July 31 - Monkeying Around

Today, Katie had a playdate with one of her friends. The original plan was to play on the slip & slide, but it rained/poured buckets for most of the day. The rain did stop long enough for them to go outside and play on the wet swingset...they're kids, they don't care how wet they get...lol...

July 30 - More Rain, Really?

This is the summer of RAIN!!! Argh...it is so depressing!!!

July 29 - Dean Park

Today, Katie & I met some of our MOMS Club friends over at Dean Park.

July 28 - Diet Killer

This is why I can't lose weight this summer....

July 27 - Drying Out

After a day of swimming and fun with Auntie Kerrie, Sophie & Charlie, everything must dry out. Thanks for a fun day guys!!!

July 26 - Working on the weekend

Today, I had to work. It always stinks when I have to work on the weekend, but sometimes it is just the nature of my job. When a project is behind schedule, there is no getting around it. Although I would rather be doing something more fun on a Sunday, it was nice to sit at my new table in the sunroom and work with a nice breeze coming through the room :-)

July 25 - I see you

Today, we went to Southwick's Zoo. This is Katie seeing eye to eye with one of the deer in the Deer Forest...so cool! The Deer Forest is by far my favorite section of the zoo.

July 24 - Meow

Today was the last day of Katie's "Rainbow Crafts" class at the "Y" and the teacher (Ms. Gretchen) wanted to do something special for the kids. The theme for the last class was cats. So, each of the kids had to draw a cat and then Ms. Gretchen painted their faces to match the cats they drew. It was really cute. Katie was so excited to get her face painted.

This is "Sparky" the cat...

July 23 - I am SO sick

Since we came home from the hospital, I have been SO sick that I have been living off of DayQuil in hopes that this virus/cold would go away. Today, I finally went to the doctor for some antibiotics...being sick in the summertime really stinks!!!

July 22 - United Way Drive

Every year, UPS conducts a fundraising drive for the United Way. This year, Mike has offered to speak to UPS employees on behalf of the agencies that have helped Kaitlyn in her fight against Leukemia. Those groups include Hole in the Wall Gang, Sherry's House & Why Me?, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and most importantly, Dana Farber.

Today, Kaitlyn had to go with Mike while he did his talk because we had both planned something at the same time and I couldn't take Kaitlyn with me. Having her there during his talk made it more real for the employees who are being asked to give their money to the United Way. Some even offered to give directly to Dana Farber. I am so proud of Mike for doing these talks and helping people to see how their money has helped just one family, one child.

July 21 - Waiting

While we are waiting patiently for our couch and love seat to be delivered, this is what we have been sitting on in order to enjoy our new, honkin' TV! Can't wait for the furniture to come in!!!

July 20 - Twirling Girl

One day, Kaitlyn ran into her friend, Honor, at the ice cream store. Honor had on a Tinker Bell dress that "twirled", meaning that when Honor twirled around, the bottom flew up. You know, every little girl's dream dress. Anyway, Katie wanted a dress like Honor's that would "twirl" for her. So, we went through every dress in her closet and there were no dresses that would "twirl" as well as Honor's Tinker Bell dress. The hunt was on.

Well, thank goodness for Ms. Caryn (Honor's mom). She knew of this dilemma and she brought Katie a "twirly" dress that Honor had outgrown. Needless to say, Katie loves the dress and would wear it 24/7 if I didn't have to wash it.

This is her twirling in her "twirly" dress. She kept stopping to let us know that "it takes a lot of practice" to get the dress to twirl...lol.

Thanks for the dress Ms. Caryn & Honor, it's a hit!!!

July 19 - Jeff

And, everybody's favorite goofball, Jeff, from Hole in the Wall Gang.

He has become Katie's second "boyfriend"...shh...I don't think Dr. Keuker knows yet.

(Photo taken by Kaitlyn)

July 18 - Nurse Michelle

Another favorite nurse of Katie's...Nurse Michelle.

I can't say enough about Michelle, she is genuinely one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met. She goes above and beyond the call of duty every time we are at the hospital. What can I say, we love her!

(Photo taken by Kaitlyn)

July 17 - Nurse Marilyn

One of our favorite nurses at Umass...Nurse Marilyn.

(Photo taken by Kaitlyn)

July 16 - A Hospital Room

Unfortunately, we have become very good at knowing exactly what we need to bring with us to survive a stay at the hospital. Katie is becoming very good at taking pictures, this post showcases some of her work.

Katie & Mommy being goofy for the camera...

All of the following photos were taken by Kaitlyn herself...

Daddy...

Bunny...

Her IV pump or "leash" as she calls it...

The all important TV...

And a snack...

Today, Kaitlyn was discharged from the hospital, but some more of her photos will be posted in the next few days.

July 15 - New Furniture

In the midst of our hospital stay, we also had furniture delivered for our sunroom.

Jordan's delivered our dining table, TV & TV stand.

65 inches, Baby!!! WOO HOO!!!

July 14 - Hospital Admission

Today, Kaitlyn was admitted to the hospital with a fever of 104. She was still in pretty good spirits after spending 10 hours in the Emergency Room.

(Photo taken by Nurse Marilyn T.)

More photos to come from our hospital stay, bear with me as I play catch up over the next few days...

Interruption in Posting

My daughter has been admitted back into the hospital and the daily photo will be postponed until we can get home.

July 13 - Splashpad

Katie & I had fun today at the Assabet Splash Pad in Northboro. After her fill at the splashpad, we made our way over to the playground next door..thank goodness for some SUN!!!

July 12 - Angel Eyes

July 11 - Little Miss Cutie-Pa-Tootie!

A big thanks to Shelly & Maggie for the dress up stuff...Katie loves it!!!

JUL 10 - Campfire

Gotta love a backyard campfire!

July 9 - Take your "pick"

Tonight, Katie, Mike & I went to see my dad's band, Beatles For Sale, play at Elm Park in Worcester. This is my dad's guitar collection.

Come on out and check out Beatles For Sale this summer...

CLICK HERE for this summer's concert tour dates!!!

July 8 - Clutter

Does anyone else have a spot in their house that just collects clutter? Well, here is ours...our kitchen counter catches it all.

July 7 - Hair, Glorious Hair!

Kaitlyn's hair is growing in thick and blond...LOVE IT!!!

Some of my favorite "new" phrases...

"Katie has bed head"

"Look at all that HAIR!!!"

"Katie, I have to wash/brush your hair!"

July 6 - Couldn't choose...

Today, I couldn't decide between Bernie & Phyl's, where we bought the final piece to finish our sunroom...


Or Christmas in July....this is what Katie wore to bed tonight...the hottest day this summer and this is what she picks...she refused to put something cooler on...lol.


Either way, it feels like Christmas in July because over the past 2 days, we have spent a ton of money to furnish our beautiful sunroom...purchases include the following...
1) Reclining Microfiber Sofa & Loveseat in a chocolate color (purchased today at Bernie & Phyl's)
2) 2 cherry end tables (purchased today at Bernie & Phyl's)
3) Cherry dining table with 6 chairs (purchased yesterday at Jordan's)
4) 65" Mitsubishi TV (purchased yesterday at Jordan's)
5) Cherry finish TV stand (purchased yesterday at Jordan's)

Can't wait for it all to be delivered....Merry Christmas!!!

July 5 - Jordan's

OK, this is NOT my picture, but after spending 6 hours at Jordan's today (no that is not a typo, we actually spent 6 hours at Jordan's today) there is no other option but to use a picture of Jordan's. AND after 6 hours, I was too tired to even think to take a picture of the store front as my picture of the day.

July 4 - Independance Day

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today, we went to Dean Park in Shrewsbury for their 4th of July celebration...Katie really enjoyed the jumpy house!!!

July 3 - Happy Feet

Today, Kaitlyn started a dance class at the local YMCA!

Katie LOVES to dance...these are her happy feet!!!

Favorite Katie quote of the day...while the teacher was changing the CD, she asked her if she had "Your Momma Don't Dance and Your Daddy Don't Rock n' Roll". I thought this was hysterical because she always requests this song whenever we are driving in the car. And in case you are interested, the version requested is by Poison. Too cute!

July 2 - Barbies

July 1 - Little Artist

Kaitlyn at her "Little Artist" Class at the local YMCA.

July Focus - SIMPLICITY

My original intent for this blog was to improve my photography skills, which I believe that I have to some extent. However, I have also added to my stress level. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I can SIMPLIFY my life. It is difficult to "get the shot" everyday and have it be something creative and inspiring. So, with that, I have decided that for the rest of the year, I am just going to focus on documenting daily life and to heck with improving my skills. It is quite easy for me to take a picture everyday, but this will take some of the stress out of this project. I hope you will continue to enjoy my photography.

June 30 - Sunset

Sunset on our Whale Watch, our vacation, my Cape Cod series and June altogether.

Shutter Speed: 1/400 second

Aperture: f/10

ISO: 100

June 29 - Leaving Provincetown

Taken from one of Dolphin's Fleet whale watching boats in Provincetown, MA.

Shutter Speed: 1/500 second

Aperture: f/13

ISO: 320

June 28 - Fishing Anyone?

Photo taken on Racepoint Beach in Provincetown, MA.

(Photo taken by Mike Randell)

Shutter Speed: 1/1000 second

Aperture: f/5.6

ISO: 100

June 27 - Stay off the Dunes!

Taken on Racepoint Beach in Provincetown, MA. I actually prefer the color photo here...

Shutter Speed: 1/250 second

Aperture: f/20

ISO: 400

June 26 - Sea Stones

Shutter Speed: 1/400 second

Aperture: f/10

ISO: 400

June 25 - Bathing Beauty

Taken on Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, MA. Awesome...

Shutter Speed: 1/250 second

Aperture: f/18

ISO: 400