Blocks

Beckett and Maddox were playing with blocks and thought Marketa might want to as well...

Sleep

Since moving the boys to their big bed, Scott and I usually peek in on them before we head to bed.  We started doing it to make sure they hadn't fallen out of bed or sleeping too close to the edge (neither of which have happened).  Now we do it cause we're curious where they are in the bed.  They move around so much in their sleep and it's funny to see where they end up.  The other night we found them like this--Maddox's leg across Beckett's back.  We wondered if and when we would find them laying across one another and found it pretty funny when we did.  Now I wonder how often this happens in the night.  It's funny that with such a big bed, they love to be so close still.  I hope they are always that way.  

Ring Around the Rosie

This is our new fun game lately.  The boys were getting the biggest kick out of this yesterday, asking for more, as you will see.  There is a bit of a delayed reaction to the falling down part, then Beckett realizing that he has to fall down before we can do it again.  

Spring is here

We are loving this warm weather lately.  Even the rain isn't so bad, as long as we get some sunshine again soon.  Last week we played outside almost every day.  It was glorious.

Picnic on the patio.

Budding artists with their sidewalk chalk.

Marketa and Thomas, ready for a walk...she only lasted a few minutes in the stroller, then moved up to the moby wrap.  This girl likes to be held when she gets tired.  Makes for fun car rides.

Who knew...

...moving dirt could be so much fun.  Maddox and Beckett moved dirt from one pot to another for a good 20 minutes.  Then it got a little messier, but fun all the same.  

Apparently Beckett gave the dirt a taste test...not sure what he thought of it.

Thomas (and Ann) came across the street to play for a while.  He decided to test out the sidewalk chalk.

Marketa just observed it all.

Chubby Cheeks

Or Sweet Cheeks Larsen, I like to call her.  Those cheeks have grown over the past 3 months...pretty cute.

Birthday party

We went to Grandpa Denny's for the boys' 2nd birthday.  Just a small gathering of some family to celebrate.  We relaxed, chatted, cuddled babies, ate cake and opened presents.  Good times.

Grandpa Denny and Marketa

Great Aunt Debbie with Adrienne

Scott, chatting with his baby girl

I made monkey cupcakes...let's just say I can bake, but am not so good with the decorating.  I tried.

Maddox diving in.

Beckett, giving it a try and enjoying it, I think.  They don't get sweets too often.

Uncle Josh and Marketa, Alissa and Eden, Great Uncle Don and Adrienne

Eden wanted to help open presents.  She loves those boys!

Maddox and Beckett ripping into those monster trucks from dad.

Olivia

Aunt Alissa, Adrienne and Eden...Eden also loves babies.

Big boy bed

We decided to try out the big bed this weekend.  Maddox and Beckett have been sleeping in their cribs without the side rail for several weeks now and doing great with it.  Only a few falls in the night, staying asleep through it all and they have been good about staying in bed until we come in to get them.  Space is becoming an issue in our house (who am I kidding, it's been an issue for a long time now) so we thought it would be nice to take down one of the cribs in their room.  Saturday night Scott put them to bed in the big bed without incident.  They did fine, but we checked on them several times to make sure they hadn't fallen out or anything.  Sunday afternoon Scott asked them if they wanted to nap in the big bed...they quickly shook their heads no, so they napped in their cribs again.  Bedtime came and Scott put them in the big bed again.  He decided giving them an option wasn't the way to go.  Hopefully this week goes well and we can take that crib down next weekend.

Now if we can just get Marketa to sleep through the night and go to bed around the same time as the boys, we could get her out of our closet and into that crib in the kids' room.  

This morning we heard some giggling in there just before 7.  I think they enjoyed waking up next to each other again--it's been a while since they shared a bed.

Happy Birthday, Beckett and Maddox!

April 19, 2007, Maddox Keefe born at 12:21 pm and Beckett Ambrose at 12:25 pm.

First birthday party.

Here they are now.  Look how much they've grown.  Can't believe they are 2 already.  We love you boys!

They love their sister

Those boys sure love their sister!  Maddox and Beckett are often checking on Marketa, wondering where she is if she's not in her bouncy seat when they come down to eat breakfast.  She's usually still asleep and I remind them of that.  Then they point upstairs and say 'nigh nigh'.  I reply with 'yep, she's still sleeping' (and think to myself, 'I wish you were, too').  

Maddox, handing Marketa a puppy.

Beckett, helping Marketa talk on the phone...I'm sure she had an important call to make.

Left the kids in their room one morning for a few minutes and came back to find Marketa like this...apparently Maddox thought she needed some friends.

Maddox, giving Marketa a hug.

Big brothers, watching over little sister.

Easter weekend

We took our first road trip since Marketa was born.  We headed over to Cedar Rapids to spend Easter with Scott's parents.  It was a fun weekend, minus the car ride.  Marketa was not happy about being stuck in her carseat for almost 2 hours and she let us know.  Once we made it there, all was well.  We even got to visit some friends on Saturday night.  They have 6 kids, so Maddox and Beckett had a blast playing with their toys and doing their first Easter egg hunt in the back yard.  They didn't even know there were treats in those eggs until afterwards.  The fun was in the hunt.  The fact that there were crackers in the eggs made it even better.

We're looking forward to our next trip over...hopefully Marketa travels better then.  

Marketa, chillin' in the rocker.

Grandpa and Grandma got a new washer and dryer so they made a little house for Maddox and Beckett from one of the boxes.

Maddox and Beckett playing with Grandma Ginny and her toys.

Grandpa Ed and Marketa, napping as usual.

Adrienne Kay

Well, the kids have a new cousin...Adrienne Kay was born 3 1/2 weeks ago.  She and Marketa should be good friends, playing and growing up together.  We're looking forward to some sleepovers someday.  

Teeda, Jodi and Adrienne, March 19

Adrienne, 1 week old.  Look at all that hair!!!

Brothers and Sisters

I am lucky enough to have both...I have 2 older brothers and one younger sister. I loved having older brothers who were there to pave the way and teach us. They also tortured us at times, but we knew we were loved. My little sister was my best friend, most of the time. We had our moments, fighting over clothes and such, but we were always there for eachother and still are now.

I'm glad Maddox and Beckett have eachother and I hope they are always best friends. I'm excited to see how Marketa will fit in. I have a feeling she will get the same treatment I did growing up...2 older brothers to love on her and show her the way. She will probably be tortured some too, but she won't have to worry about anyone else messing with her. Those boys are gonna protect her too.

They sure like to give her hugs.

Beckett and Marketa gazing out the window.

Maddox, loving on his little sister.

And, just for fun, a few pics of my brothers and sister...