Boys

This kind of goes with my last post about boys...

Bad Guys

All day, all night we hear about how he is fighting bad guys. I have no idea where all this came from but he is obsessed. Between dragons and bad guys, it is a war zone around here. Today I walked out of the bathroom after a shower and he yelled, "mom get back in there, it's too dangerous out here for you". As he was swinging his sword around. It's funny having a boy, you realize how much of their personality is just ingrained in them.

Valentine's Day

Ryder woke up to a heart path that lead him to a present with a "big ugly dragon". The ugly dragon story will have to be for another post. He had a wonderful day playing and enjoying small things. Dad was sick (even though we did surprise him with a mega card), so Ryder and mom had a date night with frozen yogurt. Left the camera at home though just to enjoy the time with him. Hope everyone had a day that left them thinking about how loved they are!

Valentines

This year dinos were the theme. He had fun stuff ing them and picking the colors. After each one he would say which friend was going to get it. "This one is going to be for Jonah" :))

After Bath Dragon Love

A little moment with his dragons after bath time. <3

Sick Day

It was a long night with this little dude, this is the image I woke up to this morning. It's been awhile since I have enjoyed a sick day at home with this little man. I hate when he is sick but these days are full of snuggles.

Mud

Warm winter days means lots of mud and slushy grounds. To a little boy this means dirt heaven. He is not feeling well today, but he wanted to venture out to dig. He kept telling me that "dad needed help with this". :)) Judging by all the new mud in the grass and on the patio, dad will need help with something alright.

Lunch Date

If you look closely in this picture you will see my phone propped up on the cup. This was a "scheduled" lunch date with the infamous Aunt Amy. As you can see it was a very animated conversation filled with giggles and I kept hearing things like, "no Amy listen...". He was telling Aunt Amy about Valentines Day and his dinosaurs he is giving out. I listened as Amy asked him questions and she repeated every friend's name that he told her he was going to pass out valentines to. It is not easy living far away from family, but man am I blessed at the people who make such a huge attempt in keeping him close to their lives.

Block Time

We had to run back to my school after work today. He loves going there, way too much. He loves to run the halls, draw on the whiteboard, play with my games, and read the books.  Usually I have to bribe him to leave. Today's bribery was a box of wooden blocks for indoor recess that we could "borrow" for the weekend. Ummmm wow.... I am not even exaggerating when I say hours of entertainment on this. He loved them. I will have to remember to take these home again.

3 Going On 7

Is it just me or does he look like he is about 7 in this picture? Holy cow!!! Yes the water is purple, grandma sent a care package and crayola drop-ins were the hit of the season! He is obsessed with putting them in his water. I didn't really think bath time could be loved more... proven wrong! Thanks Grandma <3

Train Days

It's a lazy day filled with trains. I heard Ryder talking to Hunter and went in to find Hunter laying on top of his tracks broken. Ryder told him he was in the way, but then decided to give up and to just turn around when he got to the 70 pound "road block".

The Hat

I had to run to target today after work. I told him he could pick something out of the dollar bin. Picture my child walking around in Target with this lovely little hat on. :)) hahaha. Oh man did I hear some giggles from others! He was so excited to get a "worker hat". Although when we got home it became his "dragon fighter hat". He was handing me a sword here and told me that, "the dragons are everywhere mom, come on". Love this kid so so much. I love dragon fights with you little dude.

Monster Bucks

If you know my husband I think there is really not much need for any explanation in this. These are four of his prize toys... I mean four of his "monster bucks".

Jump!

It's a jams don't match, throw all the pillows off the couch, and jump kind of day. Whatever it takes to get a little energy out. :))

Binoculars

This was actually from the other day, but I just came across it. One of the benefits of not having numbers this year. :)) He was looking out the window with his "binoculars". When I asked him what he was doing this was the face he gave me, and replied "trying to spot something". 

... Duh. 

My Heart

Everyone once in a while a shot comes around that stops me. Not because it's technically a perfect photo, but because it captures you and how much you have grown. You are just growing way to fast my boy. The last year has been the difference between a baby face and a little boy. I can't believe how much you have changed. You look older, you act older, you talk older, you are older and it most definitely excites me to watch you grow but it leaves me with as sadness as well. Life is so short and parenthood has a way of reminding you of that constantly. It may be short but I am so thankful I get to raise you and watch you grow.

A Boy & His Ball

Like most little boys he is addicted to balls. Throwing them, kicking them, tossing them high in the air, throwing them at walls, etc. He was having a little bit of a meltdown here and I guess he just needed a moment with his ball. :))

All Smiles

Love this sweet smile, wish you could hear the giggle on the other end of it. I was wrapping him in the blanket and tossing him onto the bed. Each time seemed to be just as funny as the last. Love you little dude. Your smile lights up my world.

Morning View

Another snow day today. Last night we were hit with some pretty awesome ice/snow. This morning as I stood at my kitchen window and drank my coffee I couldn't help but be reminded of how beautiful winter is.

Snow!

Well we finally got to go outside and enjoy a bit of the snow. He loved it and kept swearing to us, "I not cold". His favorite part was picking up the ice chunks the plows and shovels left and throwing them up in the air. :))

It's Cold Outside

Poor guy, he has waited so long to play in some snow and now that it is here it is too cold to go out. He likes to stand at the window and look at it. One day he looked at me and asked, "why we not making snow angles mom".

Hopefully soon bud...

Dragons! Dragons! Dragons!

Our new obsession is How to Train a Dragon. Every minute.Every hour.Every day... he wants to fight dragons. It is nothing out of the normal to have him shout, "mom a dragon" and a sword comes flying past my head. It's pretty cute most of the time, but sometimes I wish those dragons would just sleep every now and then. :))

Our Shadow

He is constantly at our feet. He no longer sits in a room by himself since we put Berkley down. I thought this photograph was appropriate with the shadowing. He is our shadow now, when we turn around there he is right beside us. I feel so awful for him that he feels so lonely that he can't sit in a room by himself. :(

Operation Big Boy Room

It wasn't easy taking down his nursery. I remember putting it up and thinking oh how our life is about to change. Now here we are taking it all down and making a room that fits his growing personality. There are still a few more things that I want to do but overall I am happy with it and he loves it so that is what is important.

Grandpa's Toy

A playroom stacked with new toys from Christmas but this little guy found one of grandpa's toys in the closet and can't seem to put it down. I cringe a little bit as he comes racing past me and yelling, "bam, bam, bam". The little drummer guy seems to be on his game though, he hasn't missed a beat. I asked him to stop for a minute and told him, "Ryder did you know this was grandpa's toy when he was a little boy"? His response was, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat". :)) I am not a big fan of saving a bunch of "past" things but even I have to admit it is pretty neat to watch him get such a big kick out of something that used to be grandpa's.

Day 365 / 365 - My Last 2014 365 Post

It is not lost on me that I literally sound like I won an award for finishing this 365 project. Trust me internally I have. It is such a strange feeling to type 365 / 365. I remember starting it and thinking whoa that is going to be a lot. I have to admit I am a lot sadder than I thought I would be. As I look back on this year there are some amazing things I never want to forget about and some sad times that will be locked in my memory forever. 

Day 89 - My 4 sisters and I got matching tattoos and had one of the most amazing days of our life. 

Day 117 - Ryder saw his first movie at the theaters. 

Day 151 - Ryder and I were stuck in an empty parking lot on a 95 degree day for four hours. We made the most of it and it ended up being one of the best days of my life and I will cherish for many years. 

Day 193 - My beautiful sister Amy married her best friend and I was able to photograph it. 

Day 195 - Hello Costa Rica! 

Day 222 - My heart broke as I watched my oldest brother bury his son. I will never forget the sadness that day holds, it is something no parent should ever have to do. I will continue to pray daily for their healing.

Day 235 - Ryder drove a robot and it started an obsession

Day 264 - I made the decision to put my four legged best friend to sleep. so.many.tears.that.day.

Day 267 - You turned 3! 

Day 310 - Grandpa showed up at our door for a surprise visit! 

Day 328 - An exciting announcement that you are going to have a sweet new GIRL cousin in May! 

What an amazing year. When I look through my lens and see this face it is like my whole world focuses in. You son have taught me so much about enjoying the small moments around me and not taking life for granted. I am truly blessed to be your mom. Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for following this years journey! 

Day 364 / 365 - Hound Love

I received a giant amazingly soft blanket for a Secret Santa gift this year. I walked out to the living room this morning and found this. Looks like a certain hound thinks it's pretty awesome also. Anyone who has a basset knows that when they sleep you just stare at them and wish you could sleep like that.

 ... the jealousy continues. 

Day 363 / 365 - I'm A Saw'n Guy Mom

He recieved a chain saw for Christmas. He likes to walk around the house and ask us,"you want a Christmas tree?" or "you want a big tree or a little one this year?". Today he came up to me with a big smile on his face and said, "MOM, I a saw'n guy" and then flashed this big shark tooth grin up at me. :))

Day 362 / 365 - Feels Good to be Home

We had an amazing week at home with family, but it feels so good to be home. This little guy has been playing with every new toy and reading every new book he received over Christmas. Being away from family is so unbelievably hard, but being at our home feels so right. <3

Day 361 / 365 - Life is Good

It has been an amazing few days full of love and family. This little guy is in heaven with his new headphones and all the spoiling. Love me some dark shots. :))

Day 360 / 365 - All Smiles

We are all smiles as we have fun at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. I laugh because this little guy literally thinks the Christmas "normal" is three different Christmas'. He knows we go from one grandparent's house to another. He knows that as we leave one we will have just as many presents at another. He is spoiled and loved, and I am ok with that. He is all smiles when he is home with family and loves playing with cousins. Love how happy family makes him and love that we may not live close but family is everything to him and he is everything to them.

Day 359 / 365 - Merry "3rd" Christmas

Waking up to a room full of presents is nothing short of exciting!!! Someone was extremely pumped up to get to the gift opening. :))

Day 358 / 365 - Be Merry

Simply because he is cute and I don't send out Christmas cards. :))

Day 357 / 365 - Reflections

A rarity, we are in Iowa and Ryder is napping and no one else is home. It is just me, Christmas lights, a fresh hot chocolate and my absolute favorite magazine. This gives me time to reflect on the year that is almost behind me. What an amazing year it has been. It was full of laughter, tears, heavy hearts, heavy sadness, beauty, family, longing, and content all in one. I am grateful for this time to reflect on the ups and the downs this year. We lost loved ones this year, and our hearts break for that. We were reminded that life is short and we do not know what tomorrow will hold. Through those tears I was reminded that I do have today and for that I will cherish it and the good that I will soon leave behind me but cherish in my heart.

Day 356 / 365 - Traveling

Santa was here and someone is a little excited to be headed home for more presents and to see some of his favorites.

Day 355 / 365 - Christmas Morning Magic

Is there really anything more fun than seeing your child so filled with joy on Christmas morning? This morning was perfect and magical. 

Day 354 / 365 - Christmas Eve

Tonight we laid out milk and cookies for Santa. December 20th probably isn't Christmas Eve for most, but for this family who has to travel the whole week of Christmas we enjoy the early arrival of Santa. We put reindeer food out in the yard, and put a lighted snowflake on the door for santa to find us early. We laid out the milk and cookies and Ryder decided that the fireplace was in fact a great place to eat milk and cookies himself So he went and got his chocolate milk and cookie and propped down right next to Santa's food. It took a little bit for him to understand we are actually not going to wait and see Santa, we just have to trust that he will find him. 

We also said goodbye to our elf Macaroni (yes that is what Ryder named him). Ryder was really sad to say goodbye to him and in fact he was walking to the bedroom turned around and ran back to Macaroni and said, "I will miss you so much Macaroni". As crazy as this "elf" process is, it was really fun to give him that excitement every morning. I will miss him running out of his room yelling for "Maaacccaarooonnniiii". 

Day 353 / 365 - Ornament Drama

Today I picked him up from Shirley's house and he met me with a beautiful salt and flour Christmas tree ornament. He was so very proud to give it to me and tell me he made it for me. I have to be honest I was super excited about it, I knew he did it on his own and I knew he understood enough that he was making it to make me happy. We got home and hung it on the tree and went into the other room. I came running back to a shrill scream coming from the living room to find Ry standing over Hunter and Hunter with a mouth full of a Christmas tree ornament. Ryder was screaming, that was mine I made it, I wanted to show daddy!! Oh holy heart break for this mom. So I decided I better make this all better quickly! I scooped Ryder up, threw him in the car and through his cries he was asking where were we going. We walked into Michaels and I asked him what he wanted to put on his new ornament. He thought for a minute and stopped pouting and said, "paint". So we walked around and decided to get clay this time so we didn't have another "situation" and then went home and made this perfect little gem. I miss the first one he made because it was "his" that he made without me, but he loves his new one and we can now giggle about our four legged friend who seems to ruin a lot of things. :))

Day 352 / 365 - Growing Way too Fast

Every year I have one photo that I must get. It is my light photo. I tried it when he was one and I loved it. I tried it when he was two and I loved it. So this year I brought all my things out and tried it again. Love. It is so fun for me to watch how much he has grown in the last three years. Although, I must say... I thought he looked a bit older in his two year old shot. haha. He is amazing and growing and healthy and so very loved. I love Christmas and love focusing on all that I am blessed with.

Day 351 / 365 - Lights

Tonight we drove around with hot chocolates in hand and looked at all of the Christmas lights. Stopped at this beautiful house and Ryder loved it! It was synced with the music and Ryder thought it was hilarious, he was dancing to the music and giggling at the moving lights. Tonight was a good night. :)

Day 350 / 365 - Giggles

A little back story on this picture, the two of them were playing on the bed and Hunter (being the crude dog he is) burped as loudly as he could possibly burp in Ryder's face. Ryder looked at me with huge eyes and just started laughing uncontrollably. I am so surrounded by boys in this house... gross boys. ;) {I kind of love it}