#85. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Two thankful twins happy for family visiting over the holidays

Last year we were on the road for the holidays, but this year we were thankful for family to visit us in our (no longer so new) home.

The twins were excited to have Grandma Steffie, Grandpa Dan, and their cousins visit for the week

These four turkeys enjoyed their turkey cookies the day before the holiday

On Thanksgiving day, Aunt Lisa helped Clare with her nails

As is custom on Thanksgiving, we pretty much ate all day long...

We took advantage of holiday dress up to take a formal photo of the 4 cousins

One more...this time with Grandma Steffie!!

With one holiday down, the next quickly approached.  

In a matter of days, we went tree shopping...

...and brought home this year's tree!

The twins helped decorate the tree this year

This season we took Christmas card photos inside the house

This was the winner...

...but we also ended up...

...with a lot...

...of other...

...great shots!!

As the Christmas countdown (yes, of course, we have one!!) clock ticked down...

Grandma and Grandpa Knapp arrived in Evanston to help us celebrate 

On Christmas Eve night Grandma Knapp read the twins 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' (an old tradition in Daddy's family)

Speaking of Daddy, he peaked downstairs in the early morning and saw that Santa had indeed stopped
by our house!  If you are on a laptop or computer, you can check out the twins'
excitement walking down to this scene on the video below.  Their reactions are priceless!

                                        

It was great seeing Clare....

...and Luke so excited by Santa's visit!!

Apparently these two were good this year, because they ended up with quite a haul!!

Parents and grandparents enjoyed watching the twins unwrap present...

...after present!!

In a matter of time, our living room looked like a toy store!!

Sadly, Christmas, and the grandparents visit...

...soon came to an end...

...but plenty of memories will remain...

...from a pair of GREAT family holidays in our home!

#84. Another Fabulous Fall

What an amazing (and crazy busy) fall for the twins!  Here are some of the highlights.  

Twas a fun fall for these two 4-year olds

In early October, we made a trip to central Illinois, where the twins found lots of fun.  Clare & Luke went apple picking for the first time.

These two were ripe for the picking!!

Wheelbarrow rides were in order before the picking commenced

Ok Jonny, er Luke, it's time to get picking!!

They figured the process out fast!!

Showing off some of their collection

Ten apples up on top (they like to read this book at bedtime)?!?  Maybe one is enough!

We had hoped to squeeze in some camping downstate, but wet weather put a damper on our plans.  Fortunately, we were still able to get out to Grandpa's campsite for an afternoon/evening for dinner.

Despite a wet campground, there were still plenty of smiles...

...'plenty of food'...

...unending hugs from Grandma...

...fun with Eureka cousins...

...and marshmallows cooked over the campfire!

The twins had a nice visit with great grandma Knapp in Eureka...

...enjoyed having Uncle Jason around (home from Germany)...

...and, of course, time with Grandma & Grandpa Knapp!

After returning home from central Illinois, the twins enjoyed seeing their cousin Keira (also visiting from Germany).  Special thanks to Uncle Jason and Aunt Leia for these wonderful German lederhosen and dirndl outfits!

Drei cousins!!

Daddy's 'Halloween costume' for this year

Speaking of Halloween, the twins had a GREAT one!!  Papa had fun putting up Halloween decorations around the yard.

What a spooky house!

Yard decor included a zombie tree...

...a (friendly) hanging skeleton...

...a buried skeleton...

...a row of tombstones...

...BIG pumpkins,...

...and tiny pumpkins too!

Clare & Luke were officially a 'witch' and 'sorcerer' this year for trick or treat (though many called Luke a wizard, which he quickly corrected, saying 'ACTUALLY, I am a sorcerer!')

One of the perks of our Evanston location is its proximity to Ryan Field where the Northwestern Wildcats play home football games.

This season we bought season tickets...

...and the twins came with us to one of the games

They lasted the first half...next year we will try a full game!

As fall rolled on, things sure turned pretty at the corner of Walnut and Hartzell.  

We never grew tired of watching the leaves change colors

Speaking of leaves...there were a lot of them!  So a trip to the park across the street meant it was time to break out the rake...

...to collect, run, and...

...jump into the leaf piles formed!

Full leaf burial followed soon after!

The fall also saw weekend visits from various friends and family.

Cousins from Bloomington visited for a weekend...

...and cousins from the south burbs came over for a fun pajama playdate!

Who knows what winter will bring, but it sure was a fabulous fall at 2302 Hartzell!