A Visit With Santa

Who is the girl on the left? She looks like Lainey. She sounds like Lainey. She even smells like Lainey. Could it be that she's smiling on Santa's lap?!?!? I think she finally figured out that Santa brings her presents for Christmas - so she decided to be nice. No more "scaring Santa" (this is what she said she was doing the last few years when she cried during the Santa visits). Alyssa did great as usual.

I think Lainey would've stayed on his lap forever. Here's the video - check out the wave at the end. Is she milking Santa for gifts or what!

VIDEO COMING SOON

Holiday Benefit Show

Both girls have been taking a dance class this year. They had a Holiday Benefit Show that they both danced in. Here they are in their costumes before the show:

Here's Alyssa on stage. I think we found her strength! She did a wonderful job, and looked gorgeous doing it!


Lainey danced to Frosty the Snowman. There were three girls. One girl just stood there and didn't dance at all. Another girl got halfway through before quitting. Lainey performed the entire routine - and did great! We're so proud of our Lainey girl - way to stay strong and hang in there!


Hopefully we'll upload the video soon!

Christmas Cookies

The girls helped with Christmas cookies once again this year. Time to start putting on the holiday weight!

Alyssa's 1st Grade Christmas Show

Alyssa had her First Grade Christmas Show on Friday. It was so cute, and she did a great job.

She has the microphone in this picture for her speaking part. We practice her line a million times, and she nailed it!

Her entranced audience:

Alyssa and her teacher Mrs. Purciful.

Disney on Ice

The girls and I went to Disney on Ice today. At first I was dreading it because I've been sick and the girls seemed to be filled with even more craziness than normal. We ended up having a great time and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Setting up Christmas

Setting up the tree

Decorating the girls' Christmas tree
Precious Lainey

Lainey got to put the angel on top of the tree this year

Lainey's Fall Program

Lainey's Preschool had her Fall Program and we didn't know what to expect from her. We were pleasantly surprised - she did great!

Her fans:

A big hug from her biggest fan:

Random pics

Alyssa won this bouquet of balloons at her school's movie night. I guess she's got a bit of that good ol' mommy luck.

So this is where Buster disappears off to every night

This is what the girls are doing when they don't know you're watching.
And, this is what they immediately do once they know you're watching them

A visit from Sammy

The last time we saw Sammy I swear she was Alyssa's size (okay, she was older than that but she was still a little kid). Anyway, she's now in high school and grown into a lovely young woman. Her marching band from The Woodlands, TX made it to Nationals and we were lucky enough to meet her for dinner and watch her band perform the next day. We are so proud of our wonderful "Texas Daughter"

I'm pretty sure when we took these pictures we thought we knew where Sammy was, but I now have no clue. So, I think these are pictures of her performing.

The girls absolutely loved watching all the bands.

Lainey's 4th Birthday

Lainey turned 4 on November 1st. Luckily, it was a beautiful day, so she got to ride her new bike.

For her party, she wanted a mermaid cake. So, Ryan and I created our final masterpiece:
Kylie & Maya having fun swinging:

Our beautiful party guests:

Mamaw & Wrigley

Present time!

Make a wish...

and blow out the candles!

Always time for a little backyard football:

What a beautiful day for a party!

All the cousins & Uncle Moose on the trampoline:

Halloween Pics 2009

I have tons of pictures I need to post from field trips & class parties. I figured Halloween pictures were more exciting though, so I'm posting these first. Alyssa was a movie star and Lainey was a princess (her dress lit up, but it's hard to tell). I felt like I was looking into the future with these pictures of Alyssa - she looked so grown up!

Our Jack O' Lantern