Mini Mite Tournament

This weekend was the big finale of the hockey season! :( To finish it off right they had a 3 day tournament! Tyson had 4 straight days of hockey...Thursday he had practice, and then he had a game on Friday, Saturday, and finished it off today with his last game for the season. He had quite the cheering section today. Uncle Tony, Aunt Marla, Mason, baby Cooper, Grandma, Grammy, Poppy, and of course us 3 were all there rooting him on!

Grammy and Poppy were able to make it up for the weekend, so they got to check out his moves on the ice. Poppy brought his camera and put it to good use. I think he had well over 400 pictures for the weekend!!! His camera does a much better job at capturing the action, so all of the pictures are thanks to him!


In order to help cover all of the shifts for announcing the numerous games this weekend, they had asked for the parents to volunteer. Scott and I wanted to do our share, so we called the Mite game before Tyson played his game on Saturday afternoon. There was another parent in with us, and we did a mighty fine job if I do say so myself :)


Getting ready to take the ice before his game on Saturday.

Tyson has come so far since he started hockey the beginning of January. He literally had only been on the ice a handful of times before he started hockey. The first few games/practices he was on his bottom a lot, but he can skate around that rink with ease now. We still have a little trouble with stopping, but he truly has improved leaps and bounds in the last 2 months!

He constantly has his eyes on the puck and knows where it is at at all times. He sometimes whips around too quick to try and get a shot at the puck, but he is back on his feet in the blink of an eye and heading towards the action with barely missing a beat.

He and his teammate (a girl) happened to run into each other and they both fell to the ice-their sticks a flying. Tyson quickly popped up- grabbed his stick and then hers to give it back to her...so sweet. Then back down the ice he went!

WHOOPS!!

He definitely has some goalie blood in him. He is still pretty torn at whether he wants to be a goalie or not. He loves scoring goals and can really take the puck down the ice, but at the same token, he is the first one to get back and cover the net if the other team is headed to the goal!

Face-off at the beginning of their shift on the ice.

He's not afraid to get right in their and fight for the puck....

and his persistence usually pays off!

Away he goes with his eyes set on the net! He had 3 games this season where he had a "hat trick" (3 goals) or better. In his game last weekend he scored 6 goals-his high for the season! Today's game he scored 3 goals (hat trick) and had 1 assist, and numerous saves at the other end of the ice....a definite "All-Star" player! At least in these Mom's eyes:)

Doesn't he look like a pro?!

Back guarding the goal.

Even if he's off balance and starting to fall down he takes his best swing at the puck to get it down the ice! Nice shot buddy!

This picture cracks me up....just hangin out by the net! Tyson was actually playing a little goalie and had probably just hit the puck back down the ice...just hadn't quite made it back up to follow it down.

Another great save by Tyson Dunbar!! Has a nice ring to it...don't you think?!

Just wide of the net...sooooo close!

Yep...you guessed it...goalie Tyson back in action!

Love the look of determination in his eyes!

This would be the famous stick wave that he does after every goal he makes...just like the big guys do!!

Tyson,

Mom and Dad are so proud of you and how far you've come since that first tearful-filled first practice at the beginning of January. It was very scary to get out in the rink that first time, but from the second your skate hit the ice you never looked back. You always gave 110% when you were out on the ice, and were a real team player! No matter who scored a goal -you were right there to celebrate with them!

You are so happy when you are playing hockey! You would play it 24/7 if we would let you. In fact, you and Dad are downstairs playing hockey right now as I type this. I have a feeling there will be many trips to the ice rink this summer, so you can keep up on your skating, and we will be counting down the days with you until next fall when we get to do it all over again!

Awesome season buddy!

Spring Concert

Tyson had his Spring Concert on Friday afternoon. The first graders performed first followed by the Kindergarten class. The little gymnasium was packed with people by the time Aiden and I made it there, so we had to stand in the way back. Fortunately, several of the families left after the first grade class was done performing, so Aiden and I were able to snag a couple of chairs. (Thank goodness, because I wasn't quite sure how I was going to be able to hold a 36 lb. child, video, and take still pictures!)

They had one song where they all were clanging on some sort of instrument....Tyson got to bang on a drum!

No...he wasn't picking his nose...just performing the actions to another one of their songs. They sang at least 7 different songs, and it was a really cute program.

Had to get a quick picture of little bro. Notice his Rosey cheeks...it was plenty warm in the gym with all of the people crowded in there!

Kickin it with the cousins!

The boys and I had our day off today, so we couldn't wait to go up to Aunt Marla's to see "baby Cooper". That's all they have been talking about since they saw him in the hospital on Sunday. Aiden knew that we were going to go up there when everyone was up this morning, so guess who was out of bed at 6:30 am asking immediately about going up to see "baby Cooper". We were on the road by 7:45 am....I was pretty amazed I was able to hold out that long with 2 wild and excited boys on my hands!


To say that Tyson is smitten with this little guy would be an understatement. He could not get enough!!! If he could have held him the entire time we were up there he most definitely would have.


Aiden didn't want to hold him, but he was still very intrigued by him and came over to check on him quite often.



Mason and Aiden were wanting in on the photo session, so they each gave me a big cheese!!

Silly boys!

The kids were able to get in quite a bit of play time....

working on their play-dough creations!!

Even Grandma got in on the action!

Very proud big brother giving his brother some love!

I'm sorry...but I must say that Marla and Tony make some beautiful babies!!!!

I told Tyson I think we found him his summer job....nannying for Uncle Tony and Aunt Marla. He's a natural...put Cooper right to sleep!

Back to some more fun and games.

We ate an early lunch, and the boys and I were on our way back home by 12:00pm. Cooper was wore out from the fun play date. Better get conditioned up little guy...this was just the first of many! :)

Cooper Duke Venjohn!

Yesterday was a very special day for my little sister Marla. At only 12 weeks pregnant, Marla was involved in a grease fire and suffered 2nd and 3rd degrees burns. Both arms and upper thighs required skin grafting and she spent several weeks at the burn unit in Greeley, Colorado. She has endured endless days of neuropathy pain during her recovery process; all the while providing a safe home for the little one growing in her belly. Finally, after 37 weeks of pregnancy little (and I must say absolutely adorable) Cooper Duke was born healthy and absolutely perfect! You would never know the trials this little guy went through while he was in Mama's belly. He is truly a miracle and so incredibly loved by everyone!



Stats:
Birth date: 02/19/2011
Weight: 5lbs 4oz (just a tiny little peanut!)
Length: 18in



He is an absolute bundle of pure goodness!



Very proud parents: Tony and Marla


The boys could not wait to get to go see "baby Cooper". I don't think Tyson knew just how tiny he would be. They both just stared at him and were amazed at all of his tiny, yet so very perfect, features!


They are so excited to have a new cousin!


Welcome to the family baby Cooper, and Happy Happy Birthday! We love you so much! Congratulations Tony, Marla, and Mason!

Pink at the Rink

Friday night was the 3rd annual Pink at the Rink hockey game. The players wear special pink jerseys that are auctioned off at the end of the game, and they also pass pink buckets around for donations from the crowd. All of the money collected from the night goes to the Cancer Care Institute to help fight cancer. The donations from the crowd totaled $10,777, and several of the Rush players vowed to shave their heads if they raised more than $10,000. I guess there will be a few extra bald heads walkin around town!

They also had a pink rally towel on every seat, so that by the time the game started there was a sea of pink cheering on the Rush.


Warming up before the game.


I know, I know....

really good pic, huh?!

And the game wouldn't be complete without a healthy dose of Danny Battachio!

The Rush won the game 4-2! Fun was had by all!!

Kindergarten Valentine's Party

Tyson's Valentine's party was Friday, so I was able to take the day off and join in on the fun. Aiden and I were even able to sit at Tyson's table because one of his classmates was gone, so there was an extra seat for us.

Tyson and Carsyn posing for the camera.

My camera's battery died after 3 pictures in....bummer! Aiden even got to do the art project with them, and thought he was pretty cool stuff let me tell ya! I wish I could have gotten pictures. They made Valentine cards using red construction paper and chalk. Both the boys did great work, and Tyson was really good at showing his little brother "the ropes" to being in school.