Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!!!

Kaitlyn says it's shaping up to be a great birthday! And that she'll be making some calls here, just as soon as she can get this phone picked up and can dial!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

LOVE, DADDY & MOMMY

One Year Old!

I K-N-O-W every parent says "I can't believe they are this old already"...but seriously... i just can NOT believe that K is one year old this Friday!

This year has been, well.... amazing, superb, awesome, breathtaking, more than I could have imagined, wonderful, tear jerking, joyful, giddie like (is that a term?), cheerful, a blessing... anyways- I think you get the drift here?!

K is just about walking on her own (not that I'm in any hurry for that). She plays so well by herself and finds the most um, creative, things to keep her occupied! She is beginning to learn the 'NO-NO' concept... whether or not she chooses to obey --that is still a process.

She is still a great sleeper- thank you LORD! A Praise to the Lord for that! A blessing that He gave me when I refused to 'accept/believe' the "well intentions" of other parents that would say things like "Oh, are you ready for sleepless nights?" or "Hope you do well on just hours of sleep"... you get the idea. I remember telling people that I wasn't believing for that, that raising children didn't always have to consist of sleep deprivation! Obviously, there are days- but like I've said before... We ALL have those days!

Her personality is showing through! Such a determined one, she is! She loves it when she sees approval and admiration in us for her! I love the way she lights up and giggles and reaches out to be picked up! I love the way she will lay on the floor and just laugh and play, like there is someone right there keeping her company! She has such a sweet spirit, loving, giving, wanting....

Still, everyday I grab her and squeeze her, and nibble at her neck and her ears, blow on her belly... and generally try not to just gobble her up from the love that dwells so deep within and just bubbles out and spills over... it's just something you can't put the 'right' words to! Simply...AMAZING!

OK, enuf gushing here... We had K's birthday party a week early because my family left for Disney World on Saturday. She had her own cake that she thought about getting into... you can watch the video below if you want.
Monie got her the cutest summer hats and sandles and Aunt Shell got a July 4th outfit, the girls got her an xylophone (something to beat on... she LOVES that!) and we all just enjoyed being together since Granddaddy Rog had just gotten home from a 3 week work trip out of the county! What a blessing to have family close by!

Ok, so here is a little video --- let us eat cake!

When it rains...

Don't know about ya'll; but when it's rainy outside and I have a little runny nose; I just like to kick back with my warm bottle of milk and watch a little Veggie Tales!

-- Kaitlyn... my guest post entry.

Spring Time

W-O-W!! What a BEAUTIFUL day we had to enjoy today!
The pictures show a blanket with toys...but do you really think she spent most of her time there?! You guessed it... NOPE! But that was ok... we managed to spend several hours out there and not eat anything or get any cuts, bumps, or bruises! So all in all... a successful day!

This was mommy trying to be cute...by spelling her name out :0)

The Family... just hanging out and basking in the sunshine!

OK... I've had enough... see ya'll later now.

Easter

This year for Easter, Kaitlyn and myself went to the Outer Banks to visit my brother and his wife. I had not been there since getting married! So I was way past due for a little visit.
Matt was unable to go with us because, as he says, "Some of us don't get hundreds of hours of vacation"... so the sad part was that we were apart on Easter, but.... It really was a nice mini vacation and a great visit.
We went with my sister and her family! We got to walk on the beach in Nags Head and watch the sunset back in Colington Harbor. We got to eat dinner at Jockey's Ribs- which holds a special place for my sister and me both- as we both worked there for years; me- during my college summers. It was awesome to go back and see some of the old gang and to of course... show off my baby girl! :0)

On Easter we went to the Church of the Outer Banks (www (dot) churchobx (dot) com). They currently meet in the YMCA. What a neat congregation they have there... there would be no mistaking you are at the beach!!

We even managed to have a yummy Easter Lunch, without our mommy being there! I guess we are all grown up (when we want to act like it). A little secret... this was my FIRST time ever making potato salad... and... it turned out really good, if I may say so myself!

Here are a couple pictures of the girls in their Easter dresses!
Kaitlyn - 10 months 3 weeks old...

Emma, Kaitlyn, and Hannah. (Notice Emma's foot cocked up behind her! oh my... )

Making Progress

Our favorite passtime for the last several weeks has been conquering the stairs!! She is getting much quicker at it this week! Of course, we still need to learn to come down now. Kaitlyn will just laugh and giggle as she climbs! She is so proud of herself and must feel very accomplished as she reaches the top.

Just has to look back every so often to make sure mommy or daddy is there to catch her...just in case!

OK.... are you still there... you look really far away this time...

Shew! made it... now to go find daddy in that room.....

We continue to be amazed by this little one and all she contributes to our family! She gets a million squeezes and kisses everyday... you just can't get enough!

What a blessing!

Coupon Match Ups

Hey gang...

just an FYI... Kristy an I are going to TRY and keep a blog in refernce to Harrisonburg Coupon Match Ups for Martin's, Kroger, Food Lion, and Walmart.
We can't promise that we will get to all of them. But for this week we have Martins and Kroger done!
You can check us out at

Making Cents Out Of Coupons

If you'd like to help or contribute, let us know!