Merry Christmas

Panda Love

Meet Kate's new friend, Panda Bear. My mom and dad surprised her with this panda and a correlating story book a few weeks ago, and since his arrival Panda has not left Kate's side. She sleeps with him, she feeds him at meals times, she takes him on car rides, etc. I think my parents hit the nail on the head with this gift! Thanks!

Blizzard of 2009

Well the snow started to fall about 9:30 on Friday night. And as we went to bed last night around 11:00 p.m. the snow was finally abating. The grand total at our house was 22 inches! It's been more than 10 years since I can remember having a snowfall of this magnitude! It is so beautiful to watch falling, and today's bright blue sky makes the snowy wonderland look magical!



We had such a wonderful day as a family! Josh did not work. And at about 10 a.m. Saturday morning (with only 4 or 5 inches on the ground) dear friends Paul, Peggy, and Zachary came over so we all could hunker down for the day and enjoy the storm together! Kate wanted to go out in the snow all day long. When we finally went out she wouldn't really cooperate for pictures. Zachary was more photogenic.




Zachary waiting for his ride in the "sled". Kate wasn't too keen on climbing in. She just wanted to pull Zachary through the snow!

Peggy playing with Zachary - while Zachary contemplates why we are outside in this very cold weather.

Shayla loved running around in the snow too. However, it was a little deep for her. She had a hard time finding her way in the backyard to go to the bathroom.

We spent a good part of the day indoors as can be expected. Paul and Peggy (fellow foodies) came over and started cooking within the hour! We had Peggy's chili for lunch with homemade corn bread from Paul. Paul made fresh bread that we later enjoyed at dinner on panini sandwiches with butternut squash soup that I made (care of Peggy's recipe). Our neighbor Jonathan tromped over for dinner and a movie too. We pretty much ate our way through the blizzard. Oh, and I should mention the Bavarian Hot Chocolate we had while playing a game of Apples to Apples while the kiddos napped (at the same time even!). and yes, Josh willingly played a game - and I think he kind of enjoyed it too!

Paul making his yummy honey oat bread!

Peggy prepping her delicious chili!

Baby Zachary - always happy and content!

Josh pulled out his violin and mandolin for some music. Kate and Zachary enjoyed listening to him play. Kate tried to join in too! Paul pulled out his guitar and they jammed for a little while. It was really nice to hear Josh playing again. It's been awhile.

Both the kids slept through the night, and we all awoke and had a yummy breakfast together before Paul and Peggy ventured home. Wish they could have stayed longer! It was such a fun day. Thanks, Lord for sending so much snow and making so many people happy!

Just Chilling in the Backseat

I love this photo! I just had to share it with you. Kate and I were driving around today, and she wanted her sunglasses. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find her sunglasses since our trip to the Outer Banks in October. So I let her use mine for the duration of the ride. I had to snap a picture. It's moments like these that turn a rough morning around.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those friends and family members that are far way in distance but close in our thoughts and heart!

We had a wonderful, low-key day (until Kate started to feel sick). We started the day with a big, special breakfast with Mommy and Daddy! Then we all cuddled on the coach (Shayla too) to watch the Macy's Day Parade and see Santa. After a nap (for all of us), we headed off to Papa and Gigi's house for the "feast". Kate has been eagerly anticipating the feast for weeks, declaring that she will eat cornbread and cranberries. She lived up to her word and ate cornbread and that's about it.

Shaun, Deb, Brenden and Collin were there. Sadly Brian and Jecholia were visiting other family in Virginia. Grammy, Nana Linda, a dear friend, Sally, were also present. And traveling all the way from Massachusetts were the special guests: Aunt Jackie, Uncle Tim and cousins Melissa and Matt. It was a great group to spend time with and reflect on the blessings of family.

Sadly we were the first to leave as Kate seemed a bit off. Little did we know that the next day she would entire a four day battle with a cough, runny nose and fever. Poor baby. Here are a few shots of the three musketeers before Kate took ill.

A Big Day For Us...

Today we had our 20 week sonogram! Even though this is baby number two for us, it is still so amazing to see the details that technology is able to deliver. I must admit I teared up watching the heart beat and seeing all five fingers on a open hand. Amazing. God truly does knit us together in our mother's wombs.

I had this grand idea of keeping the sex of the baby a secret until Thanksgiving when I could do a big family reveal. However, I was so excited today. And it's no fun to have such wonderful, exciting news and not be able to share it with people who are equally as excited as you. So I broke down after not even 24 hours and spilled the beans. So for all the world to know...we are excited to announce that we are having a baby BOY! Kate is now telling people she's having a baby brother. I'm glad she can know; it makes it more real, I think, to talk about a brother rather than just a baby.

Already the kids are different. When we had Kate's sonogram, she tossed and turned and rolled and moved the entire time. The sonogram technician had a lot of trouble getting good shots because Kate kept moving. And to this day Kate still moves non-stop. Just tonight I had to chase her around the room and wrestle her to the ground to put on her jacket. Yet, this little fella stayed pretty still the whole time moving ever so slightly here and there. He was calm and content. I am hoping he'll be my mellow one- compared to Kate that is. Can't wait to meet the little guy. 20 more weeks to go -- 20 more weeks to deliberate over boy names. April 6th (or there abouts) will come faster than we can imagine!

Fall Fun and Family

Beautiful Fall Day with Family

Morning Fun Building Tents

Papa Gallagher's Birthday!

Latest in Katonese

Kate lined up two of her dolls on her rocking chair. "Listen up, girls, I am going to tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a girl named Jack. How'd you like that story girls? Let's go meet Jack." And she grabbed her dolls and went to a toy chest. Not sure who Jack is though?

Walking through Whole Foods dairy section on Friday, Kate sniffs the air. "Mommy, I smell cheese. It smells like poopy diapers!"

All day long today Kate has been calling me "Mommy Dinosaur". I want milk Mommy Dinosaur. Mommy Dinosaur, baby dinosaur wants a snack. Etc.

Trunk or Treat '09

Last Weekend our church hosted it's annual Trunk or Treat event. The kids get dressed in their costumes and roam from decorated car trunk to decorated car trunk collecting candies and goodies. This year Kate was a pirate. She and her cousin, Brenden, have been playing pirates most of the summer-so it was an easy theme to continue. Unfortunately Kate wasn't feeling 100% that day (hence the lack of smiles), but it was still a fun day.

Kate and her daddy!

The three cousins in all their glory!

Kate's excitement upon seeing Brenden at the church!

Lighthouses and ...

We ventured out to Bodie Island Lighthouse on Friday. It was pretty overcast as you can tell by the photos. It was still nice to go though. Kate really like the light house. She keeps asking to see light houses. We were going to make the hike down to the Cape Hatteras light house, but it was closed for the season. So we'll do next year, maybe. :) Shawna and Bri climbed the Currituck lighthouse in Corolla later that afternoon. It was very windy and rainy, but they were glad to make it to the top!

A family photo: My preggo belly seemed to pop this week while we were away!

Kate was in a silly mood. She seems to be making lots of funny faces today! Here she is with her cousin Bri. Kate is really going to miss Gabriella when she leaves on Monday!

and Airplanes

Anyone who knows my husband, knows how much Josh loves airplanes. (He use to have his pilot's license.) Kate has her daddy's gene's because every since she saw her first plane, her love for them has grown too! It was a must to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial while we were in the Outer Banks.

There happened to be a kite festival on the grounds of the visitor's center. Kate was mesmerized by some of the larger kites.

Rainy Day Adventure

Kate woke up this morning ready for a new adventure. But where do you go when it's raining at the beach, other than touristy beach shops? Well, we went off to the aquarium today!!


Kate had never been to an aquarium before, and I was really excited to see her reactions to the fish and animals. We walked in and everything she saw evoked, "Wow, Mommy" or "Look, Daddy!" She really enjoyed the experience.

A few friendly creatures greeted us upon arrival at the aquarium.

There was a sting ray tank where the kids could reach in and touch the rays as they swam by. Much to our surprise, Kate, typically quite brave and adventurous, shyed away from the chance to touch a ray. She did reach in with much prompting, but I think God gives you an innate sense of danger: stay away from sharks and anything that has the word sting in it! She's no fool! She did touch a sea urchin though in the tidal pool.

Kate saw all kinds of fish, alligators, snakes, salamanders, eels, frogs, and sharks! There was a huge shark tank, and two divers were in cleaning the tank. One of the divers waved to Kate from the tank, but she was a little apprehensive about getting too close to the moving sharks.

Of course there were also turtles to been seen - a favorite of Kate's and Daddy's. The aquarium had a unique sea turtle rehab center, where they saved sick turtles and return them to wild when they are able. They also had a sea turtle tracking exhibit, that seemed pretty interesting. Here are Kate and Daddy with some fresh water turtles.

So at the end of the day, when we sit and talk to Kate about her time at the aquarium asking her what her favorite animal was that she saw today. Kate responds, "The persons waving!" Out of everything she saw, it was the diver in the shark tank that waved to her sticks in her memory.