Keeneland & UK Homecoming

Alison & Janet at Keeneland waiting on the next horse race to start.

Jarett & Janet at Keeneland waiting on the race.

Alison & Lance waiting to see if they won anything on this race.

UK trying to keep Arkansas from scoring (from our end of the end zone).

We went to Lexington for a weekend trip with Lance & Alison.  We decided to go to Keeneland during the day (a horse racing track in Lexington) and then to the UK Homecoming football game that night against Arkansas.  We had a great day and really enjoyed both Keeneland and the game.  We especially enjoyed the outcome of the game....coming back in the last 5 minutes or so and scoring 2 touchdowns to win by 1!!!!  We spent the night and then came back on Sunday.  We rarely get to all 4 get away together due to varying work schedules and children so it was a great treat for us all.  We left all the kids home with their grandparents.  We hope to make it an annual trip!  Thanks for a great weekend Dowdy's!

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!

Nancy's 4th birthday party at Jumpity Jump

"Fancy Nancy" eating her cupcake & ice cream at her party at Jumpity Jump.

Kitely & Kate waiting in line to go have cupcakes & ice cream.  Kate had a great time at Jumpity Jump and loves playing with all her friends.  Nancy is a really sweet girl and I'm glad they are in the same class at school.

Halloween fun with old friends

Maddie & Kate icing their cookies.

Lexi, Kitely, & Kate with their masks on that they just made.

Kate & Loryn running laps around our first floor in their masks.  They had a great time and loved wearing their masks and being "monsters."

Kitely invited Kate, Maddie, Loryn, Lexi, & Olivia over for a Halloween/Fall party.  We all brought either a craft or cookie/food making item.  It was a reunion for the girls, who used to go to their old daycare together.  Kate, Kitely, Maddie, & Loryn were inseparable when they were in daycare together.  And they all still love getting together.  They are really sweet together and had a great time Saturday.  They had lots of sugar & fun.  Thanks, Suzanne, for inviting us over for some fun times together!!

Kate's Harvest Festival at the Goddard School

Kate & Mommy at the Harvest Festival at Kate's school, the Goddard School.

Kate & one of her favorite former teachers & current babysitters, Ms. Sarah.  She loves Ms. Sarah.  We have to go say "bye" to her every day when I pick her up.  She's a great teacher & babysitter!!

Mrs. Becker & Kate, she is their teacher this year with Mr. Chad.  Kate loves being in Mrs. Becker's class.  She is a wonderful teacher!  I'm so glad Kate is in her class!

Kate & Kitely playing in our driveway.  Kitely came home with us from the festival for dinner & fun.  The girls had a great time together and enjoyed the night.

Backpack!

Kate got to pick out her new backpack at the mall Sunday after lunch.  She has worn it almost all day while she has been awake.

Here's a closer view of her new backpack.  She said the girl was dancing and it was pink -- that's why she picked it.  She didn't realize it was a cheerleader instead.  She picked out the font for her name and the color of the thread (with some careful suggestions).  This is a reward for her giving up her pacy for good!  She says that pacy's are for babies now and that all of her pacy's went to help Baby Charlotte across the street.  She says that she is a big girl now and that she does not need one because they are for babies.  I am so proud of her and so happy she got rid of it so quickly and without too much trouble!!!  It was much easier than I anticipated!  Once she made up her mind, she was done with them.  This is a huge milestone in our family!!  Go Kate!!!  So, if you see Kate around, chances are high that you'll see her with her backpack on.  She even tried to wear to the bathroom this morning.  She amazes me sometimes!!

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!!!