macy) - a good family photo (in my opinion)

Kate & Elizabeth while they were looking thru their Easter eggs looking at their candy.

We went to an Easter egg hunt for our Sunday School class. We all had a great time! Kate loved playing with her friends on Elizabeth's swing set, looking for eggs, going thru their eggs, and then at lunch at Mr. Gatti's. It was fun for us all to get together and enjoy some beautiful weather! We are so thankful for all our friends in SS and am thankful they are in our lives. Thank you, Lora & Jeremy, for hosting the hunt at their house. While we constantly talk to Kate about the true meaning of Easter, she enjoyed this part of Easter.

Kate's 5 year pictures

I went ahead and took Kate for her 5 year pictures. I wanted to make sure we got them done before Macy arrives and also before she loses her bottom front two teeth. She wore her Princess ring that Paul gave her in most of the pictures. She has grown up so much! I can't believe it's almost been 5 years. Our little girl is definitely growing up and off to Kindergarten in the fall. She is going to be the best big sister! We love her so much!

Father-Daughter Dance

Kate & Jarett went to the Father-Daughter dance the same night as my baby shower. She had a great time with her Daddy. They went to Jason's Deli for dinner and then to the dance. This is always one of her most favorite memories. I'm so glad they have the chance to go together! She LOVES her Daddy!!!

Macy's Baby Shower

Nana, me, & Mimi at the shower

My friend Lindsay made the cake -- it was beautiful & delicious!

I got a lot of cute stuff for Macy! I loved it all! This is a cute bib with her name on it!

Cute burp cloth that Jarett's cousin made for us.

My fabulous friends who gave me such a wonderful, special shower! I cannot thank them enough! Kristen, Lindsay, Suzanne, me , & Shannon -- LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!

I was so fortunate to have a wonderful shower that some wonderful friends put on for me. It was at Suzanne's house (who is Kitely's mom and a great friend of mine). Our girls have been together since they were about 14 months old. We've all become great friends. Suzanne made majority of the food and it was all so delicious! Lots of my favorites! Kristen is a friend from my days at UK (GO BIG BLUE) who lives in Atlanta! Lindsay is a friend from middle school & high school (we have lots of memories together). And Shannon is one of my oldest friends. I think I've known her forever literally. She lives in Nashville and is Ava's mom. Kate & Ava are like sisters and Shannon is like a sister that I never had. All 4 of these girls are so special to me and I cannot thank them enough.

And I was very blessed to have so many of my friends come to the shower. I really appreciate everyone coming and supporting us. We are so lucky and have some of the best friends imaginable! Macy & Kate are two very lucky girls who will always be loved by many. And both our Moms were able to come (the Dad's were at our house with Kate & Jarett). It was nice to all be together. (We missed Aunt Heather though). Thank you all for your kindness & generosity! I love you all!

Ava's birthday party

Kate & Ava before her party

Kate taking a break at Ava's ballet party.

Ava, Abby James, Draper, Kate & all their other friends at their birthday party!

Kate dancing with her Daddy.

Happy 4th Birthday, Ava!!

We went to Nashville for Ava's 4th birthday party. She had a ballet party with her friends Abby James & Draper (sisters). The girls all had a great time! Kate was so happy to be with Ava and didn't want to leave at the end of the day. We'll have to get them together again soon. Ava will always be a sister to Kate (and soon, Macy).

Macy's room

We're working hard on Macy's room. I love her bedding (it was Charlotte's). And I love the pink color of the walls. My good friend Rhonda did a fabulous job painting her room for us! Thanks Rhonda!! We are trying to get ready early in case Macy Jane decides to come early like her big sister Kate!

Dollywood

Riding the ducks in the cold, cold weather...

We ran into Kitely & her parents at the cars while we were at Dollywood. The girls were so excited to see each other & ride the cars together.

Mommy, Kate, & Daddy outside the beautiful butterfly in lights (as Kate called it).

She LOVED all the lights and especially the Dolly butterfly. She loves Dollywood & Dolly Parton!

We went to Dollywood one last time in 2009 after Christmas. Kate loved all the lights and got to ride all her favorites. It was a very cold night but it was worth it. We saw Babes in Toyland, enjoyed some yummy hot chocolate, rode several rides, & ate dinner at Red's Diner. She had a great time! We were glad we were able to enjoy it one last time for 2009. We had a lot of great times at Dollywood this year. We aren't getting passes for 2010 because we decided it wouldn't be as easy to come with a new baby. I know we'll all miss it this year. But maybe next year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!! We love wearing our Christmas clothes!

Christmas Choir performance

Kate is singing her heart out on O Come Let Us Adore Him. We were so proud of her! She's the 2nd one on the left with the green dress.

Here's a picture of Kate and Maxwell after singing!

Kate & Evie after their performances. Kate LOVES playing with Evie!

Jarett and I weren't sure whether Kate would participate or not for her choir performance at church. It was in the sanctuary and there were a lot of parents & grandparents there to watch. She did a FABULOUS job and participated in all 3 songs. We were so proud of her and so happy we got to see our little girl grow up a little more. What a difference a year makes!!

Big girl haircut

Kate got a big girl haircut! We decided to cut her hair off to her chin. It's really cute and she LOVES it! She's turning into a big girl!!!

Halloween 2009 - part 2

Clay, Kate, & Paul

After her first trick or treating, we went home to go trick or treating with Clay, Paul, & Charlotte. She had a great time with the Dowdy's and loved going to many houses with them. Paul was her Gladiator, protector. Unfortunately, I don't have a great picture of Charlotte but she was adorable as the Cat in the Hat. What great friends & neighbors!

Halloween 2009

All the kids getting some energy from pizza & grapes before trick or treating!

Here they all are mostly - Cameron, Sarah Hazel, Kate, Evie, Eli, Michael, Andrew, Maxwell, Elizabeth & Catherine - all ready to go!

Unfortunately, it was a rainy Halloween. But Kate & Evie shared her umbrella a lot.

Kate & Elizabeth on their way to another house.

Evie, Kate, & Elizabeth - 3 princesses: Snow White, Tiana, & Sleeping Beauty on an unicorn

Kate had a great time trick or treating with some of her friends from church. They all had a great time together and got a LOT of candy. Kate really liked the house that gave full size Hershey bars. That was her favorite.

Harvest Festival at Kate's School

Jim, Kate, & Kitely having fun together!

Garrett & Kate -- they ran around the playground holding hands. So sweet!

Kitely & Kate ready for the trick or treating at school.

2 Great friends - Princess Tiana and Minnie Mouse!