Mothers Day Picnic

Lori had the chance to go to Ryan's Mother's Day Picnic with his preschool. This is a picture of them at the picnic and Ryan looks to be as full of trouble as he generally is. They look great together. I am glad Lori had the chance to attend with him.

Ryan's 5th Birthday

Yesterday was Ryan's 5th birthday. Can he be that old already? Time is flying and we do not have a baby anymore. I started my Christmas Vacation so I could spend the day with Ryan. Brett and Jared had a short day of school and Ryan was really happy to have "the brothers" come home in the afternoon to play with him.

Ryan opened gifts in the morning before "the brothers" left for school.

Brett and Jared with Ryan as he opens his gifts in the morning.

Jared is doing a Flat Stanley project for school and so he joined us for the festivities that morning.

For breakfast Ryan blew out 5 candles in his waffles.

Ryan got a bike "trailer" for his birthday so we can go on big rides as a family. It is a little tougher to ride with him on the back than you would expect. Lori took him for a ride while I went to physical therapy for my knee and Lori struggled a bit with Ryan not balancing. I did better and Ryan is thrilled to go riding with me. I can say that it is a challenge but Ryan is still small enough. I took Jared and Brett for a spin on it because they wanted to try it out and they were a little tougher to tow around that Ryan.

Ryan is ready to go.

In the evening we had the Law and Selcho families over for a barbecue and birthday party for Ryan. Yes, you read that right, we cooked outside. We have been running our air conditioner as well. Those of you freezing in the snow in Utah can appreciate how nice these winters in Houston are.

Ryan blowing out his candle at his birthday party.

We all had a really fun day for Ryan's birthday. It can be tough to have a birthday in December, but Lori goes out of her way to make it special.

Ryan's Soccer Season

We were very busy this fall with sports and Ryan and Jared played soccer with the YMCA and Brett played football with the Greatwood Packers. Since I have not been posting much this fall, I will catch-up on the entire season in one post. This one will cover Ryan's Soccer Season.

This was Ryan's first season of organized sports and he was really excited to get his cleats and to have his own team. He has grown-up watching "the brothers" play sports and he was very excited to get started this year.

Ryan taking the ball down field. In the beginning it was a little tough getting him to take it the right direction down the field. He scored a couple of goals for the other team early in the season. They did not keep score so it was not a big deal.

Ryan playing goalie. He understood the "no hands" part really well and it was difficult to convince him he could use his hands when he was the goalie. He preferred to just kick the ball out.

Ryan taking the ball down field.

Ryan chasing the ball.

Ryan going after the ball. All our boys have been taught to be polite and share and so they have all struggled with not being too polite on the field and letting the other team just take the ball. Ryan did better than his older brothers at this age and did go after the ball once he figured it out.

Throwing the ball into play.

Ryan scoring a goal. This one was even at the right goal!

Chasing the ball.

Ryan all alone taking the ball down field.

Ryan is thinking about taking the ball away.

The Saturday after Halloween some of the kid still had colorful hair.

Ryan and his teammate going after the ball.

Ryan is focusing as can be seen by his tongue. It seems to run in the family as will be evident in a future post.

Ryan throwing the ball into play. It was a bright day and he thought he needed his sunglasses to play.

Going after the ball.

Some tripping action as the kids chase the ball.

Ryan throwing the ball into play.

Here they come!

Ryan running down field.

Speeding toward the ball.

It was nice to see Ryan get a little aggressive and actually go after the ball. I think having two older brother has helped him learn to be aggressive.

Going after the ball.

Taking the ball down the field.

Due to Hurricane Ike, the season was delayed so the last game we were playing in some cooler weather which required us to dress a bit warmer.

Ryan playing goalie and going after the ball with his hands but missing it. He is tough and just shook off getting hit in the face and kept playing.

Ryan kicking the ball.

Ryan with his trophy at the end of the season. He was really happy to get a trophy of his own. Unfortunately, he did not make it home with it in one piece but we were able to find the pieces and glue the guys foot back on. He is learning that trophies are made to look at, not to play with.

Ryan's 4th Birthday Party at Build-A-Bear

The day after we had Brett's birthday party at Bounce U, we had Ryan's birthday party at Build-a-Bear. That is the curse of having two kids with birthdays in December. When in December is there time for birthday parties? Therefore, after Christmas we try to come-up with something. I totally understand why I had very few (only 1 I can remember) birthday parties as a kid. It is tough to pull these things off. Lori does a great job making it happen.

The party is just starting as the kids get ready to play.

The kids are focused as they anticipate what is coming next.

Brett and Jared have picked out what they want. Jared is getting a monkey and Brett is getting a Husky. So much for building a bear.

Jack showing Ryan what he selected. I am not sure what it was, but I think it was a frog or turtle. Ryan selected a Polar Bear.

Now for a quick game of duck, duck, goose before stuffing your bear, frog, Shrek, monkey or dog, whatever the case may be.

As the birthday boy, Ryan gets to go first. He was not exactly sure what he needed to do.

Now, it is time to put a heart in your bear and one from each guest for Ryan's bear.

Jared signing the guest bear so Ryan will remember who was at his party.

After stuffing his bear, Ryan is now giving it a bath.

Jack and Sam are cleaning-up Shrek and the frog.

Jack is focused on making sure his frog/turtle is clean.

Cati (or My Cati, as Ryan refers to her) cleaning-up her bear.

Jared scrubbing his monkey.

The whole group with their new best friends.

The whole group making funny faces with their new best friends.

Ryan opening his gifts.

Ryan showing us what he received.

Jared got some glasses for his monkey so they would match.

After the party at Build-a-Bear, whose who could came to our house for some lunch and cake and ice cream. Bret is lighting the candles while Ryan looks on in awe.

Ryan blowing out his candles. It was a very fun party and he was really glad his friends could make it.