Hockey Time!!!

They start 'em young in Minnesota! At age 4, Ronnie is eligible to play hockey! We are fortunate enough to live in a state where most kids are born with a hockey stick in their hands. In Shakopee, the hockey league has a "team" for 4-8 year olds who want to try hockey out before forcing their parents to buy all of the "stuff". With minimal gear (purchased at a second-hand sporting goods store or borrowed from friends whose kids are older hockey players), all you need to do is show up every Sunday for the 45 minute lesson - and let the kids find out for themselves if they really want to commit their life to the sport. While I haven't gone out and bought my "Hockey Mom" sweatshirt yet, it is only a matter of time - as Ronnie is obsessed with playing! We've had 3 practices thus far, and the improvement from the 1st to the 3rd is unbelievable! You can't tell in the photos - so I will try to do a play-by-play.

PRACTICE #1

Ronnie is ready to go!


First time out on the ice at a skating rink. We took him on the ice once last year at Papa's cabin - but he could only stay up if Doug or Lauri held on to him.


He's definitely got the HOCKEY HAIR! (love it!)

Ronnie trying to stand up.

He's close....

He made it!!!! It only took him about 20 minutes to figure it out!

They played a game called "find the puck" where the kids had to move from cone to cone to see if there was a puck underneath it. Ronnie spent most of the time scooting on his knees rather than standing up and "skating" (which looked more like walking on ice skates).

After 35 minutes, Ronnie was DONE! He laid down on the ice and began making snow angels.

PRACTICE #2

Ronnie spent most of the 2nd practice on his knees/butt/stomach on the ice. You could hear him occassionally saying "excuse me, excuse me - could someone please help me" as the coaches skated by him. He was so polite! But, the coaches kept telling him he could do it himself without help. He seemed to do better in the 1st practice, but still had fun.

Wearing his pond hockey jersey and sporting his new hockey gloves, Ronnie was excited to head to the ice arena for his 2nd practice!

Sitting on the bench - they teach the kids how to step off the ice and on to the bench. Ronnie is on the end - notice the girl sitting next to him. The girls on the team picked up on things REALLY fast (mainly because unlike the boys, they paid attention to the coaches).

Doing drills - "inside skate - outside skate" - teaching them how to apply pressure to the inside and outside of their skates. Ronnie is the second kid in the line (on the right, next to the wall).

In find the puck, he actually "skated" (walked) to the cone and found one!

They asked him to play goalie and told him to "stand here". They forgot to tell him that when the kids came up to the net with the "puck", he needed to keep it from going in to the net. It was hilarious when they all skated up to Ronnie - and around him - and in to the net. He stood firm in his spot!

Ronnie gets a turn to hit the "puck" (a huge, inflatable ball).

SCORE! Ronnie and the coach's daughter hit the "puck" in to the net. He was so excited!


PRACTICE #3

It is unbelievable how much better Ronnie was at his 3rd practice! Instead of laying on the ice - he was actually moving/skating with the other kids!!! He made it through the entire practice without giving up or getting frustrated - until they said practice was over. He didn't want to go! So, we headed to Lion's Park where they have an outdoor ice rink and practiced more (in the dark). He did an amazing job!

Skating with the group. Ronnie is to the left of the kid with the royal blue jacket on (wearing his red pond hockey jersey and black sweatpants with white stripes).

At the outdoor rink - those other kids were practicing and they let Ronnie join them. He wanted to do everything they did!

Playing with Daddy!

Two hockey boys!

Bronco Nation!

In case there was any doubt as to who the Shakopee Dahlbergs were rooting for in the Fiesta Bowl... GO ORANGE, GO BIG BLUE - FIGHT! FIGHT! B-S-U!!!!!!

Ronnie's Karate

Ronnie is doing amazingly well in karate! He is the youngest Karate Kub in class - and has been attending 3 classes per week. When we started, he made it through 5 minutes of the 30 minute class before he got antsy. Now, he is up to 25 minutes! He is doing great - and we have really noticed a change in his behavior. It's great!


Standing at attention - waiting for Master Youngman to give the command.


In a ready-stance.


Giving a block punch.


Then preparing for a round kick.

And there it is! Hi-ya!!!!

New Year's Eve At The Bird's!

Doug and Lauri ring in the New Year with the Birds and the Albrechts - it's been the tradition for 6 of the 7 past years. This year was no exception. We met at the Bird's house where we feasted on appetizers, crab legs, wine, Jack and hot buttered rums. We played Apples to Apples - then made our way downstairs to jam a bit to Rock Band. After ringing in the new year - and rocking a bit more, we hit the hot tub. As expected, a great time was had by all!!! What a great way to celebrate the beginning of 2010!!!

Gordon, Beth, Jessica, Nate and Lauri laughing and visiting.

Beth enjoying a hot buttered rum.

Jessica and Nate (he's such a poser!)

The family photo - Nate, Beth, Jess, Gordon, Lauri and Doug

Rock Band - Lauri had to sing because she looked spastic playing the drums. Nate, Gordon, Beth and Doug took turns with the guitar. Beth jumped in and played the drums occassionally -and helped sing. We played the Beatles version - then moved on to the regular Rock Band. I think we played for over 2 hours! The time flew by!


On New Year's Day - it was -20 at the cabin. What a way to bring in 2010!!!!

Sledding in Sun Valley

Ronnie had so much fun sledding down the hill in Sun Valley! Thanks to Uncle Mike and Auntie Cissy for bringing a sled for us to use!!!


Doug and Ronnie jumped the fence to get to the sled hill.


Uncle Mike straps Ronnie in to the sled!


WOO HOO!!!! Ronnie came sledding down the hill like a pro!

He was giggling the entire way down the hill!

Keaton taking a ride on his sled. His facial expression did not change once on the way down!

What a cutie!!!!

Ronnie, Uncle Mike and Keaton

Auntie Cissy and Keaton

The Shakopee Dahlbergs!

Nana, Papa and Ronnie

Ronnie eating snow on the way back to the condo.

Christmas In Sun Valley

We spent Christmas in Idaho this year - and had a great time visiting with family and friends. Unfortunately, the only pictures I have of our trip are from the time AFTER I opened my new, fabulous camera from Doug and Mom & Dad D - the memory stick in my old camera snapped in 2 when I was trying to download the photos taken during my awesome visit with the Heidemann's and Spight's. Ronnie and I spent our first 3 nights with friends, and really enjoyed the time relaxing, playing and visiting with them.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, we headed up to Sun Valley where Mom & Dad D rented a fabulous condo. We spent the 24th relaxing, playing games and opening gifts. The power went out around 10:00 pm - and didn't come on again until around 1:30 on Christmas Day, but that didn't stop us from having fun. We hit the sledding hill and the warm pool and really enjoyed ourselves. We headed back to Boise on the 26th. Ronnie and Lauri returned home to Shakopee on the 27th, and Doug flew to Salt Lake City to wrap up a business trip before heading home on the 29th.

We had a GREAT time!!!!!!


Ronnie making cookies for Santa with Uncle Mike and Auntie Cissy.


Ronnie leaves Santa a "thank you" note with the milk and cookies.


Christmas morning - did Santa come? It was hard to tell with the power out (no lights!)


Ronnie playing with the gifts Santa brought him - Super Hero Squad guys, Bakugan guys, remote control Wolverine car, Gator Golf, Super Hero Memory game, and the Leapster book pen.

Keaton riding the bike that Santa brought him.

Ronnie and Keaton playing air hockey!

Papa and Ronnie - right after punkinberries!