Fun on a rainy day

After such a beautiful weekend, I guess we were bound to have a rainy day sooner or later. But, we didn't let that stop us from having fun!

Here are just a few of Kate's funny faces. :) She tried hard to show me her angry face but kept laughing, so this is as good as we could get.

Gabe, on the other hand, only showed us his "Happy Face" today!

Later, while trying to get Gabe to eat lunch, he was a bit more interested in his toes than his food. Kate thought he was too funny, so she decided to see what toes tasted like too!

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Before the rain really started coming down, we headed outdoors to pick some flowers. Our little diva insisted on wearing her high heels, sunglasses, & princess hat. Gabe had fun outside too. He LOVES to swing!

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Once the rain started I decided to do something I never do...let Kate play in the rain! She had the best time splashing in puddles and playing with her umbrella. Unfortunately, she has outgrown her rain boots....she didn't mind of course. :)

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The Beaches are OPEN!

Today the kids and I headed to the beach for the official "opening of the beaches" for 2008! Once we arrived, we met up with my Aunt Deanna and Hannah, then walked down on the beach to see some of their friends and....cousin Scotty. This was his first time to meet Hannah.


Kate loves playing in the world's largest sandbox! I must say, living in Atlanta has been fun for the past 5 years, but there's just something about being at the beach, that all the amenities of the city just can't provide.

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After playing in the sand for a while, Kate couldn't hold off any longer...it was time to hit the waves! She had the best time splashing in the water and trying to get Gabe and me to come out just "a little bit more."

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Yes, that's Kate in the middle of the picture. Our no fear little girl just kept running out to sea!

Gabe & Hannah had fun soaking up the rays too! In the 1st picture I think Hannah was a little annoyed that I was messing up her playtime for pictures. Then, in the 2nd picture, Gabe was far more interested in the sand than me...and I tried everything I could think of to get him to look up! Also, those people....they would have to walk right behind the kids when I was taking this picture...

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After hanging out at the beach for a while, we headed up to the streets to watch the big parade. Here is just one of the many festive floats that passed by....gotta love those Shriners. :)

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Festival, Fun at Fifty, & Fiction

This morning we got up bright and early to head to a local festival.

The parade began promptly at 10am. The kids loved watching all the first floats go by...

Then, 35 floats later, Grandma & PawPaw came by with the gang from The Lighthouse. As planned, Kate & Gabe jumped into the wagon to ride the remaining mile of the parade route. Considering the heat and crowds of people, the kids were amazing! Kate loved waving to all the kids and passing out candy. Gabe seemed to enjoy the ride too. In fact, this was his first time to be in a parade!!! Kate did have to "get onto him" a few times though for messing with the candy bag or trying to grab her hair or the banner, "No, no baby Gabe!"

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Gabe was a little exhausted by the end, but after Thursday's pirate parade he will be a pro!

Many more floats passed us by after ending our spot in the parade. The gorilla & pirate both came over for pictures. :)
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After the parade we headed to the booths to explore the arts and crafts. Gabe is getting really good at using the sippy cup (maybe we will actually break him of the bottle before he turns two) and Kate loved getting to paint a bookmark with her library storytime teacher.


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After our little stroll down the craft aisle, it was time for business. Kate & Gabe had to go to work inviting listeners to the festival and greeting passerbys.

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Our souvenir....a walking duck! It's actually really cute, and Kate loved it!

By the time we left, both kids were exhausted and ready for naps!

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Next stop.....Mr. Scott's house!

Happy 50th Birthday Mr. Scott!!!!

Dave, this one is for you.

Your mom & Kate (and all the rest of us too of course) miss you and hope you come home for a visit soon!




Bedtime with Kate has never really been much of a battle, but she certainly has always had a string of stall tactics. For a while, after finally leaving her room, she would starting calling for me, "One more kiss, mommy." Very hard to resist of course, but after 5 or 6 "one more kisses," you kind of have to start putting a limit on bedtime kisses. :) Then, the stall tactics started a little earlier, just before our actual routine. Kate's favorite show used to be 'Dora the Explorer', so approaching bedtime, she would begin, "One more Dora." Then continuing with the "one more kiss" later in the evening. A few months ago, after I think seeing every episode of Dora at least once, she tired of the show and is now in love with 'Little Bear.' But, with this change also came an addition to the stall tactic. Kate (and Grandma) decided that one more 'Little Bear' should be in Grandma's bed. That by itself if fine, except that it added a degree of difficulty on the nights when Kate doesn't want to leave Grandma's bed. And still, "one more kiss." That's where we have been with bedtime lately. Some occassional additions: If I have forgotten to get her a new water bottle she will certainly call to me on the monitor. Or, one of my favorites, the baby doll has a poopy diaper and I MUST change it! Bedtime usually takes about an hour between pjs, brushing teeth, goodnight kisses, "one more 'Little Bear,' books, water, diapers, and more kisses. But, this past week, with her new found interest is talking our ear off :), she now calls for me over the monitor, I go in to check on her, and instead of "one more kiss," she tells me, "I just need to talk." She even looks at me with this sad/sweet (hard to explain) expression on her face. Now, how do I resist that?!? This kid is just too smart for her own good. :)


I wish I had a video of our bedtime routine to show, but until I do, here is a video from today of Kate wanting Jon and me to sit on a bench so that she could talk to us. She decided to tell us a story....

Coffee, Rocks, and.....Princess Gabe?!?

This morning we met up with friends from the Mom's Club at Tradewinds, a local coffee shop. The owner is so nice to host us every month...she even brings in a bounce house for the kids and bakes yummy brownies & cookies.

Kate got to spend some time playing with her friend Alana. I don't know what it is about her, but (for our friends in Atlanta) she reminds me so much of Sophie. And what's weird is that at Chick-fil-a the other day, Kate even started calling her Sophie! Anyway, it's created an instant bond for Kate. She gets so excited when she sees her.

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Gabe didn't get to play in the bounce house with the big kids, but he and I got to hang out drinking coffee and eating applesauce. :)


This afternoon Kate was on a backyard search for rocks. Then, after gathering them in her bucket, she lined them all up in a row and called it her garden. :)

Presenting...Princess Gabe. This picture is actually from a few nights ago. And, as you can see, Kate was very excited to play dress-up with her little brother. Gabe, on the other hand, didn't find it quite as fun. :)

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Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

We LOVE You!!!


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For every posted picture or video, there are usually several others that don't make the cut. Well, for once, here are a couple of video outtakes for your viewing pleasure. :)












Grandma & Kate made a very special strawberry cake for mommy. This batter is so yummy...are you sure we have to bake it?!? :)

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Time to decorate!!! Gabe tried to help too...

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Next, we all headed to the beach for a fun dinner to celebrate mommy's 28th birthday!

Just hanging out with Grammy & PawPaw

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While everyone else ate, I got to play!!!



After dinner we all headed out to the beach. The seagulls were so happy to see us...and our crackers! Then, mommy and I went for a walk down the beach to collect seashells and shark's teeth. Happy Birthday Mommy!!! I hope your birthday was super special.