Another Post, Later Than Most!

Whoo! We are back in business with the camera at long last. Jody's computer was reloaded, and somehow the Canon camera software disk walked off to parts unknown. Imagine that. Needless to say, it was a while until we could upload photographs!

So much has happened since January. The boys are getting so big; well, all except Alex. Alex weighs 20 lbs. 11 oz., Ty weighs 23 lbs. 5 oz., and Jacen weighs 24 lbs. 6 oz. Though he may be the littlest, Alex is definitely the pestiest! He is always so mischievous, into everything. The boys really love their climber still and their wagon, and in addition have gotten into blocks and Fisher Price Little People playsets. Since it is spring, they also love going for walks and being outside!

The boys are also talking so much. Jacen is the biggest talker, and he says lots of things; his favorites are "up," "bottle," "more," "moo," "meow," "arf," "mama," "dada," "uck!" and "bye-bye." Alex is especially fond of "hi!," "dada" and "see." Ty specializes in "up" and "see" and making wonderful lovey noises when he gets hugs. All of the triplets love to say "book." It is such a joy to see them playing together and having fun!

Jody also got a book contract for her dissertation, which was one of her goals this year. It will be published through New York University Press and is due in by August 2010. It will be coming out in 2011. Exciting!

Here are some great pictures from the past few months...

We had only one really "big" snow this year of 7 inches or so. We couldn't wait to get the boys all dressed up in their snowsuits and outside. Their snowpants were so bulky that none of the boys could really stand up or walk that well, and they kept falling over, especially after their boots were on!

Here are all the boys with their snowsuits on...


No one is thrilled with the winter wonderland!
None of the boys really liked the snow, but Alex had the most dramatic reaction:

Jacen poses with his bib...

Ty is hiding out in the climber...

All of the boys have started to really get "into" the dogs. Jacen loves to tackle Orc, who really isn't too fond of that sort of behavior.
Ty has taken to riding all sorts of strange vehicles that he isn't supposed to...
The boys love to play together!

Ty takes his first steps back in January...

Some imps found Mommy's sweatshirt...



Two boys do not fit very well in the wagon at the same time!
The boys loved Valentine's Day, and really enjoyed the balloons and cards they received from all of their grandparents! A very drooly Jacen loved to drag the balloons around the house.

Ty LOVED his cards!

Another one of Ty's favorite rides...

SOCKS!

We're entering the stage of silly things on heads...

Everyone loves books!


Ty adores pushing strollers now, which we discovered on one of the first very nice spring days...and Alex was happy to go along for the ride!

Ty perched on his favorite fire truck, again...

A Very Merry Holiday Season

Well, this is going to be a long post--and well it should be, considering that the last post was just after Halloween! For shame--we know, we know. But our New Year's Resolution is to update the blog at least every two weeks.

Our holiday season was grand. The boys got their Christmas present early--a Kangaroo Climber gym by Step 2. They loved it from the first, and they run in and out of the playhouse and try to climb the slide. We love to watch two boys try to climb it at once--the first climber will lose his balance and slide down, wiping out his brother as well. Heehee!

Here are some pictures of the mayhem.

Jacen and Alex having fun...


Jacen thinks he broke something on the gym already (note the hammer)...



Ty pushing his ride-on car sideways (with wrench in hand--is he OUR child?).



Ty and Santa Claus


Jacen looks like he wants another lap...



Alex is hoping he doesn't get coal for Christmas.



Everyone with Santa!

Here's Alex all dressed up in front of the Christmas tree.

Jacen is looking for some trouble to get into...

Ty with his combover!

On Christmas Eve, we headed to Carlisle, PA to spend the holiday with Grandpa and Grandma Madeira. Aunts and Uncles poured in as well, and we had a wonderful time!

Breakfast on Christmas morning at Grandpa and Grandma Madeira's house.

Alex picking up one of his favorite presents...a BOX!

Sheriff Nicholas (Wild West Nephew) has rustled the wrapping paper.

And his Uncle Matt!


We also saw several dear friends who had not seen the boys for over a year.

Cary and Jennifer Burkett with the boys.


Sheriff Nicholas is helping to rustle up some grub for the boys.


Our old friends Shane and Alyona, their daughter Lily, and the gang


The boys were dedicated at the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren on December 28th.


As a very special touch, Grandpa Madeira performed the dedication.


Ty sits on the Steelers mat...a future fan?


Jacen, the present elf...Cousin Laura Beth looks on.


Aunt Beth and Alex

We returned home on December 31st and celebrated the New Year with Grandma Burkett and Great Aunt Sue. Everyone had a great time!!

Back home, Alex admires the Star Wars Christmas tree (thank you Hallmark!)

Ty, a future drummer.

Great Aunt Sue with Alex.

The dogs took advantage of one of the triplets' favorite Christmas presents from their cousin Kobe to catch up on their rest while no one was looking.

Coloring with Dad!

A Very Happy Halloween!

This Halloween we were haunted...by cuteness! We stocked up on the Halloween costumes before we left Boston last year. The boys not only donned pumpkin costumes, but they were cows as well. I guess this was the agrarian-themed Halloween, in keeping with Indiana! And as you can imagine, we did take tons of pictures.

Earlier in the week we went to a pumpkin patch right near our house to pick out our special Halloween pumpkin. They had a petting zoo of sorts set up in the barn, so we took the opportunity to introduce the triplets to some large smelly animals.

Alex meets a real cow...

Grandma Burkett and Jody in the pumpkin patch (err, hay field)...

Another hay field/pumpkin patch shot...

Of course we had to try on the costumes ahead of time to make sure they fit (and to get some pictures!).

Our first jack-o-lantern!



Jacen says "Mmmmm, pumpkins are yummy!"



The whole gang and the pumpkin...



Three little pumpkins in a patch...



Matt's raided the pumpkin patch...he must be out of his gourd!



Ty in pumpkin form...

Alex as a laughing cow...

Jacen giving us a load of bull...

Ty looks like disco calf...

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On Thursday, October 30th, the boys went trick or treating at the law school. Here are the highlights!

Here are the pumpkins, all loaded in the trick-or-treat wagon...



Navigating the hallway in the wagon was lots of fun...we were kind of like a traffic jam for the other trick-or-treaters!



Alex gets the hang of this "candy" thing...



On Friday, Oct. 31st, the boys went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. This time they were dressed as cows. Here's Grandma Madeira posing with the boys on the porch...

We thought we'd round up the cows for another family picture...

Here we are on the big adventure...

Playing until the cows come home!

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