From Winter to Spring... (1 of 3)

As winter turned slowly (really slowly) into spring, we made our way outside, even venturing out on snowy bike rides every once in awhile. Henry was determined to ride without training wheels. Living in the country makes this a bit tougher than it should be, as every time we need to practice we load the bikes up and drive to the park. But, the mission has been a success... we now have two boys on two bikes and only one set of training wheels, and we expect these to come off sooner rather than later. Otherwise... Henry's second half of kindergarten has been a success. His favorite part of his day: reading and writing. He loves to write stories... mostly about pirates. Sammy likes just about anything Henry likes. They play pirates and Titanic together, and Sammy pretends to read aloud as Henry does. Never before did I realize how much I would appreciate having two boys. They are perfect playmates, often playing for hours without needing much from us. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing.

no more training wheels

at the bus stop

the current favorite - The Boxcar Children

sleeping baby

naked baby

still naked baby... with sweet running shoes

BUILDING!

writing stories... lots of stories

a Friday night favorite - family movie night

always searching for hidden treasure

in the Gruffalo forest

February Fun! (3 of 3)

Tim and I have just realized how easy things have become. Suddenly, we are a mobile, independent family of four. We no longer need a stroller, we often forget to turn on the baby monitor, they love a weekend night with a sitter (yea!)and they often get themselves up in the morning, and begin their day without us even knowing. We find them (often with Pandora playing) doing crafts, dressed as pirates and running trains while eating Nutrigrain bars with milk. We're not sure when (or how) this happened, but we're loving it. I do wish time would slow down a bit, but we're making a conscious effort to slow ourselves down despite the fact the days are flying by. The Beckman boys are high energy, super sweet, quirky as ever and loads of fun. We now look forward to family trips, "big kid style." Sammy wants to see never never land and Henry is adamant we need to search for the Titanic. I'm just looking forward to a family hike at Turkey Run this spring and long hot days at the pool this summer. To sum it up, life is good - real good - for this little family. We're loving it.

Bubble Baths are still a favorite

Swimming on top of the city

Where we found Henry early one morning... the trains were running just below our window and he didn't want to miss a single one. 

sick day

This picture really says it all.

Rube Goldberg Competition at Purdue - LOVED IT!

Again... Henry draws trains.  Everyday.  More and more trains.

And Sam fishes from the toilet.

Best friends.

Happy New Year! (2 of 3)

And the pictures tell the story... 2013 is off to a great start!

Does it get any better?!

In 2003 we purchased the 6 foot sled for the 2 of us...

In 2013, we filled it with our favorites...

...and they loved it!

Cooper and Sammy

EVERYDAY we play pirates.  EVERYDAY.

Ringing in the New Year...

Daddy's home from Chile!

Ninjas gotta know 'bout space.

Henry draws trains.  Everyday.  And tapes them all over the walls of our house. 

Sammy loves Sushi.  He takes a bite, with his chopstix, and pumps his arms in excitment.  He is so my son.

Merry Christmas, 2012 (1 of 3)

Wrapped up 2012 with a snowy Christmas at home in Indiana with both sets of grandparents. Big presents this year: a remote control Polar Express train for Henry and a pirate ship for Sammy.

Christmas Eve with Bob and Papa

2012

Early morning science experiments with Investigator Henry and his willing assistant, Sam

BedHead

Henry asked to be photographed with the Princess from the Nutcracker

Polar Express

Henry's design for our Elf, Thomas

Surprise vist from Uncle T!

From Henry

Mom, please take a picture of me with the sugar

Cookies for Santa

Santa got it RIGHT!

SNOWDAY!

Snowcat Sam

Movember-November 2012

November took us to Bolivar, MO for a fun-filled Thanksgiving which included lots of fun on the farm! The boys all got to ride Earl, after which they decided they needed a cowboy hat and belt. And, daddy grew a mustache, again, for Movember. Enough said.

 

Math (and Library) Night at School

 

At Breakfast... only thing missing is the coffee

 

My sleepy baby boy

 

Two Grandpas - Awesome.

 

The apple doesn't fall far...

 

Love this...

 

Thanks for the rides, Aunt Sheila!

 

Chillin' with Cowboy Jim