Flashback Wednesday

What?! Flashback Wednesday?! What's that? Well, I decided since it's our anniversary I'd see what we were doing over the years on September 29...

9 years ago we were married. I think we've danced a handful of times since then. Glad I have a picture.

6 years ago we were in North Carolina visiting Jake and Stacie. Jake showed us around Chapel Hill.

5 years ago Sabrina and Olivia were over for a visit. Ok, so they weren't over on our anniversary. It was actually 2 days later, but I didn't have any pics from the 29th.

3 years ago we spent the day with the boys.

2 years ago, guess what...we spent the day with Maddox and Beckett again.

1 year ago, we got to hang out with 3 kiddos.

This year, 4 kiddos. Maybe we'll go out for dinner next week. Anyone want to babysit 4 cute kids???

Toon came to visit

10 years ago we spent the summer in Thailand. It doesn't seem like that long ago and yet, sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. Life has changed so much since then. I still keep in touch with some of the friends I made there. One of them, Toon, has visited a few times. 5 years ago and just yesterday. 5 years is too long to go between visits. I wish we could get back to Thailand and have more time to hang out. A few hours just isn't enough! Toon and I spent so much time together that summer and I miss those days.

Yesterday, Toon, Jen and Abram came down to hang out for a bit. Now, some of you know, my boys are a bit shy. I decided it might be best to wake them from their nap before friends came so they'd have time to wake up and have a snack. While eating snacks, I prepped them for the visit. We talked about Thailand and how we went there and how Toon is from there, how it is really far a way, across the ocean and how you have to take a plane to get there. They then told me that "we should have to go there...daddy, Maddox and Beckett, Keta, Callum and mommy." I think that sounds lovely--when the kids are a bit older. I am not about to take 4 young kids on a 20 hour plane ride, through multiple airports, to a foreign country. Sorry, but it just isn't happening. That just doesn't sound like fun, not to mention the cost.

Anyways, I'm glad Toon was able to fit us into her visit while she was in Iowa. Hopefully it won't be another 5 years before we see her again.

Marketa is definitely the friendliest of my 4, but it didn't take long for the boys to warm up to Toon as well.

Wordless Wednesday

The Closet

My dad is always joking with the grandkids that he's "going to put you in the closet," (said in a gruff, yet still fun Grandpa Denny voice). This has never really been a threat for my kids. The boys used to play in the closets all the time at our old place. Lately, if I can't find Keta, it means she's probably in the boys' closet, often with her blanket, baby and monkey.

Sometimes I'll hear from either one of the boys, "Wanna play in the closet, Keta?" Her reply..."Mmhmmm," with a smile and a quick waddle off to their room.

abc...

Favorite Great Uncle

They've been practicing, Don.

**Disclaimer**

Uncle Don lives here in town so they see him the most out of all their great uncles. Aunt Debbie (Don's wife) makes some of the best cookies around--and the boys know that.

Oh yeah, and Don was trying to get them to practice it last time we were over there. Well, they've been practicing. Whether they'll do it for you or not, I can't say, but you see it here.

Flashback Friday

4 years ago...

Scott and I were on a beach in NC. It was on this vacation that we found out I was pregnant. About 3 months later we found out we were having twins.

3 years ago...

Maddox and Beckett were 5 months old. They still are a "perfect pair."

2 years ago...

Maddox and Beckett were running around, 17 months old, probably not realizing that they would soon have a baby sister.

1 year ago...

Marketa was 8 months old and becoming mobile.

Beckett and Maddox--still great friends and now great big brothers.

My, how our lives have changed in these last 4 years!

Funny faces

While the boys were busy "working"...

Marketa was busy making faces.

Then she discovered her reflection in the storm door...

Here she is checking herself out in the door and practicing sitting in her chair.

Playing Doctor

The other day I overheard the boys playing "doctor." It was pretty cute, but I'm thinking they wouldn't be quite so willing if we had to go to a real doctor, seeing as how it's been almost 2 years since they've been to one. I think they learned about it from a show on PBS. Maybe they'll show something about going to the dentist. That would come in very handy. One about potty training would be nice as well.

Dr. Beckett

Dr. Maddox

Bath time is not a favorite of Scott's. In fact, some nights he dreads it. About halfway through my pregnancy with Marketa he took over that chore. It was too difficult for me to lean over the tub with my big belly and then lift the boys out. After Marketa was born, she was usually eating and going to bed while the boys bathed. Then I was pregnant with Callum and now nursing him usually during bath time. Convenient for me, yes. Not so much for Scott. He does such a great job, though and I really appreciate it. Maybe one day, I'll take over bath duties again, but for now, Scott is stuck. Sorry babe!

I think one of the reasons he doesn't like it so much is because it can be pretty chaotic. Usually the kids are in good moods, but sometimes, not so much. That makes for an unpleasant bath time. Even when they are in good moods, I'm hearing these phrases repeated several times:

"Keta, stop drinking the bath water."

"Keep the water in the tub."

"Stop splashing so much."

"No pouring water out of the tub."

Despite that, he always survives and often has a good laugh, and

honestly, don't they look like they're having so much fun!!

While in Florida for work, Scott picked up some gifts for the kids. Now, he could have gotten them some cutsie little trinket that said Florida on it, but honestly, would they even care at this age? No. He decided to get them something they'd have fun with. Yep, harmonicas. They love playing them. Scott even found his harmonica (yes, he has a harmonica) and played with them the other night. Oh, what fun!

Cooler days means more time at "our" park.

2 Months

weighs about 13 lbs

loves to...

cuddle

play air drums with daddy

watch big brothers and sister

starting to sleep better at night

smiling and talking

Can't believe my baby is getting so big!!