Part of the fun was decorating Steve's car for the ride down. These are the flags that Steve hand sewn and painted. Pretty sweet Tyler said.
At 6:30am we got to the school parking lot to wait for the bus. The kids were greeted with donations of donuts, Chocolate milk, gatorade and Subway subs for the ride down to Des Moines. The businesses have been so generous. Thank you.
The 2011 Storm Lake State bound baseball team.
Trey giving the bus a warm up rap.
Citizens Bank rented this charter bus for the kids to ride down in. Super comfortable Tyler said.
Tyler warming up the pitcher, Carsen Anderson. He said it was so cool to be on the field.
Rachel and I in our "flashdance" outfits. Only at State can you revert to your childhood and not feel old.
The Reserves for the Varsity baseball team.
After their heartbreaking 0-3 loss to Cedar Rapids Marion the team received their State participant trophy.
It's so neat to see Chloe running to Tyler after the game to give him a hug. They are so precious.
Thank you Steve, Grandma and Hollie for coming to the game and supporting the team.

It's been a great run for the boys. The underclassmen are already talking about making it back next year to Principal Park. Go Tornadoes!!!

Head Coach, Bill McCabe, introducing the team.
After the pep rally a picture on home plate.

It's been such a fun year to follow these young men on their journey to the state tournament. Tomorrow they play at Principal Park, where the I-Cubs play, in Des Moines at noon. They will face Cedar Rapids Marion in the quarter final game.

The team receiving their substate winner medals from Athletic Driector, Rick Anderson. We're going to State!!!!!

This weekend "the girls" headed to Minnesota to attend our cousin, Krista's baby shower. We also went to visit Gramma C. It was so nice to see her. Her stroke has left her having difficulty speaking. She did say "Fun...Good...Times." I know she remembers all our good times together when she smiled at me. Me too. I will never forget them either.
The team receiving their district winner medals from Athletic Director, Rick Anderson.
Tyler and Chloe with his District winner medal. It was so fun to have Gramma, Hollie, and Chloe here to see the game with us tonight.

One of Tyler's many "jobs" on Varsity is helping the starting pitcher warm up. Here he is with Nic Seaman.

Today was the last game of the Varsity regular season. The team went 23-8. Friday starts District play.

Tyler crossing home plate to score the first run of the game.
Tyler got his third "W" of the season pitching the first 4 innings of the game. Blake came in the 5th inning to pitch and get the save. Tyler went 0 for 1 (HBP, 2 walks). This ends the season for the JV team. Varsity continues on their season and Tyler will continue to suit up and keep the stats.

Chloe had just gotten up before we arrived and was still a little tired. She wanted to snuggle with her cousin Tyler before the big parade.
What a wonderful 4th of July weekend with our family and friends! Sunday we had everyone over for a backyard picnic, trampoline fun, and roasting marshmallows for s'mores. Then off to King's Pointe to watch the fireworks. Monday we watched the parade, swam at waterpark, and of course ate more delicious food.
Tuesday Tyler had 2 games. First he played in the Freshman game at 1p. They lost 12-4 to LeMars. When that game was over he hopped on the bus to play a JV game in Spirit Lake. They won that game 13-2.
Grandma has been staying with us while Grandpa is on the road trucking. Even though she has 4 broken bones in her foot and is on crutches it is so wonderful to have her with us. The silver lining to the whole ordeal is we get to spend extra time with her and she gets to see all Tyler's ballgames.

Tyler's batting at Hull was 0 for 3 (fielder's choice.) Tyler played short stop. He had lots of good plays for outs but the best play was a catch from Jack(catcher) to get the kid out stealing second. Thank you Grandpa for Driving Miss Daisy (aka grandma) to the game.

Wednesday night the team played in Cherokee. Storm Lake lost 3-4. Tyler only played short stop for one inning. He arm was still a little sore from throwing 137 pitches for the win against Pocahontas the other night.