Pictures from Doug's Birthday!

I remembered my camera (yay!).  So, as promised..... :)

When Doug came home from Kellogg Saturday night....this is what he saw :)

Doug and I eating at Sardinee---lakeside--for his birthday dinner.  French food is our favorite!

Doug took this candid shot as I was enjoying the view of Lake Mendota.

Personality?!?!

Doug and his cake (one of his cakes) this year!

Happy Birthday DOUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Doug--a outdoors man--in Michigan last year visiting Grandma Smith.

At Doug's birthday last year in Cape Town, South Africa.  Most of Doug's extended family was there to celebrate...good memories.

It's blurry, yes, but this was so much fun.  This is Doug on New Years Eve this last year (2007) at Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France.  Bon a Nu!! Happy New Year? 

And, here he is leading me on an adventure to Thailand for our honeymoon!!!!!  One of my favorite places on earth!!! 

 

Happy Birthday to my AMAZING Husband!!!!! 

Today, we celebrate my husband, Doug.  Anyone, who really knows Doug knows he is a a man of great love, strength, integrity, faith, loyalty, adventure, joy, determination and belief.  I could expand on these and his many qualities in depth with fascinating stories in Doug's life, and I would still not be able to explain what a great man God made.  I am one blessed woman to get to spend my life with him!  :)

Through his actions alone, Doug has challenged me to understand love in a deeper way, to understand what it means to never give up, and what it means (sacrifice and all) to truly stand up for what I believe in,  and to make yours dreams (no matter how BIG or small) a reality--channeling your passion into hard work and dedication.  My Mom has always said to me that when I met Doug he turned on a light inside of me.  And, not only do I think she was right, but I think his unselfishness and sincere belief and love for others has turned on a light in many people's lives.  I cannot even tell  you how many times over the years I have heard a friend, one of our family members, or one of Doug's co-workers tell me how Doug encouraged or challenged them through words or his actions.  

Obviously,  I LOVE this man.  He's fantastic and we are having a blast celebrating him today and resting and enjoying this beautiful day in Madison.  We just got back from brunch and hitting golf balls at the golf range (one of Doug's favorite things to do on a day off) and we are soon headed to a lovely French restaurant  here in Madison called "Sardine" and thoroughly enjoy some homemade Chocolate birthday cake!  Happy Birthday HUBBY!

Love Always, Kate--PFBC

  

P.S. Above are just a few of my favorite pictures of Doug....more pictures to come (if I can remember to bring my camera tonight--hehe) of Doug's celebration. :)

Even More Owasippe Michigan Pictures!!!

So....this is the last post of the night--PROMISE!  I just couldn't resist putting all of the pictures up!  Please do read the blog I wrote three posts below about our time!  Love you all! Kate :)

Two beauties!!! My cousin Isabella Joy & my niece Alyse Nicole!

The Law Men!!! Grandpa John & Ethan!

I love this pictures....very cute! Uncle Doug & Alyse :) 

Love Birds :) 

More Camp Owasippe (Michigan) pictures!

Doug ("Uncle Dog" as Alyse says--hehe!) & Alyse Nicole

Alyse, Doug & I at our birthday celebration with the Fam :)

The Miss Jenna D. & my sister Erica

My Mom (Grandma) & Grandpa John

Owasippe!

Sister & Brother: Alyse & Tryistan...SO adorable!

My Mom with her five sisters and one brother...pretty cool!

We hiked to the BOG! A tradition every year...One of the few natural bogs in the USA!

Jenna & Alyse before the beach!

Hello All!

Hope everyone had a fun 4th of July holiday last week! Doug and I returned from a family trip to Michigan with my Mom's side of the family....it was a beautiful time with family.
Over 35 years ago (yes 35!!), our late beloved Grandpa Casey (Casmir) and our Grandma Lydia began this tradition, as Grandpa ("The Chief") was a Eagle Scout Troop leader. And, decades later, their 7 adult children, their spouses, his numerous grandchildren, and their spouses along with great-grandchildren continue this precious family tradition of camping in the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Michigan for a week in July every single year. The beauty of the approximately 5,000 acres of camp is truly amazing and the memories we all have together (I have gone almost every year of my life) are truly priceless and irreplaceable is every way....
Here are just a few memories in pictures of our trip....

"Friends are the sunshine of life." -John Hay

Doug & I hanging out with the gang :)

This weekend my best group of friends in the world came to visit. We have been best friends since mid 2000, when we met at Olivet Nazarene University, so exactly eight years ago, and since then Erin, Matt & Ted have been life friends (family) for me (Kate). We have all seen each other grow up, and I am so grateful for them --'My cup runneth over" :)

The last time all four of us were together was in 2006. Now, Ted lives (on and off) in China and finishing his masters in Philosophy at Northwestern University, Erin lives in Virginia and is a fabulous teacher and married to the Mr. Paul Anderson, Matt lives in Indianapolis and leads a band and is very successful in Sales, and of course I am here in Madison, WI , married to my AMAZING husband, Doug, and enjoying a career in Direct Sales, volunteering, etc. In short, we have grown up since we met at 18 years old.

Besides catching up and having great conversations, we visited downtown Madison, went out to eat and overall enjoyed everyone's company. Erin, Matt & Ted, thank you so much for visiting and for being such great friends to me & Doug.

"Good friends are like stars, even when you don't see them often, you know they are there...."

Love you all!
Katie :)

North Carolina!

Hi Everyone!!!

Today is my 26th birthday....hard to believe.  It was a great day which followed a wonderful LONG weekend of mini celebrations.  Doug and I were SO happy to have the opportunity to visit his Aunt Frud, Uncle Fred and cousin Katy this weekend In North Carolina.  We had such a great time in Charlotte and Blowing Rock, NC.  It was absolutely beautiful there, but the company and times we shared together is what made the trip so fabulous.  Uncle Fred, Frud and Katy, thank you SO much for your hospitality this weekend in every way--we had a wonderful time and hope you all did too.  We love you!!!! 

-Doug & Katie  

And again, Welcome Home Katy (she just returned from Spain!)!!!!

Valerie, Steve & Liam Visited!!!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and all the dads we know!!!

This weekend we LOVED spending time with Steve, Valerie & Liam!!! We had a great time going to the Madison Farmers' Market and hanging out at home and around Madison. :) On Friday night, we also hosted Val& Steve's friends, Fred, Jill and baby Sam (who is about 9 months like baby Liam). We all went to the Madison Farmers Market which was amazing (Fresh fruit, veggies, flowers, and the famous Spicey Cheese Bread :)--) and surrounds Madison's capital. It has been voted the best farmer's market in the United States...and it's every Saturday here in the summer... :)!!! On Saturday night when Doug returned from an exhausting day at Kellogg (as he had FINALS--yuck), we celebrated Valerie's belated birthday. Her actual birthday is June 6, but better late than never. Happy Birthday Val!!!!!!!

AND, this morning we were able to say Happy Father's Day to Steve on his first Father's Day (being a Dad) ever!!!! Needless to say.....There was a lot of cake to go around this weekend... :)

Since Doug just had finals, he has a weekend off from Kellogg and we are SO SO excited. We are going to have a whole lot more time to spend together this weekend...YAY!

Here are some pictures from the weekend (above)--ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Kate

Blake & Kelly Visited!!!!

Kelly, Doug & Blake after Doug arrived home from Kellogg on Saturday.

The Siblings on Lake Monona (or Mendota...) after Brunch on Sunday..

Doug & I <3

Happy Tuesday Morning everyone. I am catching up on my emails and blog posts this morning, so there are actually two new posts you can see if you scroll down.

SO....last weekend we had amazing weather. And this weekend (If you watch the news, I am sure you heard), Wisconsin got pounded with rain and tornadoes. In fact, I just read on the news that FEMA is coming and that our Governor (Jim Doyle) declared a state of emergency in 30 (yes 30!) counties....Thankfully, most of Madison seems to be fine. And, because of the weather Doug was not able to get home (due to flooding on the highways) until almost 10 p.m. on Saturday night. However, when he did return he was SO excited to see his brother, Blake, and sister, Kelly.
Thank you again for driving up and hanging with us, Blake & Kelly!!!!! Above are just a few pictures from our visit with them. (Thank you Blake, Kelly and Doug for allowing me to take so many photos--I can't help it!) --LOL :)

Until Next Week... We are having Steve, Valerie, baby Liam, Jill, Fred & baby Sam stay with us...can't wait!! :)
Kate

Amigos! :)

May 31st, 2008

So.............did anyone else get "Carried Away" at the Sex and the City Premiere this weekend??? If you are into the show and saw the movie, I would definitely say it was truly "fabulous" :). And, if you are in the midwest, what a BEAUTIFUL weekend, right???? The weather was GORGEOUS!

We did see many of our dear friends this weekend. I had a long visit with Carolyn (C-Pal) who just returned from 4 months in Italy. Carolyn returned to the States fluent in Italian, with amazing experiences under her belt and she looks even more beautiful (which is hard to imagine!). And, since Doug has class all day Saturday, his old good friend Binu took off Monday from work and it still here visiting, which we love.... :) Thanks, Binu! So, here are just a few pictures.....Hope you enjoy this week!

Carolyn & I hanging out at her apartment :)

Woo! This is the first time (almost) that Doug mowed our lawn of our new house....Doesn't he look handsome?! :)

Doug & Binu hanging out after Doug & I returned from Chicago. We were tired, but had a great time. Happy Birthday Binu!

~Kate