Sister Similarities

The other day, and a lot over the past month or so, Landrie made a face that reminded us of Kylie so we began our research. We went looking for pictures of Kylie when she was Landrie's age. As far as Jenna goes, that would require us digging through a bag of developed photos that span 4 years...no digital camera then. Here's what we found...

Landrie with her scrunched up nose smile. Christmas 2008.

Kylie with her scrunched up nose smile. Christmas 2005.

Landrie in the rocker at Pop Pop and Shanny's in Illinois 2008.

Kylie in the rocker at Pop Pop and Shannys' in Florida 2005.

Kylie Brynn

Kylie's class had their Christmas program last Friday. The theme was T'was Night Before Christmas. Each class had a different theme within the theme. For example there was a class that did a Dinosaurs Night Before Christmas, one did a Soldiers Night Before Christmas and so on. Kylie's class was a Texas Night Before Christmas. She slept with curlers in her hair so she could have curly hair for her program, or as Jed and I call it, "Big Texas Hair". She did a great job! Delivered her lines nice and loud and closed the show with "We Wish You A Rootin' Tootin' Christmas. Unfortunately we were not very close, so didn't get may great pictures.

Here is a picture of her at the microphone.
I am not sure what brough it on, but Kylie has a new obsession with Japan. For the last couple of days she has been carrying this book around pretending to read it. It is a guide to Japan and the Japanese Language. When the girls play school and she is the teacher they are always learning about Japan. She takes it to bed with her because Jenna always reads a little at night, so she looks at this book before bed.
She will "read" it to anyone who will listen.
Sammy seems to be her biggest fan.

Now that Jed and I laughed at her and took pictures of her with the Japan book I am sure that she will keep it up because she is a little ham like that.

She is our crazy one. She keeps us all laughing.

Making Cookies

Our Christmas Cookie tradition continued this year. Deanna and Jodi always do a fabulous job of hosting this event. The kids have a great time and make a huge mess.
Landrie enjoyed the frosting the most. At first she was dipping and licking the knife. Then she figured to skip the knife all together and just dip the coolie right into the frosting.

Here's Landries smile. Jenna had a great time. It is very interesting how different she and Jenna are. Jenna wanted to decorate cookie after cookie and finish fast and back outside to play. Kylie on the other hand would sit there decorating cookies all afternoon.

Prairie Lights

One thing we like to do every year is pack in to the mini van with Deanna, Jodi and Andrew for a drive through the Prairie Lights display. I wish I had pictures of some of the displays, but they did not turn out.

From the warmth of you car you can drive through the park and see all the lights, listen to music and Ooo and Ahhh. The kids love it. It might be the only time I enjoy listening to Christmas music. After the driving through the park there is a large tent with all sorts of things to do and buy . Jed and I call it the money pit. Pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, kettle corn, and a lights and music display.

Notice that Jed and I made the picture with Santa this year.

Our being in the picture was not by choice, more by necessity. Landrie wanted nothing to do with Santa this year. We even tried to put her on the cute rocking horse far a way from Santa, but no luck. I will say that for the first time, Kylie stood within his reach, so there is hope.

Girls Only Photo Shoot

The girls LOVE taking pictures, so here are a few shots from the other night just before bed. Landrie took turns going from lap to lap and the rest of us took turn snapping pics.

Only one small injury occured when Landrie threw her head back right into Kylies cheek. A few tears, but she survived.

The Ever Crazy Smiling Landrie!

Okay, Okay...this one doesn't fit the post title, but I had to throw it in here just for the shock value!! This was a week or so ago, when we were trying to get a nice family shot for the annual Christmas card. No, Landrie wasn't cooperating and was getting pretty fed up, but we made it through the turmoil! Now, on with the crazy smiles!!

As you can see, Landrie tends to over smile. Her nose gets all crinkled up and she really shows off the handful of teeth that she has at the tender age of 18 months.

This was is a little more relaxed and natural...maybe it was the bowling?

Still bowling, still natural, but a little more excitement than the previous.

Okay, back to the wild smile. It must be attributed to Pop Pop or her bath. And she was in the buff too?

This is a "lean forward and really smile"...careful...yes, Landrie you could fall out of the rocker.

Here's a "no dad, just a calm smile here...what are you trying to make me look like, a crazy girl?"

Yes!! Got one more shot of the crazy smile...quite a personality she is showing lately. Hearing a lot more "No", both Jenna and Kylie are known as "Jenna", she likes Jenna's old glasses--they make her giggle like crazy and she is still doing the eye closing disassociation thing. She hates her winter coat and being in her carseat, so the two of those together make for a really mad 18 month old--gotta love that:)

Illinois Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving 2008 started out with our road trip north on Interstate 35 on our way to Atkinson/Geneseo, Illinois to see Pop Pop, Shanny and the rest of the family. The girls did pretty well on the road, we drove through the night and arrived in about 15 hours total. It worked out well, Landrie was our biggest worry, but she ended up being more cooperative and fought less than Jenna and Kylie. We didn't take as many pictures as we should have, but here are a few highlights.

The annual bowling venture to Lee's Lanes was fun. All had a good time, especially Kylie and Jenna. They used bumpers, one bright pink bowling ball and another bright orange--so perfect for them! Here is Kylie being a ham.

Landrie was quite a little clown. She is doing this strange eye closing thing when she gets scolded, like she is disassociating herself, or saying, "Um, I can't see you and therefore can't hear you either." It is quite amusing. She is also doing this over the top smile, which I will do a separate post for since I have so many shots of just that. She loved spending time with everyone, and loved running around naked by the fireplace after her bath. Crazy girl!

Uncle Conor was a big hit as always. He is so good with the girls, playing pool, rockband, whatever, they just adore him! He is a sophomore this year--6 months away from getting his license.

Pop Pop, Shanny and Uncle Mike posing for a shot at Lee's Lanes. The deal was the losers would do clean up after dinner.

It was so nice to spend some time with Grandma Marge. The girls loved playing in her basement again, they always seem to remember her basement. It is a comfy, cozy place--I guess that's why.

Pop Pop and Shanny were so helpful once again. They even had a roomate while we visited, Landrie slept in with them in their room! They got up with her every morning and got her started with breakfast, etc, so we were able to sleep in and rest. That was GREAT!!
It was a great Thanksgiving Break, we were so fortunate to have the whole week off from school and to be able to make the trip to spend this time with family. We stayed the whole week and left on Friday night about 6:45 and made it home in even better time--14 hours and 15 minutes.

Girls Day

Jed has started working Saturday School on Saturday mornings, so this morning we declared it a girls day! First stop...only stop, the Mall. For those of you who know me, you know that I hate the mall. I especially hate the mall on a Saturday around holiday shopping time. Jenna had a birthday party to attend so I put on my smile and off we went. Me and 3 small children.

Warning: This post contains more hot pink and glitter than anyone can take in one sitting.

First stop Libby Lu. This is the location of the birthday party. For those of you who have not been to a Libby Lu's party here is the just of it. The girls all put on matching dresses, pick out a "Libby-do" hairstyle put make-up on, paint their fingernails, roll around in glitter, sing and dance and pick out some party favors and call it a day. Check out the picks!

It was really a very cool party. Jenna of course loved it. The sad news is that in Feburuary all the Libby Lu stores are closing down.

Now for my business proposal...People spend money on Birthday parties for their kids. I am thinking you could take something like this on the road. Do all this stuff, but in peoples homes. It's like a party clown, but way more fun and with much more glitter. Anybody in?

Kylie was along for the ride and really, if you would have asked her she wanted nothing to do with the whole process. Untill they left the make-up station unattended that is. Her she is sneaking over and getting all the left over glitter off of the table top and then rubbing it on herself.

You didn't think I really took all the girls to the mall by myself did you?

As you can see from the picture I called for reinforcement in the form of Auntie Jamie. Here she is helping me contain Landrie.

Here she is watching Landrie also get into all the glitter.

My hero...Jed showed up after Saturday School to pick up Landrie and head home for a nap.

Then it was off to the food court for birthday cake and presents.

After the party we all headed to a movie. Madagascar 2. Deanna and Andrew joined us and I think that Jamie, Deanna and I enjoyed it way more than the kids.

After all the fun we were anxous to get home. But...here is why I HATE the mall. It took us 55 min. to get out of the parking lot and on to the highway. I am not even exaggerating! Cars were cutting me off and pulling out right in front of me as I sat in gridlock at the mall. What a nightmare.

A Cowgirl, a Giraffe and Super Girl!

Here they are. We had a heck of a time getting a picture of the three of them. Had no luck on Halloween, so this was actually Sunday afternoon. All dressed up for round two. You can imagine the disappointment when we headed inside after a few shots instead of raiding the neighborhood for treats.
Jenna the Cowgirl. Grandy and I actually made this costume. It looked so good.

Super Girl! Kylie played the part perfectly!

And of course... Landrie the giraffe. She did so well in this costume considering that it was 80 degrees out. Thanks auntie Jamie for a fabulous costume.

The whole gang. Andrew was a Transformer and Ian was Speed Racer.

After a little trick-or-treating we headed back to Deanna and Jodi's for a Halloween campout. Perfect weather for a campfire and sleeping in the tents!