February 2016

February has been a very busy month for the family, so I'm behind on updating this blog. I'll post more soon, but wanted to share this video montage summary in the meantime. 

night night

Linden is growing up so fast that she's started to read her own bedtime books. :-)

Ice Skating

A friend and coworker of mine built an ice rink in the lot next to his house last weekend. We had a smooth surface and a 28 degree day, so it was the perfect opportunity to get Linden out on the ice.

Gymnastics Class

Linden continues to love gymnastics class...especially anything involves jumping.

Jumping off the balance beam

Jumping like a frog

The best -- trampoline jumping

Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas from Bloomington! This year is our first Christmas in Bloomington and in our new home on 9 Ridgewood Terrace.

Laine's parents came over on Christmas Eve for a dinner of farmer's sausage and pierogies. Doc read Linden "The Big Orange Splot" and Shirls was surprised when Linden decided that the baby bassinet would make an even better spot for her to relax than her baby doll.

We spent Christmas morning opening stockings and gifts. Linden must take after me because she got up early, excited about her presents. She remained excited well through nap time and all through my parents' visit. She was a good sport though and loved showing off her new toys and command for the English language.

The Christmas road tour began on December 26th when we drove to Spring Valley to meet up with the entire Twanow clan. It was so nice to have everyone together for Christmas for the first time in a few years. I think we were all a bit surprised by how much had changed in that time. Going from two toddlers to five grandkids (three of them under three) made for lots of noise and excitement.

Food is always a key element to Twanow family gatherings and we even pulled out some successful meals with all the kids. 

With Star Wars Episode 7 out this season, and Care Bears still being sold at toy stores, there were some gifts for the kids that the adults remember receiving themselves.

From Spring Valley we drove to Deerfield with the drive taking nearly twice its usual time due to some inclement weather, but that was okay since it allowed for longer naps for Linden and Laine.

This was the first Christmas that the Miller family celebrated together since Van Orion's arrival. Linden enjoyed the attention she received with fewer cousins to compete with, but also had fun showing off for Van Orion.

Van had just mastered walking earlier in the week so he was all smiles walking up and down the long hallways of his grandparents' house. He's also quite a ham during mealtime. Somehow we all found ourselves watching and laughing with him during that time. Perhaps because he has some unique jokes that would be difficult to explain in this context but affirm that he already has his own quirky sense of humor that gives him a magnetic personality.

While it wasn't a white Christmas, it was a white post-Christmas and Linden took advantage by sledding for her first time in the backyard. She loved it.

Laine and Linden drove back to Bloomington to meet up with the Brandts and Braggs on December 30th while I stayed to make good on my Christmas gift to my parents: painting the guest bathroom. It was nice to spend a little extra time with Alison, Eric and Van before driving the group of us down to Bloomington for New Year's Eve.

The kids went to bed without a fuss on the 31st, allowing us adults to catch up, which was nice since it's a difficult thing to do with a one and two year-old. I made spaghetti and sauce and Eric pan-seared some steaks while we all blew air toward the smoke detector. It was a great way to ring in 2016.

Home Gymnastics Practice

Linden's favorite activity is jumping. By far. So, as you know from a previous post, we've enrolled her in gymnastics class. Here are a couple videos from tonight of her practicing.

Her Own Style

Linden hates wearing anything other than shorts and a t-shirt, which is problematic when it's freezing outside. So we've learned to compromise.

This morning, she had a few requirements...and so did we. But we put together a negotiated outfit and made it to daycare.