I simply can't believe that this little baby of mine is going to turn 1 year old in a few days...

Merry Christmas from The Brown's. We've officially made it back to Milwaukee after a week & a half of festive celebrations. I'm sure my mom is happy to have her house back & ornaments in tact after Margaux rearranging them all weekend. I have many more pics to post, but thought I'd share a few. The girls had a great Christmas, it was so much more fun this year with Marin so interested in the holiday itself. We were all shocked at how much Margaux enjoyed receiving her baby dolls. She could hold them & pat their back all day long. It's so adorable. I have so much un-packing to do, it's rediculous. No clue where to start. The 1st Birthday festivities begin this week. I just can't believe it. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! xoxo

We have been looking for this shot of Marin for months now but have had ZERO luck. Then yesterday while celebrating x-mas with the Brown's Gary received a text message from a good friend with this picture attached. We didn't waste any time & drove there this moring. (It is up @ a Kohl's we'd never been to.... until today.) I wanted to get Marin's reaction on video but our little camera wasn't working, which is too bad b/c her reaction was priceless! "Awww, oh my gosh mommy... look that's me! Awww, don't I look pretty?" It was so cute! At least the big camera was working & I was able to take a picture. Notice Marin looking up @ herself in the first shot. It was fun to see. We are hoping they will allow us to have it once it comes down. We'll see... xoxo

As promised, we took Marin to see the light show @ Miller Brewing tonight. It was a great show with lots of lights & loud music too. The show is every 1/2 hour so we had to wait a few minutes so Margaux watched from her seat since that was our warmest option. TONS of people visiting Miller Valley & lots of free beer to be drank. Gary was very disappointed that we weren't able to stay & visit the beer garden. Maybe next time.... xoxo

We visited Santa at the mall today. Marin prefers not to sit on his lap but she'll talk to him like crazy...rambling on & on about his reindeer and that she wants a camera for Christmas. I thought for sure Margaux would have no problems sitting on his lap for a picture since she goes to ANYONE!! Boy, was I wrong. I hadn't even set her on his lap & she was grasping my arm so strong. I did set her on his lap & the tears began to flow. She screamed the entire time, as you see in the pics. Marin was so concerned & continuously saying "It's ok, Mago." Oh, well... again it's another memory! They both sported their new shirts from Aunt Katie. Marin's reads "naughty." She fits the part completely! I think she'll wear this even after Christmas!! xoxo

Tiny Dancer...

When the music starts there is no stopping Miss Margaux. Her pointer finger extends out & she goes to town! It is so cute. These videos were taken two different days this week. Marin also makes an appearance & even carries a little tune. It will be a sad day when the Christmas CD has to be put away. I think Gary would prefer it to be put away today!! (p.s. please look past the messy kitchen, we were in the middle of x-mas baking!) xoxo

Low key weekend so far, but since the weather was fairly mild today we decided to bring the girls to Candy Cane Lane to see all the lights. It's an area of about eight city blocks that are FILLED with lights, music & holiday blow up "stuff." Most people drive through the streets but in our case, Margaux wouldn't have been able to see so we decided to walk. We did see a few vehicles w/ kids' heads stuck out of sun roofs to see the lights. Our girls were just thrilled looking at the lights, there was so much to see. Little Margaux's nose got quite red & Marin laughed and called her "baby rudolph." It was so cute!

We've been looking forward to snow for quite some time now, especially since the new sled arrived via St. Nick. Milwaukee didn't get nearly as much snow as I'm hearing the GB/Madison areas did, but we were still ready to get out & play. Because it was Margaux 1st experience with snow, I was really anxious to see what my little wild child would do. She was very curious, crawling all over & definitely had a few face plants within the first 10 min. we were outside. It's hard to move in all those clothes but somehow she managed to get around! We finished with a ride in the big orange sled, which they loved! Looking forward to more time outside once it's not so stinkin cold!! xoxo

St. Nick arrived bright & early at our house Saturday morning. (Yes, one day early) The girls were so excited with all their goodies. Tons of Snap-N-Click dolls, new books & a big orange sled (compliments of Dama) that stole the show for the day. These pics were taken first thing in the morning, you can see the excitement on Margaux's face. Later that morning, she was still in the sled & Marin began pulling her around the house... the giggles were non-stop. We have yet to bring it to the garage, it's still too much fun. I hate to say it but I'm really looking forward to some snow so we can take it outside for a run. The girls will LOVE it! xoxo

Jumping on the couch is sooo much fun! I had no idea this would occupy so much fun time until the other night when I took all the cushions off the couch to vacuum. I think I'll use this a bit more often. They could have jumped/played for hours!

1st night in her new bed!

Happy Tuesday! I've been working hard to get us all settled in after a week & a half of running around all over WI. After this morning, I feel that things are finally back to normal. I addition to all that has been going on, we also decided to get rid of Marin's crib & put her in the "big girl" bed that has been sitting w/o use for months. (Except when Dama is in town) She was very excited & didn't have any problems with the transition. In fact, the first morning (Monday) she slept until 7:45!!! She's usually a 6:30 on.the.dot girl, so her bed must be extra comfortable! She did make it quite clear that she needed ALL of her animals & babies to sleep with her. Needless to say, her bed is packed full of little friends, I'm surprised there's even room for Marin!
Also pictured, is Margaux's new idea of fun. Climbing up on the dishwasher while I load/unload. This happened for the first time last night & the camera just happend to be sitting on the counter so I could capture the moment. Sassy little girl! After about 3 weeks of walking, she's finally decided that walking is much more fun than crawling & actually prefers to walk. It's pretty darn cute. She also sprouted her 1st tooth on Sunday. It's been a big few days here @ the Brown's!! xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another fun holiday celebrated with the Anguil/Reyes family...It's becoming quite the tradition! (And Margaux's first turkey day!) We had a great time, as always, but I'm stuffed & ready for bed! Marin was especially excited to meet the Anguil's two new kittens. The smile on her face was so cute & would not go away. Makes me a little sad that I'm allergic & the girls will never have a cat... but then I remember they don't stay that little/cute forever! I swear she could have sat there forever & did cry once we had to take it away. Margaux enjoyed them too, but we couldn't let her crazy-self get too close. She is also the only one missing from the picture of the kids at their table. It's always entertaining seeing all the kids together & our girls had a blast. Thankgiving dinner is officially over, now I'm ready for the Christmas music & everything else!! Bring on the new background!! xoxo

A few photos from our long weekend in Green Bay while Gary went hunting with my dad. No deer for Gary this year, which I am fine with since we have no where to put it! Marin, Margaux & myself spent lots of girl time with Dama & Aunt Katie. We had a great time, but it is also nice to finally be home. While there, we visited a family friend's yard which is FILLED with giant blow up Christmas decorations. (At least 30 of them total, music & all!) It was so fun for the girls to walk along his yard visiting with all the characters. I look forward to bringing them again when we travel up there for Christmas. xo

I truly believe that yesterday was out last "warm" day outside & we are soooo sad. We spent a lot of time out in the yard & at the park. The girls enjoyed taking turns in their car & sliding down the slide into the giant leaf pile. Margaux is so cute in that car with her little hands on the steering wheel & Marin thinks she's such a big girl pushing her. Margaux is SO close to walking & it would be so fun to be able to let her finally stroll outside with Marin & I, although I'm sure walking outside with all the winter gear on won't be easy for her. She's growing up so fast all of the sudden. In addition to saying bye-bye (while waving), she also said da-da & ma-ma! And now she's beginning to take steps on her own. We've seen as many as 4-5 at a time over the last day or two. Only a matter of time & she'll be on the go. We are heading up to Green Bay on Friday so I'm hoping she does it sooner than later so Gary doesn't miss it. (He'll be hunting Friday-Tues.) BUT.... Dama & Katie would get to see it if she waits!! We'll see. Marin has trip#2 to the dentist Monday morning. She's already saying she doesn't want to go to the dentist, should be an experience...wish me luck!! xoxo