MOPS Retreat

What a beautiful view!  For our MOPS retreat, we went to a cabin in Gatlinburg for 2 nights.  This was the view when the sun was coming up on Saturday morning.  It was so nice to get away with some wonderful friends.  We had a great time just shopping, hanging out, eating, playing cards, and watching movies.  Thanks for a short break from reality girls!

Snowman!

Jarett & Kate rolling her snowman together.

Kate standing on top of the bottom ball.

Kate & Daddy posing for Mommy.  I love this picture!

Kate & Daddy with the snowman finished!  The next day, Clay & Paul brought over a scarf and hat for the snowman.  Kate LOVED her snowman!  She was so excited that Daddy got home from work early on the snow day and they got to go outside and build a snowman.  She also got to have hot chocolate afterwards.  What a great day for her!

Winter trip to Nashville

Kate & Ava with their self portraits.  We took the girls to Cheekwood Art & Gardens in Nashville.  They have a free art project for kids on Saturday's so we took the girls.  The project on that day was to create a self portrait (interesting).  It was really more of a Mommy project.  But they had fun and really enjoyed it.  (They loved wearing matching shirts too -- so cute).

Ava & Kate watching "Fly to the Moon" after a busy day (and no nap for either of them).  Ava was an LSU cheerleader and Kate was Cinderella.  They were pretty much in costume at any point that we were at Shannon's house.  They had such a great time.  And Kate loved the movie (although she really didn't want to watch it).  So sweet when they are calm!

On Sunday, we took the girls to the park because the weather was so beautiful!  Ava & Kate loved swinging and stayed in the swings for most of the time.

Kate & I went to Nashville for the weekend while Jarett had inventory at work.  I knew he'd be working most all weekend so I figured it would be more fun for us to go visit Shannon, Greg, & Ava.  We had a great trip.  It came at a good time for the Meadow's also.  One of their sweet dogs, Minnie, had to be put to sleep Thursday night before we came.  She had a very aggressive form of cancer.  So it was good to give them a distraction for the weekend also.  Thank you Shannon, Greg, & Ava for letting us come visit!  We had a great time!  

Kate throwing snowballs with Daddy

It was really cold by the time Daddy got home and we ate dinner.  So Kate got all bundled up to go outside and was sooooo excited!

Most of our snow had melted that day by the time they got to play but she didn't care.  She just loved being outside and throwing some snow at her Daddy!  Kate loves the snow and we don't get much of it.  This was the first year she's really had any snow to see at all!  (This was the snow from my last post in January).

It's Snowing!!!

Kate after running circles in the snow.

Kate was showing me snow on her gloves.  She was trying to make a snowball.

Kate just loved the snow.  She thought it was great!

Pure joy!!

We had a snow day here in Knoxville today, Tuesday, January 20th.  The schools were all closed because the roads were a little slick this morning.  Kate hasn't ever really seen snow.  So, she was very excited to see the snow this morning.  It made her very happy!  Even though, there wasn't much of it, it didn't matter to her.  She ran around in circles and loved picking it up.  She asked if she could play in the snow with her Daddy when he got home from work.  Hopefully, there will be a little left in the back when they get home.  She went to school late this morning.  I'm sure they are having fun today!  Enjoy the snow day!!

Kate cheering for UK

Kate posing in her cheerleader outfit (she requested this picture).

Her sweet look while making me breakfast in her kitchen.

On Friday, January 16th, Kate's class at school had a day where they were suppose to dress up in their favorite sport.  Well, cheerleading isn't her favorite sport right now but she loves her UK cheerleading outfit.  She was so excited to wear it to school.  Nevermind the cold weather, she wore it all day long!  She wanted to wear it again on Saturday.  She loves to show her UK pride!!!  Hopefully, we're raising her right and she won't ever stray from her blue roots!

Go CATS!!!!

Kate posing in her UK dress

I didn't plan on getting in a picture...but I had a hard time getting her to pose at first.  It turned out cute even though it was unplanned!

This is my favorite picture!  She looks so sweet in this one.

I really liked this sweet one without a big smile.

Little Miss Personality!

I didn't have a chance to take Kate to get her picture made before Christmas.  So, we went the first part of January.  She wore her Kentucky Blue 'K' jumper that Jarett's Mom, Nana, made for her and his cousin monogramed for her.  She also made Kate a matching bow with a 'K' in the middle of it also.  I thought it was really cute and she loves wearing it.  She always says Go CATS or Go Big Blue when she wears anything in Kentucky blue.  We figured the 'K' is for Kentucky & Kate!  I also have to note the great game the UK planned on Tuesday, January 13th here in Knoxville.  Jodie Meeks scored 54 points against UT!!!  We are 3 very happy UK fans in this house in Knoxville, TN!

Christmas Day

Kate opening one of her first presents....this one was from Santa.  A Princess game to go with her Leap Frog keyboard.

Kate opening her Tinkerbell fairies--- the one thing she asked for besides Pocahantus.  She loves them!

Kate opening her cash register -- this was one of her favorite gifts!!  She loves it!

Kate playing her new Leap Frog keyboard game.  She loves it.  This was her gift from Santa.

We had a great Christmas.  We stayed home for Christmas this year.  Kate had a great time opening all her presents.  Then we had breakfast and spent the day playing with all her new games.  We went to her best friend's, Kitely, house to let the girls open presents and play that night.  It was a great way to spend our Christmas.  We enjoyed a visit with Jarett's family the weekend before Christmas and then a great time with my family the weekend after Christmas.  We are very thankful for such a wonderful Christmas season this year.  We have so many wonderful things to be thankful for and look forward to a great 2009!

Christmas Eve

Kate with Daddy after going to the Christmas Eve service at our church.

Kate with Mommy after church on Christmas Eve.

Kate posing in front of our Christmas tree.

We stayed home this year for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We went to the Christmas Eve service at our church.  It was really nice to be home for Christmas Eve.  Kate had a great time and we enjoyed the service.

Kate's Holiday party at school

Kate's class sang Jingle Bell Rock to all the parents.  However, Kate did not sing.  She stood there and just looked at me while they were singing.  As soon as it was over, she came running to me with tears forming in her eyes.  She is definitely not a performer!

She was very exciting about painting her tile though!

Kate, Fiona, & Kitely together at school.

Kate was very proud of her final product...her decorative tile!  

Kate's class had their holiday party & show on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd.  She was very happy that I came to it.  However, she was just not excited about everyone watching her.  She had fun after they finished singing.