my 3 monkeys

Holy Cow, its been way too long!  Well we are still alive and kicking.  The boys are growing so fast.  They finished up their school year with good grades and great anticipation for a lazy summer break.  Now summer break is almost over and we are slowly introducing the idea of another school year.  They are still doing marital arts and progressing along well, each currently at a different level of the orange belt rank.  They are taking a break from other sports for the summer while mom and dad are trying their hand at coed softball with some family and friends.  And yes we have come to face the reality that we are getting old, thank goodness our games are on Friday nights so we have the weekend to recover!  The best part is hearing the boys cheer us on from the bleachers, it temporarily dulls the aches and pains ; )
We took a mini vacation to a cabin in the Prescott National Forest the first week of July.  It was great to get out of the Phoenix heat and do some hiking, reading, playing army, tree swinging, jacuzziing and enjoying the rain and thunder storms.  We need to do more of that!
Now we are making the best of staying indoors as the summer heat of the desert is in full swing.  Looking forward to any rain and the coolness of fall in a few months.
I've posted some new pictures  under "recent fun".  Enjoy......

Well the past couple of weeks teeth have been falling out mouths around here!  Nate and Gabe each lost their first tooth, and each have another that could fall out at any second.  The little, big red dog has been losing his puppy teeth left and right, literally.  Today, Dylan finally was right their when Csonka lost a little molar, so Kristof has one to keep!!!

I never said I was any good at blogging. Its been over two months, how bad is that.  Well it's been a busy time for sure. With Kristof, Dylan, Gabe & Nate all having birthdays and the Holidays mixed in there, I just loose track of everything else.  The boys all had good, fun birthday parties.  I can't believe Dylan is 9 and the twins are 6!  Everyone is doing good in school, although all three of them (so I've been told by their teachers) have the "Gift of Gabb."

This past weekend there was a possibility of us going over to visit family for an afternoon.  When I told the boys of the possibility of this visit they were extremely excited!!  Of course, there was the condition of them behaving properly all morning or they wouldn't get to go.  As the afternoon approached it turned out that we wouldn't be able to go for our visit after all, and would have to  postpone it.  Sadness swept across the 3 Monkeys' little faces : (  Then Dylan said (in his infinite wisdom) "so you mean I was good all morning long for no good reason?"  hahahahahahahaha!!!

(I need to post more often!)  We just returned from 5 days of camping in Oak Creek Canyon (Sedona Area).  The boys had a week off of school, so we thought we'd get them back in touch with nature. They had a really good time, and it was a nice distraction from our daily routines.  We hunkered down against the very chilly weather with our warm family; Grammy, Grandpa & Grandma, and the all too fun "Fousel's".  Hiking, fishing, ghost stories around the camp fire, tree climbing, hamock swinging, and a bunch of great memories made!  Of course washing 5 days of camping off of little boys is a process, they had very long, warm baths when we got home.  I think it will take a few more days of washing before we see the natural flesh tone of their fingers.  Was chilly and windy, but a great time none the less.  Of course as we packed up to leave, the weather was great..................

These boys really love their family!  I'm not sure if you grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins know how often you're thought/spoken of........but its starting to get annoying ; ) 
--"Can we go to the Fousel's? or Let's call the Fousels!" 
--"When is MaMa coming back to visit? or Is Mama with you Papa?"
--"I want to go back to Grandpa and Grandma's to jump on the trampoline!"
--"Are we ever gonna go to Denver and visit Gabby and Livvy?"
--"Is Grammy home from work yet, I want to play Webkinz with her!"
--"When is Aunt Kathy coming back?"

We've been blessed with kids who really enjoy being with and love their family.  Yes they do get absorbed into their video games once and awhile and ask to go to Peter Piper Pizza every now and again but they ALWAYS express their love for their family!

So he did indeed earn his 2nd stripe on his Karate belt.  He was excited.  I don't know if I've ever mentioned but they are studying Shorin Ryu Karate and Muay Thai.  He also lost a tooth this week.  I posted a picture on the pic of the week page.  Take a look...he's such a cutie patootie!

Our "Nate Bird" was a dirty bird today.........he took a dip in a mud puddle on the playground.  When the school called around noon today and said he was wet and muddy and needed a change of clothes, they weren't kidding.  Thankfully we live right across the street from the school and I was over there lickity split with a fresh change of garments.  Where there is mud....there are little boys rolling around in it!!!
On a cleaner note:  Gabe and Nate tested for their first yellow stripe (of 3) for their white belts in Karate.  They passed!  Yippee!  Dylan already has his and will test for his second one next week.

My mistake!  I didn't know telling your 8 year boy (who plays Guitar Hero, SingStar, and listens to rock music) that "You Rock!" could possibly be an embarrassing statement.  Well if you put it on a little note  signed "love, mom" and slip it into his lunch bag, this is cause for embarrassment, or so I am told.  Apparently last time I did this (two years ago) he asked me not to do it again, i guess it slipped my mind.  When I slipped a note in each of the twins lunches I naturally thought to give Dylan one too.  I guess this is ANOTHER sign of the times, he is growing up!

I read this article on a news page today.  It's nothing new or earth shattering, it just re-affirms the need for responsible, active parenting and guardianing (if that's even a word) Read it here.
The boys are doing good.  I've gotten to meet with their teachers over the last two evenings and they have very good, positive things to say about the boys.  I know this is only the 3rd week of school, so I'll pray for the same good and positive things to be said all the way through the last day!!!
They were happy to receive a visit from Papa last night, its been almost a month.  They are getting used to him being here more often than not.