Celebrations (Part II: Skip's Graduation)

On Thursday, we celebrated Skip's graduation from Washington and Lee University. We are all so proud of Skip! The graduation was outside, and it was a beautiful day in Lexington. Kate loved seeing so much of her family at one time and of course playing outside with Adelyn was a highlight too!

Congratulations to Skip and our other favorite grad, Anne Collier!

The Wood/ Luck/ Salvatierra/Stipp Clan!

Proud parents

Skip and his nieces and nephew

All smiles for Dada

Ashley and baby Braden

Kate and Adelyn had the best time holding hands and walking around

Kissing Cousins

Cheers! Here's to Skip!

Celebrations (Part I: Birthdays)

During the last two weeks, we have done a lot of celebrating around here! We attended a wedding, Skip's graduation from W&L and several birthday parties. Kate is beginning to think that the birthday song and cupcakes are a common occurrence.. and let's just say that she is not complaining!;)

Kate's cousin, Addie, turned two on Thursday and Poppy celebrated a special birthday this weekend! Dee and Sam (Kate's great grandparents) were in town for Skip's graduation, so they got to share in the birthday fun too.

We also want to wish Leslie and Katherine a happy birthday. We love y'all can't wait to celebrate with you both soon!

A few pictures from our birthday adventures (thus far) are below.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Addie in her new chairs!

Sharing a snack with Dee Dee

Time to have some cupcakes!

"Look mom, no hands!"

"Don't mind if I do!" This one is for you, Marie! :)

Frosting looks good on you, too!

Yummy!! Happy Birthday, Addie!

Now the girls are ready to celebrate with Poppy!

First, Kate decided to sit in Addie's lap.

Hmmm...feeling a little smooshed here, Kate!

Poppy and his favorite little girls! Happy Birthday, Poppy!

Stay tuned for Celebrations Part II

The Cat's Meow

Kate is crazy about cats!

She literally "meows" constantly (which sounds like one very distressed cat). Between Ivy's barking and Kate's meowing (if you could call it that), there is never a dull or quiet moment in our household!

Until last week, Kate had never actually met a cat face to face. She has seen them from afar, but they always ran away from her the moment she gets too close (hmm...smart breed;) ).

However, there is a very friendly cat who lives next door to Lisee and Poppy, and Kate was beyond thrilled to meet him last week. A couple of pictures from her first cat encounter are below:

Here Kitty Kitty!

You mean...don't pull this tail, Mom?!?

Meow!

Don't worry, she still loves her "IE" too!

I scream, You Scream, Kate Screams for ICE CREAM!

It's official, Kate has a new love...ICE CREAM!!! After all, what's not to love!?!

Kate's Gigi treated her to a cone a few weeks ago, and ever since Kate has been talking non stop about her favorite new dessert.

As a special treat, Robby and I took Kate to get a cone tonight. The pictures are hilarious...pure joy and a big mess too! :)

Look at that grin!

Too good to be true!

Enough with the pictures, Mom! Already, eye rolling at 20 months!

YUMMY!

Our favorite little ice cream loving girl!

Celebrating Mother's Day

This year we celebrated Mother's Day with a picnic in the park with Robby's family and ended the day with a cookout at our house with my mom.

Kate loved spending most of the day OUTSIDE (her very favorite place) with so many of her favorite people!

Here are a few pictures from our special day!

Checking out the park!

This is going to be so fun (Don't worry EE came too)!

The Wood/ Luck/ Salvatierra women- Kate is so lucky to have so many women in her life who love her!

Lisee, Kate, Addie and Aunt Ashley

Lisee and her grandgirls (Braden was snoozing in the baby carrier)

Nana with both of her Great Granddaughters

Kate loves to swing!

And so does Addie!

Kate and Addie hugging...so sweet!

After a long nap--We had our cookout with Gigi!

My mom and my girl...the makings for a great end to Mother's Day!

Dancing with Gigi

Reading one of her new books from Gigi

Even though it was Mother's Day..Kate's Dada still got plenty of love!

Happy Mother's Day!

Adventures with EE

Kate is crazy about her monkey stuffed animal, "EE." In fact, we can hardly go anywhere without him these days.

When EE is MIA, Robby and I run around the house like crazy people trying to locate him. Yes, "Where's EE??!?!" has become a FAQ in our household...and yes, I completely agree that we need to get a backup! I am not sure what we would do without the little monkey and the hysteria that would ensue if he disappeared for more than a few minutes.

Here are a few pictures of our girl and her beloved EE!

They go on many adventures around the yard! As always, EE is tightly tucked under her arm.

Time to take EE for a ride!

EE loves the park!! Note, Kate is also wearing "EE" shoes made by her talented Aunt Ashley!

Kate talks to EE and about EE all of the time! She hints at what she would like to do by suggesting that EE do it. Here she is saying "EE slide." We also hear "EE outside" about a hundred times a day!

This is a picture of Kate purelling EE's hands... HMMM...I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree! ;) At least EE has good hygiene! :)

Even Ivy knows that it is important to keep an eye on EE...for the sanity of Kate and her parents!

A kiss for her little buddy!