Warning: Adorable Baby Laughing

Apparently James has the funniest fake laugh ever...

Just another hilarious day Being Billingsley...

Shake and Bake Mondays

Mondays are a special day at Chez Billingsley. That is the day we go out with Abbie's best friend S.B., her brother, and her Mommy to "Shake and Bake."

Shake and Bake Mondays have taken us to a number of fun places... Pizza and some park time, playing at the house, or the girls' favorite location...Luby's, of course. (Did you realize there was plenty of room for a "dance festival" in the foyer of your neighborhood Luby's.)

This week we took the girls to a bar, obviously.

Their favorite bar refreshments??? Kit Kats and Skittles.

Don't worry. S.B.'s Mommy and I kept it to Diet D.P. and Iced Tea, so we did the driving.

Just another day keepin' it responsible and Being Billingsley...

Lila Has Hair!!

Lila always gets fussy when we do Abbie's hair in the mornings.

I'm convinced it is because she is jealous of the fact that her big sister actually has hair that requires brushing. I always tell Abbie, "Geez... Your poor sister wishes she had a ponytail."

Well, I didn't realize the impact Lila being bald was having on Abbie. She felt so sorry for Lila, she decided to roll up her sleeves and solve the problem. Gotta love a problem solver.

Imagine my surprise when I spotted these luxurious locks where only shine used to be.

Looking good, girlfriend!!! And, so natural looking.

Just another day innovating Barbie hair applications and Being Billingsley...

Mmmm...Bread Is Good!

Every week my mother-in-law, T, keeps Lila for me so that Abbie and I can go to our weekly Bible study. Not only is she a great Granna, she was also my Cooking Coach this week.

Yesterday, she taught me how to make her homemade dinner rolls!

That's right folks...I made this delicious basket of HOMEMADE DINNER ROLLS!

Coach stuck with me the whole way, teaching me how to get the dough to just the right consistency. She even fielded a panicked phone call from me during what we in the bread making business call the "rising phase."

I'm proud to say that unlike my coaches in high school, she did not have to hit me once with the clipboard or blow her whistle at me. She also did not ask me to leave the gym.

Thanks Coach T!!!

Just another day rockin' the kitchen and Being Billingsley...

Bye Bye October...

I have started the sad, sad task of putting away the October decor.

In addition to Halloween, October is the month we celebrate the old man's (James') birthday. My favorite of all the decorations I put out this time of year is a picture his youngest cousin drew for him many years ago. She was 7-years-old at the time. She is now a very impressive, completely gorgeous, and hilarious 19-year-old college student. My how time has flown by!!

It is hard to see because of my wretched photography skills and the glass on the frame, but notice she had every member of our family at the time depicted and labeled...even our canine daughters. She was a very thoughtful artist.

Bet you can't figure out which one is me.

Just another day, looking like a clown and Being Billingsley...

The Many Faces of the Billingsley Girls

My beautiful girls...

My silly girl...

My terrified girl...

My sweet girl...

Hmmm...I don't know what to say about this one.

Just another beautiful Autumn day Being Billingsley...

Halloween 2009

We had a great Halloween, and I hope you all did too! What a wonderful holiday!

Here is Abbie and her friend S.B. as they prepare to embark on their business of candy gathering. Can't you just sense the focus...
Here is Lila, our precious little flower, as she prepared for her evening of trick-or-treating.

Abbie went to each door with the following script: "Hello. Trick-or-treat. I am Abigail Billingsley. I am dressed like Aurora. She also wears a blue dress in the movie, but pink is the only one available for purchase. I'm fine with that."

Once the candy was given to her, the Princess graciously said, "Thank you." James said she got left in the dust as all the other kids got their candy and moved on. Of course my kid used the concept of trick-or-treating to get to know if the neighbors were "good people." That girl loves a good chat.

Once the candy was collected, Abbie and the other kids all sat down together to get as much of it in their mouths at once as they possibly could. Here she is with S.B. enjoying some Dots.

The treat for Lila was that she got to be outside and bundled up in her blanket. The trick, of course, was that she got no candy. She thought it was rude. You just wait till next year, Lila. Abbie will show you how it's done!

Probably my favorite thing about Halloween since having children is the day after. I like to call it the "Halloween Hangover."

Abbie trying to sober up on the couch this morning with some Disney Channel programing.

Lila crashed in our bed after a night of solid partying.
All-in-all, it was another successful Halloween. Tons of candy, hanging out with great friends, a buffet of food that was seemingly endless, and all our kids having the times of their lives. It was wonderful.

How did Lila feel when we told her Halloween was over...

I feel the same way, girlfriend....the same way.

Just anther day Being Billingsley...