Well, the holidays have come and gone. While we are still recovering from all of the travel and fun, the twins sure had a great time bringing in the new year!
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| These 2 'clean up' nice...Happy New Year from the twins! |
The holidays were packed full of memories and excitement. A trip to visit Santa was one of the first 'holiday happenings' this year.
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| Whether it was during the 'dress rehearsal' at home... |
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| ...or during the actual visit... |
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| ...not much has changed in the last year and a half! |
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| We were lucky to get this shot (we'll take a finger in the mouth!)...Clare & Luke, Christmas '15 |
We spent the week between Christmas and New Year's visiting family in the Daytona, FL, area, but before we left, the twins enjoyed visiting with friends,
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| Thanks, Sara, for trying to keep this group together!! |
looking forward to every box and package that arrived,
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| Clare enjoyed the packaging more than what came in it |
and lighting up the numerous Christmas trees (those of you that know Papa Chris know we own at least one tree per wo/man and beast living in our house).
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| Why, here are the twins now posing in front of their OWN individual (left blue/right pink) Christmas trees! |
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If you have little ones, and don't already own one (or FIVE like we do), get a remote control for your tree...
lighting up the tree NEVER gets old and its neat to watch them get so excited! |
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| Daddy/Daugher selfie in front of the Christmas tree glow |
On Christmas Eve, we flew (look for a future blog post called 'Frequent Flier's for details of this adventure!) down to Florida to spend a week with Papa Chris' extended family. Upon arrival, Luke & Clare were spoiled rotten! The twins started opening gifts in the morning,
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| Tearing open their first taste of Disney |
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| Someone's already hooked... |
...while someone else seems more interested in the packaging and re-packaging.
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Speaking of packaging, Clare made sure this gift bag didn't go unappreciated
She also spent more time sitting in this dog bed than playing with her new toys!
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throughout the afternoon,
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| Luke & Papa take down another present |
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| 'Full service' Auntie Kip helps Clare open her gift... |
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| ...and even helps her play with it too!! |
and well into the evening hours (the accumulation of which made for an interesting packing math problem for the trip home!).
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| This present's almost as big as the twins! |
With the amazing Florida weather (80s and sunny every day we were there), Christmas Day was mostly spent outdoors.
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Christmas Day soccer match, anyone?!?
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| We need a patio like this back home, Dads |
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| Two toddlers not thinking about their post-holiday diets during this 'outdoor' snack |
The weather in Florida was absolutely beautiful (have I mentioned this already??), so no day was complete without a visit to the pool.
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C'mon Dads, we're waiting!!
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| Luke lovin' his lounge time |
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| Clare enjoyed making a habit out of visiting the pool |
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| Armed and dangerous |
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| Borrowing their cousins' floaties...Luke here with Dad and Clare in the distance with Aunt Lisa |
When the twins weren't at the pool, they were hanging out at Great Grandpa (GP's) house.
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| Clare loved GP's dogs Scarlet and Sammy |
Luke figured out the door 'levers' and the twins had this cute exchange...
this was fun to watch until he accidentally shut the door on his sister's fingers!
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| They play Sesame Street in Florida too! |
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| Clare found a nice, quiet place to do her crossword puzzle (hmmm....she a lefty??) |
The main event of the trip was a full family New Year's Eve Bash that also commemorated GP's 80th birthday. The twins met many 'Heald' cousins, aunts, and uncles for the first time. They were so excited they just had to get dressed up for the occasion.
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| Grass is still green, Dad?? Yes, in places much warmer than home it is! |
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| Delaney helps to organize the twins during their photo shoot...good luck! |
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| Grandma Steffie taking Clare and her bunny for a walk |
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| Last Dad/Son/Daughter selfies of 2015! |
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| Clare enjoyed hanging out with cousin Lauren |
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| We put the boys to work...Nick was the doorman and Luke was in charge of cleanup |
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| Clare trying to help her brother recruit more bodies for cleanup |
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| Papa's last pose of 2015 with these two |
From our family to yours, Happy New Year! May you all have a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous year!!
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| Clare & Luke...New Year's Eve 2015...almost 18 months! |
