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.  

Christmas at Nana & Grandpa's

On the way home from Nana & Grandpa's eating lunch in Lexington.

Kate decided she needed to dance at TGI Friday's.

Kate playing her new Barbie guitar in her princess tent at Nana & Grandpa's.

Rocker girl playing her new guitar!

We went to Jarett's parents to celebrate Christmas the weekend before Christmas.  Kate had a lot of fun and got lots of fun stuff!!  We had a nice visit and got to visit some extended family also!

Kate's surgery

Kate had surgery yesterday, Monday, December 8th.  She had her tonsils removed and revision sinus surgery.  She had her first sinus surgery when she was 2 (in June 2007).  She did really well yesterday during her surgery.  Dr. Graves said she had a lot of scar tissue in her sinuses and a lot of inflammation and infection.  He was able to clean it all out.  Then he removed her tonsils, which were touching yesterday.  She is doing well and resting as much as she can.  Thank you for all the prayers and support.  We greatly appreciate the meals this week and all the support.  We have wonderful friends and family!  We are hopeful this means Kate will feel better and not get sick as often.  We are very optimistic about her future!

Fantasy of Trees

Kate & Kitely with some of the penguins...ready to go in!

Kate loves riding any carousel!

One of her favorite activities there.....decorating a cookie with icing & sprinkles!

Then she went over and got a princess manicure.  She loved every minute of that one!

Here are the girls right before we left the Fantasy of Trees.  They had a great time.  They were able to do so many things that they wanted to do.  We went on Friday and it wasn't too busy - - maybe most people were at the mall shopping.  She had a really good time going with her best friend, Kitely.  It was a great way to start off the Christmas holiday season!

Nashville visit with the Meadow's

The girls rode the carousel at Opry Mills while we went shopping.  Kate & Ava really enjoyed the carousel and the aquarium at the mall.

"Fancy Nancy" - - - Fancy Kate all dressed up.  The girls exchanged Christmas presents and Ava gave Kate a Fancy Nancy dress and ballet slippers that tie up her legs.  She loves it!!!  She wants to wear it all the time.

Getting ready for bed -- after they took a bath, they jumped in the bed to watch Max & Ruby before they went to sleep.  They got under the covers and snuggled together.  They are so sweet together!!

We had a great visit to Nashville.  Jarett went to the Titans game with Greg (the one they lost after being 10-0) to the Jets.  They had a good time even though they lost & great seats.  Then we decided just to stay for dinner and spend the night.  It was a short, fun trip.  We all have a great time when we get together!!  Thanks for a great visit Shannon, Greg, & Ava!!

Poppy's Birthday

Kate helped me decorate Poppy's birthday cake (my Dad).  She loves dessert and especially icing on cakes or cupcakes.  She wanted to use chocolate icing with red icing.  She picked out a CARS candle at Target for it also.  She had a great time helping me with the cake and really enjoyed eating it too.  I'm glad we were able to go to Kingsport to celebrate my Dad's birthday for the weekend!

I've been tagged.....

I've been tagged by Amanda to do the following:

1. Choose the 4th picture folder on my computer

2. Choose the 4th picture

3. Explain the picture

4. Tag 4 people to do the same.

This is a picture of Kate on the hayride from last Halloween (2007).  We went with our old Sunday School Class to Maple Lane Farms for a hayride and to pick out a pumpkin.  It was still a warm day in October so Kate had to wear short sleeves.  We had a lot of fun and she enjoyed riding out to the pumpkin patch.

I tag.....

Kelly S.

Tammy D.

Kimberly S.

Krsitina O.

Dollywood with the Dowdy's

Kate, Clay, & Paul posing in the Christmas picture.

Kate & Clay riding the bees.  He wanted to go ride the bees & the ducks with Kate.  So sweet!

Miss Allie & Baby Charlotte riding the carousel --- she loved it!

Paul, Charlotte, Kate, & Clay posing by the nutcracker.

Kate & Paul -- they have so much fun together!

Alison & I decided to take the kids to Dollywood.  Dollywood was all decorated for Christmas and had started their Christmas shows.  We rode a bunch of rides and took them to see Babes in Toyland.  It was a chilly day but we all had a great time!  It was a nice change of pace for the day.  One day last week, Kate asked me if Clay & Paul were her brothers.  It was so sweet.  She loves them like brothers and enjoys all the time she gets to spend with the Dowdy's.  We are so lucky to have them as friends and neighbors.  Thanks for a great day!