Olivia's snow angels

Ever since we arrived in Chicago, all Olivia talked about was making a good old-fashioned snow angel!! She couldn't wait for it to snow so she could go outside and make one. When we lived in California she would pretend to make snow angels on the carpet in her playroom (lol)! So, it was so cute to see her making a real snow angel in the snow. Although she was born in California, Olivia definitely has the love of a Chicago winter in her heart!! Every time it starts to snow she lights up with joy!!

The snowsuit she is wearing in this picture is mine from when I was her age;)

Home sweet home Chicago

After a long month of moving and Brian driving across the country twice....we are FINALLY all moved in. We are officially once again Chicagoans!!!! Well, it was only appropriate that the first big winter storm decided to come on moving day! Here is just a glimpse of what our backyard looks like in the middle of winter! (For everyone back in California:)

Brian shoveling snow!

I know this post is long overdo, but I had a busy month in December! I am proud to say that I unpacked all of the boxes & even got the Christmas tree up by the time Brian returned to Chicago (for good) just in time for Christmas.

In my family we celebrate St. Nicholas day every year at the beginning of December. It is an old tradition where you put your shoes out before you go to sleep for St. Nick to fill them with goodies. The girls were excited to put their shoes out (especially Olivia) and they were relieved to know that Santa found us at our new house.

In the middle of December my family & I took the girls downtown for their first city visit!! (Unfortunately, Brian had to fly back to Cali to check-out so he didn't get to go with us.) It included a day of shopping, going out to lunch, & spending some quality time together as a family. One of my favorite times to visit the city is around Christmas time. It is so cool to see all of the holiday decorations & window displays especially at night time.

Olivia's 1st trip to the American Girl doll store.

My sister Taylor & I.

Brooklyn's Firsts

Brooklyn has changed so much in the past few months. She has had many new "firsts." While we were staying with my in-laws for the month of November until we moved into our new place, Brooklyn started talking, walking, and becoming more independent. She said her first word "uh-oh" when she dropped her cup during breakfast one morning! It was so cute! Olivia and I just looked at each other and started laughing. Soon after, she was saying "Hi," "Da-Da", "Ma-Ma", "Papa", "Nana", and she now even says "dank du" which is her version of "thank you". It's so cute to see her learning and actually saying words in the right instances and directed towards people. It has become a pattern in our family to talk before walking-go figure! lol We are definitely a talkative family;)

Then, on November 17th at 9 days short of 11 months old, Brooklyn took her very first steps all by herself!! Before we knew it she was walking on her own all over the place. Since then she has mastered walking and tries to go faster by the day in order to catch up with Olivia. Also, she has gotten 6 more teeth within a month and a half! The poor girl! But it didn't stop Brookie from being her normal smiley self, she is one tough cookie!! It is adorable to see her smile with a mouth full of teeth:-)

Brooklyn when she first started walking in November....

Brooklyn walking now....

Brooklyn's 1st Thanksgiving

Almost time for bed-the thumb is in!

And I had to include a picture of Livie....

Olivia & Aunt Kate during our stay @ GG & Papa's.

Catching up....

I am behind on blogging due to the move and I have so much to catch up on....during October we spent a lot of time packing and saying good-bye to our friends. Just before leaving California, we had a pot-luck style dinner with some of our closest friends from church. It was so funny to see all of the babies & kids running all over the place, because when we first met everyone no one had kids yet. God has truly blessed us!

The Moms with the kids....

....and the Dads

We celebrated Brooklyn's first Halloween at the end of October but unfortunately Olivia was sick so we spent most of the day laying around. We had big plans of going to see Dora the Explorer (Olivia's favorite) live, but had to give away our tickets when Livie woke up with a high fever. I think I was even more devastated to miss the show then she was! (lol) So, we took the girls trick-or-treating around the block and then enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner that Brian's mom cooked for us (she flew out to spend Halloween with us and accompany the girls and I to Chicago).

Olivia picking out a pumpkin before Halloween.

Every holiday I get both of the girls a book-it is a little tradition I started since Olivia was born. Brooklyn decided to taste her first Halloween book!!

This year Olivia picked out her own costume....CINDERELLA (of course) & Brooklyn went as the cute little pumpkin that Olivia was on her first Halloween, which was so adorable I couldn't resist using it again:)

On one of our last nights in San Clemente Brian & I had a date night while my Mother-in law watched the girls. We went out to dinner at a local restaurant named Sonny's and then took a walk on the beach. It was very chilly down by the beach so I didn't last very long, but it was so breath-taking to walk along the beach at night in the dark with all of the stars twinkling in the sky and the sound of the waves crashing-it was the perfect way to say good-bye to San Clemente.