Catching Up

Halloween Night

Wow, so much to tell. October was as busy as ever. We were able to go to the pumpkin patch with the whole family. We celebrated Hannah's birthday while we were there. Aunt Lori and Uncle Michael met Kate for the first time. Jack and his cousins had fun on the hay ride and inflatable slides. Then everyone picked out their pumpkins for Halloween. Memere made Jack a Jedi costume for Halloween. Jack got to wear it at the school carnival and then for trick-or-treating on Halloween night. He got a lot of candy. Miss Kate dressed up, took her pictures, and was off to bed.

Jack and Kate are doing well. Jack has been practicing riding his bike and getting better. Kate is now sitting up by herself (pretty well.) She is eating in a highchair and is enjoying the swing outside. She is also getting her first teeth. We can finally see them coming through.

We also enjoyed four great days off this last weekend. We were able to catch up on life and have a little fun too. We went to the zoo, the mall, and Kate got her first pictures taken. I start parent-teacher conferences this week, so life at the Gates household continues to be as busy, but exciting. We are all looking forward to our Thanksgiving break!

Jedi Jack--May The Force Be With You!

Our Little Pumpkin

Jack & Mike Light Their Pumpkin

Jack & His Classmates Reciting Their Halloween Poem

Kate Hanging Out With Her Papa

Kate Meets Her Cousin Ellen

Kim, Lori, Cheryl , & Mom

Jack & Kate in the Hot October Sun

Look, I Can Sit Up By Myself!

That's A Big Pumpkin!

Enjoying A Little Belly Swing

I'm Big Enough To Swing Too!

We Still Exist

Well, we didn't fall off the face of the planet!!! We are plenty busy though. Now that I am back at work, Mike and I are exhausted. We are trying our best to keep up with life. The kids are doing well. Jack is enjoying school and has grown another inch or two. Baby Kate is 6 months old. Hard to believe, but true. She has become a much more content baby. She is taking a nap in her crib now. She can also roll over and has started eating rice cereal and a few other foods like apples, pears, and carrots (which were not her favorite.) She adores her big brother and her big brother feels the same about her. I am going to keep this short, I have a million more things to do before going to bed!

Jack's in Kindergarten!

Our big boy is in kindergarten! He started school this week and is loving it. Mike brought him to school on Monday morning. They got to do a project together in the morning and then Jack said goodbye to Dad. He was so excited and so ready to start school. He knows many friends from his EAK class and has met some new friends as well. I love having him at school with me. I get to say a quick hello to him at recess, and every now and again, I catch a glimpse of his class passing by.

It is hard to believe that six years ago, my girlfriends and I announced we were pregnant. When we found out that we were all having boys, it only added to the excitement. We always talked about the day our boys would start school together, and here it is. All but one of the five boys started school together. (We miss you Christina and Connor.)

Where Has Summer Gone?

Okay, so I am really behind. Sorry folks! We left off with the Fourth of July and Mike's parents' visit. I am finally finishing up July which was just as busy as the beginning. July ended with a couple trips to the beach and Zoo Camp for Jack. Jack loves the beach (and probably would go every day if he could). Our good friends were camping on the Strand and invited Jack and I down for the day. We had such a good time that the whole family went back a few days later. Even Kate went. It was a much cooler day than the first, so she enjoyed being held and snuggled by Christina and Sharon. Jack "the fish" stayed in the water the whole first day boogie boarding and splashing around. The next day, he got a chance to fly his kite (for about 5 whole minutes...poor Mike) and play in the water and sand with dad. The following week, Jack and his friend Jacob went to Zoo Camp. They really had a fun time. On Friday, the kids got their face painted. Jack chose to be a dog. There are some pictures below of the boys. Kate meanwhile had a cardiologist appointment. All still looks well. She met with the pediatrician too. She had her next set of shots...never enjoyable, and she is now off all of her medications. She is not quite ready to eat solid foods. Although she has the chubbiest cheeks, she still has some growing to do. I leave you all with some pictures from those two weeks.

Jack and Jacob at Zoo Camp

Miss Kate at the Zoo





Snuggling with Auntie Sharon at the Beach

Jack and His Boogie Boarding Debut

Fourth of July --Part 2

Our annual Fourth of July party was celebrated at the Boudreau's this year. We enjoyed hot dogs (Rhode Island Style) and hamburgers. We visited with each other, swam, and had fun playing games in our annual competition. It was boys against girls this year! While the boys beat us at the water game, the girls took the scavenger hunt with flying colors. We are proudly displaying our medals below. Sadly, Lori and her family weren't able to come down this year, but we did have some new visitors. Mike's mom and dad were able to join us, as well as, Shannon, Andy and Frankie from Redondo. We wrapped things up with some dessert and a group photo. I've got to say, the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays!

Kate Taking A Snooze In Her Swing!

The Boys Came Out Strong For The First Game....

But The Girls Came Back Fighting In Game Two!

Proudly Displaying Our Medals

Tyler Enjoying His Lunch! What A Smile!

Mike's Parents With Jack and Hannah

Jack Enjoying The Pool

Auntie Kim and Kate

Bucket Hat Buddies!

Cheese!

Fourth of July Week--Part 1

Hope everyone is enjoying summer. We certainly are! Our summer has stayed pretty busy. The week of the Fourth was a fun one. We went to the park with my mom and dad, Cade, Hannah, and Nick. Then Mike's parents (Ralph and Nancy) flew out from Maryland to meet Kate and visit with the family. We celebrated the Fourth of July at our house. We barbecued, went swimming in the neighbor's pool, enjoyed smores for dessert, and the kids watched the fireworks up in Jack's play structure. While Mike's parents were here, they got to go to one of Jack's swim lessons. We also went to my parent's for our annual Fourth of July party. (More pictures from that event to come later.) We ate out a few times at Olive Garden, P.F. Chang's and Corvette Diner. Ralph and Nancy also got to experience Cold Stone for the first time. Although we couldn't go far with a 3 month old baby, we did get a chance to go to Cabrillo National Monument and the zoo. Jack was busy with vacation bible school and Kate was busy being cranky. It was great to see Ralph and Nancy. We enjoyed having them. Here are some pictures from that week.

Three Generations of Gates Men

Kate And Her Grandmothers

Granddad Making His Smore

Making Smores On The Fourth

Jack Learning The Back Stroke

Kate and Mom at Jack's Swim Lesson

Nick, Cade, Hannah, and Jack At The Park

Summer--Week 2

Jack at his CYT performance!

Our Callie Girl

We have had a busy, fun, but also a sad week. Jack went to CYT (Christian Youth Theater) camp this week and absolutely loved it. The campers put on a show Friday in which they performed a few songs from High School Musical. Jack was so proud to be in the performance. Nick and Hannah, Jack's cousins, are also down visiting and got to see the show. We also had a chance to go to Sea World with them on Thursday night. Auntie Cheryl went on Journey to Atlantis with the kids...and got very wet! We had a good time that night even if my bottom was soaked the rest of the night. And, very sadly, we had to put our dog to sleep this week. After two weeks of her not eating and acting very sad, we found out that she had cancer of the lymph nodes. We were not expecting our six year old dog to be so sick and were quite shocked at the news. We knew we had to put her to sleep quickly as she was not doing well at all! It was a hard thing to do, but we are glad she is not suffering anymore. We will not be getting a new dog anytime soon, but maybe some day.

Kate Behaving Nicely At Jack's CYT Show!

Having Fun In The Shark Exhibit!

Nick and Jack with their Hoodies!

Hannah and Jack

Summer Vacation Has Arrived!

Jack is out of school and is on summer vacation with Kate and I. He wrapped up the school year earning two perfect attendance awards from the principal. He also received his first report card. EAK (Early Admittance Kindergarten) was a great experience and we are so glad we decided to send him. His writing and drawing have improved the most and he is showing signs of wanting to read. Yeah! He is definitely ready for Kindergarten next year.

Our calendar is pretty full this summer with activities. Jack started swim lessons this week and is thrilled to be in the pool again. I am adjusting to life with two children; trying my best to work around both of their schedules. Kate is still working on sleeping in her crib during the day (for more than 5 minutes.) Although she sleeps through the night, she wants nothing to do with a nap in her crib during the day. Here she is taking a power nap in her swing! My goal this month is to get at least one good nap out of her (in her crib) a day!

Her umbilical cord finally fell off. Because they had to use the cord in the hospital to give her blood, etc., it took a lot longer to fall off. She finally got to take a real bath! I think Mike and I were more excited than she was. She had her two month check up and is doing very well. We don't have to go again until August. She is smiling a lot and has started to coo. It's so cute.

My Auntie Dot and Uncle Al came to visit last week. They got to meet Kate for the first time. It was nice to see them. My Aunt made Kate a beautiful blanket. Jack got a little something too! Mike's parents will be visiting soon too. We are looking forward to their visit and I'm sure we will have lots of pictures of them with the kids.

Well it is a miracle that I finally had time to update the blog. I hope it doesn't take quite as long next time, but in all reality, it probably will. Until then...enjoy the beginning of summer.

Kate's First Bath!

Perfect Attendance Assembly

Jack proudly showing off his awards!