Rich, Ethan and Tyler sportin' their red C hats. Here r we!!!
One of Tyler's highlights to the weekend was getting a ride in Greg's brand new 2010 red Corvette. He saw 90 on the speedometer but said it felt like 30.He couldn't believe how fast it went from 0 to 60. His other highlight was getting to drive Uncle Rich's Charger. He got it up to 75 on the open road. He was pretty pumped to do both. Family palooza wasn't too bad with those 2 things thrown in.
Tyler, Rudy, Rich and Greg discussing how stressful this weekend has been;)
Tyler helping Julia blow bubbles. Jan watches making sure Rambo keeps his nose out of the bubbles.
Tyler playing hide n seek with Caden. He is the closest thing Tyler has to a boy cousin. We haven't seen him for 7 months. He's grown so much.
Tyler making himself a late night snack. These were the biggest marshmallows we'd ever seen. They made the best s'mores.

This weekend we spent camping in Waukee with our family. Mom and Dad weren't able to go but they were with us in spirit. I can't count the number of times everyone said how they wished Dad was here. We're so very thankful to Rich and Andrea for hosting family palooza 2010. We had a great time with everyone. We loved the food, the laughs, and most of all the company.

Today we went to Sioux City to attend Josh's High School graduation open house. The picture of Jeremy, Josh, Alex, Zach, Annie, and Tyler was the same one we took of the kids 11 years ago in front of Great Grandma Kneifl's house. My how they've grown and matured...okay maybe just grown;)

In other news, Tyler will be the Freshman class vice president next year. He had a good campaign but was edged out by his friend, Tanner.
Tyler also has decided to pitch for baseball. With the help of his friends coaxing him and some practice with Steve he is looking good for the starting pitcher position for the Storm Lake freshman baseball team.

Tyler's been hard at work on his campaign for Freshman class president. He wrote his speech last night and recorded it at school today. It will air on Thursday at school before all the kids vote. Tonight he made posters to hang at school tomorrow. He is also handing out "kisses" tomorrow at school and asking everyone to vote for him. (Thanks for the tip Rich;)
Tyler was the big man on campus today riding his moped to school for the first time. The seventh graders were saying how sweet it was and how next year they can't wait to have one. When he got home from school today there was a package from Uncle Rich waiting for him, a Cyclone football shirt. We can't wait to watch Rhodes take the Cyclones to another winning season. We just hope we can watch one of the winning games in person.

Tyler ran the second leg of the shuttle hurdle relay. The team got third place. He also ran the second legs of the sprint medley and the 4x100. The relays each got third place. The team as a whole got second place. This is Tyler's last track meet of the season. It is also his last Middle School event. From now on he will be participating in High School events. Starting with his running for Freshman class president.

Before the Spring concert tonight, the students displayed their pieces at the Art show. Tyler received a purple ribbon of merit for his self portrait. It was titled "luav tawas". Any takers on knowing what that means? Give up? It is the word "flame" in Mong which is the native language of a tribe in Sudan. "Flamer" has become Tyler's nickname in school which he is really starting to like.
The Storm Lake Middle School 7th/8th grade mixed choir
The 7/8th grade boys choir

After the concert Jayme Bral, the SLMS assistant principal, shook my hand and told me "That kid deserves an A+." He thanked me for the joint effort between school and home in Tyler's commitment to excellence.

Saturday we headed to Sioux City to celebrate Mother's day weekend. I received the 2 best gifts a son could give his mother. The first one was on our way to dinner at Bev's on the River, Tyler drove up to the door and let the mother's out while the men went and parked the car. The second was, this morning grandpa and him made us breakfast AND cleaned up. I am so proud Tyler knows good old fashioned chivalry will get him everywhere with a woman. Then Saturday evening we enjoyed a Bandits game. They lost but it was fun anyway. I got to see an old college friend, Shanda and her family. Sunday we went to see great grandma and all the Reinert's. Afterwards, we caught our cousin Jeremy's spring football scrimmage at Briar Cliff. Jeremy received the Character of Champions award for a male athlete at BC. We will enjoy watching the Chargers play this fall for his Senior year.
Tyler giving grandma her gift. Its her "summer" tornado attire.
So grandma told grandpa no "old skool" attire for Mother's day weekend. So grandpa dug deep into the dresser drawers to find this antique. His #83 pit crew shirt. It still fit! Must not be that old yet.

Tyler participated in 2 events today. He is running the second leg of the shuttle hurdle relay. He is getting his 3 step down pretty good. The team got second place.
Tyler ran the 200m dash and got third place.

After a few weeks off to let his leg heal Tyler got to participate in his last home track meet as a middle schooler. He has been recovering from his femur ball slipping out of socket. It happened one day at practice while he was doing the hurdles. Luckily, he got right in to the chiropractor the next day and was on his way to recovery. After getting it back in socket he had to do something even more painful: REST!