Christmas at mom's

Sunday night was Christmas at mom's. We had another laid back evening--Buffalo Wild Wings and other snacks for dinner and then opening presents...couldn't hold off on that one for long with Isabella around. The kids tore into all their goodies and we tried to see everything in all the chaos. It was crazy, but fun!

Maddox and Beckett got several new trucks and cars.

Olivia and Sabrina got some new American Girl Dolls.

A few new books as well.

Marketa seems to enjoy playing with the trucks instead of the phone that plays music. I think the boys have more fun with her toys than she does.

Eden had fun tackling/loving on Uncle Scott and Marketa.

It was a fun Christmas, but I'm glad it has quieted down and we can get back to some sense of normal life again. I think Maddox and Beckett are glad to play at home too and I know Scott is enjoying his quiet evenings again.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and were able to celebrate the true meaning this year amidst all the fun and chaos. Christ came to save us. God gave the greatest gift of all and it's hard to fathom what that would be like. I can't even imagine giving up any of my kids to save a world of people who do not deserve it. God's grace is awesome! His love is endless!

Happy New Year!

Aunt Beth

Scott's sister, Beth, heads back to the Czech Republic in a week. It was fun seeing her over Christmas and the boys were happy to have her come back to our house for several days. They came down the steps every morning announcing, "Aunt Beth here." She played with them, checking out their new toys, and she read them lots of books. I think they were sad to see her go. I'm sure we'll skype again soon, but those hugs in person are so much better.

We love you Beth!

Christmas at dad's

Last night we were at dad's. It was fun, but crazy as ever with all the kids running around. The adults were overruled and presents were opened first thing, once everyone was there. Then we enjoyed some snacks for dinner. Pretty laid back and relaxing. My kind of evening.

Daddy and Marketa digging into her stocking.

Eden practicing her new harmonica.

Maddox examining a new truck.

Adrienne, cute as ever. I think she gets a little overwhelmed with all the activities going on, but she did great last night.

Olivia checking out her new alarm clock...it shines the time onto the ceiling. She thought that was pretty sweet.

The kids digging into a puzzle from Aunt Jodi and Teeda.

Bella trying on her new scarf.

Sabrina loving her new purse. I had fun making those for the girls and it was a hit with Eden--she carried hers around all night.

Marketa checking everything out.

Beckett playing with his new crane/wrecking ball truck. He and Maddox also got a fire truck from Grandpa. Those were definitely a hit with them. They woke up this morning and ran downstairs to play with them.

Dessert after dinner. Maddox really enjoyed his first taste of butterscotch pudding.

Christmas at home

This is the first time we've ever been home for Christmas Day, not leaving the house at all. It was kindof nice.

Beckett and Maddox digging into their stockings.

Beckett checking out one of daddy's cd's.

Maddox and Beckett got a lot of books from Great Aunt Peggy and Great Uncle Charles...they would open one up and immediately sit down to read it. That's how we spent most of our time.

Now we're off to Grandpa Denny's for one more celebration and tomorrow night at Grandma Bonnie's.

Christmas in Cedar Rapids

One Christmas down, 3 more to go. We spent most of last week in Cedar Rapids with Scott's family. We drove through snow after church on Sunday, then relaxed and watched the kids play with Grandpa Ed, Grandma Ginny and Aunt Beth. They had a blast.

Scott and I got away a few times while the grandparents babysat...Monday we went to a yarn shop (Scott was really excited about that one) and coffee shop with Beth. Wednesday night we were able to get together with some old friends (the Joyce's) and meet their 4 boys, 3 of whom hadn't been born yet as of the last time we saw them, 7 years ago.

Maddox and Beckett had fun helping daddy shovel the walk...I think they added more snow to the walk than anything.

Marketa even got bundled up to watch the activities.

The family picture...Beckett wanted nothing to do with it. We even tried bribery. He still would not smile, then got mad when he didn't get a cookie.

Thursday morning we opened presents. Yes, that is a toothbrush that Beckett is pushing around--more importantly, it is a fire truck toothbrush, which is why it's getting pushed around on the floor. I know, very sanitary.

Peggy and Charles joined us via Skype to watch the festivities. The boys were showing off some of their presents.

Ginny, Beth and Ed checking out a photo album.

Marketa napped through most of the festivities. She was quite happy to see some of those toys when she woke up...daddy was showing her how the marionette worked.

We had fun, but I think all of us were glad to get home. We came home a day early to avoid some of the bad weather that was forecasted. Beth came with us to spend some time in Ankeny. She'll be heading back to the Czech Republic in a little over a week.

We're catching up on sleep and correcting some bad attitudes that accumulated over 5 days...those boys really enjoyed having constant attention.

Sledding

Maddox and Beckett went to Grandma's yesterday for a while. She got a new sled and wanted to get them in it. When she dropped them off, she brought the sled with so they could play a little more. She couldn't resist pulling them around just a bit more before heading off.

Then it was daddy's turn to pull them around (Grandma was tired!).

A little hot chocolate to warm them up...it's the only way we could get them to come inside. They still wanted to play, but mommy and daddy were ready to be done.

Can't forget those marshmallows. Gotta get every last drop.

Thanks!

Thanks for your well wishes everyone. Baby number 4 is expected to arrive sometime late June/early July, I think. We'll have a better idea after I meet with the midwife in a week and a half. We are very excited for this new addition and can't wait to see how God will provide in the coming year. He is so good!! For now, we will enjoy our 3 wonderful blessings, celebrating Christ's birth next week, then birthdays around here in months to come. Marketa will be 1 in just 4 weeks. Maddox and Beckett are looking forward to helping her blow out her birthday candle. Then in April, they each get to blow out 3 candles on their cakes! We're prepping them now and they are pretty excited about that.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

For those of you wondering...our blog name will probably change at some point in the near future.

Cute faces

Christmas is here

Christmas tree is up...

stockings are hung...

nativity is on the shelf...

We're just about ready for Christmas. Most of the presents are wrapped. Just a few more to go. I think the boys will really get into it this year. They already like watching the tree and listening to Christmas music. Now to get them in the spirit of what this season is all about--celebrating Christ's birth!

Wrestling

They are definitely boys...nobody had to teach them how to wrestle.

Snow day

With all the snow last night, and still coming down, Maddox and Beckett have been looking forward to heading outside. They got all bundled up to play in the snow with Grandma Bonnie for a bit while I made some lunch.

It's a little too cold to make snowman. Maybe when it warms up a bit and the snow sticks.

For now, they just had fun running around and sliding down a small hill on their butts. We need to find our sleds for the next time.

Now Scott is home early!! We're hoping for a snow day tomorrow so he can stay home.

Christmas tree

Since they are old pros at decorating the tree (Maddox and Beckett got to help their cousins decorate Grandpa Denny's Christmas tree on Saturday for the first time) we decided to get our tree out this year. We don't have much room, but we found space for the little tree. I'm looking forward to someday getting a real tree, but for now, this suits our townhouse.

Maddox and Beckett had fun hanging the ornaments.

Placing them in just the right spots.

They needed help getting some of the ornaments to stay in place.

And now they love running over to it to check it out.