Miss America!!!

Miss America in her crown. :)

Seriously, this is what she does ALL day --LOL

Laying on Doug :)

Being Miss America is hard work people (wink wink) .....isn't she a cutie?!

I hope everyone had an AWESOME weekend!!   After Doug's class on Saturday, Doug and I had an awesome weekend sleeping in, going to the beach, eating sushi downtown outside (love eating outside) and then adopting a KITTY.  Yep, we have been talking about adding an animal addition to our family.  As some of you know we ALMOST adopted an English Bulldog a few weeks ago, but decided that our busy lifestyle is not a good combination with taking care of a dog.  And, we just really loved this cat we saw at the adoption shelter.   It was important to us to adopt our pet from shelter...there are a lot of animals who need homes.  Anyway, we love her, but we haven't named her quite yet....can't decide. I am thinking of calling her "Miss America" (wink wink),  and Doug is not so fond of that name--LOL. Although.....I already taught her to say "WORLD PEACE" --LOL.  Seriously though,  please let us know if you have any good suggestions!

 Overall, our lovely unnamed KITTY, currently called Miss America, is fabulous....she just loves LOVES to be held and to relax.  Her favorite thing is to lay on Doug's stomach/chest.  She's a cutie and pretty funny.   Here are some pictures. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Kate :)

"...Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:30-31

 

New BLUE Blog Design :)

Doug and I on the Sea Dream boat in off Santorini, Greece. The BLUE waters in Greece are legendary.

This pictures speaks a thousand words...one of the seven wonders of the world--The Acropolis--in Athens, Greece. One of my favorite BLUE skies ever.

Our private deck in Phuket, Thailand on our honeymoon in 2005. When have you seen a more beautiful BLUE? I LOVE the ocean!

And, finally, the shot I took from the ski lift in Zermatt, Switzerland with Doug. Truly

Breathtaking...ice BLUE and whites...as far as the eye could see.....

Doug, A.K.A., Mr. Technology Genius, literally spent just a few minutes converting my old pink abstract blog into a simple blue blog with a photo I took from our trip to Zermatt, Switerland earlier this year of the mountains. Thank you Hubby!

I took this photo in the background (has been stylized a bit) from a ski lift right next to the Matterhorn--A.K.A. the "Toberlone Chocolate Mountain." Now, whenever I see those chocolate boxes I have an extra large smile on my face....I love chocolate and I love traveling...so, perfect memory! Ha!

Since I have the feeling that I will be blogging for a while and probably more often, I really wanted the blog to be less abrasive when you first click on it. Now, don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for HOT PINK, but maybe not HOT PINK at 7:00 a.m. before I have had my coffee or tea. Blue is my favorite color and it reminds me of oceans, waves, serenity, and many wonderful memories in life like from our France/Swiss Alps trip to go along with our new blog design. So these pictures today are me sharing some of my favorite BLUE memories. I love to look at these photos, remember, thank God for those opportunities and thank God for ALL the beauty and colors in life. Today though, I am especially grateful for the beauty of ....BLUE. :)

Have a great one!
Kate

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

Happy FIRST Birthday to our beautiful nephew and Godson, Liam James!!!

Liam after devouring his birthday cake! 

Liam & I outside before the food.... :)

Liam with  his two grandmothers and one of his great-grandmothers. 

Liam with his Mom & Dad--gorgeous family!

Just over a year ago , Doug and I were in Hinsdale, IL at a hospital welcoming my sister, Valerie, and brother-in-law’s, Steve, new son, Liam James into the world.  We can hardly believe a year has gone by!!!!  Liam is absolutely adorable with big blue eyes and a joyful contagious personality.  It has been SO much fun watching Liam grow this year.  From a newborn in the hospital that early evening to a bubbly one-year old who is standing on his own, growing teeth, waving us goodbye, laughing a lot and having fun with his Mom and Dad and family and friends.   J 

And, today, Valerie and Steve threw Liam a fabulous first birthday party  to remember.  Everyone had a great time, the food was amazing (Valerie is a wonderful chef—unfortunately I do not have that same talent in the kitchen—lol) , and we just had a great time celebrating baby Liam J

And, of course……here are some photos from the day! I just can't blog without photos :)

"Finally,  whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." – Philippians 4:8

Love & Peace,

Kate

INSPIRATION

Sweet Holly & the Amazing Vicki

K-Pal (Kristi), me & Angeles

The three of us plus HOLLY on the far left :) A mini TJ Chicago reunion!

My favorite picture of the day (haha)--K-Pal with Wiley the Pomeranean Lion and John Burton's hand and Chip. :)

"Women are like teabags, you never know how strong they are until you put them in HOT water" -Unknown

"And after all that--she was surprised to find that she still knew the words to the song in her heart.......and she began to sing along." -Leigh

"The worst things that can happen to you in life can be some of the best things that happen to you in life, if you don't let it get the best of you." -Anne Hathaway

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

- Phillippians 4;13

I had the opportunity to spend time with a lot of my old friends and co-workers this weekend in Chicago. And, it was wonderful....to talk, catch up, and share updates on every situation in life.
I was struck with just how much so many people I know and love have been through the past few years and the strength, courage and joy they show and continue to show.

The women above are just some inspirations to me--they all are filled with joy, peace, strength and are just a lot of fun. So, with this short blog. I want to say thank you to all the women in my life who have been an inspiration to me (knowingly or unknowingly). Right away who comes to mind is my Mom (particularly the GRACE she shows), my sisters (Valerie and Erica), my Grandmothers, Doug & I's Aunties, Karyn, Erin, Ash, Brooke, Julie, Michelle, all my GWC ladies :), and anyone else I forgot here! Cheers to you ladies....way to live fully, and face many tough situations fiercely--yet with grace. I love you ladies! Hope you have a great week!

Family! Blake, Laura, Mom, John, Erica & Jenna Visited!

The four of us out to eat at "Old Fashioned" for brunch right across from the Capital.

BROTHERS--Doug & Blake.  Pretty handsome dudes. :)

The Lovely Laura & I--Two smiling ladies :)

The four of us by the lake--fun times--we LOVE being out by the water!

Doug & I had a fun and full weekend. My Mom, (Grandpa) John, my younger sister Erica and her daughter (and who is one of my God-babies) Jenna came on Friday night on their way up to see two of my other favorite little people, Alyse and Tryistan  (cute niece & nephew).  My Mom is always awesome and brings and makes Doug and I dinner (Thank you, Mom!)  And, thank you SO SO much John for doing all the little house projects for Doug and I that we do not know how to do just yet (Suburban living is different than Downtown Chicago living!)  John, I am sure all the Japanese Beatles that were eating our tree will tremble from now on when you come in town--haha!  Thank you-Thank you!   Everyone left early Saturday afternoon, but we all had a great time in a short amount of time! Love you guys!

And, when Doug came back from Chicago (Kellogg), he was extremely excited to see his very loved younger brother, Blake, and his amazing (truly) girlfriend, Laura (I hesitate to just call Laura 'Blake's Girlfriend' here because she has been around longer than I have....so we consider her family and have for a long time! She's fabulous.)  Anyhow, after some pie and yummy food at Hubbards's Diner, the four of us talked and watched 'home videos' from Blake & Doug's childhood and sipped Champagne.  They were very fun and hilarious.  Blake actually put all of the home videos his parents had and combined them in library format on DVD's (it took him a LONG time), but now we all have a wonderful library of memories that we will always have (and that are easy to replicate).     Thank you Blake (Soy Senor Puck, Soy Pequeno, Soy Terible!-Ha!)   Blake and Laura also came to our house bearing very thoughtful gifts for Doug & I's birthdays along with some yummy brownies.  You two are awesome!  Thank you again!

Because I could not find my camera charger when Mom, John, Erica & Jenna were here, we only have pictures of our time with Blake & Laura, but don't worry (LOL)...I am addicted to taking pictures.  I adore photography.  SO....there will be more pictures of them very soon...I am sure!  

Hope everyone has a great week.  Thanks for reading my blog and keeping in touch with us EVERYONE!  We have a little counter and just found out that I have had about 100 visitors a week. Considering I thought maybe 5 people were taking a look--Thank you all for taking the time to read the little tibits of our life here!  

Love, 

Doug & Kate :)

Happy (Belated) Birthday Noah!!!

Wow...I am REALLY behind on our blog here :)  My apologies.  Better late than never, I suppose :)

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to celebrate Noah's birthday  with our friends here in Madison.  Noah is the very very (still an understatement) cute son  of our dear friends, R.J. & Marisa (who also are expecting another little one here pretty soon!!!)  R.J. & Marisa are truly warm and fun people who threw Noah's birthday bash at a local Bowling Sports Center, so that both the kids and the adults could have some fun.  It worked--everyone really enjoyed themselves.  And, it was a lot of fun to see the kids bowl with the bumpers on the sides....heck, they were fun for the adults too--hehe!  So, here are just a few photos from the PAR-TAY! :)

One very beautiful family....Marisa, Noah & R.J.

One Hot (Preggy)Mama!!  

How cute is this pictures....what a priceless moment :)  Happy Birthday Noah!