#49. The Kids Are Alright

Luke & Clare hit the 11 month mark on the 19th of June...

1 more month to 1...wearing their 'my dads rule' (we tend to agree!) shirts

As we celebrated our first Father's Day, it was crazy to reflect on how much has happened to us in the last 12 months.  One year ago right now Chris and I were only a week away from departing for Asia and the adventure (of a lifetime) we would encounter over the course of the 7 weeks that followed.  While we don't look back upon that trip as a 'vacation' it does represent the last time we traveled anywhere (not withstanding a couple of trips to Eureka, IL, and Whitewater, WI, of course!). Fortunately for us, some wonderful people stepped up to take care of Clare & Luke at the end of May, allowing us time to take a much needed holiday away from life in Chicago.  As we found out during (we 'facetimed' a few times with the twins) and after (from the abundance of photos we received), the kids did just fine without us!

So, while the twins dads went exploring Istanbul...

Blue skies and the Blue Mosque

View from the Galata Bridge on the Golden Horn

Visiting Asian Istanbul and having a look out to the Black Sea

Papa Posing with his recent purchase from the Grand Bazaar

...and the major sites of Paris...

Papa points towards the Eiffel Tower; Dads dash down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe; Notre Dame Daddy

...including  a couple of days at Roland Garros for the French Open,...

French faux photo backdrop

Federer was flawless this day

Stalking the Swiss Miss former phenom now doubles star Martina Hingis

...the twins were under the excellent care of both sets of their grandparents and family friend Aunt Ro.

Not looking like they were missing us too much!!

First up for the 'twinswatch' was Grandma Steffie and Grandpa Dan.  They arrived the night before the dads took off for Turkey.

Why don't they play this well when we're around?!?

Luke bonded with Grandpa Dan

The twins even enjoyed some wagon time...

...and their first ever Merry-Go-Round!  

The middle shift went to Aunt Rochelle (with assistance from Uncle Christian and Aunt Amy, of course).

Yay!  3 days with Aunt Ro!

Aunt Ro made sure the twins were well-dressed, 

Blackhawks Wear, Day 1

Blackhawks Wear, Day 2

Maybe wearing Blackhawks Wear to bed?!?  Or celebrating a big win by jumping in the crib??

well fed,

Maybe this should be above under well-dressed??

Cute bibs from their Great Uncle Teats and Great
Aunt Tricia, but maybe they aren't country music fans??

and well-traveled.

First Andersonville farmers market of the year...look at the happy boy in the back!!

Clare donned a suitable hat to match her brother's headgear

There also seemed to be time for a photo shoot for Ms. Clare.

Such a little poser!  

There were no glamour shots for Luke, but he was still represented.

This handsome little dude nailed it on his first try!

Grandpa and Grandma Knapp took the final shift.  Sadly, their twinsitting duties coincided with the time when it rained the ENTIRE weekend.

They might have been shut in, but everyone had a great time!

Look at Grandpa getting all photogenic with his grandchildren!!

Luke thought he had the perfect hiding
spot, but Grandpa found him!!

Clearly Clare wants to come with next time

A special thank you once again to Grandpa Dan, Grandma Steffie, Aunt Rochelle, Grandpa Knapp, and Grandma Knapp for all of their help with the twins.  The twins obviously had a great time and so did two dads!