:)

It's been a long winter. :) We do what we can to get the wiggles out.

Mystery Solved

Hunter and Ryder are best buds... and I think I figured out one reason why. I walked into this situation today. Just a couple of arms sticking out of the pantry with a giant bag of dog treats being handed out like no one was watching. #literally


... I also think I figured out why Huntee seems to be getting so fat!

Dragons With His Dragons

Nothing going on here, just a little dragon watching with his dragons.

This is his "ugly dragon". He wanted this dragon so badly but I kept telling him no, "Ryder that dragon is too ugly for our house". He would always give me an, "oooook mom". Then one day I took him to Shirley's and he gave me a loooong hug looked me right in the eyes and said, "mom I really want an ugly dragon". He had obviously been thinking about this dragon for some time. Soooo my soft heart of course bought the dragon. The funny part was, when I was checking out there was an older lady behind me and she said, "ma'am I have to ask you why are you buying that hideous thing". HAHAHAHA! I just looked at her and told her that was a great question.

Sick Day

Got a call from Ms. Shirley today while I was working to tell me this little guy was sick and running a fever. He went from smiles this morning to miserable tonight. Poor little dude. :( Enjoying the snuggles but hate to see him so sick.

Build A Bear

 When I found out Build A Bear had Toothless, I knew we had to make that happen. I didn't tell him what we were doing but when we showed up and saw it, he was thrilled! He slept the whole way home with Toothless riding on his lap.

Snow Hikes

Snow hiking is one of our favorites, there is something so fun about the quiet of the woods and all the snows on the trees.

Hurry Mom

He wanted to go out and play, he told me to get him ready first. I told him he was going to have to be patient while I got ready, so he sat on the couch like this and waited very patiently for me.

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.