#58. Is it Spring Yet?

It has been a looooong winter, and we apologize to our loyal blog followers for the blog hibernation.  Since we returned from Florida in January, it feels like everyone has been quarantined (literally for a couple weeks when we...all 4 of us including the nanny, too...tackled the stomach flu!) inside and the twins have had to find indoor activities to keep them occupied.

Don't bother us while we watch Sesame Street with our snacks!

Every once in awhile, there is a day where the weather gives indication that it's only a matter of time until things change for the better permanently, 

Luke says 'the snow's gone'!

Clare says 'maybe that groundhog was right after all!'

but the twins have been entertaining themselves (and us) more indoors these days with a variety of activities.

Practicing 'the spoon' has been HIT...

...or MISS!

Clare still prefers finger foods for now!

Nothing says winter...

...like a Tupperware party!

Winter's a great time for a first time 'home' hair cut!
Here's the BEFORE (Luke-ing miserable like a typical 'before photo'!)...

...and our handsome well-sheared boy AFTER

We've taken a few weekend trips....one to see Grandpa and Grandma Knapp in Eureka

Clare loves visiting her grandparents

Special reading time with one of dad's HS friends

Merry Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa!  Hope you don't get tired
of seeing our pictures this year in your new 2016 wall calendar!

The twins rode horses for the first time (for only a quarter!)...

...on a recent roadtrip to Madison

Trig came along too and got to hang out with her doggy friends

Speaking of Trig, she has enjoyed having the twins indoors to get her licks in!

Licks or bath, neither of these two seem to mind!

Not another day inside, Dad!!

Hey, can we PLEASE go outside today??

So, every once in awhile...

...we get all bundled up....

and head outdoors!!

Now that we're out here...

....what exactly do we do??

Oh, yeah, take some pictures and then head back inside where it's warm!

Even Trig had to agree that day

I'm callin' the weatherman because it's too cold!

Fine, we'll just stay inside today AGAIN...

...and eat cheese...

f

...and read books...

...and the Woodford County Journal(daddy's hometown newspaper)...

and take perfect selfies...

...and put on Daddy's shoes...

...and his hat...

...and walk around in Papa's hoodie...

...and ride elephants...

...and watch Sesame Street (duh)...

...and HAVE FUN...

...ANYWAY!!!

Here's to hoping the next blog post coincides with warmer weather!  

Don't worry kids (and dog), it won't be long til we are out there playing in that courtyard every day

Here are a few videos showing the twins 'in action'.

The piano has been a winter winner (notice how Luke dominates the 'play time' while Clare shrugs off his dominance while dancing around him).  Their skills on the keyboard and dancing to the beat are improving!

Speaking of our little dancer, we got 5 seconds of her before she 'went shy'.  Clare loves to dance and is always moving to the rhythm of everything around her.

Here's Luke, trying to leash Trig.  This little boy likes to be 'in charge'.  

7-7-3...2-0-2...____________ Advertising jingles work with 1 year olds too!  Luke spontaneously filled in the blank one day and now these can't do it enough!  (Love how Clare even added a 'bop' at the end like in the commercial!)

The twins saying 'Bye!' until the next blog post!

#57. Holiday Happenin's

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!

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.  

Whether it was during the 'dress rehearsal' at home...

...or during the actual visit...

...not much has changed in the last year and a half!

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,

Thanks, Sara, for trying to keep this group together!!

looking forward to every box and package that arrived,

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).

Why, here are the twins now posing in front of their OWN individual (left blue/right pink) Christmas trees!

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 it's neat to watch them get so excited!

Daddy/Daughter 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, 

Tearing open their first taste of Disney

Someone's already hooked...

              ...while someone else seems more interested in the packaging and re-packaging.

                                          

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!

throughout the afternoon,  

Luke & Papa take down another present

'Full service' Auntie Kip helps Clare open her gift...

...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!).

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.

Christmas Day soccer match, anyone?!?

We need a patio like this back home, Dads

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.

C'mon Dads, we're waiting!!

Luke lovin' his lounge time

Clare enjoyed making a habit out of visiting the pool

Armed and dangerous

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.

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!

They play Sesame Street in Florida too!

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. 

Grass is still green, Dad??  Yes, in places much warmer than home it is!

Delaney helps to organize the twins during their photo shoot...good luck!

Grandma Steffie taking Clare and her bunny for a walk

Last Dad/Son/Daughter selfies of 2015!

Clare enjoyed hanging out with cousin Lauren

We put the boys to work...Nick was the doorman and Luke was in charge of cleanup 

Clare trying to help her brother recruit more bodies for cleanup 

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!!

Clare & Luke...New Year's Eve 2015...almost 18 months!