Wordless Wednesday...Silly boys!

Spongebob and Patrick...at hockey!

Spongebob and Patrick made it up for a Rush game! They even did a ceremonial puck drop.

During the game they were off hiding, but each period break they came out on the ice for the games and fun!

Hey Patrick!!!

Hello Spongebob!

Nugget apparently needed a break...we caught him lounging on the job in the row behind us during the game. As always, we enjoyed the game and it was an extra special treat to get to see Spongebob and Patrick!

Cooper's Birthday Party

Cooper celebrated his 1st birthday yesterday, so we spent the afternoon at Marla and Tony's to join in the celebration!

The cousins getting ready to sing Happy Birthday to the "big boy"!

Big brother, Mason, helping blow out the candle.

Marla wasn't sure he would even touch the cake since he doesn't like getting his hands dirty when he eats, but to much surprise he stuck his little fingers in and had a few bites of the good stuff!

This was about as crazy as he got...nothing like his cousins Tyson and Aiden who were covered from head to toe by the time they finished their 1st birthday cake! Nope...no tub needed for this little guy when he was done...just a quick washcloth to his hands and face and he was back on the go playing with the kids.

Aiden took some time out from playing to get in some story-time with Grandma. It was a quick party, but a lot of fun! The boys really play together well, and it was wonderful to get to celebrate the first year of Cooper's life and remember just what a true miracle he is! We love you Cooper...Happy Birthday buddy!

PeeWee State Hockey Tournament

This weekend the Rushmore Thunder Dome hosted the state PeeWee hockey tournament. They had asked a few of the Mite skaters to help with the opening ceremonies. They needed 2 skaters for each team that was in the tournament. They held up the team's jersey and escorted them out on the ice while they were announced.

Tyson was with one of his teamates and good buddy-Caleb.

It was a big responsibility...but they all did a great job!

They were holding the Watertown jersey.

There were 9 teams in the tournament. Our Thunder PeeWee team was rated #1 in the state going in to this weekend. To say that the Thunder program has grown and improved over the past few years would be an understatement!

I think it was really cool for all of the mites to see the "big kids", and where they will be in just a few short years!

Shinny

The new Downtown Square has become our second home on the weekends. They have open shinny where anyone who wants to can play hockey. They even have jerseys that they bring out so they can split up into 2 teams and play against each other. There are men in their 40's-50's all the way down to a 4 year old who is a mini mite for the Thunder. It's really neat to see them all play together, and Tyson is by no means intimidated by the "big guys"...nope..he gets right in there and doesn't shy down from going after the puck!

Dad and Tyson warming up before they start the game.

The first time we went to shinny Tyson wasn't wearing any pads. He unfortunately played as if he was, though, so we quickly learned that shin/elbow pads, breezers and his helmet are a must. His legs were one big bruise from his knees to his toes after that first shinny...like I said...get that boy on ice and he is a "monster"

Tyson has become good buddies with Landon (one of his team mates from the Thunder), and he just happens to have a little brother just a few months older than Aiden. His name is Parker, and these two have a ton of fun together. Every practice and game when their brothers are out on the ice playing hockey, these 2 are usually going up and down the bleachers playing tag, running up and down the hall, and sharing their many "treats" with each other. The same is true when we go to shinny. The last couple of weekends they have been able to go too, and these boys make up all sorts of games to play...off of the ice.

Scott and Landon and Parker's Dad in the white sweatshirt (Mike).

Time to get out the jerseys and divide into teams...

Scott, Mike, Tyson, and Landon made sure and all put on orange jerseys so they could play on the same team.

The little guy in the middle is the 4 y/o that was there that day. He kept right up with the "big kids". It is so great for the young boys to work on not only their skating but teamwork and communicating with each other on the ice..all the while having a ton of fun!

Check on Tyson on defense!

It was around 50 degrees this particular day, so there were a lot of people out on the ice, but surprisingly, it worked out really well. Tyson and Dad both found the back of the net a few times I believe! YAY!!

These two keep busy doing their own thing and entertaining each other.

After the game, the 2 little guys got to go help pick up pucks off the ice so they could Zam it before Open Skate.

I'm not sure who was more exhausted...well...I maybe could take a guess! :) Tyson still had some energy and insisted on skating some more during the open skate...about an hour...this after he had been playing hockey straight for 2 hours! He's a machine when it comes to playing hockey!

The clean up crew still working to clean up all the ice/muddy water. It was a tough job but someone had to do it! :)