Grandparents are here!

New visitor

It's a Beautiful Day!

Even though the temperature was 85 degrees today, Daddy & I thought it would be funny to wear our winter coats. At this point in the day it wasn't that hot yet, but Mommy still thought we were crazy.
Well, greetings & salutations! Here I am in Historic Brattonsville, South Carolina. It was a fun day where we got to see how people lived during the Revolutionary War. Apparently, they had a lot of signs on their walls. (Mommy wants me to mention that this is where some of the Patriot was filmed.) This was one of my favorite parts - the petting zoo! I didn't pet the duck. Mommy was afraid that I might get my hands bitten.
Here you can see me sitting with two new bovine friends. My face looks a little funny because they smelled a little. But, I thought it would be rude to just crawl away.

Daddy, who used to work at a nursery, was teaching me to appreciate shrubbery. These bushes look great for being 200 years old!

A New Love

Today I found a new love - TOMATO! Recently, I also discovered grapefruit. I love that, too. There are so many foods to discover - I can't wait.Here I am with Daddy. I think he wants me to share my tomato. Sorry, Daddy. Ask Mommy to find you another one - this one is all mine!

Luck O' The Irish

Ok... So I told Mommy, I'm not Irish. I'm Dutch. When are we going to have a Dutch holiday where we get to wear orange?? I know I'm just little, but I am confused by these things.
Mommy says maybe we can have our own Holland day some time. But, for now just smile for Daddy while he takes your picture and wear your green!

More Pictures from the Christine & Phil Visit

Daddy & Mommy got a big kick out of these bottles.
Here we all are eating cheese & crackers.
Poor Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Christine, & Uncle Phil. When I got to go to Joy & Elisa's house to play, they had to go to a basketball game. Daddy had a fun time playing with the camera. By the way - the Bobcats did win!!
Here is Mommy, Aunt Christine, & Uncle Phil in downtown Charlotte. I just can't figure out why I am hardly in this picture.
Although, I guess one shouldn't complain. I didn't even make this picture at all. But, here is everyone else enjoying some Quizno's for lunch downtown on the Green.

One last beach pic & more

Here is our last picture from the beach. It took a little while to put up because we've been so busy with Aunt Christine & Uncle Phil. We stopped at a little store on the way home and saw these little Laaf people. Mommy said we just had to get a picture to show our Dutch relatives.
Mommy said that I better get a good nap in before Aunt Christine & Uncle Phil got here. We had a lot to do when they visited.
Like this for example... As you can see I am on top of the world (or at least Gaston county). Mommy is afraid that this picture might make Grandma a little nervous.
But, don't worry Grandma. You can see here I didn't climb the mountain by myself. Here we all are (except Daddy who is taking the picture) at the top of Crowder's Mountain. It was a great hike for me, but everyone else seemed so tired at the top.
This is a store I can return to! While everyone else shopped at the Junior League consignment shop, I got to play! Daddy watched me & took some pictures. No, I am not in a cage. Daddy is being artistic and shooting through a toy bin.

Christine & Phil

Visitors

Day 2 at the Beach

Here we are out on the beach - only about 5 minutes out there today. It was chilly!
The walk from our hotel to the beach. Yes, only about 10 paces! I could probably crawl it in mere minutes if Daddy or Mommy would let me loose outside.
Today, I discovered I love to watch fish swim in aquariums. They are so pretty!
The fish even made me laugh a little. Well, that and Daddy with the camera.
Here's something that made me cry - a real live pirate! I had seen a fake one inside the restaurant & I didn't like him any better. I also discovered I hate elevators. They scare me.

Myrtle Beach Vacation

Here you can see me & Daddy enjoying the beach view. Well, Daddy's looking at the view, I'm just goofing off for the camera.
Our hotel has a very cool lazy river pool. Here you see me hamming it up for the camera again - while floating away.

Now this is what I call a dairy product! Exciting! Mommy & I are going to dive into this ice cream sundae from Friendly's. Mommy says that when she was a little girl she used to go to Friendly's with her grandparents. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Saturday Games with Dad

Daddy watched me this morning when Mommy went to take a shower. Here you can see me sharing my bunny toy with him.
Ok, Daddy. Enough playing with toys. Now, I want to play with you!
One of my favorite toys to play with is the swinging door from the kitchen to the living room. Mommy used to shut it to keep me out of the kitchen, but I can overcome obstacles - even swinging doors! So, now I like to go back and forth.
Ready or not, Daddy...
HERE I COME!!!

Walking in the Neighborhood

February might not be known for beautiful days, but today was so lovely that Mommy & I decided to go for a little walk.Well, of course, first I need some food for fuel.
Hello! Here I am! Aren't I gorgeous??
Now, a break to hydrate. Mommy thought that Grandma would get a kick out of my Holly Hobbie hat. Mommy was also a little offended by my earlier comment, and wants me to add that February 15th is ALWAYS a beautiful day.

Downtown Belmont

Today , Mommy and I went for a walk in downtown Belmont. Mommy saw a fun present for my new cousin who will be born in the next couple of weeks. But, she says that it is more a present for a boy than a girl, so we'll have to wait to see what my new cousin is. I told Mommy she needs to get with the times. Girls can do anything that boys can do.

Peeking Out at the World

It seems like every time something interesting happens, I end up in my play pen. If only I were a few inches taller, I could see what Mommy was up to.
Here you can see me looking out at Mommy. (Turns out she was only vacuuming - not so interesting.) As you can see, my "gash" on my forehead is healing nicely. For any who are wondering, I bumped my head on Daddy & Mommy's bed. It sure did bleed a lot. But, I think Mommy cried more than me. I'm not sure why. She wasn't bleeding at all.

Gash

Injured kate

Dinner With Kate

I've learned that when I feed myself it always takes a lot of concentration. Otherwise, how would I be able to pick up those little Cheerios??
Well, now I am ready for a few bites. I like to take a few Cheerios in each hand, so I can relax my brain a little during the meal. The only thing is sometimes it makes Daddy a little nervous when I put too much in my mouth at once.
What? I know this looks like a lot of time that I spend eating, but this is where I get my energy to explore. Just today I climbed up stairs for the first time! That made Daddy nervous, too.

Alright. That's all for me folks. See you next blog!!

And, just like that off she goes. Too fast for the camera to capture.

Wicker Wonder

Today I was delivering a soliloquy to Mom as she was on the computer. I had a whole lot to say. Mommy must have thought it was all pretty important because she stopped typing and started taking pictures. It's a pity the camera didn't catch my audio. On a separate note, don't you all think I look ghetto-fabulous??

Our Celebrity Twins (Kind of)

I just did a check on myheritage.com to see who I looked the most like, and it said I had a 74% match with Dakota Fanning and 59% like Clay Aiken. Daddy looks 73% like Hugh Jackman, 73% like Helen Hunt, 66% like Sinead O'Connor, 66% like Aston Kutcher, 64% like Leonardo DiCaprio, and 63% like Dakota Fanning. (Everyone does say how much I look like Daddy.) Mommy looks 66% like Sarah Jessica Parker (who Daddy HATES), 61% like Katie Couric (who Mommy HATES), 61% like Fabio, and 61% like Lisa Ling. When Grandma did this, it said that she looked like Obama! I'm not so sure about any of these, but I do think it's funny.

News Junkies

Mommy & I like to keep up to date on all the latest news via the internet. Daddy listens to NPR on the drive home so that we can all discuss current events. Here you see me crawling to the kitchen to check what's new on the Drudge Report. Recently, we saw a few people had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Al Gore? Give me a break! Rush Limbaugh? I don't think so. Mommy & I like Sean Hannity better than Rush, but I don't know why either of them would qualify for a Nobel.
Anyway, although I don't like to brag, Mommy has said that if there were ever a Nobel Happiness Prize, I'd be a shoe-in. Thanks Mom!

Good Books, Good Friends

Here I am with my friend Joy. She came with her sister Elisa to visit today. I'm showing her some points of interest in my book . Joy's about a year older than me, and she is SO smart! She can even talk. All I say is "Dada" and "Mama."
Joy, I'm sorry that I only have one bow to chew on. It's my favorite thing to do while I read. Hmmm, such a bad reaction. Maybe not everyone likes to munch on Chistmas bows. Maybe I should reconsider...