A Very Merry Christmas!

Papa and Grandma were fortunate to be at Chloe and Claire's house as they decorated their tree. They were very excited to have a Christmas tree and very excited to play with the packing material that was around their ornaments.

Chloe and Claire spent Christmas Eve at their Noni's house, where, we were told, they had a great time opening presents and playing with their cousin Richard. Papa, Grandma, and Uncle Jon spent Christmas Eve with extended family at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark's. We also had a very enjoyable evening. On Christmas Day the twins came to Papa and Grandma's and opened more presents with Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Jon, Aunt Suzie, Uncle Eric, Papa and Grandma. Aunt Dode and Uncle Roger joined us later, and friends Connie and Wayne stopped by too. There is nothing like toddlers to make a great holiday even better.

2009 has passed so quickly, it seems. May each of you have a happy and blessed new year!

A Special Birthday and December Baking

Claire and Chloe continue to surprise and entertain us day by day. Claire insisted that the giraffe had to sit with her on Papa's lap.

In the early part of the week we celebrated Mommy's (Paula's) birthday at one of our favorite restaurants. Claire and Chloe were perfect ladies....although they didn't eat much. They did remember having been there in October to celebrate Aunt Suzie's birthday, however, and both began asking for ice cream as soon as we got there. I think they have associated ice cream with that Italian restaurant.

Aunt Suzie, Papa, and Grandma did some baking on Saturday. Below is a sample of what we made. Most of the work was done by Suzie, Papa and Grandma were her assistants, and did help decorate the Santa faces....a tradition in Papa's family.

Aunt Suzie and cookies.

This morning we delivered some cookies to Claire and Chloe. They were delighted with the surprise. We look forward to them being part of the baking fun soon...maybe next year at Christmas when they will be nearly three. Mommy's work schedule, "taking care of sick people," as Claire tells us on a regular basis, didn't permit it this year.

Chloe, enjoying the chocolate kiss on the Peanut Blossom cookie.

Merry Christmas to all!

Approaching Christmas

It is pretty certain that Claire and Chloe will enjoy Christmas this year. Both girls are really into the lights, trees, and the displays seen around town. They spent one day at Papa and Grandma's house this past week, and below are some shots of the fun day (coloring below) and their reaction to our small tree.
Chloe checks out the Raggedy Andy ornament, clearly not breakable, as are most of the ones we used this year.
Claire points out a favorite, and below that, Chloe is using all of her restraint to not touch something, although we really didn't tell them they couldn't touch.

A little nap time at Papa and Grandma's house.

Back at Claire and Chloe's house, later in the week, Claire, below, in the sequence of pictures, is telling me all about the angel......that it has wings, and that it flies all around. At times, Claire was very affectionate to the angel, kissing it and telling her she was beautiful. Priceless to hear and watch!

Sisters, sharing their easel.
Have a good week!

Can I Quote You? and Other Fun Stuff!

Papa and Grandma continue to be amazed at the vocabulary and sentence structure of 22 month old Claire and Chloe. I will share a few direct quotes from the girls this past week.

Claire - after both girls showed great interest in a baby named Lukka, and had a conversation with the passer-by pushing the baby in the stroller. As they walked away, Claire called out, "Bye Lukka, have a good time!"

Chloe - when Grandma was arriving early one morning. "Papa? Is Papa sleeping?" (She got that right!).
Claire - out of the clear blue... came to me, patted her chest and said, "I'm Claire". Then she went to Papa and said, patting her chest, "I'm Claire Daphne _____" and included her last name. When she says her last name it sounds like "Feedee".

Chloe - when we were working on colors, put her finger on her chin, bobbed her head a bit and said, "Hmmm, let's see, ...brown!" Both girls know their colors very well, and Chloe seems very partial to purple.

Claire - When Grandma sat down on the rug near the kitchen used for "time-outs". Claire said in her stern voice, "Grandma's in time out!"

Both girls, at different times, asked very politely for Grandma to "please turn the music on".

I should have made notes because there were a few other classic comments, but these are the ones that come to mind.

In addition, a couple of interesting things to us, is that Chloe can now put on her socks and sometimes her shoes, depending upon what shoes she is wearing. Chloe, also is very tuned in to what clothing she prefers to wear. For months now, Claire has not allowed anyone to feed her, in any manner. You might be able to put something on her fork or spoon but don't try and put it in her mouth. She, however, has shown only a little interest in dressing herself. Chloe on the other hand, will allow you to feed her and make suggestions on what her next bite might be. The thrust for independence is developing so differently. Viva la differences!

Now for some pictures. The girls had lots of fun with Grandma's long, warm scarf.

Claire and Chloe's Noni recently got them an easel which has turned out to be a wonderful addition to their possessions. Chloe, especially, is showing some real interest in coloring. Below are pictures of them using the easel followed by a film of Chloe intently working on her picture. She spent over one-half hour working on her pictures which is quite a long time for a 22 month old toddler.

Claire and Papa share a funny moment. And following that shot, is Claire, our singer, singing "Goodnight, Ladies". The music that the girls kept wanting me to turn on last week, is a CD (from Disney, I think) that includes old, old songs, including "Goodnight, Ladies", "Jimmy Cracked Corn",

"It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" and many others. Songs that I forgot I knew. Claire loves singing "Jimmy Cracked Corn" and does it with great gusto. Both girls love the "Hokey-Pokey" which will come in handy for some exercise on the upcoming expected rainy days.

So Thankful!

Thanksgiving was a great day, spent with our family and friends. It is good to be home from our trip and we, as a family, have so much to be thankful for. Jon (or Uncle Jon to Claire & Chloe) prepared a delicious turkey, cooking it on the BBQ after it had soaked in a brine overnight. The pies were not homemade this year, but no one seemed to mind.

Below are snapshots of the girls who, of course, kept us entertained the entire day. Chloe, below, cruises around making sure she doesn't miss a thing, while Claire checks out the old wooden puzzles that have been the family since her Daddy was a toddler.

We had several impromptu concerts throughout the day. They always ended with lots of clapping and cheering by the performers as well as the listeners.

Below Claire takes some late afternoon dessert very seriously while Chloe opted to have some milk and cuddle with Daddy.

Both girls prepared for Christmas by wearing their elf hats.

The day was weather perfect and the girls spent quite a bit of time outside with Daddy, Uncle Jon, and the bubble machine, which is always a highlight when they come to Grandma and Papa's.

I am counting my blessings, once again, as I post this blog.

Celebrating!

It turns out that the Big Island/Hawaii has been a wonderful place to celebrate our 45th anniversary (one month early). We have seen wonderful things, love the place we are staying...found in a book with a little added info from the Internet...and have continually been awed and amazed as we have traveled and explored the island.

Today we visited an orchid business and drove through remote rain forests in the Hilo/Puna area. Wow, is all I can say!

Here is a waterfall from a few days ago located in the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden, I believe.

This black sand beach is adjacent to our condo area. Tons of turtles call this area home.

One of the walks we took to a waterfall.

All in all, we are enjoying every minute. We really miss our family however, and Mike told us today, that yesterday Claire kept knocking on the inside of their front door and yelling, "Papa, Grandma, where are you?" Made this Grandma want to cry. We talked to the girls on the phone today and we will be home before you know it.

Bean Burritos and First Concert

Papa will occasionally bring Claire and Chloe burritos for lunch. They always enjoy them, especially when Papa sits down with them while they eat.

Below Claire and Chloe are "rocking their babies". The dolls names are Pocca and DeeDee. Sometimes they just put the dolls in the chair and ROCK the chair... this time, however, they were gently rocking the babies and having a great time.


Our church was fortunate enough to have the African Children's Choir on Friday night. Claire and Chloe attended their first concert ever with Papa and Grandma. They really enjoyed the music and activity. The choir had amazing energy and great voices. Claire and Chloe clapped at the appropriate times and managed the first half of the concert quite well for 21 month old toddlers. We didn't push our luck however, and left at half-time.

Below is Claire sitting on Papa's lap.

Papa is helping Chloe into the car, and the following two shots are in the car on concert night.

Papa and Grandma will be missing these two sweet faces as we fly off for a week or so on a little trip. We always enjoy our trips, but look forward to our return home and our darling granddaughters.