4th of July at the Gore's

We celebrated the 4th at the Gore's. The kids went swimming with Papaw Gross, we had a delicious cookout, and fireworks to end the night.

A rare photo of us together.

Stanfield Family Fun Vacation-Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Kate was ready with baby Katherine and baby Becca all buckled up to go on our trip to the cabin. We started her new DVD, Pinnochio, which she watched twice, and allowed us to get there peacefully.

Kate did not need toys. She loved playing with the pool table and just playing around the cabin. We had a great time time relaxing and not having any worries. We did three day trips, ate an early supper, and stayed in resting at night at the cabin. We rented a two bedroom, but decided to all pile in the king bed downstairs every night to just watch t.v. and sleep. It was so relaxing!

Day 2-Cades Cove

Everett and I enjoy driving through Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains. Only family will appreciate this first picture. When Kate was 1, she got a bear from Cades Cove named Lamont....thanks to Everett. We we going to let her get another black bear from Cades Cove whom Everett was going to call....Ester!?!? Kate ignored the bears and went right to baskets of smaller items. She wanted a mouse. Everett kept tying to get her to get the bear and she turned about and said, "Will you just stop aggrevating me!" Argument over! She coaxed us into buying two by telling us her mouse needed a friend. She named her mice Fifi and Tammy.

We hiked about a quarter of a mile to see an empty cabin. Everett was not happy with me and called it the death march. However, it was good exercise and Kate got to get energy out.

Day 3-Dollywood

We went to Dollywood our third day. It was a great trial run for when we go to Disney World. We decided to scale back that trip and to just attempt the Magic Kingdom. Anyway, Kate enjoyed the ride. Kate enjoyed riding the old train around the park. Her favorite rides were the carousel and flying elephants, which we had to ride twice.

Kate was quite upset that she did not get her "Pink Cadillac". She almost had a major meltdown when the Pink Cadillac pulled up to the people in front of them and she realized she would be riding in the blue car. Everett said Kate was quite shocked that he said it was time for her to drive him around. She had fun and from the picture Everett did to. I hope he has this much fun when she turns 16!

It's a little small, but the pink, low flying elephant is Everett and Kate. That was my kind of ride!

Day 4-Cherokee, North Carolina

For our last day of our vacation, we decided to drive through the Great Smokey Mountains to Cherokee, North Carolina. We went through the Oconaluftee Authentic Indian Village. We had to get a picture of Kate in front of this cabin made from red clay/mud. Everett realized when he saw this that this is where he got the idea as a child to build his own log cabin. They told him on his tour here as a child how to build a cabin like this and he went home that summer and went to work. His log cabin still stands strong on his parent's property.

Wild Animal Safari

After trying to paint the house with a 3 year old and Everett's hectic work week, we decided we needed a much deserved Stanfield Family Fun Day. The agenda for the day was a picnic lunch and the Wild Animal Safari. Kate was very excited to go on a safari just like in books we have read. I thought I got fabulous pictures of Everett in the super cool zebra mini-van, but they did not turn out. Those would have been great.

Kate was very concerned her Daddy's head would get stuck.

By the look on Kate's face, she must have thought I looked funny!

I've always avoided these in grocery stores by telling Kate they were broken, but I gave in today since it was a quarter and we were waiting on Everett. She loved it.

Every animal with horns liked Everett. He was practically in the passenger side every time one came to the van.

I loved the giraffes.

These were Kate's favorites. She liked the "gentle" ones and enjoyed feeding them. She kept saying, "Oh, you're hungry, here you go".

Wagon Wash

After several weeks of rain, we finally had a gorgeous Saturday. I decided to wash my SUV while Kate happily helped. Soaking wet and wanting more fun in water, I decided to let her put on her bikini and wash her wagon. A few muddy apple pies later and sparkling clean wagon, she struck a fabulous pose for me.

Monkeying Around

Kate is developing quite a sense of humor. One afternoon, Kate informed me she had to eat a banana because she was a "monkey". I think she's watching too much Curious George!

Mother's Day

Spa Night

I picked Kate up from Holly's Friday afternoon and asked her what we were going to do that night. She said she had a great idea, Spa night. Now I've been wanting to paint my daughter's fingernails since she was born, but my headstrong daughter never allowed it. I still have to cut her toenails when she's asleep!! I was tickled she was actually going to let me attempt it. We took bubble baths, put on lotion, and painted nails. She loved it! I never thought this day would come.

Kate's 3

I've never had the luxury to take off a day from work to be home with Kate on her birthday. This year, I had to return to work after spring break on her birthday. We all got up early and celebrated with a stack of birthday pancakes.

After work, we celebrated with pizza and cake with family.

Below is Kate born at 7:01 p.m.

And here she is at 3 years old at 7:01 p.m.

Easter