Christmas at the McKethan's

Christmas morning we woke up and loaded the car for McKethanville. We spent lunch at Aunt Betty and Uncle Edward's house. We played a hilarious game of pictionary and opened presents.

Kate and Uncle Brian

After a long nap Kate was ready to open her presents from Papa Boone, NuNu, and Uncle Brian.

NuNu got Kate a HUGE stocking!

NuNu's pretty tree

Kate laughing at Uncle Brian

We had an amazing time celebrating Kate's first Christmas. We are so thankful for our family. Kate has amazing Grandparents that helped to make this Christmas very special.

The Meaning of Christmas

While we have truely enjoyed all that the holiday has to offer...parties, presents, shopping, candy, Santa, friends, family, sweets... we must remember the most important reason we celebrate... the birth of Jesus! Even though Kate is too young to understand, it was very important for us to take her to church for the Christmas Eve service. The music, candles, and message were amazing. I am pretty sure Kate had a great time as she let out a few laughs and squeals!

White Christmas in Argyle!

What a special Christmas! Not only was it Miss Kate's first Christmas, but it also snowed on Christmas Eve for the first time in years. It is truely a time we will never forget.

We ran outside for a quick pic!

Grandma and Grandpa's front yard. So pretty!

Kate had the best time with her Grandparents and Great-Grandma. We ate yummy food, watched the crazy dogs chase each other, and watched the snow pile up! Kate was too funny opening her presents. With each gift we felt our house get smaller and smaller! I am not sure who had more fun...Kate or her Grandparents!

Just look at all the toys around her! Bath time just got a whole lot more fun!

This little doll was Kate's favorite present. She smiles every time she sees it!

Every toy had to be tested by putting it in her mouth.

Santa!

Two malls and two Santa's later we had some great pictures! We headed out to North Park this afternoon for some shopping and Santa. Little did we know, being our 1st time, the North Park Santa is a VERY big deal. Apparently, you get a ticket...come back in 6 hours...and then wait in line for another hour. Having an 8 month old, we decided that wasn't the best idea. So, we headed to Firewheel to see their Santa. There was no line and he looked like the real deal! Kate checked him out and gave a little grin.

McKethan Family Christmas Party

The weekend has been full of parties! Saturday night we headed to Crandall to Aunt Jackie's house for the McKethan Family Christmas party. Kate loved opening her presents, especially the paper of course. She was also amazed with the 5 foot Santa in one of the bedrooms. It sang when you pushed a button. Kate watched it for the longest time. I hope she is that excited when we see the real Santa tomorrow!

Kate is checking Santa out!

Kate and her Great-Grandpa Hollis

A big Thank You to Papa Boone, Mike and Sharon, JoAnn and Johnny, Justen and Megan, Jim and Jackie, and Bud and Billy Sue for the fabulous gifts for Kate!

Baby Christmas Party 2009

Our good friends, The Cannaday's, invited the couples and babies over to their house for the annual Baby Christmas Party. We had a great time! Zach is an amazing cook and we ate and ate. The kids had such a great time playing, while Kate had a great time watching them. She tried to join in the fun, but she is just not quite mobil enough just yet. It is always a good time when we get together. We are blessed to have such a great group of friends.

Too much fun!

I know this isn't a very good picture....Camdyn was giving Kate the sweetest kiss. By the time the picture was taken they were rolling over on the floor. I need a faster camera!

The beads were a hit with all the kids. The older girls wore them....Kate ate them!

1st Thanksgiving

Kate and Darci

Kate had a very special Thanksgiving. We were worried about the traveling we would be doing, but she handled it like a champ! We started out at Papa Boone and NuNu's house. We spent Wednesday night there and ate lunch Thursday morning. Kate loved playing with new toys and visiting with her Grandparents, Uncle Brian, Great Grandpa Hollis, Aunt Betty, Uncle Edward, and cousins (Matt, Stacy, Dani, and Darci). Kate even sat at the big table with us in her highchair. No turkey and dressing for her just yet...but next year I am sure she will have a plate full!

After lunch we were off to Argyle to see Kate's Grandma and Grandpa. We had a yummy dinner and visited with her Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma. Kate got a kick out of watching Rookie chase my parents new puppy, Ruby. Kate enjoys going to my parent's house and watching the horses. We can already tell she is going to be an animal lover!

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I got busy visiting and did not take many pictures. I really need to work on my multi-tasking!

Little Reader

Kate loves it when her Daddy reads to her!

NuNu up for a visit

Keith and I both being teachers, we see everyday how important it is for kids to read or be read to everyday. We have been reading to Miss Kate since she could focus. :) She loves books and for now she will sit so still when you read to her. We hope she will continue to enjoy books as she gets older. Here are a few pics of her enjoying her favorite books. Thank you Grandma for her absolute favorite, Fluffy Chic!

6 Months

Wow...it is hard to believe that six months with our baby girl have already gone by. She is changing and doing new things every day. We cherish every moment with her and thank God for bringing her into our lives.

Yesterday Kate went to the Dr. for her 6 month checkup. She was much more at ease than at her 4 month checkup. It might have something to do with the white paper laid out on the table! She was in awe of the way it looked, sounded, and tasted! As soon as I would get one piece out of her mouth...in would go another piece. The doctor said she can always tell when a 6 month old has been in the room! Kate checked out great and only cried for a few seconds when they gave her the shots. Whew!

Here are her stats:

weight: 15.5 lbs. (50%)

length: 27 1/4 (90%) :)

head: 16 1/4 (25%)

Kate has been busy these last few months. Below are just a few things she has mastered:

*eats cereal twice a day
*looks when you call her name

*responds to our voices (especially her daddy!)

*reaches for and grabs anything that catches her eye

*rolls EVERYWHERE

*starting to scoot

*sits up by herself

*sucks her toes

*puts herself to sleep with her fingers

*loves to play peek-a-boo

We are so thankful for a happy, healthy, precious baby girl. She is the love of our lives!

Halloween at McKethanville

Hayride!
Little Ladybug

Trendon and Kate

Saturday, Keith's family had their annual Halloween party at his parent's house. It is always so much fun each year to visit with family, eat Papa Boone's special chilli, carve pumpkins, go on a hayride, and watch the kids bust a pinata. Kate had a great time! I think besides getting to see her Papa Boone and Nunu, her favorite was the hayride!

Fall Carnival

Friday, Tibbals had their annual Fall Carnival hosted by the PTA. I volunteered to work at it, so Grandma came up to entertain Miss Kate. They go all out with bounce houses, games, face painting, and tons of food! Kate got to spend some time with Camdyn. Here are a few pics. Thank you Taren for the precious bow!

Pumpkins!

Keith and I took off work today to take Kate to the Dallas Arboretum. Except for the cold weather we had a great time. Kate loves to be outside and look at trees, so she was in heaven! We got some great pictures of Kate and the pumpkins. It is so nice to have these family days. I wish we could do it more often. We have had a busy week of parties and pumpkins....and there is more to come. Tomorrow we have the Fall Carnival at school and Saturday we have the McKethan Halloween party at Papa Boone and NuNu's house. I just love this time of year!

Party Party!!

My precious lady bug!

My camera skills need some work, so I wasn't able to get a picture of everyone. They were way too busy!

Kate Grace had her first party for all her little friends. What a blast! I love it when all the babies get together. Not only is it the best entertainment, but I so enjoy watching them grow up. Kate got all dressed up in her ladybug costume! She tried her best to be a good hostess... however about half way through she fell asleep! I knew she was tired, but I thought with all the playing she would stay awake until everyone left. Nope! She laid her little antennas down on my shoulder and went right to sleep. The life of the party she is not (just yet!). Thank you to all of Kate's friends for coming to her Halloween party!

5 Months

Happy 5 month birthday Kate (a little late, but Mommy's camera was acting up)! Just when we think she can't amaze us anymore...she does! Each day brings new interests, noises, faces, and accomplishments. Here are just a few things she has been up to lately:

*eats cereal and loves it

*recognizes our faces and voices (she always gets a big smile on her face when she sees her daddy each day)

*recognizes Rookie (she used to not pay any attention to Rook, but now she laughs everytime she sees her)

*her eye/hand or should I say eye/mouth coordination is very good :)

*Kate is starting to cut teeth and drool everywhere!

*she sleeps very good at night and takes two good naps a day (especially for the sitter)

*she tries to crawl...she has her arms ready and legs ready, but the tummy is still stuck!

*she rolls and scoots on her tummy

*moves around on the saucer and bounces it up and down

*still loves to look at books and for you to read to her

Here is to another month of wonder! We love her so much and thank God everyday for our little angel baby.

Uncle Brian and The Giggle Box!

There is nothing sweeter than Miss Kate's laugh. We can't hear it enough. Papa Boone, NuNu, and Uncle Brian came up to visit on Sunday and go to dinner. Kate put on quite the show! She loves her Uncle Brian and thinks he is so funny! She went on for a long time...but this is just a little snipit. :)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We headed to Argyle to celebrate my dad's and my birthday. We decided that instead of going out to eat like we usually do, we would grill steaks and hang out at my parent's house. We had a great time! Kate got to love on her grandparents and pet the horses. We saw the horses at the fence, so we took Kate out to see them. We were surprised when Alice (the horse) started sniffing Kate, she reached out and started petting her nose! My mom ran inside to get the camera. Grandpa gave Alice carrots to get her to come back over to us. Everytime he would give Alice a carrot, Kate would crack up laughing. It was so funny! Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for such a fun evening.

Chatty Chatty

Cereal time is very entertaining for us! We look forward to it every night. Kate loves to eat her cereal, and Keith and I love watching her...from her sneezing with a mouthful, sucking on her fingers, sticking it in her ear, and to lately her talking. The other night she started a full out conversation with me. I am not at all sure what she was saying, but it was very important I am certain. It was hysterical! Of course when Keith went to get the camera, she was more interested in him than talking. But, we were able to get a little clip.

Happy 3rd Birthday Hudson!

Kate with Lindsay's mom, Kathy
She is not so sure about the goat!

My best friend Lindsay's little boy Hudson had his 3rd birthday party on Saturday. To celebrate they had a petting zoo! There were chickens, bunnies, ducks, goats, and a pony! Kate loves anything outside, so she had a great time. Keith had a football game in Lufkin on Saturday, so Grandma (my mom), Kate, and I loaded up and headed to Fort Worth. I absolutely love watching Kate discover new things. Her little personality has been shining through lately. She is the light of our lives!

For Uncle Skeeter

Uncle Brian,

Anytime you want to take me out on a dinner date, just let Mommy and Daddy know!

Love you,

Kate

Bye Bye Snuggy

Since Kate was born we have wrapped her in a Snuggle Me blanket. We have tried a few times to put her to sleep without it, but she wakes up everytime. Well, on Saturday night I heard her fussying in her crib. When I went to check on her she had completely kicked out of the Snuggy, flipped over on her belly (where she prefers to sleep), and had put herself back to sleep. She slept until 9:30! I had to wake her up for church. Needless to say no more Snuggy and I had to go buy her some big girl PJs! Here are a few pics of Kate after her bath last night. She is ready for bed in her PJs.

Yummy!

We were so excited to see how Kate would like cereal. Sunday night she got her first taste. She actually liked it (I think)! Most of it went all over her face, hands, and down her onesie. But, some made it to her mouth and she seemed to enjoy it! While I was running her bath, Keith was holding her. He said "Why is her skin so dry on her legs?" ...it was cereal!! :) I think most of the mess was Mommy error. I definitely need more practice.

1st Football Game!

Uncle Skeeter

Kate went to her first (of many!) football games Saturday night. The Skeeters played at Pizza Hut Park. Kate got all dressed up in her Skeeter Football onesie. Originally our seats were right behind the band. Not good! The first time they cranked up Kate looked at me with a look of fear! Needless to say we weren't there long. We moved far away and she was much happier. She did a great job of cheering them on. Towards the end of the game she was so sleepy, so we were lucky enough to have passes to an inside area. I think from now on we may just make it to half time!