Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween. It is one of our favorite holidays. And now that it is almost over I am psyched for Christmas! I know I am jumping ahead a little, but I can't wait.



Kate was a Lady Bug for Halloween!






A couple of Sunday's ago Kate and I made some pumpkin cookies. I always remember as a child getting to lick off the cookie dough after it was mixed. It always tasted better this way. I let Kate have her first go at it and she really liked it. Her dad just rolled his eyes at all the mess. We had fun though!

What's New?!

Drum Roll......................Kate's Walking!



The other day Chris and I were in our bedroom talking while Kate was in our living room playing. All the sudden we look out the door and Kate is walking into our bedroom. We just sat there in pure shock. Since then she hasn't looked back. She finally figure out that she can get around with those two legs and is loving it. She falls all the time but still keeps getting back up. I don't know about the rest of you but this has been one of the hardest things to watch her do. I hate watching her fall time after time. I really have to hold myself back from not picking her up every time she falls. I think it is reflect of what is to come in the future. Just watching your kids make mistakes or get hurt and not being able to help it and knowing that this is what they have to do to grow. Ahhh! Parenthood!

I just love this picture. She is staring so intently

Thanks for the Birthday presents. We thought we would post a couple of pics to so you could see that Kate is really enjoying what she got. These are Kate's Babies that she got from Aunt Melynda and Aunt Jay, and Diana. She really likes them. She even tries to feed them with their bottle. Thanks for the sweet presents. She got really spoiled for he Birthday from everyone.

This is the couch Kate got from Grandma Smith. She loves it. We weren't sure if she would take to it, but she like having her own special place to sit.

The other day I was getting ready so I put in a show for Kate to watch while I did. I set her on her couch and gave her a drink. I came out to check on her and this is how I found her. I couldn't resist this moment, so I snapped a couple pictures. She really does love this couch. She reminds me of her dad. I figure that is where she learned it from. Doesn't she look comfy?

The Rest of Our New York Trip

Chris was up in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Kate and I went up to join him over her birthday. This is about the rest of our trip. And just as a warning it will be like going to history class. I can't resist. I feel like I have to share with everyone who hasn't yet gotten to see all this neat things. Sorry! Chris wants me to add that because of him the Croatian President returned home safely.

The last day Kate and I ventured down to Lower Manhattan. We braved the subway and made it there in once piece. We didn't even get lost. This is a fun park we found right in the middle of town.

These two pics are of the oldest church in New York city. George Washington used to go to church here when the Nations capitol was in New York City. They still have the pew that he sat in every week here.

This is also the church that was one of the main refuge after the 9/11 attacks. Workers came here to get supplies, food, and have someone to talk to about their experiences. This also worked as a make shift memorial at the time for those that were missing and gone.

Right when I turned the corner of the church I could tell where the towers used to stand because there was empty sky. There are a bunch of tall buildings and then nothing.

This is there plans for where one tower stood. They are going to make it into a memorial area for people to go to.

On the other spot they are building a new tower. It will be as tall as the other two towers.

These are all the names of those who were lost on that day here. It reminded me of the Vietnam Wall Memorial. It just keeps going.

Looking down into the area.

I think this is Ellis Island.

An old fort that used to be New York City defense.

This was one of my favorite things to see. We just stumbled upon it but it was very neat to get to look at.

Baby Kate was so tuckered out after a long day. We couldn't even wake her up to change her clothes. She was a trooper through it all.

I'm It!

Melanie tagged me and now I need to think of 8 things about me:


#1 I really do like MOLDY OLDIES! I give my husband such a hard time about them, but SOME of them are actually okay. Sorry Hun!


#2 I actually miss working at Kiddie Kandids. I used to do children's photography and it was probably the toughest job I've done. It is very intimidating to step into a room and try to get a kid, baby or a whole family to smile all at the same time. Meanwhile trying to make a mother with incredibly high expectations happy. It was so much fun thought to work with the kids and when you took the perfect picture it was wonderful. A picture really does say a 1000 words and then some.


#3 I really enjoy reading the Twilight series. Much to my embarrassment I read all three books in 4 1/2 days. My friends were shocked. I really do enjoy a good, clean, love story, with a twist!


#4 I was a twin. This is something most people don't know and usually feel bad about. However, it is something that is very neat to me. Because my twin passed before we were born I'm not quite sure how it all works out in the great scheme of things but do have a very special connection with my younger brother because of it.


#5 I used to despise chocolate and since being pregnant I can't get enough. Chris and I went to get a banana split at Brewsters (a rare treat) and when we were at the very end of our sundae he got up and threw it away while I was taking care of Kate. I was so mad and asked him why he did that and he said that all that was left was the melted ice cream and chocolate. I told him my favorite part of the sundae was to scrap the hot fudge off the bottom of the cup. He looked at me strange and told me that was gross. Of course I totally disagree.


#6 Only my sister Jay would know this but I used to listen to rap music. A lot! When I was in Junior High I really liked it. Luckily I gained some taste with the help of my sisters, Chelsie O. (I mean T. ), and a couple of good Kenny Chesney concerts I haven't turned back since.


#7 Me and my husband both have crushes on Matt Damon. We both think he is a really cool guy. He seems like one of those guys if you met in really life he would be really fun to be around. Plus he is good looking! But that is me not Chris.


#8 I have always had a thing for red heads. My first crush was a red head. Brandon Syme was my first crush when I was about 4 or 5. We were childhood friends. Since him I have been hooked on red hair. That was first thing I noticed about Chris. I saw his gorgeous hair and was in awe of him. The next thing I noticed was his amazing smile. I was smitten. Love at first sight really does happen!


K- Now I tag Diana, Heather, Jayanne, Jaesi, Chrissy, and Jill. Write 8 things that are interesting/weird about you that most people wouldn't know. It actually is fun once you get going. If you get stuck a good source to go to is your hubby. I was by how observant he is. Good Luck!

Happy Birthday Baby Kate!

Kate is 1!

Kate turned 1 on September 25th. Yes I am behind. We went to New York over her birthday. We had so much fun there. Chris and I both joked about how many 1 year old get to go to New York for their 1st birthday. It took both of us 20 plus years to get to go. Lucky girl!


While Chris worked we went to the Today Show in the morning. This is a blur of Al Rocquer. (I don't know how to spell it.) We had a blast. We got to be on the dancing segment. We were on t.v. every now and then. They gave Kate a morocco to shake during it. Then at the very end Ann Curry came over and gave Kate a kiss and talked to us. It was great. Very memorable at least for me.

Here's the Birthday girl!

This is one of the dancers. She had the coolest shoes. I just wanted to remember then. Ya!
She actually danced in these. Amazing!

After the Today show we went to the park on 5th Ave.

When Chris was off work went out to eat. We took Kate to T.G.I. Friday's.

The waitress was so sweet. She brought Kate out some cheese cake with a candle on top and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She loved the cheese cake. Just like her mom!

We went to Time Square afterward to walk around.

After that we went and met up with "uncle" A.J. These two have a lot in common.

This is Chris' friend from work. He wanted to tell Kate happy birthday.

We decorated our hotel room for the special day!

When we got home we opened some presents. This was from Grandma and Grandpa West. Kate loves it.

Kate favorite word is "puppy". So her dad felt the need to buy her an over sized one for her birthday.

And when I don't know about it he will put it in her crib for her to sleep with. Needless to say it takes up most of the crib.

Thanks everyone for all the cards and presents. We had such a fun day with her. The only thing missing was all of you. We love and miss all of you!