Poor Little Sickie

I know I'm going to pay for this in a few years from now, but I couldn't resist. Mia has been sick for 6 days now and the whole family is a little slap happy (6 days inside will do that to you)
Dennis and I have listened to this strange man sleeping in Mia's body for the last couple of days and thought we needed to share!

Miley McGrath

Yes, I did ask to see the biggest piece of electronic plastic they had in the store.

Mazlin is a trooper

 
Mazlin knew something was up with her big sissy. She was so sweet and kept bringing Mia PJs to wear all day. We all had a very relaxing xmas this year. Happy Holidays!

Santa left part of his cookie

 

The family gift exchange

 

Mazlin

 

Mazlin was so excited for christmas this year. She loved her fluffy little dress and was smiles all night. Mia, on the other hand, was a sickie. I never considered through all her excitement that she would be too sick to even want to come down stairs in the morning. Dennis and I are glad we have 2 weeks to hang out with the girls until they feel better.

Happy Birthday Dennis!

 

A great time was had by all. Although, I'm never drinking again...again.

 

A visit from the Howds

 

Our friends Kate and Matt came up for a visit and it was a great time. The girls loved to hang out with them in the morning and play games on their iPhone. They are much cooler than mommy and daddy. Matt has threatened to create a new blog called...thereallauriemcgrath.blogspot.com since he has many pictures and movies that show (well, lets just say) a different perspective than this fine controlled blog.

Parkview Carriage Rides

 

Our neighborhood has carriage rides for the holidays! The weather was great and the girls loved it.

One truth to parenting

People tell you lots of things when you're a parent but one thing is definitely true...the magic of the holidays come back to life when you have little ones. Today I was explaining to Mia how Santa comes down the chimney and it made me remember how magical that time of my life was. Not being able to fall asleep just waiting and waiting for the morning to come and then running downstairs and wondering how he knew what I wanted. I haven't thought about that for years. Just another added bonus.

(can you tell we like low lighting in our house)

Santa Visit

Mia and Maz are ready for the big visit to the strange guy with the white beard and crazy red suit. We had the best intentions but came home empty handed. Mia forgot her list in the car and decided to have a melt-down and Maz just wasn't having any of it. Honestly, I can't say I blame them. So, don't hold your breath for any Santa pictures from the McGraths.

Look at Maz counting like her big sis...

Maz wishes you a happy Thanksgiving

A Sight for Sore Eyes...After a hard day of black Friday shopping

 

McGrath Tree 08

 

A few glasses of wine and a photo booth...

We went to our friend's wedding and they had this little photo boothy thingy. It was the hit of the reception. Especially after a glass of wine or two. Although, I did find out later that we missed the arrival of Elvis.

Our little milliner in the making

Mia and Maz at the art museum

 

Maz is thinking....I'm done with this sister thingy for today.

She takes her dancing very seriously.

Why did I get the cleaning gene instead of the waist measurment gene?

A few things I've inherited from my mother...obsessive cleaning, love of alcohol and a sometimes misunderstood sense of humor that clearly makes me think I'm the funniest person around (even if others don't seem to get it) but really, look at my Mom's waistline? Seriously?

New Camera

Sorry for the lag in posts. We lost our camera a few weeks back. It has been replaced and more posts to come.

The worlds best neighbors

 

You should consider yourself lucky to live right next door to someone you can tolerate, but we consider ourselves uber luck to have Mark and Marie as neighbors and most importantly friends.

(Although, they do grill meat on the back porch right below our window--other than that, we can't complain.)

A Tent? Really

 

Last night we went to wine tasting and during the event Amy (pictured) and I decided we would pitch a tent and camp out the night before and then have all our neighbors bring us coffee and we would allow them to go to the front of the line. Not to mention the huge number of interviews we would have as the coolest voting moms in the city.

Hmmm, today I woke up sans wine and..well...not so much!

(the scary thing is I really believed this was a great idea)

So sweet

 

 

You never know what you will find on your walk to get coffee

 

The stars are aligned

 

Not sure what it can be attributed to or how long it will last, but Mia and Maz are having a blast with each other lately. They laugh and play and fight, but the bond they have is really sweet and Dennis and I are enjoying just watching it unfold.

A monkey in disguise

 

 

Art

 

by...Mia, Maz and daddy

Halloween House

 

Our neighbor has been renamed..Mrs. Halloween!

Halloween 2008

 

Here is our little witch. We are missing a monkey-Maz had a major melt down when we put the monkey costume on her. So, we opted to stay home listen to music, drink a bottle (Maz) and a glass of wine (mommy) and hand out candy.

Friday Nights

Dennis and I were both laughing this morning when we realized we were as excited about having a Friday night Pajama, pizza and popcorn party with the girls as we were about trying a new restaurant. Not to mention the epic viewing of Snow White.

It was a slow process, but we're here.

Seasons are a funny thing

 

I wonder if everyone is affected by the change of seasons. Fall is my MOST favorite season and it brings back so many memories. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving St. Louis the more I am here but there is something very special about the fall season in Minneapolis. Can't quite put my finger on exactly why-you'll just have to trust me on this one. Fall is in the air today and it makes me think of our house, friends, neighbors and Lucia's in Minneapolis. I would give anything to be drinking a big glass of wine looking out the window of Lucia's with friends.

You're a special little place, Ms. Twin Cities.