Sibling Class

Kate, Grandma, and I went to a sibling class at the hospital.  Kate got to "practice" holding and swaddling a baby, see the hospital nursery, and a room like Mommy will be staying in.  Kate also made a craft for her brother.  Here she is listening very carefully to the teacher.  She was so cute.

Kate's Birthday Breakfast

Kate started her birthday off with a couple of presents in bed and then a special breakfast. Here she is blowing out her candle on her birthday pancakes. We have video of this, but I'll spare you of having to listen to Mommy and Daddy's fantastic singing!

Kate's Jumpin Beans Birthday

Kate had a wonderful time at her birthday party. We held it at an inflatable playground (huge bounce house). I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the Dads, Moms, and Grandparents jumping around with the kids. Thanks for coming everyone! Here is a video of our Jumping Bean-notice she is also talking the whole time. 

Here is a video of Kate blowing out her candles. Listen carefully at the end, Kate says "Yea! I finally did it!" I think she had been waiting all day for that moment.

Present Time!

Cute Video of Kate Sliding in the Snow

Aunt Jennifer's Birthday

We had a weekend full of birthday celebrations a couple of weeks ago.  Because of the snow, we celebrated Jennifer's birthday on Saturday and Kate's on Sunday.  Lots of cake for everyone :-)

Jenkins Family

Costa Family

Grandma and her girls

Holiday Recap

Since the holiday updates got a away from me this year, we're going to have a recap here (probably more for my benefit).  Hope you don't mind!  Between the holidays, visiting with family, mini-vacations, national board writing, ending 1st semester, starting the 2nd, raising a two, now three, year old, and growing a baby-time seems to be just flying by!  So here is a litany of pictures cataloging our adventures and fun times over the holidays.  Enjoy...

New York, New York

We spent Thanksgiving in New York with Jeff's grandmother and Aunt Gina.  Kate was in heaven being spoiled by Nonnie and Gigi.  We had a wonderful time shopping, seeing the Macy's Parade, going to the botanical gardens, and visiting with family.  Kate loved seeing the ice skaters at Rockeffeller Center.  We will definitely be back so she can skate.  Jeff and I went to see Wicked on Broadway.  It was awesome-probably the best I've seen.  We were also able to catch the Duke/UConn game at Madison Square Garden-Jeff loved that.  Thanks for the wonderful time and great Thanksgiving dinner Gigi and Nonnie.

Checking out the babies at FAO Schwarz, with her new puppy in hand.  This scene will be repeated in a couple of weeks with real babies and without a new puppy!

Rockin' the Piano

Parade time!

There goes Dora!

Thanksgiving with Gigi

To Nonnie's park we go!

Come on Nonnie, I'll help you!

Christmas Time

We had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' Birthday-four times!  We had an early Christmas when Uncle David and Aunt Meghan visited before Christmas, then celebrated Christmas Eve at the Matthews' Homeplace, enjoyed Christmas morning at our home, and then Christmas dinner at Nana and Papa Tom's house.   There was lots of love everywhere.

One of Kate's favorite gifts-

Christmas morning-

Helping wash dishes-

New Year's Cookies-

The Nutcracker

One of the highlights of Kate's Christmas was going to her first viewing of the Nutcracker with her Nana.  She loved it.  Here they are, all ready to go.

They're on their way!

Happy to be in her seat.

Snow Days!

We've had our fill of snow for the year.  Jeff and I have been off a total of 4 days for snow and there is nothing better than an unexpected snow day.  We always have great family time making memories during snow days, but we're ready for some beautiful spring weather like we've had this weekend.

Sledding was a big hit with everyone!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Sweet Kate!

It's Kate's birthday today.  For Jeff and I, it was the most amazing day and a miracle happening right in front of us.  We feel so humbled in the presence of God's goodness to have this little princess as a part of our family.  Happy Birthday to our sweet girl.  We can't believe you are already turning three.  You bring so much joy to everyone and we are blessed to have you as our daughter.  We pray that you continue to grow, learn, and play with carefree innocence and that this is the best year yet!

Here are a few snow pictures from a trip to the mountains over Christmas break.  Hopefully, I'll post more pics soon!