Birthday in Laramie

It wouldn't be a true birthday without celebrating in Laramie.  At least, that's what Alayna thinks.  It just so happens Alayna's birthday is during hunting season, which then gives some extra incentive to go to Laramie.  So we were able to follow through with Alayna's request to go to Laramie to Grandma and Grandpa L.'s house. 

And we sure celebrated!

Alayna (with her courtesy smile) and cake.

  

And her real smile.  (Peek a boo! I see someone else in the background.)

If you think her cake looks pretty much the same as last year, it is.  Last year I asked her what kind of a party she wanted and she said, "Pink! A pink party."  Well, think year I asked the same thing, and guess what she said?  Yep.  "Purple!  A purple party."  Creative, huh?  But this mom loves it!  I can most definitely do simple.  And believe it or not, she asked for the same cake.  She snuck in a little pink though.  She requested that the actual cake be pink with purple frosting.

Hmmmm!  Looks yummy to me.  (Bunny tracks ice cream, white-with pink food coloring- cake, and purple buttercream frosting.)

Festive purple party.

The birthday girl getting ready to open all those presents.

She has been patiently waiting 'til The Little Mermaid came out on DVD.  Her favorite!

Monopoly Jr.!

A princess umbrella.

Trying it out!

She was showered with gifts and came away quite spoiled. It definitely met her expectations!

Kendree was quite glad when Alayna was willing to share some of her new presents.  She couldn't wait to get all glammed up.

Accomplished

One of the many things I learned how to do while living in Arizona (Thank you, Roberta!), was can chicken.  

I will never be able to go back.  Other than the amount of time it takes, it seriously is relatively easy.  

And in the long run it makes dinner preparation SO much easier.  

And considering my family loves themselves a good chicken sandwich, it saves me money in the long run.

Ahhh, feeling accomplished.

Kindergarten visit

Clear back in the beginning of October, Alayna and I went to visit one of my friends and former co-worker in her Kindergarten classroom.  Alayna was slightly apprehensive at first, but as soon as we got to the school, she warmed right up.  

By the time it was lunch for the kids, Alayna was begging to stay.  She can't wait to be a Kindergartener herself and was proud as ever to wear her visitor tag all.day.long.  :)

Everyone needs a little butter

Or a lot of butter, in Brylen's case.  We have basically been told to let this girl eat whatever she wants.  Especially things that are fattening, since she is so underweight.  (She weighed in at 17 pounds at her 18 month check up.)

So, when we found her eating from a stick of butter (gross!), we just let it go.  

There's no questioning that she loves butter!

No hands!

Brylen

This little girl continues to be a joy and a handful all at the same time.  But we sure love her.  She is the.most.in-de-pen-dent.little girl I have ever met!  As long as she can do everything herself, she is happy.  So, Mom is learning to let go and just let her do it herself.

One day she was playing dress up and was pretty darn proud of herself for putting on Alayna's crown all by herself.

She has an obsession with shoes.  She loves to walk around the house in dress up shoes or my shoes.  

This day after church, she wasn't just satisfied with shoes, she had to have Mommy's bracelet too.  She looks so grown up in this picture.  (Excuse me while I morn the loss of my baby. Sniffle.)

Brylen continues to take every chance she has to get up on chairs, stools and the table.  I guess she just couldn't get close enough to the colored pencils.  But how can you get mad at that face.  

While visiting my family at the beginning of October, she rode the same rocking horse I rode when I was little.  To say she loved it, would be an understatement.  Giddy up!

She comes again

The tooth fairy came again and she did not disappoint.  Layna lost her second tooth and was thrilled that the tooth fairy brought her another dollar. 

At this rate, she will loose all her teeth before she goes to school.  

Ok.  That's a bit of an exaggeration, but still, two teeth within a couple weeks.  

That's pretty quick.  

Halloween 2013

 In honor of the Tooth Fairy that visited our house not too long ago, Alayna decided to be the Tooth Fairy for halloween.  And since Brylen pretty much thinks Alayna is the coolest, she got to be the Tooth Fairy in training.

Are they not the cutest Tooth Fairies you have ever seen?!

A close up of the Tooth Fairy herself.  I made their costumes.  Between reusing some things from previous costumes and already have Brylen's dress on hand, I figured I spent less than $6 on both costumes.  Now that is awesome!  My checkbook thanks me.

Alayna requested a sparkly tooth on her check.  So, Brylen then requested one as well, but I could not get her to stand still for a picture.

 The Tooth Fairy's wings.

 This little Tooth Fairy in training wouldn't stand still for anything.  As you can see, it didn't take long for her to start eating her candy.

She wore this little sign around and we got LOTS of compliments.  I guess she was the cutest little Tooth Fairy in training, there ever was.  :)