Holiday Fever

It has finally hit me. We pulled out all of our decorations today from the garage. The girls have had fun smelling all the candles and playing with their Playschool nativity scene. We played Jewel's Christmas album in the background. The season can officially begin!

We had a nice Thanksgiving holiday at my parent's house this year. All of my mother's side of the family was there. My parents even had a jump house for the kids to play in. The highlight for my girls of course. The dinner was delicious. My dad made the turkey as usual. This year he made 2 recipes from two different food network stars. They were amazing. One was even made on his grill. Yum. I was in charge of the pie and made 6 pies that morning. 2 cherry and 4 pumpkin! Wow. It was a lot of work but so worth it.

Now I am working on the Christmas cards and shopping. There is much to be done but I am really looking forward to this holiday season with my girls. They make everything so much more fun.

I am in need of ideas for exciting new toys or gifts for my girls. If you have any ideas that you have come across let me know. I feel like I have run out of ideas. My girls have so much already! Also if you know of any fun Christmas ideas to do with my nursery kids I need to think of something for them too. Thanks friends.

Lucy Scaring Monsters

Hey, this is Landon. I've hijacked Katie's blog to post a video we took of Lucy this evening.

Now let me explain what you are about to see.

In the beginning, Lucy is pretending to see a monster. Hence the wide eyes, screaming, hiding, etc. Then she scares the monster away with her terrifying growl.

Towards the end of the video, she realizes I am taping her, and she begins showing off for the camera. Hence the posing, smiling, and general adorableness.

Enjoy.

I Confess

I am a total blog stalker. I read the blogs of friends of friends all the time. I even find myself considering these people my friends. I check their blogs weekly and just get lost in their lives. It is so fun to see different families and the things the do together. I am still too shy and embarrassed to comment on these blogs. Maybe someday I will. The thing is I am pretty sure that most people would love to hear from me. I know that I would love to know more about those who happen upon my blog. Are you a blog stalker? Do you feel guilty or snoopy? Or do you just figure that as long as their blog is not set to private it is free game?

P.S. What is up with the Bachelor last night? I mean are you kidding me? I watched the whole season for nothing! I am so bugged.

I Love My Girls!

We have fun together!

Jolie the New "Ratchet-Jaw"

When Landon was a kid his Grandpa named him "ratchet-jaw." He could talk and mile a minute and just wouldn't stop!

Yesterday at the pediatrician's waiting room Jolie cornered a woman and her 18 month old son. I overheard this very one-sided conversation.

Jolie: Hi, I am Jolie, this is my sister Lucy. She is a big baby. Not a little baby anymore. That's my mom over there, her name is Katie. Is your baby a little baby or a big baby?

Woman: I guess a big baby.

Jolie: Yeah, cause he walks, huh? What is his name?

Woman: Dillon.

Jolie: That's my Uncle's name he lives in New York. He lives with Aunt Angela and he has a baby too. He is a big baby. His name is Miles. Do you live in California?

Woman: Yes.

Jolie: Me too. Nana and Pops live in Colorado. It snows there. I haven't seen the snow before. It is very cold there. (slight pause) Why is your baby crying? Is he sick? My sister Lucy is sick, she has a bad cough. I am not sick, I am just here with Lucy. My mom brought us here. I love to come here. The fish tank is my favorite.

and on and on and on.

The poor woman was clearly trying to get away from Jolie. Her son was very upset. I was basically dying laughing inside.

Jolie does this same trick every time we go to the park as well. She always latches on to some poor adult and talks their ears off. So funny.

In fact, Jolie is sitting right next to me as we speak talking about who knows what. She barely even pauses for a breath. You know, I realized that the things I love most about that girl are the things that she gets from her father. I guess it just goes to show I love him a lot.

So far it has been an insane week. Lucy has an ear infection in both ears, not to mention a really nasty cough she has had for almost a month! Today Jolie had her first ever cavity filled at the dentist and was such a trooper. I was a wreck and was tearful up until she received her shot. She didn't even flinch at it. That child always amazes me. And as soon as she got home she told me that she wants to go again sometime! Hopefully the rest of the week will be less eventful.

Halloween Thoughts

We had an action packed last week or so. Last night as Jolie went to bed she wisely said to us, "Today was the last day of Halloween." For her it did seem to last for several days.

It all started on Friday night for our ward Trunk or Treat. Very fun. Then on Sunday we had a major party at my Grandparent's house with all of the cousins. Then yesterday of course we had Jolie's school party and trick or treating on The Strand in Hermosa Beach. We have more candy then I know what to do with, and lets be honest, who do you think is going to eat that candy? I'll give you a hint: this is her blog. Maybe I'll share with Landon, we'll see.

Okay so Landon started a new job this week! Hooray for him! He is thrilled at his job change. He is switching over from PR to more of a marketing advertising firm. He wants to be able to do it all. So now he works 10 minutes from home. (Adding almost 3 hours at home to each day!) We are loving it. His new firm is great. They are very into employee morale and doing fun things together as a group. For example, in the summer they have a softball team. This month they are having a mustache growing contest so pretty much Landon can't shave this month. Yikes! And yesterday they made everyone dress up in Halloween costumes. Silly!

I am a believer that Halloween is for kids. Dressing up as adults is just ridiculous. I am sorry but I just think once you are a grown up (out of college and in the real world) it is time to give it up. I mean how strange is it going to an adult party and everyone wearing weird clothes and after the initial, "haha, that is a great costume" it just becomes uncomfortable talking to the gang banger and his sexy nurse girlfriend. And speaking of, I went to the mall a few weeks ago and they had a store devoted completely to sexy womens costumes. Sexy gypsy, sexy clown, sexy animals. So bizarre. I am sorry Halloween for adults has just become an excuse to wear slutty outfits and feel socially accepted.

So that's my soap box on Halloween. I love it for my kids. They have a ball. Lucy wore her kitty costume all day yesterday, complete with tail and ears, even during her nap. She was the cutest black cat ever. And Jolie was a very adorable "beautiful and nice" witch. I will hopefully get a little video of them up soon.

Don't Worry About Us

The good thing about living in such an overdeveloped beach town, asphalt doesn't burn. We are not close to any of fires. I guess the Malibu fire would be the closest. Even though that is at least 20 miles away we are still have raining ash all day. Kids are not allowed outside for recess and the sunlight has a very orange tint to it and a brown smoke ring around it. Nasty. It makes me very glad none of us have asthma.

The Irvine fire was right over the 241 highway from my parents but they were never evacuated. It ended up going to my Aunt Suzi and Uncle Jim's house in Santa Margarita. The fire department actually parked outside their house to fight the fires. The fire was literally in their back yard. But I hear their house is safe!

Both Landon's Uncle Dennis and his cousin Cove are firefighters in San Diego. They have been fighting the fires and are so far safe. His Aunt Kathy and family were evacuated but I hear their house is okay so far.

Scary stuff. I wish it would just rain and knock those fires out! I read an article in our local paper today about how proud we should be at a time like this of our country. It is one of those times when we should be very thankful for our government programs and proud of those brave firefighters risking their lives for the people. Without them the damage could have been unthinkable. I am just glad so few have died in this mess.

On a lighter note, here are some pictures of our girls that Chrissy took this weekend. We took them to enter the girls in the Gap casting call contest. I just couldn't resist putting my gorgeous babes in it, they are the cutest in the bunch! But I am not biased or anything.

We Love Nana and Pops

We had a fun visit from Landon's parents and his brother Chase. Since I am still camera-less they were kind enough to share their pictures of the week with me. Enjoy.

We had donuts



A trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific



A real girls only slumber party complete with makeovers





And a fun beach trip



Thanks Nana and Pops. We miss you!

My Brother

and his roomates made this silly video for an Apple contest. Watch it, rate it. It is very funny.

P.S. The Russian is my cousin Brad.

Star Struck

So now that I have lived in LA for more than 3 years, half of that being in Beverly Hills, I have now seen my fair share of celebrities. Landon has seen even more since he works at Century City where the stars often eat and shop.

The best stars I have seen so far include Bruce Willis with his daughters, Diane Keaton, Teri Hatcher, and as of Saturday, Adam Sandler with his family. Those were all great. I generally just look and move on, I am definitely not the type to approach anyone and bug them. But it is fun to see the human side of these people. Diane Keaton was wearing an all black outfit complete with turtleneck in 95 degree weather. Teri Hatcher literally has the skinniest legs I have ever seen, if I were her I would avoid skirts like the plague. Adam Sandler's little baby girl, very adorable in a I look just like my dad kind of way. It is nice to see that these people are just regular people like us. Only with way nicer clothes.

Also on Saturday at this charity event we went to, we saw an actor who is one of my current faves. Landon and I both adore him. Me, because he is super cute. And Landon because he plays one of our favorite characters on one of our favorite shows: Heroes. He is none other than the fabulously adorable Greg Grunberg. And since I am lame and don't know how to post a picture of him here you will just have to look him up. He plays Matt Parkman, a new FBI agent who can read people's thoughts. If you haven't seen this show, you must. It is my favorite show this season other than the Office of course. Every episode is action packed. Seriously, there is no boring down time. I love it. Every week I am sad when it is over and I can't wait until next week. Kind of like 24 back when it used to be good.

For those interested the event we went to was a shoe drive put on by The Children's Place. It was at the Santa Monica pier. There was a band playing children's music, bubble machines and free t-shirt decorating. Very fun, the kids loved it. Just another reason I love LA. There are always fun things to do around here.