Birthday Party for the Kiddos!

This weekend my sister Erica and her husband, Daniel,  threw a birthday party at her home for their daughter (our niece), Jenna, who just turned 3 years old (although she kept telling me she was 5--lol!) and our nephew, Tryistan, who is now a whopping 9 years old!  I was there all day hanging out with family and Doug joined us for a few minutes at the end of the party after his Northwestern classes ended  which was sooo nice (poor guy--he misses all the parties on Saturdays & the yummy cake!!).  Special thanks to my sister, Erica, who purposely had the party start later in the afternoon so that Doug could join us at least for a little bit! :)   Here are just a few of my favorite pictures...ENJOY! 

Hugs, 

Kate & Baby

Our nieces, Jenna & Alyse looking lovely:)

Our nephew, Liam, chowing down on some Strawberries

My Dad with Jenna & Alyse. :)

This picture cracks me up! The girls were giving me 'half-smiles', so I told them that whomever smiled the BIGGEST would get the most birthday cake.  Apparently, Alyse took me very seriously--HA!! LOL!

Tryistan blowing out his "9" birthday candle! Happy Birthday, Tryistan!

The Ladies :)

Here's a picture of ALL of us (we were actually all present yesterday night) at our monthly Book Club (a.k.a. Social Club--LOL) at Kelly's home (we meet at a different home each month). These ladies have really become community in my life here in Madison...weekly dinners, random get-togethers, book club, etc. and I am grateful for you all.  Thank you!    

ROCKSTAR Brandson Grissom

A good friend of ours, Brandon Grissom, recently wrote a blog about WOLVERINE and Doug that I just saw tonight. Thanks, Brandon! Doug loves it. Brandon is a great musician and is also on staff at Willow Creek Community Church, where Doug and I attended while in the Chicago area. Check out his blog, his music and this post :)

Brandon Grissom

Special Thanks!

A HUGE thank you and lots of love to my Mom & Step-Dad, John (a.k.a. Landscaper Extraordinaire! He has a serious green thumb!), who visited and stayed with us this weekend and spent the ENTIRE Saturday landscaping our front and backyard, which now looks immaculate and gorgeous -just in time for spring/summer. They love and adore Doug and know he is a man with a CRAZY schedule right now and truly enjoy helping us (including the tired pregnant daughter-LOL) with house stuff, and we are so appreciative. My Mom and John have said that they "want Doug to come home on Saturday (after class) and know that there is one less thing on his plate, so he can relax." Seriously, aren't they amazing? We have ALWAYS known and felt so much support from them in innumerable ways. And, we simply LOVE and enjoy spending time with both of them (always lots of laughs). Thank you both again!! We had a fantastic time this weekend and have received many compliments from the neighbors, John! :)

Love,
Doug, Katie & Baby Smith

Mom, Doug, & John alongside a very small part of our frontyard where baby lilac bushes promise to grow tall and wide. :)

Thoughtful Thursday-Wisdom from Margaret Thatcher...

"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't. "

~Margaret Thatcher 

 

Amen. 

Happy Almost Thursday!

Kate 

 

Easter Weekend Pictures!

Happy Easter! We had a great weekend with family celebrating the holiday.  Hope you did too! 

HE IS NOT HERE.  HE IS RISEN!. 

Here are a few pictures from the weekend! 

ENJOY!

~Kate

My Mom (Grandma) and her twin Granddaughter, Alyse, enjoying the pool on Good Friday :)

Grandma & Grandpa John with Alyse & Tryistan...having fun!

My niece, Jenna, at our Easter celebration at my Dad & Julie's Chicago home yesterday (Easter Sunday).

My brother-in-law, Steve, and nephew, Liam, posing for a picture at the party Easter Sunday.  Such a cute "Daddy & Son" picture. :)

My Dad (Grandpa) & Jenna celebrating his 59th birthday!!! Happy Birthday!

After a While...

When I was much younger (early teen years), I had this poem framed on my wall (typed and framed it myself).  I loved it then, and I still love it now.  There are a lot of truths and lessons in these words....things to remember is the good times and bad and in our young years and older years. 

Afterall, in all of our lives, 

" 'Once upon a time...' is happening right now."  :)

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

~Kate

After A While

Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn

the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

and you learn

that love doesn't mean leaning

and company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn

that kisses aren't contracts

and presents aren't promises

and you begin to accept your defeats

with your head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child

and you learn

to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is

too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way of falling down

in mid-flight.

After a while you learn

that even sunshine burns

if you get too much

so you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone

to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

you really are strong

you really do have worth

and you learn

and you learn

with every goodbye, you learn...

WOLVERINE VIDEO!

GO WOLVERINE!

The game releases very soon--this May!!!- and here is just one of the videos of Doug and others talking about it onGameTrailers.com (a site which is visited by millions) :) The game looks AWESOME!
Thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy!
~Kate

Coming Soon!

Thought we would share this picture with you tonight! :) Doug and I are staying at my Mom & John's for the night and this was a new addition to their 'Mantle of Pictures', which displays all of their grandchildren. Doug and I both laughed hysterically when we walked in...LOL. Thanks Mom & John!

It is amazing to think that in just months....this picture frame will be filled with a photo of our little one--we can't wait! :) And, we are grateful for the love, support and fabulous humor of Grandparents :)

Happy Friday!

Doug & Kate

FLY :)

  I saw this on ETSY today designed by "The Love Shop" and it made me SMILE .  Hope it does the same for you!

It's an  8 x 10 ...that, I think,  would look even more delightful framed ;0) . 

Hope you are enjoying your week!

~Kate