Dollywood with the Lawlor's

Evie, Kate, Andrew, & Phil riding the horses on the carousel.

Here we are riding the train -- Evie, Kate, Andrew, Janet, & Phil.  We got covered in soot!

Kate riding the Veggie Tales roller coaster for the first time.  She had a lot of fun!

Andrew, Evie & Kate riding the pigs together.

Mommy & Kate waiting to ride the elephants.

It was a really nice day at Dollywood.   It was so sweet of the Lawlor's to invite us to join them.  It was my first day not working so it was great to have a distraction.  Thank you Janet for inviting us to spend the day with you all at Dollywood.  We had a great time and Kate can't wait to go back with Evie & Andrew!

Kate's 4th birthday!

Here is Kate by the front door on her birthday.  We put her birthday banner up on the front door for the weekend.  She was very excited for everyone to know it was her big day!

Kitely & Kate at school on her birthday (and the Mother's Day tea).  She loves Kitely so much!!  They are such great friends and have so much fun together!

Kate got Wall-E for her birthday and was so excited!

Clay, Paul, & Kate at Chick-fil-a after their baseball game.  We went to watch the boys play baseball and then to Chick-fil-a with the Dowdy's to celebrate Kate's birthday.  This was her choice for what she wanted to do for her birthday.  It was lots of fun!!  For the moment, this is as close as Kate will be to having siblings and she loves every minute of it.  They are like family to us here in Knoxville.  Kate had a fun birthday.  It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years!!

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!!

Kate's 4th birthday big present

Kate's expression when she first saw her new bike.

She was so proud of her new bike and she loved that it is pink!!!

A sweet picture...

Daddy helping Kate ride her bike.

Kate got her birthday present a little early.  We got her a Trek Float bike.  She loves the pink bike!  This bike is different because it doesn't have training wheels.  You take the pedals off while they learn to walk and balance  on it.  Then when they can balance and walk, you put the pedals on it.  They should be able to learn to ride it easier that way (from what they tell us at the bike shops).  We'll see how it works but she loves it!!  She has been waiting for at least 6 months to get her first bike!  She is thrilled!!  It was so wonderful to see that look of pure joy on her face when she saw it for the first time.  It was amazing!!  What a great feeling for us as her parents!  It's hard to believe our little girl will be 4 on Thursday!!  Happy Birthday Kate!  We love you!

Kristen's baby shower in Atlanta

Kristen & I at the shower in Atlanta.

The party favors....candy bars!

Brandon & Kate playing....Brandon is Kristen's nephew and Kate had a great time with him!

Kristen's neighbors came over on Saturday to play and then again on Sunday before we left.  Kate loved playing with the girls.  If you could have only heard the conversations they had on this porch swing....they were priceless!  

We went to Atlanta the last weekend in April for my best friend from college, Kristen's, baby shower.  I helped give her a shower with a couple other friends in Atlanta.  We had a great time visiting with Kristen & Greg and her family.  Saturday night, they had a house full.  We stayed with them along with her brother, Chad, his wife, Becky, and their 2 boys, Brandon & Tyler, her parents, and her grandparents.  It was a lot of fun to be with them all!   We don't get to see them often but enjoy all the times we get together.  Kristen and I are a lot alike and had some great times in college and afterwards.  I love her dearly and cannot wait to meet little Chase when he is born.  Thanks for a great weekend, Kristen & Greg!  We appreciate all your hospitality & had a great visit!

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!!

"Fancy Nancy" Kate

Kate dressed up as Fancy Nancy for school today.  They are having a special week where they dress up in different colors, etc. this week.  Today, they got to dress up as their favorite character.  She chose to dress up as Fancy Nancy.  She loves all the Fancy Nancy books!!  She was so excited to wear some jewelry, sparkle shoes, & her fancy tutu to school.  (Thanks to Ava for the sparkle-y Belle necklace -- it was a must wear piece!)

Easter

My little poser....she loves to strike a pose.

Kate smiling outside getting ready to go to church.

After church with Daddy looking for her Easter basket.....did she have one?

Kate found her Easter basket!  She was so excited opening the eggs and finding her new movie, Bolt, new book, & Sleeping Beauty bubbles!  (Along with reese's peanut butter mini cups).

Kate loved her Easter dress.  Mimi & Poppy got it for her.  I just love smocking on little girls dresses.  This one reminded me of the dress Mary Beth made for her when she was born.  It had pink & green smocking and was absolutely beautiful.  Kate asked if she could wear this dress every morning along with her new Stride Rite sandals (that are pink and look like tulips).  She told me that she looked beautiful.  She's not proud at all!  Ha ha!  We had a great Easter with wonderful friends but missed our great families!

Easter Egg Hunt

Luke & Kate getting ready for the Easter Egg Hunt to start in our neighborhood.

Jarett & Wes discussing something during the Easter Egg Hunt.

Kate & Baby Charlotte looking over all their eggs & candy.

We had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on Saturday morning.  The Davenports were in town for a wedding so they came over for a short visit.  Kate loved having Luke with her at the egg hunt.  They had a great time.  Luke was very into the egg hunt and loved getting lots of eggs.  Kate was a little slower about the process.  She followed the directions very closely.  They told them after they got their eggs, take the candy out, and put the eggs in a big box.  She took the candy out of the eggs each time after she picked up an egg.  Therefore, she didn't get that many eggs but had a great time.  Afterwards, she helped Baby Charlotte open all her eggs and look at her candy.  

We had a great visit with Wes, Mary Beth, & Luke.  We're really excited for them and can't wait to meet Owen (Luke's little brother) when he arrives in June.  They are wonderful friends whom we dearly miss.  It was a great start to our Easter weekend!!