Jumping Jelly Beans

Kate's friend, Karson, asked his friends to have a playdate at Jumping Jelly Beans to celebrate his 2nd birthday. All the kids had so much fun as well as the adults. Kate was a little scared to get on this big slide, so I had to just kick off my shoes and go for it with her. Once I went down it with her a couple of times, she was going down by herself. She even copied McKinley and decided to go down head first like a daredevil. We had a great time and was a good workout for me too!!!

Kate was determined to get over the wall. She was upset at first that she couldn't do it. Once I climbed in it with her and showed her how to climb it she finally got over it.

Road Trip

We took a road trip to see Great Nanny Sanders. Kate just loves her Great Nanny Sanders and continues to talk about her almost daily around our house. She was very excited to see her for Christmas. I know Kate has the Farrah Fawcet do going on, but that's the best picture I have from this trip with this hair. I don't know what happened to her hair. We had no spray bottle, spray conditioner, pony tail holders, or barrettes.

Kate loves being able to explore outside Nanny's house and that there is so much open field to run around.

My Mom came along on the trip to visit Nanny Sanders, Aunt Terri, Uncle Pat, Uncle Tim, and my cousins. We were glad to get in a trip before unpredictable winter weather hits, my Dad's knee surgery, and the arrival of Marley Ann due in February or March. Kate was a little spoiled after being on vacation with Nanny for 4 days, but I guess that happens to all kids. We are thankful to have a wonderful Nanny who loves her grandchildren.

Kate spend the majority of her time wanting to walk up and down the stairs or sitting on the 3rd or 4th step so I could see her playing. I don't know what it is about these stairs or what she really found entertaining about it. My cousins did the same thing on these stairs when they were this age.

Christmas with Family

We always spend Christmas Eve with my Mom and Dad. I love the tradition that we eat snacks and then open the gifts. Another tradition is to let each person pick a stocking, beginning with the youngest first. Tradition is that Nanny secretly puts a lump of coal in one of the stockings. We love to see everyone pick a stocking with anticipation of who will get the lump of coal. I guess I have been naughty this past year because I received the lump of coal. I think I got it last year too or Everett did. I know we've kept that lump of coal between us for a few years!!!!

Kate loved her dress up clothes and heels Uncle Brian got her.

We also spent a fun evening with the Kanners for Christmas. Kate loved her musical skirt that plays music every time it moves. Thanks Holly!! Luckily it has an off switch. Just kidding!

After opening presents with Nanny and Papaw Gross, Kate and McKinley sat on the same Santa train Brian, Becky, and I sat on as kids. It may look quite worn from the front road, but my brother says it was my Dad's when he was little. It may be a little weathered, but after three generations is still works and attracts kids to climb on top.

Kate received a Tinkerbell doll and bath wand from McKinley, Aunt Becky, and Uncle Andy. She also received a Tinkerbell DVD and Tinkerbell bracelet. She tells me almost daily that she loves the bracelet that McKinley gave her (it came with the DVD). She thinks that purple bracelet is so special because her cousin McKinley gave it to her.

We also had Christmas with the Stanfields. Kate got her very own rocking chair since she has admired one at her Grandma's house. She had lots of fun playing with her cousins Dylan and Mattie.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Everett was able to take off early from work to be here to see Kate's face at what Santa brought. Kate had been saying she wanted a computer from Santa and was super excited about her pink Leapfrog.

Santa left lots of goodies in her stocking.

She just could not believe Santa brought her a pretend curling iron, blow dryer, lipstick, eye shadow, and fingernail polish. She's been putting on her makeup just like Mommy and getting ready for work!!!

I think her favorite toy was her new and improved pink dollhouse. Thank goodness Santa brought this. About 3 weeks ago she announced she was too old for her toys and to put them away in the attic. We were glad Christmas came just in the right time. She keeps herself entertained with Tinkerbell, fairies, and Disney Princesses invading the dollhouse.

Kate loves shoes just like her Mommy. A girl can never have too many shoes to wear. Kate always has on a pair of high heels around our house.

She also got lots of dress up clothes to spark her imagination. I love the scrubs myself that Santa brought. It came with a new and improved blood pressure cuff and syringe.

Santa ate all the cookies we left. He also made quite a mess on our hearth getting down that chimney. I had to vacuum up the mess he made!!!!

Kate also got a cash register and ironing board. We've been grocery shopping quite a bit in my house. Kate prefers a debit card and always needs cash back. She loves to iron her clothes now with Mommy, which helps keep her busy.