Baseball season.

Ryan pitching against a Keizer team last night.

He did really well.  Ryan normally plays shortstop and 2nd base(where he is a total star).  Ryan has done so well in the field this year.  He has had some awesome plays.  He pitches every now and then and he did an awesome job last night.  Ryan is in JBO this year, which is a competitive league.  They have games every Tuesday and Thursday, then they have tournaments on the weekend.  The team can enter as many or as few tournaments as they want.  We have only done one so far.  It makes for a lot of games in a week.  The week we had the tournament they played six games and then three games the next week.  In between the games there is practice and batting practice.  It is every night of the week.  Evan is also playing Tball and John is assistant coaching both teams.

Stealing home.

New Arrival

Meet Norman, our new arrival.
Isn't he the cutest thing ever?  How can you not love those big brown eyes and long lashes?

That is, until he grows into one of these.  They are a little scary.  Especially the big bull.  You don't want to get too close to him.

Chloe totally loves Norman.  She was squealing with delight to be around him and pet him.

Ryan trying to feed him.  He actually isn't doing very well.  He is very weak and won't eat.  They actually had to tube him to get something in him to try and build up his strength.  I guess today he was doing better but the bull keeps knocking him over and he just isn't getting up and doing well.  He still hasn't eaten from his mom.  We are just hoping he makes it.

Happy Birthday!



My handsome husband and his ginormous cake I made him.




Unfortunately I didn't have enough candles.  I will have to be better prepared next year.




The Blackberry Raspberry Truffle Cake.  Sounds better than it tasted.  It was ok, but definately not worth all the work it took, but John is worth it.  I love you babe and hope you had an awesome day.



Christmases Past

I am so excited for Christmas this year.  I have been busy trying to decorate our house while trying to collect decorations for the homeless shelter.  Our youth went to the shelter last night and decked the place out.  I am so glad it is over so I can concentrate on finishing up our decorations.  I love Christmas and want to make lots of memories with my kiddies this year. 

We are starting off the season this evening with a holiday band concert.  Ryan's first playing the trumpet.  Should be interesting.

I was going through old pictures on the computer and thought it would be fun to show some of my favorite pics for Christmases past.

 Awesome!  This one cracks me up.  Chloe was so not wanting to sit on Santa's lap.

How time flies.

ELEVEN

Eleven years of joy and laughter.
Eleven years of wonderment.
Eleven years of stories.
Eleven years of jokes.
Eleven years of "guess whats".
Eleven years of parenthood.
Eleven years of gratitude.
Eleven years since our first son was born.

Ryan John Burton

In the last eleven years our little butter ball has turned into such a handsome guy.  I must say this last year I have felt so much pride as I have watched him transform into a young man.  A young man with values and character.  He is such a good person.  Kind, compassionate, honest, helpful and a total goof ball.  I love you Ry-guy.

Here are a few recent pictures, since I haven't updated in so long.

 First day of school - 5th grade.  Ryan is a very good student.  He is very smart and he loves school.

 Ryan's first year of tackle football.  His team is the Grizzlies.  He loves it and had lots of fun.

 Ryan and his friends at his Arrow of Light ceremony.
He went above and beyond and earned all twenty activity badges.  He enjoys going to scouts with his friends.

Funny things kids say

Evan says the funniest things sometimes.  Since I haven't posted in so long I thought I would share one that cracked me up today.  I guess I should preface this by telling you, albeit embarrassing, that Evan burps all the time.  Some real, some fake.  He thinks it's hilarious.

Me:  "Evan, why do you burp so much?  It's disgusting."

Evan:  "I don't know, Jesus just made me that way."

What do you say to that???

Boot Camp

Ryan has just been initiated into what John calls, "two a days".  Two practices a day, two hours of football in the morning and two hours of football at night, five days a week.  Intense.  Especially for a ten year old.  This is his first year playing tackle football.  He played flag the last two yeas.  Yesterday was his first day of practice.  They were told for the next two weeks they will be "conditioning".  They also told them to "please not quit.  It will eventually be fun."  They just needed to get through conditioning.  1.5 days down, 8.5 to go.  Hope he makes it through with a good attitude intact.  In the morning he is at the high school doing a camp.  Which he loves.  In the evening he has practice with his team, the Grizzlies.  This is where Ryan thinks they are trying to kill him.  Running.  Sit-ups.  Push-ups.  Jumping jacks.  Drills.  Repeat.  It's good for him.  Right?