Jr. Starter

The Stars photographer took these awesome pics of Jud.

"Hey whose the new guy?" Morrow.
" Not sure but he looks fast." Benn

" Okay guys, I've got your back. I can stick handle and skate circles around the big guys. Jamie, you push guys into the boards and I will skate in under their sticks and take the puck to the net. My wrist shot will burn through that goalie." Jud

Okay, probably not what anyone was saying or thinking but........

The ref giving Jud the official game puck. That was pretty cool. I am sure we won't be using that one for practice.

Hockey Pics

Okay, I know, more hockey pictures? I just never get enough of my boy on the ice. Since I started skating and am trying to learn some of the moves he does so naturally and easily on the ice, I just can't figure it out. There have got to be some laws of physics or gravity that explain how he does it. He uses those edges like Picasso used a paint brush. ( maybe a slight exaggeration) But the picture above is one of many where I just can't figure out how he stays standing. If I ever figure it out, I'll let you know.

Jud decided to give defense a try. He did pretty good, doesn't quite know exactly where he should be all the time and for an ex- goalie he kind of left his hanging out to dry a few times. All in all though a good game. The Plano Rep Wolverines won 10 -0, their first win of the season.

Oilers Win

The Plano Mite Oilers won their first play-off game 14- 0. Those boys played so well. Jud had his first "Hat Trick" and threw in an extra, for 4 goals.

Jud and his buddy "B" celebrate!

Break away Boy, driving for the net. He pushes through those bigger kids pretty good lately.

Our new theme "Be Aggressive, B, E, Aggressive!" Well it didn't work out this time. Jud spent some time in the penalty box for body checking. For you non-hockey folk the definition of body checking:
using the body to slow or stop an opponent. Technically, body checking is legal only against a player who has possession of the puck or is in the vicinity of the puck. ( in this case the player did have the puck)however;

If you are only 7 years old, checking of any kind is a no no. Jud has been playing some very physical hockey, we have decided he is like the chihuahua, who thinks he is a doberman.
The Oilers' ended their season today with a loss to Jud's old team the Blues. Here is to another great season, and all the ones to come, cheers.

Last day of Spring Break

The kiddos, (sorry Lindsey), enjoyed the carnival together. Looks like poor Lindsey got squashed a little. Good thing Jud only weighs 50 lbs.

Off we go!

Nona, Papaw, and Lindsey going back to WV. Jud was very sad to see spring break end. He thought the time went by too fast. He is already planning his trip to WV this summer and for Cousin Lindsey to come stay with us. Not sure how I will keep him from asking....."is it time yet?" about 4 million times between now and then. Come on Summer Break!!!!

Thank you to all our family and friends who helped make Spring Break and Jud's birthday so special. We love you All!!!

Family

Jud took Papaw and Dad fishing. They didn't catch anything, but "guy time" is always good.

Ms. Yvette invited the men and kids to catch the Mavs game. This is the only photo we have that doesn't involve cheerleaders. Should have put the kids in charge of the camera.

Jud and Cousin Lindsey always go to Build-a-Bear. They stopped to throw coins in the fountain, too.

Party

Deb, Amanda, and Michelle, enjoying the party.

Jud and Alex taking a breather.

Birthday Boy and Friends

And this was before cake!

Cake

It wouldn't be a party without cake. The cake wasn't what I ordered but the kids didn't seem to mind. We had ice cream with toppings and lots of thick frosting on the cake. And, best of all an astonishing rendition of Happy Birthday!!!

.

Cousin Lindsey with a mouth full of cake, or was that ice cream?

Papaw, Mama, and Ms. Deborah serving up cake.

Junior Starter

As part of the birthday celebration, Jud was the Junior Starter of the Game!!!!

He got to go down in the tunnel before the game and tap gloves with the players as they went out for the pre-skate, watch them from the ice, then tap gloves as they came back in and then again as they went out before the game started.

They announced the starting line and as the junior starter Jud skated out to stand with the team as Celina Ray sang the National Anthem. As he came off the ice the referee gave him an official NHL game puck. It was such an exciting experience for all of us. Just think in another 19 or 20 years I may be hearing his name announced at Stars games all the time!!

Stars Birthday

Our big boy is turning 7 this year, so we decided to celebrate in a big way. Marc and I rented a suite at a Dallas Stars game. Jud's Papaw, Nona, and Cousin Lindsey, flew out to celebrate with us. It was an exciting evening that we wish we could have shared with everyone.

It is going to take a few posts to cover all the party fun.

We had some private family time in the suite before the guests arrived.

Spring Break

To start a "Super Spring Break", Jud and Marc headed out to DFW with the Cub Scouts to greet the soldiers coming home from overseas. What a great experience for the kids, and from what I hear, the adults as well. Thank You Armed Forces for ALL you do.

Next up, was a trip to the McKinney airport to see the WWII war planes. Jud loved this. He got to get up inside the planes and pretend to shoot the machine guns. A boy can never get too much shooting or guns.





















Our other favorite activity.....
Hockey!!
And Jud's favorite player ever, Marty Turco was back in Dallas. Jud always likes to see a game, but when you combine seeing the Stars with getting to see Marty in goal, well....it doesn't get much better for my hockey boy.

It's A Jungle Out There

The First Grade presented the program at the March PTA meeting this past week. Jud had a few lines and sang and danced. It was really cute. He is not at all shy and really enjoys doing these programs. The video of his part is pretty long so I will have to wait for Marc to edit it so we can post it. But this was one of the songs they sang.......

Plano Wolverines Rep Team

Jud is really liking playing on the rink's rep team. In the photo above he is going in hard after that puck. He likes to press into the boards and dig the puck out.
Below, Coach Frawley rallies the team together to discuss strategy to finish the game. We had just tied it up. Jud said he was telling our goalie he was doing a good job, and some other words of goalie wisdom. The Wolverine's lost in OT, but it was a good fight.

Oilers at the AAC

Jud's team was able to play two games at the American Airlines Center this season. Even though they lost both games, the kids had an exciting time.

Above: Jud and the other center get ready for the face-off, it looks like they are having a pre- puck drop stare down.

Below: Jud had several pretty sweet break-away's. In the second picture of this play you will see an example of how they like to stop him. He got tripped a few times, and on one play a kid used his elbow on Jud's shoulder to push him down. Refs apparently need new whistles since only one trip got called.

Coach Potts and Coach Nic showing Jud what he needs to do. It looks like he is really paying atttention, now whether he did what they told him to do or not is anyone's guess.

Looks like maybe he did! Goal!!!! He shot this from pretty far out, but it eeked over the goalie's stick and right under his glove hand.
He was so excited too score a goal on the Stars' ice.

Various Pics and Topics

These were taken in WV at my Dad's retirement party. Jud was having a great time.

My Chloe' Belle looked so cute taking a nap, I had to snap this pic.