From Coast to Coast

Spencer, Ella Ann, and I have had a lot of fun these last few days. Spencer went to San Francisco to present his research at a pulmonary convention on Saturday and took the red eye home last night. From what little information I gathered from him over the phone and this morning on the way home from the airport, he had a really good time, ate good food, went to Chinatown, saw the Golden Gate Bridge, did a few other touristy things with some friends, and ran into one of his old medical school friends from UK that was also out there for the convention.

While he was enjoying the beauty and fun in San Francisco, my Mom, Ella Ann, and I drove to Charleston to have a girls weekend. We were there from Saturday until Tuesday and squeezed everything in that we possibly could within those days. Since our hotel, which was beautiful by the way, was in the heart of the historic district of Charleston, we were able to walk everywhere, and walk we did! We did some heavy duty shopping on King's Street, ate shrimp, or I did, and other seafood until our hearts content every day, went to Market Street each morning for a cappuccino and some vendor street shopping, went on an amazing tour of historic Charleston, and did some more shopping!!! My Mom and I absolutely LOVED Charleston and we now want to either move there or go there tons of times each year for vacation; however, both of those options are not possible because it's so expensive! :) We had perfect weather each day and enjoyed being outside for all of it. Ella Ann did very, very well throughout the trip and slept fine in the room for naps and at night. She loved trying to push her stroller down the crowded sidewalks on King Street, playing in a park that was close to us, seeing a bazillion horses because of all the carriage tours throughout the city, playing with Mimi, playing in the pool, and sitting in her stroller while it was parked in the room! As soon as Ella Ann would wake up in the morning she would go straight to her stroller, get up in it, and say "go!" She loved getting out and about and seeing all the fun sights in Charleston. It was sad to leave such a fun vacation, but we hope we can do it again next year. Thanks, Mom, for all you did for Ella Ann and I!! We had SOOOO much fun and miss you already!!!!

Below are quite a few pictures from our trip. Gary and Gayla got Spencer and I a fantastic new camera for our birthdays and I got to take it to Charleston! I loved playing with all the "scenes" you can use to capture the best photo and I think I did a pretty good job! Thanks again for such a great gift for us! It is AWESOME! Ohhh and Spencer took a few pictures in San Fran, so if they are any good I will post them later!

This picture and the picture below are looking down both directions on King Street. These are just a few of the shops! I'm telling you, the street was endless!

Ella Ann loving the park we went to on the first day we were there!

Waiting outside Hyman's Seafood for dinner our first night.

Walking down the street with Mimi. Ella Ann only paused during her days for a nap! She was nonstop action all day everyday!

Ready to go at 7:15 a.m.!

She also loved to stand at the window with her bucket and watch the people at the pool one floor below us. The room itself was very entertaining to her!

In front of the Charleston Place Hotel.

Ella Ann enjoyed looking at all the flowers everywhere we went.

This is a picture from our tour. The bay, which was filled with all kinds of sailboats and yahts, was to our left and several historic homes on the right. The pictures I took on our tour and of Charleston in general didn't do it's beauty justice, so I didn't post too many.

This is of what is known as "Rainbow Row", which is a street filled with multi-colored homes from the 1700s.

Playing pattycake at the dinner table at A.W. Shucks.

Outside of A.W. Shucks on Market Street.

Ella Ann couldn't even stop for one picture with me while shopping on King's Street! If we got her out of the stroller we could NOT get her back in!

A quick picture before she took off down the sidewalk!

"HORSE!!! HORSE!!! HORSE!!!" was all that came out of Ella Ann's mouth when we would walk down the street! I finally got her out so she could pet "Big Al" one afternoon. I believe that to be the highlight of the trip for her!!!

Lounging in her new float in the pool. She was so serious the entire time in the pool, but she never wanted to get out!

Splashing on the edge of the pool.

Ella Ann and Mimi.

Playing peek-a-boo with me in the bathroom!

Having a grand time at Coast on our last night. It was my Mom and I's favorite place we ate at in Charleston.

Church bells were constantly ringing all day and in the early evening. Some had just rung so I was trying to get Ella Ann to say "ding dong". I think she got it!

We stopped in the park for a little while before we headed back to the hotel after our dinner at Coast so that Ella Ann could play there one last time. I LOVE this picture!

My Mom was chasing Ella Ann in this picture. She loved being attacked by the tickle monster!

I also love this picture of her and my Mom!!!!

I was trying to pull Ella Ann away from the baseball game some college students were playing because she wanted to go chase after the balls!

In the flowers, once again, outside of our hotel before we left Tuesday morning.

Happy Birthday Spencer!!

Today Spencer turns 28! He has had a vacation week this week so he gets to enjoy his day at home with us! I made him a big breakfast this morning and he took Ella Ann to the aquarium while I got some things done around the house before my Mom arrives this afternoon. Since she will be here tonight, she is going to keep Ella Ann while Spencer and I go out on a date for his birthday! It works out perfectly! I'm keeping dinner a suprise, so I hope he likes it!

Happy Birthday Spencer! Love, Katie and Ella Ann :)

Whirlwind Weekend

Spencer, Ella Ann, and I spent last Friday through this past Monday on the road and visiting every family member we could along the way. It was crazy, but fun! We spent the night at Craig's house in Tennessee Friday night and got to hang out with him and Kasey. Saturday morning, we got up early and Craig traveled with us to Kentucky to visit with Spencer's two grandmother's. We also got to see his Aunt Connie, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Vickie during our visit also! We had not seen them since Christmas, so you can imagine how happy they were to see Ella Ann and were surprised to see how much she has changed! More hair....yeay!!! Of course everyone still is in agreement, except for Gayla, that she is the spitting image of Spencer....I agree! That afternoon, Craig left with Ella Ann for western Kentucky to stay with Gary and Gayla and Spencer and I drove north to Elizabethtown to go to one of our good friend's, Joel's, wedding. The wedding was fun and we were thrilled to see some of our old friends from Kentucky that we hadn't seen since we left two years ago! Everyone was sad that they didn't get to meet Ella Ann...still... but Spencer and I couldn't have been any happier to be baby-free for an evening! We drove to his parents house after the reception and spent Mother's Day with our family. My parents drove over to their home to spend some time with Ella Ann that afternoon and we all got to enjoy some family time together. Carter and Ella Ann babysat one another and we didn't have to do to much to take care of them...especially with the grandparents around! They just loved seeing one another and both of them hugged and kissed each other often! It was SO cute! Seth had gotten bigger since we had seen him last and would just smile and coo at me...I loved it! :) On Monday morning we drove to see my parents once more to look at some cars on my dad's lot (long story as to why we have to get another car) and then we headed back to Georgia. Whew, what a trip it was!!!!

Here are some pictures from our travels. Sorry to everyone I missed getting a picture with, I figured I'd miss some people and I did.

Reading with Uncle Craig at Granny's house.

Ella Ann and Aunt Connie. She wasn't too interested in having her picture made with anyone pretty much all weekend...as you will see!

Reading, again, with Granny and Spencer.

Ella Ann and Nanny.

At Joel and Lauren's wedding. We spent a lot of the evening with Emily and Paul, since we hadn't seen them in quite some time either!

Spencer and our good friend, Barry.

From left to right: Barry's fiance, Elizabeth, Barry, Paul, Emily, Josh, Spencer, Me.

Carter and Ella Ann at Nana and Papa's house before church on Sunday.

In their loving embrace! awwwwww!!

Papa and Nana with all the grandchildren.

Playing outside with one of Spencer and Craig's old toys. Ella Ann loved the tool bench!

Relaxing outdoors! Note the sippy cup in the cupholder...hahahaaa!

A quick picture with my parents on Sunday afternoon.

Funny Girl

I had to post to let everyone know what a funny girl we have! We are always laughing at her about something, but this story takes the cake! Ella Ann is now starting to respond to our questions, usually with a "no" because she doesn't know how to say "yes" yet, but she pretty much understands what we ask her or tell her to do. I know what she says will get even funnier as she starts to get older, but this is her first "official" funny remark! Okay, last night I was putting Ella Ann to bed. We have the same routine that we do for naps and bedtime every single time, so she knows what's going on and what to expect. We first read several books, or sometimes one book over and over and over, then we sing, and lastly we pray. After we say our prayer, we will end it as "in Christ's name", obviously followed by "Amen". She knows how to say "Amen", but last night after I said "in Christ's name", Ella Ann didn't respond with an "Amen" right away so I asked her, "What do you say?". Ella Ann looked up at me and said, "Please???". I think God will appreciate her manners!

Super Busy Cinco de Mayo

Unfortunately Spencer and I didn't get to celebrate Cinco de Mayo OR the Derby, but we did have a busy Saturday! Surprisingly, there was a lot of Derby coverage for being in Georgia but nothing like it is in Kentucky, which is actually something we miss! The Kentucky Derby is a huge deal for all Kentuckians and we really miss going to Derby parties, watching the Derby, or even going to the Derby! We forgot to record it while we were gone this evening, so this year we didn't even get to watch it! Ohhh well, I guess it's bound to happen when you move out of the state!

This morning I took Ella Ann to have her 18 month pictures taken. I know, I can't believe she's nearly 18 month either. So sad. :( She absolutely hammed it up for our photographer so I am really looking forward to seeing the webshow-----I'll receive it in about 3 weeks, so I'll send out the link as usual. The outfit she is wearing in the pictures below is one of the outfits she wore for her pictures. I had to drive 45 minutes to our photographer's new home, so when we got back to our house I left Ella Ann with Spencer and went to a gardening workshop that a woman at our church was hosting. Her home was so beautiful, as was her garden....it was featured in February's issue of Better Homes and Gardens! It was amazing! I learned SO much this afternoon about gardening and cannot wait to have my own yard to start planting. I just hope I don't forget everything by then! :) I even won the drawing and received a small container garden! I just went to listen and get some tips because I had already potted my "garden" before I had heard about the workshop, so I didn't bring a pot of my own to make while there which is what most of the women did. However, one of the ladies had brought an extra pot and there were quite a few plants leftover, so she gave me her big pot and I got to make a big container garden! Yes, I am actually this excited about it!!!!! hahahahaa! Ohhh how my life is changing! :) I couldn't wait to get home and show Spencer and Ella Ann what I had created, rather I should say what the ladies who led the workshop told me to plant and stuffed them in the pot for me while I stood there and said "Ohhhhh I like that!"

Our church held a Family Fun Night this evening that the three of us went to. Ella Ann was one of the youngest kids there, but boy did she have a blast running in circles in the sanctuary with all the other crazy kids! There was lots of good food and the older kids played several games while the parents sat around and talked. Spencer and I were so thankful Ella Ann isn't at the age yet where she can volunteer us to participate in games because 12 of the kids dragged their parents to the front of the room so they could shove baby food down their throats for a prize! I saw one of the mom's literally laying down in one of the isles in the sanctuary trying to hide from her 3 kids, but unfortunately for her they found her! It was quite entertaining!

While I sit here at home tonight Spencer is going out with his friends, which I am so glad he gets to do because it's pretty rare these days that he is able to get out with them. I'm taking one for the team by staying home while Ella Ann sleeps! :)

I am so proud of my beautiful container gardens that I took pictures of them! I'm sure everyone else will be just as excited about it as I am after seeing my lovely potted plants!

Ella Ann is checking out my gardens to make sure I did it right! The big one on the left is the sad one I did before the workshop and the smaller one is the door prize I won!

She got a kick out of the flowers!

Ella Ann is making note of my Impatiens.

Now it's time to go have some fun at church!

Hot Child(ren) In the City

Yesterday afternoon, Jana and I walked from her house to Centennial Olympic Park for some water-filled fun! The park has the Olympic rings in the ground and the rings are composed of fountains that shoot water high in the sky. It is always filled with kids in the spring and summer getting totally soaked and having a blast. Even though we just have toddlers we thought they would have such a good time, even if they did just watch the water. Kane and Jana had taken Mara Kate before, so she was already used to the water and enjoyed it right off the bat. Unfortunately it took Ella Ann a good 20 minutes to even let me put her down on the pavement, but once she realized the water was something fun she joined right in the action! Neither of the girls would run through the water or anything, but they didn't mind getting a little wet. Every 30 minutes or so a dancing water show is held and everyone has to get out of the fountains. One of the songs was "Under the Sea" and the girls really enjoyed dancing to that one! You know my little diva enjoyed all the music! hahahahaa!

Anyway, we had so much fun watching the girls experience something new. Being able to walk around in the city and enjoy all the fun and free things it has to offer is something I will never forget! I feel like I'm on vacation sometimes living here because there are often tourists around us, but I have to remind myself that this is my home and I am very fortunate to be able to experience life in a big city!!

I used the same pictures from Jana's blog because I forgot to put new batteries in my camera, so thanks Jana!

I thought this picture was great because it shows the girls out and about with us at the mall when they were just 3 months old. Now look at them......

a little over 17 months old. Our little sidekicks go with us everywhere!

This was before she'd let me put her down. She'd wrap her arms and legs around me and hold on wayyyy too tight!

Now they're having some fun inside one of the rings!

Jana and the girls.

They had so much fun!

Enjoying the water show.

A water break for Mara Kate.

Making a few laps around the strollers!

Tennessee Trip

This past weekend we traveled to Tennessee to stay with Spencer's sister and visit our family. We were so excited to go because we hadn't seen Spencer's sister and her family and Craig and Kasey for a while. Although we had some rough nights with Ella Ann waking at the crack of dawn, or should I say 2 hours before dawn on Saturday, it was totally worth the sleeplessness to hang with the family! Carter and Ella Ann really enjoyed playing with one another and they both got to spend some quality time outside in Mandy and Zach's backyard digging in the dirt! Ella Ann does not like anything on her hands, so any time she would get dirt on them it had to be wiped off by someone asap! We all really enjoyed sitting outside with the kids and even Seth got to lay on a blanket and enjoy the spring breeze! He is getting so big SO fast! I had the privilege of feeding him a couple of bottles and taking care of him during church on Sunday.....that was because Ella Ann was an absolute disaster in the nursery with Carter so Spencer and I had to rescue her and were not able to go back in the service. Surprise, surprise.

Anyway, we had a really good time with everyone grilling out, shopping, sitting outside, and just enjoying each other's company. We look forward to seeing them again soon! Thanks again Mandy and Zach for having us!

Ohhh yeah, our camera went dead before I took a single picture this weekend and after Mandy and Gary emailed me great pictures, I was still unable to upload them to the blogsite. So, to see pictures of our weekend, you'll have to click on The Evan's Family blogsite to the right of this page and check out their pictures! Sorry, fans, I'm not a complete genius when it comes to computers! We've been busy lately, so I'll post pictures soon of our other happenings!