2009 Little Guy Football

Tysen played football again this year. This was his third year playing in the Little Guy Football League. The first 2 years he was a "Cardinal" playing for the "C" league and then the "B" league. This year we were "A" league (which does not have a Cardinal's team) so we were the PACKERS!! Same coaches and most of the same players three years running...just new team colors! His season went from September 12th to Oct 31st. What a great year and some of the nicest kids I have ever been around!

Tysen (#37) hitting a Falcon!!

Coming off the field!

Getting ready to "Hit Someone!"

The Line getting ready as Peter punts.



"Hit Him Hard!!!"

I was called the "Spaghetti Mom" because I made a complete Spaghetti Supper every Friday night before our Saturday games. This is my 3rd year doing these suppers and one thing is for sure...we have HUNGRY GROWING BOYS!! I think I did 11 suppers which consisted of Lettuce Salad, Spaghetti, Bread Sticks and desert of cookies, brownies or cupcakes.

Coach Deitz giving the boys the "PLAN!!"


2009 LGF "A" League Packers

(Tysen is in the back row...furthest on the right)

At the end of the season we had a banquet for the boys. I took pictures of the 6 coaches throughout the season and had them matted and framed. The boy's all signed all of the coaches matts.

Some of the team enjoying the meal.

Ryder (in his Packer's shirt) standing in front of the wall where we showed the 25 minute slideshow I did for the team. I put all of the pictures I took throughout the season on a slideshow set to sports themed music. We showed it that night and then each of the players and coaches took a copy of the slideshow home.

Some of the coaches listening to Mike speak.

Head Coach Mike Carle called each of the boys up to recognize them. We had a great season. We did not make it to the Rocky Bowl like we did last year...but we had a GREAT season coming one game away from the Championship! The coaching staff was remarkable abd have put in so much time and effort with theses boys! Thank you ...Coach Carle, Coach Deitz, Coack McElvain, Coach Michaels, Coach Jobman & Coach Thompson! We appreciate all you have done!

AHA Moment: I Have The Best Job In The World.

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Mutual of Omaha...who sponsor the "AHA Moment" national campaign. They had come across my Blog and asked me to do a filming with them discussing my "AHA Moment." They were fabulous people and I just wish that I had more of a voice during the taping because I was just getting over a cold!

Click on the link below to see my "AHA Moment"


aha moment: i have the best job in the world.

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Third P.L.A.Y. Visit

On Monday August 31st our P.L.A.Y Consultant Kellly Melius came to our home for our 3rd of 10 monthly visits. PLAY stands for Play & Language for Autistic Youth. We are learning SO much from Kelly! We are trying to play with Kannin where he allows us to come into his world so we can eventually pull him into our world! We love Kelly!!!

We also now have a Hab Aide that now spends 20 hours a week in our home working with Kannin. Her name is Nicki. We are starting our second full week of her visits and Kannin is so excited everyday when Nicki shows up. Nicki joined us for our P.L.A.Y. visit to see what great info Kelly could share with us all! I will also be documenting our visits with Nicki but below is our PLAY Session!

Nicki, Kannin & Kelly playing Peek-A-Boo in the bounce house in our basement.

Kelly trying to catch Kannin. This was Kannin's ploy to get Kelly out of the Bounce House's door so he could have the house to himself. He proves himself smarter and smarter everyday!

Kannin putting together his favorite puzzle...

...and when Kelly tried to help, Kannin held her hand down to prevent her from assisting him. What a smart little guy!

P.L.A.Y. Consultant Kelly filming Kannin's session for our video feedback while Nicki our Hab. Aide looks on. Kannin had a great session and Kelly said she saw tons of improvement from our visit last month! Looking forward to our next visit Kelly!

The above video is from today's visit (Sept 1st) with Nicki. Kannin was displaying his recent ritual of demonstrating his body parts. He lists the same part, in the same order...over & over for several minutes on end. Pretty good I think for a little guy who only had THREE words (mom, dad & no) last October!

I Have A Middle-Schooler!!!

It is so hard to believe...I HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOLER!!! It seems like just yesterday "I" was a middle schooler! It is unbelievably sad how fast they grow! Two big mile-stones met for my boys on Wednesday...Tysen started Middle School & Ryder started Kindergarden! Kannin's is in his second year of Pre-School so for those of you doing the math..."YES...ALL THREE OF MY BOYS ARE IN SCHOOL!" I have waited for this day for a long time...and now the house is SO QUIET & I love it!!!

Tysen heading into his first day as a 7th grader @ Castle Rock Middle School!

There he goes! He doesn't like posing for pictures like the litte boys do!

First day down...


...Nine more months to go!!!

Even "BIG" boys need an after school snack!

Ryder's First Day of Kindergarden

Ryder D started his first day of Kindergarden on Wed. Aug 26th! He listed everything he was excited about that morning before we took him to school. It took him 10 minutes to list everything...He said..."I am SO excited for school...for new friends...for my new lunch box...to ride the bus...etc. etc.etc!!! The bus will pick him up everyday at our house but Matt & I took him & walked him in and saw his room. The highlight of the day was to find out he will be the "Teacher's Helper" all week! He was beaming!! The bus brought him home after school. He will be picked up every morning @ 7:40 am and brought home every afternoon @ 2:45 pm.

Daddy & Ryder walking into school. Matt went to school at Bench Elementary as well.

Getting ready to say the Pledge of Allegence before school.

Ryder & Daddy at his desk.

Kannin & I met Ryder at the bus @ 2:45 which drops him off 3 houses down...very convenient!!!

Going over all the things he made on the first day of school. He was so tired...first priority...A DRINK cuz he was HOT!!!

Kannin's First Day (back to) Pre-School

Wednesday August 26 was also Kannin's First Day Back to Pre-School. He attended the STAR Program for Autistic Children last year and summer school as well. He gets picked up by the bus @ 7:45am and brough home @ 11:45am. He loves school and especially the BUS!!!

The Boys on their first day...Kannin 4 Pre-K, Tysen 12.5 Middle School & Ryder 5.5 Kindergarden. Kannin was a bit sleepy the first morning but perked up when his bus showed up to pick him up.

Ryder waiting with Kannin for the bus to get here.

Kannin in his bus seat. First kid on the bus and last one off everyday. Good thing we like the bus so much!

Getting buckled in his seat before "Take Off."

After School Snack...POPCORN!!! Mmmm!!!

Montana Fair Aug 10th, 2009

On Monday August 10th we went to Special Needs Day at the Montana Fair. The Fair opened everyday @ Noon but on this special day they opened @ 10am until Noon for Special Needs kids only. With Kannin having Autism...we were able to par-take in the wonderul event! We had 4 FREE entrance bracelets into the Fair with all the rides being FREE! They slowed the rides down to Half Speed for all the kids, the lines for each ride were minimal if any and we enjoyed FREE beverages and Popcorn! It was such an amazing day.Kannin & Ryder with Grandma Carol walking into the Fair.

Grandma Carol & Ryder take flight! Way to go Grandma...We know these rides aren't your favorite!

Kannin at the helm of the copter' taking mom for a ride.

Ryder & Kannin "Giggling" in the Balloon Ride"

Kannin in a daze...riding the Catapillar Coaster. Always 2 things in tow...plastic rake and spoon were his choice today. One of the quirks with his Autism...flapping and drumming his toys. They are his comfort items. If he does not have 2 "Flappers" then his shoes become "Flappers" and he goes barefoot!

Montana Fair Continued...

Kannin's favorite ride was the Spinning Dragon...Spinning is a HUGE enjoyment for Kannin when it comes to his Autism. It sooths his sensory needs. He will spin & spin for hours.

Kannin & Ryder ready to ride the Carousel.

Kannin in a little daze before the horses take off.

Grandma Carol walked Ryder through the petting zoo. They had some exotic animals there... like Zebras & Camels.

Here is the Baby Camel. He was very friendly and wanted to be brushed. Ryder wasn't up for the brushing...he remembered that Camels SPIT from one of his cartoons!

Still More of the Fair!

Ryder being a Little Farmer!

Kannin even stuck his head in...partially!

The spinning Tornado Barn was Ryder's favorite ride of the day.


I even had fun on this ride!

Mr. Kangaroo says it all...We were ALL exhausted by the end of the day!

Get-Together BBQ

Matt's Brother Seth & his wife Katherine were here for a week at the end of July from Kansas City. They have 2 sets of Twins (Tristan & Sidney 5 1/2 & Helaina & Izabelle 3). We invited over some of Seth's HS classmates who are now friends of mine...Tania Klein & kids Addie & Gavin and Eric & Laura Simonson with little Evan. KIDS KIDS KIDS...EVERYWHERE!!!

(L-R) Brother-In-Law Seth, Eric Simonson, Brother-In-Law Isaac, Matt and Neighbors Chad & Grace.

(L-R) Tristan & Sidney Wald, Ryder, Helaina Wald, Evan Simonson on scooter and Addie Klein taking turns on the Rollercoaster.

It was not the warmest of evenings but that was NO PROBLEM for Addie who dove right in the pool. Twins Lainy & Belle got in a little slower! What brave girls...that water was COLD!!!

Addie didn't want to go home...but her tired eyes said different!

Baby Gavin...Man he looks like his daddy Mike!!!