#80. New Digs for a New Year

As many know, last fall we made the big move up to Evanston.  It was a tough decision to leave the city (Chris and I both lived in Chicago over 15 years), but Evanston (the first suburb north of Chicago along Lake Michigan) ended up the best compromise to remain connected to our former city life and establish new residence that will support all of the twins' future interests and needs.  We hadn't planned to make any such move so soon, but right before Labor Day, we found the perfect house and neighborhood and have never looked back!

Yay!! We have a front porch swing!

As exciting as a new house can be, we will definitely miss our old townhouse and neighborhood.  Before heading out, we took one last chance to say goodbye.

The twins took one last lap around the courtyard....

...and sat for one last pose (we are already talking about sneaking back this summer!) on the 'birthday' bench

Then, it was time to say farewell (sealed with a kiss...Luke would often say goodbye to the townhouse this way)...

.... to our townhouse on Winnemac

While it was hard to say goodbye, we quickly said hello to the 'blue house' on Hartzell and began to see the perks of moving into a new house.

Out with the old, in with the BLUE!!

The new house didn't come with a courtyard, but there is a backyard built for two!

For now, the twins will continue to share a bedroom...

...but they are excited to have graduated from cribs into toddler beds

The twins are learning a new home means MORE space...

...to line up cars!!

They are also discovering that some of their favorite hangouts, like 'the bar' in the new kitchen, are similar to our old place...

...and we're already investigating several options to replace the 'birthday bench'...maybe this will become the 'birthday tree'!

One of the best things about the new house is the piano...

...a generous gift from the previous owners that we hope will entertain the twins for many years to come!

It didn't take long for the twins to find all the comfy spots in our new home.

Luke likes lounging on the couch,...

...Clare has found her favorite recliner to rest on,...

...and the living room floor is a great place to set up a slumber party!!

The new house has already seen its share of good times. 

Thanksgiving was the first holiday in our new home

The twins enjoyed showing Grandpa &...

...Grandma Knapp around the new house!

Grandma Steffie popped in for a visit... 

...and gave the twins a lesson in baking cookies!

The twins have also enjoyed visits...

...from various cousins (and the pizza parties held during those visits!)

Trig (age 5!!) had the first family birthday...

...and the twins enjoyed celebrating with her!!

With many more memories...

...and construction projects to come...

...we have a great feeling these two will enjoy growing up in our new home!