Day 4
Wear your class color to school. Freshman are always p**p brown.
Day 2 (mismatch) and Day 3 (costume) Tyler didn't participate.

"Did I do that?"

Day 1: Nerd Day

Chloe, Mady, Tyler, Maggie, and Macy...It was A LOT of pictures to get the one where they all are looking at the camera.
4 generations
This is the longest Chloe has sat. She wanted to be right next to great grandma.

Saturday morning we headed to Minnesota to celebrate great grandma's 87th birthday with her. It was fun to catch up with everyone and see how big the kids have gotten. The girls all adored Tyler. He would throw them up in the air and they would giggle. He definitely got his arm workout in for the weekend.

Friday Chloe and I picked up Tyler from school. We then headed to DQ for "happy hour." You maybe wondering why I didn't mention Hollie with us. That's cuz she wasn't! She was at the salon enjoying wine, relaxing, and getting her hair done! Chloe had a 10 second melt down but after that she was all smiles with ice cream.
After ice cream we went to the park to play. Chloe went up and down the slides, all by herself, 10 times! After playing we stopped and got pizza for supper. Friday nights are football nights in our house. So we loaded everyone up and headed to Spencer. It was a great night! All of us together and a SL victory!!!

Friday afternoon we headed to Ankeny. We jumped in the RV with Rich and Andrea and headed to Kansas City to watch ISU play K-State at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday morning. Unfortunately, ISU came out on the losing end of another close one. Fortunately, we were surrounded with so many great friends and family that we didn't mind too much. Sunday morning we drove back to Ankeny to be over to Smith's just in time for lunch. We are so blessed to have our family close and be able to spend time with them. Thank you so much Rich and Andrea for another fun trip. Eventually we'll see an ISU victory. Thank you Jason and Hollie for another wonderful meal as we headed home. We loved spending time playing and trying to keep up with Chloe.

Today is National Truck Driver Appreciation Day! We want to say thank you to Grandpa for all the miles he's been on the road for us. I appreciate you hard work so, as a child growing up I could go on a 13 day trip with you and spend my $750 detasseling check all on clothes. You were a good sport doing all that shopping with me. Tyler has enjoyed his many trips with you. He looks forward to getting caught up on his sleep in the bunk and also looks forward to your "Truck Trivia" every week. Grandma also should get a little praise for all her "extras" she does in keeping the wheels rollin'. Thank you both for all you've provided for us. One last thing: Grandpa...Enjoy your day off;)

Tyler playing wide receiver. After 6+ years of playing QB, Tyler has had enough! With no O line to block, teammates not knowing the plays, and getting sacked to the point he's sore,he retired;)(How's Favre do it @ 40 he joked?) He's never felt better!!! He started as wide receiver and loved it!!! He had a sweet catch and ran it for 13 yards! On defense he played Cornerback. That's where I love watching him. Since he's so smart he can read the plays perfectly. He had some great tackles that coach told him were "Perfect good 'ol fashion low tackles."

Last night at 7:34pm my grandson, Tyler's nephew, Artrell Simpson, came into the world weighing 6lb. 4oz, and 20 in. long. Everyone is healthy and doing great. He will bring many blessings into our already very blessed lives. We are looking forward to meeting him soon.

Tyler and Chase getting their instructions from the refs.
Friday night Tyler and Chase were ball boys for the Varsity football game. After a day of raining they had to keep the balls dry. The boys stood on the visitors side and took in a lot different perspective of the game than they usually get from the stands.

For those of you wondering why Tyler got to be on the kick off like I was, when he usually isn't, it was simple: He was one of the eleven players that showed up for practice yesterday so coach said that's how it'd play out. As a parent I unselfishly give up my wants so Tyler can fulfill his. He thinks that's great. I think that's just what you do as a loving supportive parent.
Tyler broke up numerous plays and had another interception on defense. As QB he had some great passes. One last thing he wanted me to mention: He had a belt on and his shirt still came out;)

Hunter, Mitchell, Darren, Chase, and Tyler after football practice.
First off, Happy 9th Anniversary to Rich and Andrea. We love you both very much.
Today I had a rough day:( I'm doing 3 jobs, I have a mountain of paperwork on my desk, and the supplies I ordered are not coming til Friday. I then receive a phone call that my 56 year old client with lung cancer that metastasized to his brain just passed away. He leaves behind a wife and son who will dearly miss him. I start to cry thinking my own parents are 57 and I can't imagine losing them anytime soon. As I read one of the many training manuals I should have read weeks ago I come across this quote. "Keep your priorities. No one ever said on their death bed: "Gee, if I'd only spent more time at the office." So as I shuffle in n out of Walmart, make a quick supper, and race to pick up Tyler from football practice I realize I've never been so happy to COME HOME:)