nine

My Ryder had a birthday a few weeks ago.

And he is now a nine-year old.

These pictures are a very good likeness of this kid.

He NEVER wears a shirt (unless he has to of course).

The second he gets home from school, the shirt is off.

I have NO idea why he does this.

Ryder is the complete definition of a boy.

He loves everything "boy".

From riding horses, branding, and working with his dad.

to playing hockey.

And he is so obsessed with hockey right now. 

That's all he talks about.

That's all he wants to play. Ever. (just ask his sisters- they get so tired of him bribing them to play with him).

All he wants to watch on tv is hockey (and sometimes the odd baseball,football or basketball game). 

For his birthday all he wanted was the hockey package on direct tv so he could watch all the NHL games. 

Sorry to say (but not really, a girl can only take so much hockey :)) he didn't get his wish.

He played defence (and sometimes center) on his novice team this year. He plays with so much heart and makes it so much fun to watch. They only lost 2 games this season (and lets just say a few tears were shed each time).

His hockey team ended up winning the league championship.

He was just a little excited.

I just wish I would have had my video ready to record his celebration dance. Darn! It was a gooder!

This was at the triathalon last summer

and coach pitch last spring

His most favorite Christmas present. 

The Crosby jersey.

And a pretty sweet bedhead.

Despite how much of a BOY this kid is, he still manages to be my most sensitive kid.

He seems to be able to sense when I need his help the most.

And he is always the first to say "I love you mom".

I can never say I love you without him saying it back. Every time.

Melt.My.Heart.

Love it, and oh how I love this boy!!

ryder's baptism

my little man got baptized this weekend.

I can't believe he's old enough to be baptized.

his dad baptized him

he was lucky to be baptized with his good buddy Jace

his favorite uncle Darren said a talk and gave him a 

"BAPTISM" trophy.

Ryder is such a good boy and we are so proud of his

decision to be baptized.

I snapped a LOT few baptism pictures of him before the big day. (and yes, he has a buzz cut in a few of them - 

we had to do 2 separate photo shoots-

the boy can only handle so many photos in one day!)

birthdays!!

I thought I'd better do the token birthday posts before it's too late. Sadie and Ryder's birthdays are 4 days apart so it's always a pretty crazy week of birthday celebrations. 


First I'll start with my 10 year old. Little miss Sadie Layne.

Sadie has been planning her birthday party for about 6 months, so how could I say she couldn't have one (especially since she didn't have a friend party last year). She kind of drove me nutty with her constant questions about her party so I have to say it was kind of nice when it was finally over.

the crew of giggly party girls

so what can I say about my Sades?


- she is insanely crafty. She puts me to shame. Seriously, she can make pretty much anything out of nothing. I see a little Martha in the making. She got a sewing machine for christmas and is getting so good at making things. 
- she is miss independant and has to choose her clothes and do her own hair. And the funny thing is is that she is pretty stinkin' good at it too. She is getting so good at doing her hair and comes up with all sorts of creations that I would never think of. She can do a pretty mean french braid. And her clothes combinations are actually pretty decent. One less girl I to have to get ready in the morning sounds good to me!

- she can be so shy and still has a hard time talking to adults. I was hoping that gene (obviously from me) would pass over my kids but no, she was the lucky recipient of that blessed shy gene. Darn it.
- she is my little fashion consultant and I go to Sadie to ask if an outfit looks ok. I must say, the kid has good taste.
- she does not like to read and it's like pulling teeth to get her to do it. I was also hoping that lovely gene (obviously from her dad) would pass over my kids as well, but poor sades got it. She's a pretty good reader though, just doesn't like to do it.

- she is super neat and organized.
- she loves to tease.
- she loves to cook and is my little sidekick when I'm making dinner. Her specialty is ceasar salad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet SADIE! We sure love ya!!

Now onto my little dude, RYDER. He is now officially an 8 year old. No friend party this year, just a partay at grandma's. He is super excited for his baptism that will be at the end of May. 

So here's a few Ryder facts:


- the kid will NOT keep his shirt on. The minute he walks into the house from school, his shirt is off. Even on the -30 degree winter days. I have no idea why he does it. I find his shirts all over the house. Now he just has to get some meat on those scrawny little arms of his.
- He is such a boy and is obsessed with anything hockey, football, or basketball. He has seriously had a hard time with hockey being over. Me on the other hand, not so much!

- he is a great helper at home and usually will do what I ask the first time I ask.
- he is VERY excited to finally get some boy company in our family of girls. He thinks we need to name the baby Crosby, after his favorite hockey player. Don't think that will happen though.

- he loves playing with his buddies and that usually involves hockey games in the bonus room or arcade hoops in the basement.
- he is a hard worker

- he is a GREAT singer and can always be heard above everyone else that is singing. And he usually knows every single word. Where he got that from, I do not know. 

Ryder is such a sweetheart and our family would not be the same without him! 
               happy birthday buddy!

it's FINALLY over!

my little hockey man

What seemed like the longest hockey season EVER is finally over. 6 months for a sport season is too long for me (especially if it is hockey!). I have to admit though, what a fun season it was. The team was great, the parents great, and the kids ended up winning the banner in playoffs. Great ending to a LONG season!

I never thought I'd have a kid wearing a RAYMOND jersey, but ya do what ya gotta do, right?

the team, what a bunch of ragmuffins!

I was so mad because at the final game last night, my camera was having issues, so I ended up getting NO pics of the kids and the banner. SO SAD! Oh well, I know how fun hockey pictures are to look at right?

So now I'm very happy to hang up the skates and say goodbye to hockey, at least for a few months. Oh yah, and can I tell you how happy I am to wash all that nasty hockey gear - seriously, is there a more awful smell?

And of course I have to throw in a few pics of the little munchkin that keeps me company all day every day.

maysa and her best friend/cousin, Claire. I caught them watching a movie like this.