Happy 6th Birthday, Kate!

Our sweet daughter, Kate, is growing up fast!

Happy 6th Birthday to a beautiful girl, both inside and out! You bring smiles to our faces, excitement and energy to our days, and endless amounts of love and happiness to our hearts!
You are a true blessing to our family and those around you. May you enjoy life to its fullest each day and may all of your wishes come true today and always!

We LOVE You!

Movie Time

With the high temperatures and heat this summer, we tend to find activities that involve the indoors. So, one weekend, Mark rented a movie for the girls...his selection, Benji. Since both girls love animals, his choice was a hit!

Of course, the viewing of the movie couldn't take place simply sitting on the couch. The use of sleeping bags and popcorn was required.

Welcome, Clare Elizabeth!

We welcomed our newest niece, Clare Elizabeth, to our family last Friday!

Weighing in at 7lbs 2oz, Kate and Lauren can't believe how tiny she is. (If they only knew they were that small at one time.) Due to policy changes at the hospital, the girls were unable to meet their new cousin on Sunday. So, we stopped by yesterday after school to visit.

The girls presented Clare with some cute booties Lauren picked out at Target.

Welcome to the family, Clare! We look forward to watching you grow in the years ahead!!!

Back to School

Today we started another year of school...1st grade!!!! Kate was very excited to return to school and see her friends. With backpack ready and school supplies in tow, we headed off to school at 8:30am this morning. Prior to leaving, I took a couple of photos. Here's the comparison from last year to this year...they grow up so fast!!!

Kindergarten

1st Grade

An Old Fashion 4th of July

Our "small town" of Apex hosts an annual 4th of July celebration each year complete with games, numerous bounce apparatus, karaoke, a children's bike/scooter parade, and a splashdown finale, compliments of the fire department.

For the very first time, the girls decided to decorate their bikes and participate in the parade. I helped the two of them and a neighborhood friend deck out their "wheels" with 4th of July flair on Friday in preparation for the big event Saturday. This is what we created!

The girls had a blast riding proudly down the main street of Apex. There only comment..."it was way too short of a ride!" Looks like we'll be doing it again next year!

We hope everyone had a very happy 4th of July!

Kate's Graduation

Last Friday, Kate's class had an ice cream social for all of the parents and siblings. We were unaware that we would also be attending an informal graduation ceremony as well. So, after receiving their "student awards" we all enjoyed ice cream sundaes with numerous toppings. Yummy! It's hard to believe she'll be starting 1st grade the beginning of July!

Ms. Su (Teaching assistant), Mrs. Monza (teacher), and Kate

Practicing for the Future

A couple of weeks ago, Mark and Kate had to attend school on Saturday (snow day make-up). Friends of ours are both teachers and had to be at school as well. So, Lauren and I volunteered to babysit their 3 month old son, Adam, that morning. I knew Lauren wouldn't mind seeing as how she still wants to have 4 children of her own someday, 2 boys and 2 girls. She definitely has a maternal instinct.

By the looks of these pictures, she's off to a good start!