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!

Paul's 7th birthday party

Baby Charlotte & Kate together (she's not really a baby anymore).

Kate standing by the window display for the Princess and the Frog. She is so excited for this movie to come out!

Kate & Paul playing a game together.

Paul had his 7th birthday party at Regal Cinemas at the Pinnacle. They went to see "Where the Wild Things Are" and then had pizza and cake. Kate didn't want to go see the movie so we just came for the pizza & cake. She had a great time overall. Although, she was sad that she couldn't get all of Paul's attention. It was very sweet though. She loves Paul and says she is going to marry him one day. We'll see!

Andrew's Birthday party

We went to Andrew's birthday party on Saturday, August 29th. It was originally planned for the splash pad but due to rescheduled soccer games and a rain storm in the afternoon, we all met at Burger King. The kids had a great time and we all enjoyed getting the chance to catch up! This is a picture of Andrew, Elizabeth, Kate, & Evie eating their dinner. Happy 4th birthday, Andrew!

Busy Birthday Party Day

Kitely & Kate after getting their hair and makeup done at the Groovy Pad.

Kate, Kitely, Loryn, & Maddie - these girls have all been friends since they were 16 months old!  They all went to the same daycare for a year or so.  Maddie and Kate started together when they were 6 months old.  Luckily, even though they go to 2 different schools now, they are still all friends.  They all go to each other's birthday parties every year!  This was Loryn's 4th birthday party!  What sweet girls and great memories!

Kate, Kitely, & Jim running through the park with their kites!

Kitely and Kate -- Happy Birthday Kitely!!!  We had a ton of fun!

Kitely & Kate throwing rocks into the lake.  The same day as Loryn's party, Kitely had her birthday party for dinner.  We went to Anchor Park for Kitely's.  Everyone had a great time.  They especially loved trying to break the pinata and flying the kites!  Happy Birthday Kitely!  Kate loves you very much!!

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!!

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!

Clay & Paul's birthday party

Paul & Kate together after enjoying some birthday cake together.

Kate & Clay together -- he is very sweet with her and protective of her.

Kate really enjoyed going to Paul & Clay's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  She had a great time and really enjoyed the party!  She loves being one of their "little sisters."

Baby Charlotte's 1st birthday party

Mamaw Doris & Baby Charlotte right before her birthday cake.  She's a happy little girl!

Baby Charlotte waiting to blow out her candle as we are singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

The Dowdy kids - Paul, Charlotte, & Clay.  Those boys love their little sister.  (And Kate thinks she is their sister also -- and they love her like one).  

We went over to the Dowdy's on Sunday morning, October 11th for Baby Charlotte's 1st birthday party.  We were so glad to come celebrate with them.  We love them all!  Kate had a great time and really enjoyed being there for Charlotte's big birthday!  It was a great way to start the week!