Ballet practice

We are nearing Katie's third recital in her ballet career of the last year. We've discovered that she's not fond of the large, bright stage but prefers the small stage within her weekly practices. Here's a video of Katie dancing her little heart away during her ballet practice on 12/8/08. Katie's the one in the purple leotard with the pink tights. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving in Seattle, what a treat!

Doug, Katie and I were graciously treated to a trip to Seattle for the Thanksgiving holiday by my brother, Greg and his family. How exciting it was for the 2 little cousins to meet eachother!

Here's everyone the day we attended a Nutcracker production performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at the Seattle Center.

Here's Doug, Katie and I at the top of the Space Needle, just in time for a beautiful and picturesque dusk.

The siblings; Older brother (by a year) Greg and younger sister Heather. It's been over 10 years since we had our picture taken together.

Katie Hope playing on the swings at the park by Uncle Greg, Aunt Fawn and Cousin Austin's house.

Cousin Austin pushing Katie on the swings.

Then...Katie took a turn to push Austin on the swings.

Both of the little cousins playing on the jungle gym. They got along famously!

Thank you Greg and Fawn! What a joy it was spending the holiday with you.

Halloween 2008

Here's Katie's Halloween daycare picture. Thanks, Sarah! Katie is the cheerleader showing-off out in front of everyone. Katie received the cheerleader costume a year ago from Grandma Joyce but it was too big to wear it that year, so we saved it for this year. Katie also received the gracious gift of authentic pom-poms from her favorite babysitter, Cayla. Thanks, Cayla!

Family Camp at Three Rivers Resort, Almont, Colorado July 2008

One last pottying-on-vacation picture in our cabin. This bathroom was very cozy!


Katie and the Western State College mountain man carving at Jorgenson Park, Gunnison, Co.

Katie playing on the slide at Jorgenson Park in Gunnison, Co. "Look! No hands!"

Katie and Momma at the Western State College tennis courts. We took some time one day to go into town and visit the Steaming Bean coffee shop while waiting out the rainstorms. Once the storms passed many of us from Family Camp enjoyed playing tennis.

We shared a cabin on the banks of the Taylor River with Katie's friend from church, Makayla, and her family. Here's the two girls who became close friends during our trip.

Katie and the 'big rock' she found at Taylor Reservoir while visiting there with Doug.

Katie's first fishing experience in the Taylor River. She quickly became good at casting!

Katie and Momma dipping our feet in the Taylor River at Three Rivers Resort. Katie's first comment was "Momma, it's cold!" I then taught her to say "Snow 'run-off' "

As we were driving to Family Camp Katie decided she needed to go potty 'really good' and couldn't wait 10 minutes for us to reach Gunsmoke Truckstop in Buena Vista, Co. So, we stopped alongside Hwy 285 for a potty stop. As Katie had recently decided to use her potty chair full-time, it came with us to Family Camp. We were so proud of Katie that she was able to pee-pee with cars, motorcycles and RV's speeding by just on the other side of our Honda.

Katie and Daddy being silly

One evening I was in the kitchen making part of our dinner while Doug and Katie were outside grilling the other part. I heard my name and looked up to see this sight above the kitchen sink. We've now nicknamed this as 'Piggy Faces'.

Just having fun...

Silly Katie faces! My Grandma always called this my 'Granny' face, I'm proud that Katie continues this tradition.



Katie and her cousin, Brayden, just hanging out at Grandpa Jim's and Grandma Joyce's house.

Katie at the Rockie's Game

Grandma Linda (Wiltsie) came for a visit in June so we went to a Rockies Game. Here's Katie standing proudly up as close as she could get. We were later 'shooed' away by a Rockies usher from this prime spot as our seats were further back.

Katie's birthday, continued...

Katie was excited when her birthday celebration was continued the week after her party. She received a birthday package and immediately fell in love with her new baby doll and named it 'Baby Macy' (in honor of our Pastor's granddaughter who was visiting at that time.)

Among the many gifts she received, Katie also loved her 'Princess' sweatshirt. This has been a 'Princess' themed summer when she moved from the Princess Pull-ups into Princess Big Girl panties.

Katie's 3rd birthday!

Katie's cousin, Brayden, was able to stay for a sleepover the night of her party. Here are the kids making 'silly faces'.

Katie blowing out the candles on her "Smartie's" cake. Remember the cute little candy packages of 'Smarties'? That was the theme she wanted for her celebration this year, a Smartie's Party!

Katie in her 'new to her' playhouse!

An unexpected gift that friends of ours from church found at a garage sale the weekend prior to Katie's party and delivered to our house. We were SO blessed that they thought of Katie as she's wanted a playhouse (she's admired the playhouse in our neighbor's yard next door for about a year). We're grateful that our friends made this an affordable option for her birthday this year. Katie now loves to eat every real meal and cook us pretend meals in her playhouse!

Daddy Doug and Katie just hangin' out

Here's an updated version of a picture we remembered from Katie's infant days.

In the original picture Katie, a few weeks old, is laying on Doug's chest in a 'frog' pose.

Katie and her friend, Noah, at Lakeside Amusement Park.

Katie and her friend, Noah, at Lakeside Amusement Park. For those who know of it...Yes, it's still there!

Katie worn out after a long day playing outside. What rosy cheeks!

We attended 2 events this summer where the kids were able to get their faces painted and Katie joined in. We are thankful for Legacy Christian Fellowship's Visitor Sunday in the Park and Forerunner Corporation's Summer Picnic!

Our Fun Summer with Katie Hope!

Here are some fun pictures of our busy summer! We hope you all enjoy seeing Katie.

Doug snapped a picture of Katie and I sleeping one morning in June. It had been a warm night so Katie wanted to sleep in her pull-up. No wonder I don't sleep well when she's in bed with us!

Potty Trained!

Hi everyone! I'm sorry to have taken a hiatus from Katie's blog over the summer. We were quite busy in a short amount of time. Please check back in soon, I plan to have pictures from our adventures posted. (pictures are always more fun than just text!)
Just some highlights:
*Katie did more swimming with Miss Kathy/Miss Cynthia at SwimOtters this summer and by August could dive, kick, float, backstroke ("chicken, airplane, rocket") all in succession to swim the length of the hotel pool! We would passively 'guide' her along so she wouldn't run off-course and into the pool wall.
*Katie went fishing for the first time in Almont, CO at Three Rivers Resort. She became very good at casting but the fish were eluding most of us at Family Camp. She also had her first outdoor pee-pee experience when we needed to pull over alongside Hwy 285 just north of Buena Vista for a quick potty stop. We were a mere 10 minutes from the Gunsmoke truckstop restroom but this couldn't wait! We were so proud that she could pee with trucks, cars and motorcycles whizzing by us on the highway.
*She turned 3!!! I get teary just thinking how quickly those three years have gone and what an amazing little girl she is. Most often, Katie is much smarter than we give her credit for.
****Last but best, she is officially potty trained! Katie has slept the last 2 nights with her 'big girl panties' on and been dry until morning. She's given up on wearing pull-ups at night as she's been doing since June. Does anyone need 15 new pull-ups? ;o)

Keep checking for the pictures I'll have posted soon!

Katie's first library card

Yesterday Katie received her very own library card! To celebrate she had her picture taken with the children's section mascot who was, ironically, dressed as a ladybug to celebrate their summer reading program. Katie-bug had a fun time at the library!

Playing in the garden

Last weekend we were preparing the garden to plant some seeds. Initially, Katie didn't want to get dirty but after she saw how dirty Momma and Daddy were getting 'playing' in the dirt she soon joined in. Katie discovered the joy of Daddy covering her feet up with dirt! After having lunch Katie got a bath since she was covered head to toe in dirt.

Katie's spring dance recital

Katie had her second ballet recital. Although she cried at first, Katie decided to join her friends towards the end of the dance by completing a single Grande Plie then all the girls layed on the floor. We were proud that Katie performed more this time than at her recital in December. The stage for the recitals is larger, louder and brighter than where she normally has class.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day Doug took a picture of Katie and I sitting in the front garden while our tulips were in bloom.

Katie even wore her own pearls (costume), just like Mom that day.

A special picture for many years to come.

MS Walkathon at City Park

Katie, Doug and I participated in the MS Walkathon at Denver City Park. A beautiful day to raise some funds for a good cause. Yay, we finished! (we're standing under the 'SH' of the sign)