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!

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!

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!

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!!!

Imagination Movers

Maddie, Loryn, & Kate before Imagination Movers. We ran into her friends there. It was a great surprise!

The Imagination Movers singing!

Kate watching the show with her Daddy.

Kate & Mommy after the show was over.

We decided to take Kate to see the Imagination Movers at the Tennessee Theatre last night. Kate had a great time and really enjoyed the show. It was great treat for all 3 of us. We really enjoyed all going together. It was a very interactive show and she really got into it. She was yelling back at them whenever they asked her to say something. It was so cute. And she was so excited to see her friends Maddie & Loryn from her old preschool. It was adorable to watch them run to each other and embrace before the show. Such sweet girls!

SOCCER!!!!!

Anne Claire, Coach Bill, & Kate running thru the tunnel before the game.

Kate during the soccer game kicking the ball.

One excited soccer player after scoring her first goal!!!

Kate (with teammates Hailey & Olivia) waiting to kick the ball to the opposing team!

Evie & Kate after they finished their soccer games. What great friends!

Kate is playing Upward Soccer this fall thru our church. She is really enjoying it now that she has figured it out somewhat. The first game was a little rough but she's really enjoying it now. She had several assists last weekend and scored her first goal! We are so proud of her and excited for her! It's a lot of fun for us to watch her play her best and enjoy it so much!

Labor Day - Chick-fil-a Free sandwich day!

We all put on our UK shirts on Labor Day to go eat at Chick-fil-a. They were giving away a free chicken sandwich to everyone wearing their team shirt. Kate was so excited to get a "big girl" chicken sandwich. We had a fun dinner at Chick-fil-a!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Nana & Grandpa had lots of family over for a hot dog roast.  Kate thought she wanted to roast her hot dog but changed her mind because it was too hot for her around the fire!

Kate enjoyed sitting outside with her cousins, Johnica & Ashley.

Kate found Grandpa's old harmonica (which is unfortunately home with us now).  She loved playing it while Johnica enjoyed something to drink.

On the actual 4th of July, Jarett played in a "band" with some of his friends from home/college.  Mason on drums, Kirkland on guitar, & Tyler on guitar.  They had a great time and sounded good.

We enjoyed our 4th of July weekend in Kentucky with family & friends!

Jack & Mark DeVault are here!

The DeVault's - Craig holding Jack David and Heather holding Mark Douglas.

Baby Jack (I think he's smiling at me....)

I get a chance to hold Baby Jack.

Baby Jack sleeping in Poppy's arms. 

Two very proud grandparents (Mimi & Poppy) with Baby Jack.

My nephews arrived Wednesday, July 15th in Raleigh, NC.  I went over with my parents to be there when they were born.  Jack David was born at 8:43am, weighed 5 lbs 13 ounces and was 18 inches long.  Mark Douglas was born at 8:46am, weighed 3 lbs 7 ounces and was 15 3/4 inches long.  They are both strong little boys and have 2 great parents!  Their cousin, Kate, cannot wait to see them.  She is so excited to have cousins!  We're going to wait till they get a little stronger before we take her to Raleigh.  I am so glad I was able to be there to meet them when they were born.  I can't wait to go back with Jarett & Kate!  Welcome Jack & Mark!  We are so excited for many, many years of fun to come!  Congratulations Craig & Heather!  They are beautiful boys!

Happy Father's Day

Kate & Jarett walking thru the Butterfly Garden at the zoo.  She told each butterfly, Bonjour Butterfly.  She loves Fancy Nancy is can be just like her at times!

Kate wanted to hold the umbrella even though it wasn't raining too much.  It rained 3 different times while we were at the zoo but didn't ever really get wet!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  Kate & Daddy posing at the zoo!

Kate loved the petting zoo.  She was so gentle with the goats and the sheep.  She had a fabulous time brushing the animals.

We decided to go to the zoo after church on Father's Day.  This was Kate's idea.  She loves the zoo and wanted to take her Daddy for his day.  We all had a great time.  It was a great Father's Day!!!

Visit to Raleigh....

We were waiting for everyone to come out from lunch so Kate decided to dance around and take a break on the bench.  I just thought these were so cute pictures.  This was from our trip to Raleigh for Craig & Heather's baby shower.  Sweet, cute little girl!

Aunt Heather & Uncle Craig's Baby Shower

We went to Raleigh this past weekend for Aunt Heather & Uncle Craig's baby shower.  Heather is having twin boys.  She is 30 weeks pregnant.  We left Knoxville on Friday, picked up Mimi & Poppy in Kingsport, and drove on to Raleigh.  

I'll post pictures later but I just had to share Kate's thought about the baby shower.  On the way to the shower Saturday, she told us that she was excited to see the boy's first bath at the baby shower that afternoon.  She thought a baby shower was to give them their first bath.  (Even though she knew they were still in Aunt Heather's tummy).  It was so sweet & cute!  I love the way she thinks!!!  

We had a great visit and enjoyed our long weekend in Raleigh.  We look forward to meeting Kate's cousins (but hopefully they will stay in a little while longer)!  They aren't sharing the names yet but Kate went ahead and named them.  She named them Jim & Paul.  Jim is one of her favorite "boy" friends at school and Paul lives across the street (and she loves Paul).  That's how she picked names for her cousins.  Very sweet.  Craig & Heather......you might want to tell Kate the names so she doesn't always call them Jim & Paul forever!  Thanks for a fun visit!

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!!

More pictures from Dollywood.....

Ava & Kate dancing while we were trying to eat dinner.  They were having fun!

Kate & Ava riding the pigs!  They were so happy!!!!

The girls loved riding all the rides together.

Kate & Mommy riding the elephants.  The girls loved the elephants!!! 

Ava & Kate playing in the water.  They loved the water and played in it for awhile.

Dollywood with Ava

Our sweet girl playing on the playground.

Kate & Ava riding the train.....they didn't like the loud noises -- such as the conductor & the train whistle...

Jarett & Greg rode the tea cups with the girls....Shannon & I were not wanting to ride this ride!

Kate & Mommy on the carousel.

Ava & Shannon riding the carousel.

Last weekend, the Meadow's came from Nashville for the weekend.  We spent all day (10am-8pm) at Dollywood.  The girls had so much fun and made it all day without a nap.  They didn't get upset at all and got along all day!  We had a fabulous day together.  The guys enjoyed getting to ride the roller coasters while we took the girls on all the fun kid rides.  It was a great time!  We enjoy all the time we get to spend with the Meadows.  They are great friends and we are so lucky to have them!  Thanks for visiting!!