Football!!

This afternoon, we went to our first football game of the season (we were out of town for the first home game a few weeks ago). We arrived a little late because "sleeping beauty" was taking a much needed nap. Once we got there though, we had a blast!

Kate seemed to really enjoy being at the game (minus a mid-game meltdown,--but with the way UVa was playing, who could blame her!?!). Kate especially loved the kettle corn and the halftime show (yes, she is definitely my child)! Unfortunately, the Hoos lost to Southern Miss. But before we cry, "Boo Hoo," we had a great time, and we always have the Tar Heels and the Dukes to cheer on this year! :)

This halftime show is awesome!

Go Hoos!

Vacation Part II: The Homestead

Two weeks ago, we went to the Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia for five days. We had a wonderful time, and Kate had an absolute ball! The weather was perfect, and the mountain air was so refreshing!

Kate enjoyed having so much attention and especially playing with Gigi and Terry, Great Granddaddy Jack (she calls him "my Jack") and of course, Dada! Robby wasn't able to come for the entire time, so we were all very excited to see him when he was able to take off from work.

We couldn't believe how many other children were also staying at the Homestead (I didn't remember that in previous trips). Kate met a little friend there, and they had a blast playing together. At one point when she couldn't find him, she looked up at me and said, "I'll find a different boy." So much for loyalty!;)

Kate also acquired "Elephant" on this trip...her elephant stuffed animal. After our trip to the zoo in Ohio, Kate had been talking a lot about "the elephants." When we were at the Homestead, I asked her if she would like to see the horses or the fish pond, and she said, "No, the elephants." But the impossible was made possible, when Kate and Gigi found an elephant in the Homestead toy store. And as you will see, I think "elephant" made it in to almost every single one of our pictures!

We were all so sad to leave, and I am already plotting our next trip!;) Enjoy a few of the photos.

Gigi and Kate found their way to the toy store and acquired elephant among other things... thank you, Gigi! :)

Tea time at the Homestead...Kate loved the chocolate cookies!:)

Checking out her very first hot spring with Gigi

Let's take a closer look!

I think she likes it!

Gigi, Terry, "My Jack" and Kate on the way to the park

The Homestead park was so much fun!

Reading with Dada

Brunch at the Homestead...it doesn't get much better than that!

Don't mind if I do! :)

Hmmm...still working on our Homestead manners

After brunch, Kate found her new, little friend

Playing with her buddy in a little tent...look at that grin!

Splashing in the hot tub with Gigi

Time for dinner at Sam Snead's tavern

Delicious!!

Kate's Second Birthday Party!!

Yesterday, we celebrated Kate's 2nd birthday with friends and family. Kate loves monkeys, she calls them "EEs" (because of the sound they make), so we had a monkey themed party for her. Kate kept saying; "It's EE...over there and over there and over there!":) She was so excited!

We had a wonderful time celebrating. Kate loved all of the attention, playing with her friends, and especially eating her cake! I asked her if this was the best party that she ever had, and she vehemently replied "UH HUH!" (That's pretty good for a child whose favorite word is, "No," these days!:))

Love at first sight!

Family picture...this might be the first one that all three of us are looking and smiling at the camera in quite some time!

Kate and her Charlottesville Grandparents and Great-Grandparents...what a lucky girl!

Her "EE" Cake

"Wow! This looks tasty!"

And the verdict...."Delicious" as Kate likes to say!

Hanging out with cousins is so much fun!

Cousin Braden gets a kiss from the birthday girl!

Bouncing with friends is fun too!

Gigi brought Kate lots of fun balloons!

Aunt Ashley drove from Richmond for the party...thank you for making the trip...so glad you could celebrate with us!!

Opening presents is always easier with a little help!

Whew! All of this partying is exhausting...thank goodness for friends with shoulders to lean on!;)

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet girl! We adore you!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kate!!

On Friday, Kate turned two!! I can't believe how quickly these two years have flown by and how much we are enjoying this little girl!

We celebrated Kate's birthday with a trip to Kate's favorite restaurant, Chic-fil-a (she has very sophisticated taste;)) at lunch. Then we went over to to Build A Bear, where she built a stuffed monkey. Lastly, we had dinner with Kate's Charlottesville grandparents and cousins!

Below are a few pictures from Kate's big day:

Checking out her new cow at Chic-fil-a... A birthday gift from her favorite restaurant.

Kate picking out her stuffed animal at Build A Bear...it's no surprise she chose a monkey. We have a slight monkey obsession in this house right now (as you will see from her monkey themed birthday party that we had today--pictures to come!!)

Helping put her monkey together

And she is pleased with her selection! :)

After a nice long nap (for Kate and her mama), we ordered Christian's pizza to go (from Kate's other favorite restaurant) and celebrated Kate's birthday with the Charlottesville grandparents and Kate's cousins.

Kate adores her cousin, Addie!! The girls had a blast testing out her new birthday surprise, a trampoline!

And, of course, what birthday would be complete without a little something sweet!?!

Cupcakes from Cappellino's...I think they liked them!;)

Happy Birthday, sweet Kate! We love you and are so thankful for you!!

Stay tuned for pictures from Kate's birthday party and our trip to the Homestead!

Vacation Part 1: OHIO

Two weeks ago, we went to Cincinnati, Ohio, for Robby's cousin's wedding. The wedding was beautiful, the bride--gorgeous, the hotel--amazing, and we even got to visit the Cincinnati Zoo! Other highlights included Kate's second time riding on a plane and lots of time visiting with family!

We were also blessed to have a great babysitter during the wedding and reception. She and Kate had a great time, and Robby and I enjoyed a little kid free time!:)

We had a blast. Enjoy a few of the pictures from the trip!

Kate checking out the plane with her Dada (and her baby doll, Emma, of course!)

"Showing" baby Emma the plane

"You mean we are actually going to ride in the plane!?"

THE WEDDING

The happy couple

Robby's parents, Lisa and Craig (mostly known as Lisee and Poppy on this blog:))

Robby and his cousins...what a good looking group!

KATE'S FIRST TRIP TO THE ZOO

Kate loved looking at all of the animals!

Check out this one!!

Kate and her Dada at the zoo

The zoo let you feed birds in the "bird house." Kate loved it!

Then much to Kate (and Poppy's!!) surprise, the birds decided to get a little closer and landed right on Kate. Kate didn't seem to mind until one landed on her head...needless to say, we left the bird house shortly after!;)

Feeding the goats was really fun too!

Here you go, goat!

After all that activity, Kate slept about as well as this lion!

Kate is still talking about the elephants and "EEs" (monkeys). Something tells me, we will be going back to a zoo (a little closer to home) sometime in the very near future!