Things I have learned in 2009

Two is better than One


I thought being a parent was the best job in the world and worried that I would have enough love to give baby number two. But what I really learned is that two little girls is far better than just one and I have room in my heart for all of my loves!

Be careful what you wish for

All those night spent wishing Camryn would not come too early and what did we end up with? A 6 day late, had to be evicted sweetheart. I could barely walk and wanted to scream and cry when they moved my induction from Friday to Monday ( ok I did scream and cry)  But in the end it was worth it!

You are never to old to make new friends

Not that I or my friends are old, but if you had told me two years ago I'd make a whole new group of friends I'd have never believed you. I am thankful each day for these lovely ladies and the joy, happiness and dose of reality they bring to my life.

No matter how busy you are there is always time to help others

Here I thought life with one daughter was busy, then I added a second and I still found the time to get involved in a cause that is very dear to my heart. Maybe you've been reading my blog for years and know all about the Liz Logelin Foundation but in case you don't I think you should take a bit of time to get to know this foundation and the great things it does. My heart is warmed every time I think about the things being done, the generosity of donors and the volunteers and the families who so desperately need our help!



Life is Good

I have crappy days like anyone, moments I am stressed out and frustrated. My kids can push my buttons, my husband too. But in the end it is obvious to me that life here is good. I hope you take the time to see the good in your life from 2009 and the good yet to come in 2010





HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas Fun

I hope all of your holidays were great! Here's a few shots from ours.... Getting the tree ready for Santa!

Helping sister look through her stocking

Unwrapping the gifts!

A little play time!

and man were we sad to see it all end!

We wish you

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Now that we can share our x-mas card with you I'll soon be uploading tons of photos from our Picture sessions with our talented friend Tiffany!

Aren't these few glimpses great?

Hope you holidays are merry and bright!

The 12 days of Christmas

The holidays are creeping up on us very fast here and I have never felt more unprepared. There is so much left for me to do. I have yet to wrap a gift, I haven't baked a cookie yet and my christmas letter.. Yeah it isn't written. The cards are still sitting on the table and I am feeling the stress,  so instead of getting one of those items done I am shamelessly stealing borrowing this idea from my friend Nicole over @ Five Little Kofoeds

The 12 days of Christmas

  Brown Family Style

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Diapers to change each day

11 Times to threaten the Naughty list

10 Work projects that much get finished before vacation

9 Christmas themed books to read

8 Puppy feet to wipe

7 Days to get ready

6  Baths to give

5 Gifts to buy

4 Stockings to Stuff

3  Gifts to put together

2 Sweet Little Girls

1 Elf on the Shelf that I must remember to hide each night

What is on your to do list before the holidays?

Infant Potty Training

Alright mom's and dad's... this blogs for you!

So have you heard of infant potty training? I had hear a rumble or two, I knew it was mostly about communication with your new born and taking them to the potty when you thought they'd have to go ( hum that sounds vaguely familiar to regular potty training) Well I was never interested in that until about a month ago I was getting the girls ready for a bath and Cassie was being her usual pokey little puppy self so I teased her that Cami could potty and get in the tub before her. She of course told me that Camryn cannot go potty so being a bit silly myself I stripped of her diaper and held my then 7 month old over the potty. She smiled the biggest smile and grinned at me, it was so adorable that ever since then I've put her up there before her bath.

Really to elicit the grin not to train her to pee!

Last night though at the ripe old age of 8 months SHE PEED ON THE POTTY!!!!!

I was so amazed I started reading up on this whole infant potty thing I mean heck it would be great to be out of diapers early right :-)

Conclusion... I don't have the time or patience for that kind of work, but I'll plop her up there before every bath to earn myself one of these!

Who can resist that grin?

A Little Holiday Cheer!

Happy Holidays!  I was sent this little blog survey to complete so here you go:


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? 

Hot Chocolate for sure with lots of mini marshmallows!!!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

He just leaves his out under the tree, or in the stocking. His mouse on the other hand normally wraps and hides his gift in the tree ( If you have kids and haven't read Santa Mouse I suggest it!!!)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

That varies,  this year we have colored sparkly on the tree and nothing on the house! We HAD colored icicle lights out there but they kept shorting out ( they were old) so we took them down and will buy new the 26th!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Nope, we don't have time to stop for kisses we have two kids, two dogs, two jobs ....

5. When do you put your decorations up?

The day after Thanksgiving if I can! I love Christmas time
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

 X-mas eve Ham Balls... X-mas Morning Aunt Judy's Sausage Casserole X-mas Dinner I am a huge fan of this christmas salad my mom makes, red leaf lettuce, dried cranberries, raspberry vinagrette. YUMMY!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

Our first Christmas in Los Alamos it was very snowy and our one car was in the shop, mom and I walked to town to do some last minute shopping and took a cab home
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I honestly have no idea, what truth about Santa are you speaking of? I have been very good this year so I am surely still on the nice list!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Yes one present on X-mas eve right before bed!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Like this:

A hodgepodge of all kinds of stuff, things Anthony and I made as kids, first ornanments etc.. Stop on by sometime, every one has a story and I'll tell you them all!


11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

HATE SNOW... Well ok I'd take 1 inch each Christmas morning!!!

12. Can you ice skate?

If you want a really good laugh YES.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I have a bunch of favorites, my true favorites are alaways something unexpected
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

the time I get to soend with my familiy and friends


15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

Um all of them, hello have you seen me? I blame it on having kids but really it is all that yummy christmas sweets!!!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Driving around to look at x-mas lights on x-mas eve. Or the constant argument between hubs and I as to which street has the luminarias!


17. What tops your tree?

See above picture, a silver star.. But right now it is also topped by a crazy little elf hanging on for dear life! The Elf on the Shelf ( once again if you have kids this is a MUST have, we love it)
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?

Normally giving I love to see if people like what I spent my time picking for them, but I won't lie either, I love to recieve the unexpected!


19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

 Probably Deck the Halls!


20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?
Yum for about 3 minutes, they are just too big,

21 Favorite Christmas Show?

I love the grinch who stole christmas, the old school cartoon one, NOT the Jim Carey one as I have him to thank for about 4 months of nightmares in Cassie last year!!!
22. Saddest Christmas Song?

I'll be home for Christmas

Oh the Weather outside is...

FRIGHTFUL!!!

And seeing as we have no fireplace to keep us warm we'll have to make do! The great blizzard of 2009 is upon us, or maybe about past by now, but it was a long day here. I still had to work (from home) and Anthony and the girls got to enjoy a snow day. you can imagine how easy that was.. If only mommy could have worked under Harry Potters Invisibility Cloak!

Here are our snow pictures! Someone shared with me that twitter had a hash tag ( a way to identify people talking about the same things you are for my non twitter readers) that was #IowaDeathStorm09 So reassuring isn't it! It wasn't that bad but we also follwed the advice and stayed put!

 Here is the Snow falling on Tuesday Night

Cassie playing in it Wednesday Afternoon!

Getting their shovel on!

and a view of the monster drift aside my car! Please, Please do not let that fall in on me as I am putting Camryn in her car seat anytime soon!!!

Now here's hoping it hits 60 soon and this all melts away!