Memorial Day!

We got to spend Memorial Day weekend

with one of our favorite veterans!

Gran and Pop came to see us!

This afternoon, we had fun at the parade

in Falls Church

before cooling off in Kate's new inflatable pool!

Thanks for the fun present, Gran and Pop!

Backyard Transformation

When Kate left for her summer preschool program this morning,

our backyard looked like this:

But, when she came back,

it looked like this:
Hurrah!
Kate's swingset arrived.

As you can see,
Kate is really excited about her new swingset:

And Tim is really excited that he didn't have to assemble it!

Howdy Neighbors!

While we were vacationing in South Carolina,

Ted and Annie (Tim's brother and our sister-in-law)

moved into their new house...

less than 10 minutes from our house in Falls Church!

It will be so fun for Kate to grow up with her cousins

as neighbors!

More Fun in the Sun!

We had a great vacation in South Carolina!

(At least after everyone was feeling better!)

We enjoyed gorgeous weather

at a beautiful beach resort!

But, most of all,

we enjoyed some precious time together as a family.

Here are some more highlights:

Tim's sand castles got more elaborate as the week wore on.

Strawberry ice cream on the boardwalk!

Swinging with Miss Daisy at the playground.

My sun-kissed beach baby!

Kate especially loved the swimming pool!

We stopped by Kingstree, South Carolina to visit

Aunt Lynn, Uncle Billy, Aunt Lynn,

my cousins, Amy, Casey and Blakely,

and their adorable kiddos Loudon and Cannon

on the way home!

I can't believe I didn't get my camera out while we were there!

Aaaaauuuuggghhh!

On the Mend

One trip to the island Urgent Care,

one diagnosis of an ear infection,

and 3 doses of amoxicillin and an antihistamine

later,

Katie Bug is finally on the mend

and our vacation is back on track (kinda sorta).

We managed to venture back to the beach and swimming pool this morning.

And to the Charleston Children's Museum this afternoon!

Kate especially loved the pretend grocery store.

First, she loaded up her cart with lots of yummy fruits and vegetables.

(Especially bananas - Kate said "just like Papa"

because we eat so many bananas at our house and

Grandpa is always going out to buy more!)

Then, she had fun checking out!

Greetings from Wild Dunes!

Greetings from the beautiful Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms!

We arrived last night battling cold/flu-like symptoms and

work-induced exhaustion...

but managed to perk up for a few hours

to enjoy a gorgeous sunny morning at the beach!

At first Kate was a little wary of walking on the sand.
So, we put her shoes back on
and she was quickly distracted by the joy of hunting for sea shells
to decorate the starfish Daddy made in the sand.

Bubbles were also a big hit!

(Surprise. Surprise.)

We succombed to our colds and work in the afternoon.

Tim and I took turns taking care of a sick Katie Bug

and the demands of BigLaw.

We're hopeful for a fun and healthy day tomorrow!

Littlest Ballerina

Aunt Ingrid and Cousin Erika gave Kate

the most adorable little tutu

for her first birthday.

I tried to put it on her a few times last fall,

but, when Kate vehemently protested,

the tutu was relegated to the closest.

Until tonight!

Kate noticed the tutu and insisted that she put it on

so that she could be transformed into a ballerina -

just like Cousin Abby!

At first she pranced around with Miss Daisy.
Then we went downstairs for a ballet lesson
with Miss Abby.
Who turned out to be a great instructor.
Look at that form!

Kate watched carefully.

And then gave it a try!

Arms up!

Practicing walking on her tippy-toes!

So fun!

I think I need to get Kate enrolled in some ballet lessons.

What do you think?

Anyone know of a NoVA studio that takes rising two year-olds?

Handmade with Love

Happy Mother's Day

to all of the women who have blessed me

through their roles as mothers and grandmothers!

We celebrated Mother's Day today with a special "first."

Kate gave me her first handmade Mother's Day card...

and a plate that she painted for me at preschool

Kate was so proud to show me her handiwork

and I was equally proud to receive her special gifts!

This week will be Kate's last week of one year old preschool.

(Sniff! Sniff!)

She loves her school, teachers and friends so much

that we decided to sign her up for the summer program

and two year old preschool at the same school.

Elephants!

We made our first 2010 visit to the National Zoo today!

Kate loves the elephants!

In fact, she insisted that we venture to the elephant exhibit

on 4 separate occasions during our zoo visit.

And she has been telling everyone we see all about the elephants.

Too cute!

Tied for a distant second place in Kate's mind and heart were...

the panda bears, the gorillas, and

...the meerkats!