Beach Baby!

Just this past week, we went on our first official vacation as a family! We went to the beach in Seaside, Florida to hang with my family - we go every year (except last year, this time, I had just had Kate!). It was so much fun and I had heard mixed stories about whether babies would like the sand. Kate, thankfully, is officially a beach baby! She loved the sand, the ocean and the waves crashing into her as daddy treaded out with her! She would laugh hysterically as the waves approached and giggled so hard anytime I would build a mound of sand anywhere near her! So, we lathered her up in 100 SPF and hit the pool in the mornings and the beach after her nap in the afternoon! It was a blast and my family had such a great time with her. She was definitely the star of the trip and I can't think of a better way to have spent my birthday! Wanted to share some of the pictures we captured from our time there and on the plane ride out! This was Kate's second plane trip (her first was at Thanksgiving when we traveled to Nashville to be with my family) but this second go round, she was much more aware and intrigued with everything around her...to the point where she officially just wore herself out!

Fun & Busy Memorial Day Weekend

This long holiday weekend was lots of fun! We stayed in town but were busy, busy and hit up the Edmond Blues Fest, Paseo Arts Festival and of course got some pool time, among a slew of other things including Kate's first taste of spaghetti (I took a before and after pic included here) and her first trip to Sam's - ha! ha! With the spaghetti, she was pretty funny - not sure she knew she was supposed to eat it! We stripped her down completely, knowing this was going to be a messy deal all the way around. Kate literally grabbed a handful from the plate and put it on the table and just looked at it like..."what am I supposed to do with this???" Finally, she put a messy handful in her mouth but she didn't seem to love it. I guess it's just a new food but if she's anything like her mom, she'll love pasta!

It was great family time this weekend but we are totally worn out. These days, Kate is on the go and wants to attempt to walk everywhere holding our hands since she's not able to walk just yet on her own. So, we spend our days crunched over walking from here to there and everywhere - and have learned to live with a permanent crick in our backs! She's pretty cute though and she will giggle hysterically when I pretend like I'm going to get her - literally, I say "I'm gonna get you" and hold my hands up and she will take off and scream and let out the cutest, boisterous laugh I've ever heard! I'll have to try to post a video here of her doing this - she loves being chased! Here are some of my favorite pics from this weekend! Can't believe it's June and certainly can't believe Kate will be 1 in just a couple of weeks. My oh my!

First Easter

Seems like it wasn't very long ago that we spent Easter anticipating Kate's arrival. I remember vividly being very pregnant last year around this time for Easter filled with anticipation of what type of little girl we would soon have. Hard to believe how fast time has flown. Here's a few pictures of Kate from today in her first Easter dress. She looked adorable but wouldn't let mom put any bows in her hair. At 10 months now, she's mastered pulling them off immediately. We awoke this morning and surprised Kate with a little basket of Easter goodies and then went to church with Kyle's family. After church, we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch and to see what the Easter Bunny dropped off there ; ) Kate also got a special gift in the mail from Mimi and G-Paw (my parents) with an assortment of Easter goodies. Despite a basket full of fun stuff, I think she was more interested in the decorative grass that filled the basket. Kate is such a blessing in our lives - our first Easter together was very special!

The Holiday Card

I think I've finally gotten all of the holiday cards out to friends, fam, etc. but I'm certain that I've forgotten to send to so many. I'm trying to compile a more complete list of addresses but it's a major work in progress. I've seem to have lost track of the wedding guest list spreadsheet that had so many contacts. That feels like it was many moons ago and definitely a few computers back.

Thought I'd share the card here on the blog because I love it so much and know that with my incomplete mailing list, I had to have missed sending to so many! Kate definitely has spiced up our traditional, boring holiday card with her cuteness ; ) Brandi Traina with Traina Photography captured all of these amazing photos! She is absolutely amazing and if anyone is in need of priceless pictures, she's your go-to person! Her eye is incredible and she is so much fun and easy to work with. A photo shoot with an infant is no easy task, but I'm amazed at the shots she was able to capture from the comfort of our own home! And, many, many thanks to Kami for designing such a cute card! You're the best!!!

I love the expression on Kate's face on the front of the card! Kyle's favorite picture is the one of her grinning with the little ski cap! I love them all - stay tuned for more pics from this session - yes, there are actually more great shots that we weren't able to include on the card.

Happy holidays!!!!