Grandpa Gale and Grandma Bev

My Grandparents came to visit us here in Arizona this weekend. They were spending some time with some family in a retirement community in Quartsite, which is only a few hours away.  We were so happy that they came and spent a few days with us!  They were worried that Graham wouldn’t remember them, but he sure did remember them and was talking about them days before they arrived.  The whole time they were here, he followed both of them around like a little puppy dog!  We went to the park on Saturday.  We went on a little train ride, and we fed the ducks.  I’m glad that the boys were able to spend some quality time with their Great-Grandparents that they’ve missed so much!

 

Collin helping Graham with his letters on the IPad.

Pioneer Town

On Saturday we took the kids to see an Arizona Pioneer Museum just up the road from where we are.  It was more like a village with different buildings and log homes that some of the first settlers lived in and used.  There was an old guy in one of the old buildings in a wheelchair and he had a patch over his eye and a really long, white beard.  It scared Graham to death and he kept talking about the “mean guy” after we left.  We kept telling him it was a pirate:)  The boys had fun.

Graham got a haircut

Although Graham looked adorable with longer hair, every time he woke up we had to deal with this:

It was a nightmare.  Collin can get away with longer hair because his hair is very fine (and actually looks better with longer hair because of his very high hairline), but not Graham.  His hair is very course.

So I made the executive decision to get his haircut when we were out and about the other day.

He looks pretty cute with short hair too.  I guess when you’re cute, you’re cute!!

Globe Trotter Game by Ayson

I  have  been waiting for this since Christmas,  the  game was so awesome!  Graham kept calling globe barney.  The globe trotters  kept doing dunks and alley-oops  and 3poiters they are the best.  I had a blast!

 

New Scooters

Many of the floors are travertine in the house and there are big hallways all around the main level. We picked up some scooters for the boys the other night for them to ride OUTSIDE. Dad has been riding them INSIDE from the bedroom to the kitchen and around the house. It has unfortunately started a trend and it seems there isn’t much walking happening in the house anymore. Boys will be boys

Time marches on…

Crazy how time keeps clipping along.  We’ve been gone more than 3 months now and it seems like we just left.  We’ve been enjoying the time together as a family, but at the same time have been missing everyone back home.

Happy to note that we were able to find some karate classes for the boys at a dojo down the road from where we are staying.  They are way pumped to start attending classes.  We’ve kind of been doing some ninja training classes already here at home each night.  So I cant wait for the boys to show their instructor all the great moves their dad has been showing them

As a side benefit to our ninja stretches each night, I can now proudly report that I can finally touch my toes without bending my knees!  Not even sure I could do that in highshcool, I am notoriously stiff, but they boys were fired up and cheering me on tonight.

P90x has killer abs shredder workout that I can now do about half of, so I’m improving right? 

I’ve made great progress on my new-years resolutions, so hard to master yourself, easier to be a bum, but I’m trying to rip it up this year.

Ringing in my ears still sucks, but I’m learning a whole bundle about patience and know that in due time I’ll emerge from this trial with a whole new perspective.  I’ve already learned so much in this journey.  I’d be lying if I said I’m not ready to have some peace again, but proving to myself that I can endure the most trying experience of my life well has been very rewarding in many ways.  I’ve been prompted many times that if I continue to take care of the things that are in my control, the lord will take care of the things that are not, so, I’m moving forward with faith.  The boys pray for my ear with every prayer, what else could be better than that

The boys are growing up so fast.  Ayson has started to wrestle with me and he is getting so strong.  He’s even started to get semi embarrassed of us in crowds of people, he’s not a fan of mom waving at him while he’s up on the slide.  And at the park he was afraid I was going to try and ride the half pipe on a skateboard in front of everyone.  

Collin is pretty funny.  In the mornings he loves to come and tell us about all of his dreams, he thinks they are so cool.  Then he’ll go hunting for breakfast.  If we tell him to grab a bowl of cereal and suggest anything with sugar he will get upset.  On top of that today we caught him waving his arms and counting to 100 for exercise, hard core! L)

Thanks to Grandpa Dave’s visit, little Graham now requests that we hit the hottub about every 2 hours, and he also thinks he’s ready to just sleep with the other boys.  In fact, the other day he climbed out of his playpen all by himself (I think he kind of took a crash landing though) but anyway, not sure how much longer he’ll still be our baby.  Probably until he stops pooping his pants I guess

Emily has been doing the mom thing.  I was telling Dave when they were out how great his daughter is (as if he didnt know).  She’s such a fabulous mom.  It’s amazing how she keeps this family rolling, she rarely gets a break, and definitely doesnt get the credit she deserves.  Marriage is kind of a wildcard in a lot of ways, you do your best to find someone that you think is a good fit, but at the end of the day there is just so much that can go wrong with that decision sometimes.  I feel so lucky to have found someone who is so amazing on so many levels.  With Emily there is no fineprint, no exceptions, no excuses.. She’s simply the best.

Bring on the coming years…

Ayson

I took some pictures of Ayson as well as Collin and Graham.  Looking at these pictures, I can’t believe how big he is now and how much he has changed!  It gets a little awkward when they lose all their baby teeth and their big teeth start coming in, but I still think these pictures turned out pretty cute!  Ayson doesn’t really like to get his picture taken, but he was pretty good and didn’t complain too much.  Some of the things Ayson has been doing recently are:

• Ayson is very interested in karate/martial arts and is looking forward to taking some karate lessons when we get home!
• Ayson is a GAMER and loves video games!  He has shown more interest in other activities (such as sports, skateboarding, biking, and karate) this last year though, which has been nice.
• Ayson likes to play baseball, basketball, football, and soccer.  He likes any sport that he tries and loves to practice playing catch or batting with his Dad or anyone who will throw a football to him.
• Ayson loves to swim and has become quite the little fish this last year.  He likes to dive for things at the bottom of the pool.
• Ayson is a GREAT big brother and is usually willing to help me with Graham.  He likes to tease (as all older brothers do), but can also be very nice to his younger brothers.  
• Ayson is doing great with his schooling.  His handwriting has improved and he is reading very well.  His favorite chapter books are Junie B. Jones, Magic Treehouse, and Henry Huggins.  When he slows down and takes the time, he can do very well in his work.
• Ayson loves to ride the dirt bike up at the cabin and this last year, learned how to do wheelies on it.  He wants to get a new BMX bike when we get home and start learning to do tricks and jumps!
• He is really into skateboarding and also wants to get a new skateboard when we get home,( since we told him we don’t have room for one while we are on this trip).  Pretty much he is into anything that requires a helmet and is DANGEROUS!!!!
• Ayson is a good friend and is nice to everyone he is around.  He is a kind boy who is always concerned for others.
• Ayson is a great eater and his favorite foods are shrimp, sushi, pizza, hamburgers, and chocolate.  He’s not that picky, there’s only a few things he won’t eat.
• He wanted me to add that he is into “hopping fences.”  He likes to climb up onto trees and wall fences.
• Ayson is excited to turn eight and be baptized
• He is excited to go to a Globe Trotter Basketball game with his Dad next week and loves to watch Pro Basketball on T.V. He’s also quite knowledgeable about all the players and their stats.

It has been so fun to watch Ayson grow and he has turned out to be such a great kid.  We love him so much and couldn’t have asked for a better first son!  

 

Collin

Collin is always great when we take pictures of him.  He is usually the most cooperative.  Graham is in a few of the pictures, he wanted to be right there with Collin.  Also he kept taking Collin’s hat and wouldn’t give it back. They have such a cute little bond with each other and love to play together.  Some of the things Collin is into lately are:

• Collin loves anything Ayson likes, such as: karate, baseball, basketball, and video games. 
• Collin loves to draw and is very good at it.
• Collin loves to sit and build legos or any toy that you put together.  He also likes puzzles.
• Collin is reading very well and enjoying it too!
• Lately Collin has been using the excuse “I’m tired,” when he doesn’t want to do something we ask him to.
• Collin is probably our most responsible child and will often do things without us telling him to like brushing his teeth getting  dressed, flushing the toilet, washing his hands, etc.
• Collin is into following the rules and he is very sensitive when he gets in trouble and feels really bad about it.
• Collin is very thoughtful and will sometimes surprise us by doing something nice.
• Collin is very health-conscious lately (thanks to his Dad!) and won’t eat sugary cereal and will choose whole wheat bread over white…I’m loving it!
• Collin is excellent at batting and hits the ball a lot of the time.
• His trips to the bathroom take a while since he has to be completely stripped down to go!
• Collin loves the cereal Life, and it’s what he wants every morning for breakfast.  His other favorite foods are nuggets, mangos, avocados, and soup.
• Collin loves to sing and will make up his own songs (as you all know!)
• Collin STILL has his two blankies he sleeps with every night and sucks his thumb while holding one up to his face.  He’s five  a half, we’re hoping he’ll grow out of it soon even though he only does it at night!
• Collin loves to help me in the kitchen when I’m cooking.
• Collin loves to help little Graham say his prayers–it’s cute!
• Collin’s voice is LOUD and we sometimes have to remind him to keep it down, but we love him!!

We couldn’t imagine our family without our little Colli Walli!  He is such a cute, sweet little boy and keeps us all in line!  He is a delight to have around.

 

Graham

I know I posted a lot of photos of Graham, but he looked so cute in all of them I couldn’t decide between them!  I was only going to have him wear the hat for a few shots, but then he wouldn’t take it off.  Anyway, I think we got some really cute photos of the little guy.  Here are some of the things Graham is doing lately:

*  Lately is very clingy to me and wants me to hold him when I’m trying to get other things done!

*  He is learning his colors and shapes and a few letters.

*  Loves to play and wrestle with his brothers.

*  Will put his face right up to yours and say “hi” in a sweet little voice to get your attention.

*  Is into batting and loves anyone to pitch him a ball.

*  Likes to sit and build with blocks and line up his trucks and guys.

*  Is just starting to sit and watch movies with the older boys.

*  Loves yogurt, applesauce, cereal, and peanut butter sandwiches.

*  Shoves a whole mouthful of food in his mouth then spits it out.

*  Still makes me warm up his sippy cup of milk in the microwave and calls it a “ba ba.”

*  Loves his “baby” (his blankie) and won’t go anywhere without it.

*  Likes to sing “Ba Ba Black Sheep” “ABC” and “Twinkle Twinkle.”

*  Likes to stretch and do yoga with mom.

*  Is following directions really well and will help me with chores around the house.

*  Throws tantrums when we do something different than the way he wanted (he’s two, right?!)

Graham is a sweet, funny little boy and we are so glad he is in our family!