Destin 2009 - part 1

Our first night in Destin - we went to walk on the beach after dinner.  Kate LOVED being at the beach.  She was completely soaked by the time we went back up to the condo!

Kate was working on her sand castle.  She loved playing in the sand with Ava everyday!

Swimming in the pool.

We went to the beach several nights after dinner.  It was a great time to be on the beach!

Ava & Greg with Kate & Jarett walking on the beach at sunset.  The girls are the best of friends!

We had a great week in Destin with Greg, Shannon, & Ava!  Thank you all so much for inviting us to go with you all to the beach!  Kate loves going to the beach and loves being with Ava.  They are very close, almost like sisters!  I'm so glad they are able to enjoy their time together!  We had beautiful weather everyday except for one storm on Sunday late morning.  Kate loved the ocean.  She got out in it almost everyday in her float and just floated over top of the waves.  It was a big treat to her!  Thanks for a great vacation!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Nana & Grandpa had lots of family over for a hot dog roast.  Kate thought she wanted to roast her hot dog but changed her mind because it was too hot for her around the fire!

Kate enjoyed sitting outside with her cousins, Johnica & Ashley.

Kate found Grandpa's old harmonica (which is unfortunately home with us now).  She loved playing it while Johnica enjoyed something to drink.

On the actual 4th of July, Jarett played in a "band" with some of his friends from home/college.  Mason on drums, Kirkland on guitar, & Tyler on guitar.  They had a great time and sounded good.

We enjoyed our 4th of July weekend in Kentucky with family & friends!

I'm the big cousin!

Kate is so excited to have cousins!  Her Aunt & Uncle sent me home with this shirt for her to proudly wear!  She IS the proud big cousin of twins!  Welcome to the family Jack & Mark!

Jack & Mark DeVault are here!

The DeVault's - Craig holding Jack David and Heather holding Mark Douglas.

Baby Jack (I think he's smiling at me....)

I get a chance to hold Baby Jack.

Baby Jack sleeping in Poppy's arms. 

Two very proud grandparents (Mimi & Poppy) with Baby Jack.

My nephews arrived Wednesday, July 15th in Raleigh, NC.  I went over with my parents to be there when they were born.  Jack David was born at 8:43am, weighed 5 lbs 13 ounces and was 18 inches long.  Mark Douglas was born at 8:46am, weighed 3 lbs 7 ounces and was 15 3/4 inches long.  They are both strong little boys and have 2 great parents!  Their cousin, Kate, cannot wait to see them.  She is so excited to have cousins!  We're going to wait till they get a little stronger before we take her to Raleigh.  I am so glad I was able to be there to meet them when they were born.  I can't wait to go back with Jarett & Kate!  Welcome Jack & Mark!  We are so excited for many, many years of fun to come!  Congratulations Craig & Heather!  They are beautiful boys!

MOPS day at Dollywood

Andrew & Kate riding the ducks!

Kate, Evie, Elizabeth, & Andrew waiting for Llama, Llama Red Pajamas to start.

Max & Kate outside the theater.

Kate & I rode the elephants....one of her favorites!

Connor & Kate after the Kratt Brothers Zoboomafoo show.  

We went to Dollywood yesterday, Wednesday, July 1st.  We went with some friends from MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).  Kate enjoyed spending the day with Andrew, Evie, Connor, Max, Michael, & Elizabeth.  They got to ride some rides and see 3 different shows.  We had a great time with great friends! 

Happy Father's Day

Kate & Jarett walking thru the Butterfly Garden at the zoo.  She told each butterfly, Bonjour Butterfly.  She loves Fancy Nancy is can be just like her at times!

Kate wanted to hold the umbrella even though it wasn't raining too much.  It rained 3 different times while we were at the zoo but didn't ever really get wet!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  Kate & Daddy posing at the zoo!

Kate loved the petting zoo.  She was so gentle with the goats and the sheep.  She had a fabulous time brushing the animals.

We decided to go to the zoo after church on Father's Day.  This was Kate's idea.  She loves the zoo and wanted to take her Daddy for his day.  We all had a great time.  It was a great Father's Day!!!

Kate driving at Dollywood

It's official!  Kate is finally tall enough to drive the old cars at Dollywood by herself!  She was so excited to be able to do it on her own!   We went with the Lawlor's on Friday, June 19th.  They all had a great time again!  But it just made her day that she was finally tall enough to drive by herself.  Last time, she watched Evie drive by herself and didn't understand why she couldn't do it too.  Now she can!!!  Go Kate!  (Our big girl is growing so fast!)

Baby Chase is here!

Here is one wall in Chase's nursery.  The murals on the walls are amazing!!

Sweet baby Chase...he's so adorable!

Sorry for the blurry picture but here is Mommy, Daddy, & Chase.  He is one lucky boy!

Kristen, Chase, & me before I left to come home.

Chase made an early arrival on Monday, June 15th.  He weighed 7 lbs 13 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.  He gave them several surprises on that day.  Kristen went to the doctor for a checkup and found out she was leaking amniotic fluid.  Then she went to the hospital after she grasped the fact he was coming now and found out he was breached.  She ended up having a c-section and everything worked out fine in the end.  I enjoyed spending a couple days with them and getting the chance to meet this precious little boy.  Kristen is like the sister I never had and we have been close for years (meeting in college).  I am so thankful I was able to go to Atlanta and visit with them during this special time!  Thank you Jarett & Kate for taking care of everything around here so I could meet Chase!  Welcome Chase!  We love you all!

Kate's 1st Vacation Bible School

Anna, Anna Kate, Kate, & Amelia posing together.  They were all in the same class and had such a great time together!

Kate posing in front of the "Boomerang Express" train.  Everyday, they got to ride the train.  They loved it and it was a highlight of VBS!

If you look in the middle of the picture, you see Kate (with the floral skirt on) in the air.  She was probably doing the turbo banana from the Fruits of the Spirit song.  This was a highlight for her.  She wanted to sing on stage the last 3 days of VBS.  She loved the songs and couldn't wait to get on stage!

On stage, singing some more!

Here is Kate riding the Boomerang Express with Jackson O., Amelia, Anna, Elizabeth, Faith and some other friends.  She had her face painted that day with a whole butterfly (all over her face).  What a great last day of VBS!  She learned so much and wants to go to church everyday now.  Thanks for everyone who worked so hard to make it fabulous!  Note to self though, next time, I will not have Kate in my own class.  I think she would have loved it even more if she wasn't with Mommy all the time.  he he!

Busy Birthday Party Day

Kitely & Kate after getting their hair and makeup done at the Groovy Pad.

Kate, Kitely, Loryn, & Maddie - these girls have all been friends since they were 16 months old!  They all went to the same daycare for a year or so.  Maddie and Kate started together when they were 6 months old.  Luckily, even though they go to 2 different schools now, they are still all friends.  They all go to each other's birthday parties every year!  This was Loryn's 4th birthday party!  What sweet girls and great memories!

Kate, Kitely, & Jim running through the park with their kites!

Kitely and Kate -- Happy Birthday Kitely!!!  We had a ton of fun!

Kitely & Kate throwing rocks into the lake.  The same day as Loryn's party, Kitely had her birthday party for dinner.  We went to Anchor Park for Kitely's.  Everyone had a great time.  They especially loved trying to break the pinata and flying the kites!  Happy Birthday Kitely!  Kate loves you very much!!