Strolling Along...

Yesterday, Kate finally decided to put her stroller walker to good use. We've had it for a while and she's just been interested in the toy aspect of it but not really interested in trying to push it around. We got it out yesterday to play with and Kate decided to take off! She strolled all over our house probably several times over. We thought it was good walking practice. Anyways, we thought it was pretty cute and wanted to share. Hope everyone has a great week!

Kate's First Tailgate!!

This past weekend Kate got to go to her much anticipated first LSU tailgate. Daddy could not have been happier and prouder! Tailgates have been a huge part of Nick's life in the fall since college. I don't know that he's missed too many home games for LSU (even when we lived in Atlanta) and there was a while where he didn't miss any away games either. While it is still a tailgate, we laughed on Saturday at how much things have changed! After a scan of beverages in hand at our tailgate, I noticed that there were almost as many sippy cups as beer cans in hand among the group. Kate loved the whole experience! She was happy to be outside and in the middle of so much activity. Enjoy some of the pictures from our fun afternoon.

Daddy and Uncle D went out early. Daddy was so excited when Kate got to the tailgate.

Kate has her very own tailgate chair that is just her size.

Another first at a tailgate--as we were trying to take this picture the Laperouses were singing "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" from the Wonder Pets so that Kate would look at the camera. My how things have changed!

With Uncle D

Kate and Daddy with Paul and Annie Grace Laperouse. We ended up getting one good one of the Daddies with their girls after some pretty funny expressions and squirms to try to get all 4 to look at the camera at the same time.

After we got back home and Kate got a nap we went back outside to take some pictures in the front yard.

Labor Day Weekend Lake Trip

We were lucky enough to spend Labor Day weekend at an awesome lake house on Lay Lake, a little south of Birmingham. My whole family was there--Papa, Nonna, Aunt April and Uncle Alan with their 4 kids Camden, Owen, Langley and Harper, and Aunt Anna and her 3 kids Mary Emma, Daniel and Liza. We also celebrated a wedding while we were there and welcomed a new uncle (and brother-in-law) and cousin into the family. We are so excited to have Uncle Jason and Conner as the newest members of the Johnson clan! Anna and Jason had a beautiful, sweet ceremony on the lake house property. We were also lucky enough to have Granny and Granny Betty (my Great Aunt and Granny's sister) there with us for the whole weekend.

There was a pool on site and Papa rented a pontoon boat so we spent most of our time enjoying the fabulous weather and beautiful days. Kate still loves to be outside so this weekend was right up her alley. The weather was perfect so we spent the majority of our time outside on the porch when we weren't in the pool or on the lake. Kate loved being in the pool and wanted to be pulled around the pool either in her swim ring or just with her legs kicked out behind her. She had her first little dunk in the pool (it really was very minor) and luckily Uncle Jason was there to lend a hand getting her out. Kate had fun playing with her cousins and seeing what all she could get into at this new place. Overall it was a perfect weekend and we are SO VERY THANKFUL to Nonna and Papa for the trip!!!

Pool fun!

Boat riding with Daddy

More of a happy girl on the boat

Riding on the boat with Nonna

First game day of the football season poor Daddy had to be surrounded by a bunch of Bama fans...even Kate

We have been trying to teach Kate how to give kisses. Over the weekend Daniel puckered up for Kate and she decided that she'd give him a kiss. She doesn't hand out too many so we were tickled that she was so willing to give kisses to Daniel. She always goes in for a kiss mouth wide open.

Here are some quick pics snapped during the wedding festivities. Kate was very well behaved.

Waiting for the wedding to start with Daddy

Playing with Papa and Liza after the wedding.

Looking at Camden through the glass door.

The whole family.

A couple of pics we snapped just before we left Tuesday morning. We were all sad to leave because we had such a great time!

Taking one last look at the lake and surroundings with Papa before packing up.

Thanks again Nonna and Papa for such a great weekend! We had a great time, and as you can see from all of the pictures, Kate had a blast! Here is a link to a slideshow of some of the wedding pictures.

Kate Loves LSU Too

After my Ready for Football Season post Nick was anxious to get Kate pumped up about LSU since I had posted the video of her dancing to the Alabama band. So we broke out Mike the Tiger and got Kate dancing. Hope you enjoy the video...

10 Months Old

Kate was 10 months old on September 2...I know, I know I'm a whole week late...we've been busy around the Speyrer house. Two weekends ago Kate and I flew to Florence for the weekend and then turned around and went to Lay Lake just south of Birmingham last weekend for the Labor Day holiday. Both trips were great but just left me with little time to blog. I hope to catch up some this week.

Kate is just over 24 1/2 lbs, getting into everything and is just so much fun! Kate is standing and cruising like a champ. We know that she can stand on her own, and if she's really busy sometimes she will forget to hold on and will stand on her own, but if we try to get her to do it she just simply will not do it. We joke that she's a scaredy cat. She immediately squats down. So she's taking her time in the standing and walking department for now. However, I do think that when she makes up her mind that she'll give standing on her own a try, I don't think it will be long at all before she's walking. Kate's starting to get into everything. She has opening drawers down pat, but luckily since she's not standing much she's not getting into our cabinets...yet! She's still a dancing machine and we love it! She does not discriminate in music choice...if it's got a tune she will shake her booty to it! Kate is also jabbering more and more. We can tell she has a LOT to say but is still sticking to the basics. She says Dada the most...of course Nick loves that...but she also gives other sounds/words a try. One that she does the best is "app-uh" (apple). She doesn't quite know what it means yet but is great at repeating it. Kate is also understanding more and more of what we are saying to her. She's been waving bye for a while now, claps her hands for "Yay!" and to patty cake, and knows what we mean when we say "No". The things she hears it about the most she will now look at us as she approaches the object and will shake her head and wave her hands telling us that she knows she's not supposed to touch it before we ever say a word. She understands when I tell her it's time to eat or change her diaper and many other things. One of the latest is that she will pat her tummy if we ask her where her belly is. Very cute! We are having so much fun and look forward to each and every day that we spend with our little girl! We are very blessed parents! Here are some recent pics...

Picture on her 10 month birthday!

Flight on the way to Florence. Everyone on all planes (4 in total for the weekend) were amazed with how well Kate did. They were definitely in awe that someone her size would watch a video like she did. All I can say is thank goodness for Baby Einstein!

On the plane on the way back.

Kate with Granny. Granny got Kate a great puzzle book that we love! I had actually left Kate's favorite puzzle book on the plane on the way to Florence so we were excited that Granny got her another one.

Kate with Daniel. Daniel is so sweet and really wants to hold Kate when he sees her and for once Kate cooperated and sat with Daniel for a few minutes.

Playing with Mardi Gras beads at Nonna and Papa's house

Dancing with ABC Elmo with Mary Emma, Liza and Daniel.