My little helper....

Kate was definitely my little helper on Saturday afternoon.  We went earlier in the day to buy some pansies, tulip bulbs, & mums.  So, when she got up from her nap, she decided she would help me outside.  She helped me plant the pansies & tulip bulbs, throw away bush trimmings, and sweep the sidewalk where I got dirt & leaves on it.  She had a great time and was a good helper.  We had fun!

Fun visit with Luke

(Sorry Wes) -- Luke loved playing with Kate's princess umbrella.

Luke & Kate playing outside.

Mary Beth & Luke came through Friday night and spent the night with us.  We all went to Big Ed's for pizza and then came back so the kids could play.  Kate loved playing with Lukey (as she refers to him).  We had such a great time catching up and just hanging out.  We hated for them to move to High Point back in June but are glad that they still come thru Knoxville.  Kate cried when they left Saturday morning.  She did not want Luke to leave.  She couldn't wait till he woke up so they could start playing again.  We had a great visit!  We miss you all tons, Mary Beth, Wes, & Luke but are so glad we can visit & catch up!!

Dinner with Fiona

Kate riding in the driveway with Fiona.

After dinner, they decided to play dress up before bath time!

Fiona came home with us from school on Thursday, Oct. 2nd.  The girls had a fun time playing outside and inside.  They got to take a bath together before we took Fiona home.  This was a very exciting night for another reason.  Kate gave up her pacy's at bedtime tonight for the first time ever!!  It was a HUGE deal for her.  This has been an issue we have been dealing with for some time now.  I told her if she could give them up and sleep in her big girl bed, she could pick out a back pack on Sunday after church.  We are so proud of her for giving up her security blanket (a.k.a. the pacy).  She got up 4 times during the night but it was worth it!!!  Yea Kate!!!

Hilton Head vacation part 2

Family picture on the beach!!  It was a little windy but a beautiful night!

Kate & her Aunt Heather on the beach.  She had a lot of fun with Aunt Heather.  They played in the pool, ocean, on the beach,and she brought her some new games (Candy Land & Hi Ho Cherry-o).  Kate loved playing the games.  Too bad Aunt Heather & Uncle Craig live in Raleigh!

Kate & Daddy at the Salty Dog Cafe having lunch.  This seems to be a tradition every year we go to HHI.  Kate was watching the "i-pot" while we waited on our food.  We had a great lunch!

Hilton Head vacation part 1

We just got back from a great vacation in Hilton Head, SC.  We went for a week with my parents and my brother & sister-in-law.  We had a 4 bedroom house in Palmetto Dunes.  We had a great trip and Kate didn't want to leave.  On Monday, we ended up taking Kate to a pediatrician in Hilton Head because she got an ear infection.  She was feeling better on Tuesday.  I hated that she got another ear infection but we were really happy with the doctor in HHI.  We had a great week!  Thanks Mom & Dad!!!!

Kate & Jarett on the dock at Hudson's after we had dinner.  I thought this was a really great shot of them!

It was beautiful on the beach every night!

Kate loved playing in the sand.  She spent a lot of time building sand castles, knocking them down, looking for sea shells, putting ocean water & sand in her princess bucket, & playing soccer, frisbee & football on the beach!

Kate loved the "princess" sand castle that Jarett built for her.  He spent a couple hours on the beach (even after she went inside) building the castle.  She helped him as much as she could.  He would have built her another one but the weather didn't cooperate for him any other day.

Jarett's birthday

Kate wanted to make a birthday cake for Daddy.  She helped me put the icing on it and said he wanted pink & yellow sprinkles on it too.  Then she sang "Happy Birthday" to him and helped him blow out the candles.  It was so sweet!!  We made the cake the night before his birthday because I had to fly to Charlotte for work on his actual birthday (Wednesday, Sept. 24th).  For his birthday, she took him to dinner at Jason's Deli and then they came home for chocolate cake.  It was a really sweet birthday surprise for him.  Happy Birthday Jarett!!  We love you very much!  We're looking forward to another great year!

Kimberly's Baby Shower

Suzanne, Kimberly, Emily, & me (the hostesses with the Mommy-to-be)

The table with all the yummy food!

We gave Kimberly a baby shower on Saturday, Sept. 6th to welcome baby Matilda Ruby Stapleton, "Tilly".  We are looking forward to meeting her very soon!  While all the Moms were at the shower, the Dads took the girls to play at Sprout.  It worked out great!  The girls had a blast and the Moms had a great time too!  It was fun to get together and celebrate Kimberly's pregnancy!!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great Labor Day Weekend.  We went to Kingsport Saturday evening and spent the night with my Mom.  Then after church on Sunday, Kate stayed in Kingsport with Mimi.  Jarett and I met Phillip & Suzanne and went to the Sourwood Inn in Asheville, NC.  (It works out well that Phillip is from Kingsport too so Kitely stayed with his parents.)  We had a great time at this wonderful B&B and were able to relax without kids!  Here is a picture of the Sourwood from their website.

The weather was perfect.  They don't have air conditioning but being high in the mountains above Asheville, it was nice and cool with a great breeze.  And it rained during the night, so it was even a little chilly on Monday morning.  I highly recommend the Sourwood to anyone!  It's up a crazy mountain road but definitely worth the drive to get to it!  Kate had a great time with Mimi and can't wait to do it again!  What a great way to start off our Fall!  Thank you Mimi for keeping Kate!!  And thank you Phillip & Suzanne for inviting us to the Sourwood!!

Fun visit with Shannon, Greg, & Ava

Ava & Kate posing outside!  They absolutely love each other!

Ava doing her crazy eyes for me!

Kate helping push Ava in the car around the driveway.

While Shannon and I went to the shower, Greg & Ava stayed at our house with Kate & Jarett.  They had a great time and played all afternoon and all evening until the Meadow's left to go back to Nashville.  They stayed for dinner and we had a great visit.  We wish that we lived closer to them.  Kate & Ava are like sisters and love being together!  

Lindsay's Baby Shower

Jennifer, Courtney, Lindsay, Stephanie, & me - we were the hostesses for Lindsay's baby shower.

Shannon, Lindsay, & me after her baby shower.  We all went to middle school & high school together!

Lindsay is having a little baby boy, Andrew, this fall.  We all got together to give Lindsay a great baby shower for baby Andrew.  She's going to be a great Mom!!  We are so excited for her.  We all had a great time!