Joshua Ryan...

This year was Joshua Ryan's senior year. He's one year younger than our Ryon and I have so enjoyed watching these cousin's grow, share and walk through life together. As with all kids time just flies. I remember the day he was born, the day he first walked, his first day of Kindergarten, his first crush (it was his first grade teacher), his first girlfriend,and the day he got his license. But most fondly, I remember how his birth changed my Sisters life forever. He was her first Grandchild. She's his Grammy. He's the center of her world.

Congratulations Joshua, the world is your canvas, color it something beautiful.

Congratulations Grammy, your little guy is all grown and ready to fly.

Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Whew! What a week, what a weekend...

In a word, lacrosse. Lot's of lacrosse--and lots of rain. Hence, not a lot of photos.

I'll spare the details but suffice it to say that from Friday to Sunday I've logged over 28 hours on the lacrosse field (or enroute from one to the other). So has Miss Grace. She's a trooper. Not one complaint despite the rain, despite the waiting, despite the wet feet, despite the soggy clothes. She just does it. She does it for her brother, who is her bud. Actually she calls him "Cocoa". When he's not on the field he IS her horse. She rides on his back, she puts "saddles" on him, she trains him, you get the idea.

However, this weekend was a defining moment.She won a girls lacrosse stick at a tournament.

From the moment she has held this stick in her hand, she's been so proud of her new possession. But the best part is she has an awesome trainer, Ross. Can you imagine his relief to now have a little break from being Cocoa?! Now that the rain has subsided (at least for one day) I took a few shots of training "in session". Funny how the tables have turned :)

Learning to scoop and cradle...

Shooting on the goal. What form, she sure has learned alot from those sidelines!

On Tuesday Miss Grace had her Celebration Picnic (inside because of the rain-of course) as she wrapped up her first year of Preschool. It was too cute for words. They performed three songs then received gifts from their teachers. I sure will miss these sweet teachers who have made her year SO special!

The Performance

Lovely Parting Gifts and Class Photo

Oh, how we will miss these lovely, talented, sweet, nurturing, fun, lively, did I say sweet, teachers!


**side note** See that faraway look on Miss Grace's face? She is s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g as she was so excited she did not eat breakfast. The helpers are putting lunch out and I could not get her to focus on anything but FOOD, lol!

After lunch and much livelier indeed with her best bud Olivia

What precious days these are...they go by so fast. Thank God for photos and for blogs.

Wistfully,

Kate-lyn

May in review...

Whew, where does time go?! I am SO overdue so I'll try not to ramble...all right I may ramble a bit.

Our month started with lacrosse season in full swing. Ross is becoming quite a player, if I may brag a bit. His coach has really helped him reach new heights this year. This a new coach and he's awesome! He has required that the boys give their best, and only that, nothing less. He's encouraged them to work hard on areas where they need to build skill. Then, he notices when they've improved and pushes them to work even harder. He tells them stories of successes and failures, of heroes and those who have let their dreams slip away. He's not just building a team, he's helping build character and tenacity by pushing them to never give up, no matter how hard the fight.

This month we have also made some new friends and each Friday have been getting together for some playtime. Miss Grace, of course, looks forward to Fridays!

And, to my family's joy (and relief, I'm sure) I have finished my schooling, whew!

Then, of course there is the first annual (long awaited!) trip to the lake for Memorial Day...

Quite memorable was Monday morning. We all awoke to the smell of smoke thinking it was our still smoldering campfire. But upon fully waking, we realized it was not, and that it was truly smoke hovering all over our property. After some research (thank you Paul) we realized that it was several h-u-g-e brush fires burning in Montreal, yes Canada, that was spewing smoke all the way down to the Adirondacks. To get some perspective, that would be about a 2 1/2 car ride!

Here is a photo of the visibility at the lake on Sunday...

 And then on Monday...quite memorable indeed!

 June is in full swing and we have much to look forward to. Miss Grace finishes her first year at Preschool, Ross graduates from Middle School (sheesh--how did that happen so quickly!) and he also begins some serious lacrosse training at a local university--pray for his safety pu-leeze!

Loving Summer and reading now for pleasure (no more textbooks!)...

Kate-lyn

Happy Spring...

As busy as life is here until April 15th--(nine more days but who's counting?)I just had to post an Easter Greeting for our far-away and not so far-away friends and family.

Today was a GORGEOUS day, 70 (l-o-o-n-g awaited) degrees and wonderfully sunny. Praise be to God for these beautiful days and for His Risen Son, Jesus Christ!

Meanwhile back at the ranch...

When these two get together I just never know what to expect. But, I do know for sure it's always good to have the camera handy, lol!

Frustrated blogger...

It's confession time. I am a perfectionist. I have issues with this. Each time I have set out to post to my blog I have not created a post which satisfies my expectations. Hence, no posts. For self-therapy, I have decided to train myself in the use of a very cute software program I have. This is, if I can figure it out. In addition, this semester I am starting a course on website design. Is there any hope for this frustrated blogger?! In my highest expectations, I will learn to create a Masterpiece of my own. We will see...

Despite my issues I must post a few photos of late since it has been so long.

December has been a fun, busy month for our family.

It started out with the first snowfall of the year. Grace and Daddy had fun making a snowman that day.

Then it was time to have sundaes with Santa at the local firehouse.

After that, we went to Aunty Ess and Uncle Fix-It's house for dinner and a visit to the Santa Train.

Miss Grace's friend, Grace, had her 4th birthday party. It was a Fancy Nancy Party. Very cute, very fancy indeed!

That same day we went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. What an awesome show it was. We were concerned that Miss Grace may be overwhelmed with the sound and effects. That proved to be unfounded when she fell asleep part way through the performance. How, I'll never know with all that sound and flashing lights. I sure wish I could tap into that when I have insomnia! My only explanation is with two brothers who are noisy musicians, she is used to the racket, lol!

On the 20th of December our Ross celebrated his 14th birthday with a dinner at his favorite restaurant, Five Guys and a gift of a new lens for his HD video camera. The boy and his camera are NEVER separated...

Then came Miss Grace's Christmas performance at Preschool.

And last but certainly not the least of importance is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve we all went to church to watch the wonderful performance by our talented youth and a wonderful message from Pastor Paul.

For Christmas Day, we spent the day at home, just the five of us. We unwrapped gifts, had a delicious breakfast, then hung out together and played with our new presents. Or should I say Miss Grace's new presents. She has turned into a cowgirl now. One trip to the horse farm and she's never been the same, lol! For dinner, Peter and I whipped up a fabulous meal (if I do say so myself) of Beef Wellington, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Tossed Greens with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts. YUM! Once dinner was cleaned up, we headed straight to the living room. After that is was quiet time by the light of the tree, basking in the aftergow of a wonderful day.

Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm...ahhh.

A New Format, A New Look...

I hope everyone found their way to the new blog. I have not fallen out of the blogosphere I've just been busy with my school work and studying for my federal license. Part One is over, I passed by God's grace, and now just two more to go...but who's counting.

Since I've not posted in a bit, I thought I'd add a few random photos of late.

Miss Grace visited Schauber Farm

and has not stopped talking

about it since. Horses, goats, cats,

what more could you ask for?

She even liked shoveling poo!

I think we are onto a new adventure...

Diesel Daddy being silly

with Miss Grace and
Twirly Girly

 

Giving Captain A.B.'s boat

a test run

The Bathing Beauties bidding

farewell to the Summer of '09

Miss Grace's First Day

of Preschool

 

A day trip to Santa's Workshop proved to be quite chilly but lots of fun. 





Miss Grace got to hug "THE" North Pole







M.P. and I received some sleigh driving lessons from the elves

And, of course, we visited Santa's very own house. It was cozy and warm inside, his elves were helping take photographs of all the visitors. When asked what she'd like for Christmas Miss Grace said she's like "a barn and a horse". Yup, that's what she said! Santa replied with a well rehearsed, "Well, I'll see what I can do."

Ross-enjoying some fresh air on a beautiful, sunny Autumn day in the mountains

Life is good ~ Kate-Lyn