The month of Christmas activities

We have had so much rain over here that it has kept me busy creating Christmas themed activities to occupy the kids. Ashlyn has been out of school for two weeks and I have had a full house of energy-filled kids! We've made Christmas cookies and delivered to friends and neighbors, we've made Christmas decorations out of foam pieces, we've had Christmas sing-a-longs, Christmas storytime, wrapped Christmas gifts, watched Christmas movies and decorated a gingerbread house! At least three times a week, we drove around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights:) One night when the rain finally let up, we all ventured outside and walked a few blocks to candy cane lane, a street known for it's spectacular lights each year. It was beautiful and Ashlyn was in heaven pointing out everything she saw.

Here's our gingerbread house. Who wouldn't enjoy decorating (and eating) this sweet house!?! A must-continue-each-year tradition!

I was surprised at how good Kailey was at decorating. While she did enjoy a few sneaks of candy, she didn't get too side tracked.

Some sweet big sister love...

Santa came to Ashlyn's school Christmas performance and gave out gifts to all of the children. When I asked Ashlyn what she asked Santa for she said, "a treat" (meaning something sweet to eat:) I just laughed knowing what a sweet tooth she has, I was not surprised. Later that night Ashlyn wondered why Santa gave her a mermaid doll when all she really wanted was a treat:)

Here is Ashlyn in her beautiful new Christmas dress from Grammie Mary Ann.

Here's our big boy getting some snuggle time with Daddy.

Ashlyn and Phil decorating the Christmas tree

November 2010

Cold Weather is upon us here is LA. Phil and the girls are preparing for an outdoor adventure...going to pick out a Christmas Tree!

Look at our big boy! He is now 2 1/2 months old and at his 2 month check up, he doubled his birth weight and is about 13 lbs now! So very sweet and cooperative. He loves the sound of his sister's voices and the attention he gets from them!

Here's Ashlyn reading Jace a story

Ashlyn's first visit to a nail salon! She attended her friend Riley's Princess birthday party and got her fingernails painted. What a treat!

Feeding the ducks and birds at one of our favorite parks.

Kailey was determine to catch one and thought that if she got down on their level, she would have more luck:)

Kailey having fun at the park

Halloween 2010

Princess Sleeping Beauty & Tinkerbell

Ashlyn & Riley

Dance Party at the Keith's

Above is a typical dance party at our house. I turned the camera off too soon, but you will get a glimpse of Kailey's super-fast footwork near the end of this video. Enjoy!!

This is Ashlyn's own version of the "Chicken Dance"

Ashlyn's Orange Smile

Kailey's Orange Smile

Mask Making Art Project

Our sweet little boy hanging out

Fall 2010

Adventures at a local pumpkin patch with pony rides and face painting

Kailey didn't want to get on the pony so Ashlyn had a double turn and was in heaven. "Auntie Laura Kate...we might be asking you for some horseback riding lessons soon:)"

Ashlyn with her best friend Riley

Making funny scarecrow faces

I've never seen Kailey sit so still...she was excited to be like the big girls and get her face painted

Ashlyn asked for a pink unicorn

The whole sleep-deprived family excited to get out of the house. Jace is in this picture too, hiding in mommy's snuggly behind Kailey:)