Our family photo
Tyler and Great Uncle Merlin in his finally finished restored Model A.
4 Generations
Today we headed to Holstein for the third track meet of the week. Tyler ran the second 200m leg of the Distance Medley and they got 3rd place. He also ran the 200m leg of the Sprint Medley and they did not place. Due to a teammate being academically ineligible for his events Tyler stepped in to run the third leg of the 4x100. They got 5th place. 
Tyler starting the 1600 Distance Medley Relay. He ran the 200m leg. The team got 3rd place. He also ran a 200m in the Sprint Medley Relay. The team got 5th place. His last event he ran in was the second leg of the 4x400m Relay. The team got 4th place.
Grandpa had the "day off" from work so got to enjoy the track meet also. After all that running in the wind and cold Tyler is still smiling.
Weekend 3 of 4 in April consisted of a big family gathering. We spent the day in Salix at Kathy and Mike's house. We also got to meet Steven. He is Jennifer's boyfriend. They came back to Iowa from their home in Washington DC to visit family. After a lengthy discussion we had decided the last time I saw Jennifer was when Tyler was 2 months old at Kathy and Mike's wedding. How nice to catch up and see everyone.
Yesterday was Tyler's first junior high track meet. Tyler earned two fifth place ribbons. One in the distance medley relay running the 800 leg and the other in the sprint medley relay running the 200 leg. In the picture the boys are standing around waiting for the team results. They were only behind first place by 1.5 points.
Another Tyler and Chloe photo. We can never take to many of our 2 cute redheads.
Tyler with his 2 cakes. I think Chloe wants a bite.
Since it is his birthday month Tyler was greeted with 2 birthday cakes, singing, and a gift. He will be a teenager. YIKES!
Weekend 2 of 4 started out early this week. On Wednesday we flew to Denver to spend a long Easter weekend with the Smith's. In the Omaha airport Tyler tried to scarf down the "world's largest rice krispie bar."
For weekend 1 of 4 in April we headed to Ankeny. While I was attending a friends bachelorette party Tyler was entertained by Rich and Andrea. They took him to "All Play", Des Moines version of Dave & Buster's. They ate Cyclone pizza and played games. Tyler won the strong man contest on a game. He also hit the jackpot to win 2,492 tickets to bring home this beauty: a lava lamp. Which is proudly displayed in his room.
Tyler in front of his Greece display. A lot of people upon visiting his display shouted the words "Toga! Toga! Toga!" What 1978 movie is that chant from? 
Casey and Halie taking a timeout from their display to pose with Tyler.
The first Saturday of Spring every year cities around the country hold an annual Hoop A Thon event to raise money for Huntington's Disease. For a $10 donation you receive a t shirt and a chance to win other prizes all while raising money for a good cause. They also hold a silent auction where you can bid on prizes. Tyler put a bid on this Eric Wordekemper signed baseball and hat. After many long minutes of waiting out the bidding war, he won. His bid was $25. Other than the money going to a good cause, I was most happy that Tyler used his own allowance money to support a charity that has personal meaning.
While Tyler was hoopin' it up this weekend I had a project of my own going on. Last week I decided to rip up the living room carpet. After some advice from my brother to help it go smoothly he offered to come up and redo the wood floors for me. Free advice, Free labor, and $93 worth of materials and this is what you get: a fantastic looking living room that still brings a smile to my face everytime I look at it. I can't stop telling him, "THANK YOU."
Tonight we attended the awards ceremony for the Panther sports. Tyler received a certificate for participation in basketball. The teams record was 6-2. Coach, Kyle Drey, gave an excellent speech to the kids about keeping and open mind and being willing to learn something new every day. A good motto to live by not only in the game of basketball but in the game of life.
Dimitri and Tyler represented St. Mary's in the Knights of Columbus regional spelling bee. The top 9 kids in the region gathered in Cherokee today. The boys received 5th and 6th place, respectively.
Act 5: Bill (Dylan) and Sonny (Tyler) having a heart to heart on the couch.
Act 7: Sonny and Bill confronting their dad, William (Tyler W.), about paying off the bride.
The wedding. Sonny is the Best Man.
Take a bow.
The Madison's
Today Tyler had another terrific day. We started the morning off early so he could go with some friends from Newell and watch them play basketball in a tournament in Denison. When he got home he tried out his early Valentine's gift from G'ma and G'pa the WII sports pack. He said it was hard but just like anything else I'm sure he'll have it mastered soon enough. Then tonight I took Tyler to the Storm Lake Public Swing Show. It featured middle and high school students in jazz and orchestra ensembles. They also featured a W.A.C. (women's acapella choir) that was our favorite part of the night.
Tyler wanted no pics of himself tonight so you get this. First off, last night we went to the public school and watched a couple of good ball games. This afternoon we watched ISU play Kansas where Tyler heard his funniest quote of the day that he wanted to share with all of you. The announcer was talking about Collins momentum at the beginning of the game and how to stop it. He said, " Find his mom's name, step on his shoes, or scratch his leg because he is hot." 
After 2 intense days of tackling the half pipe and trails Tyler finally unlocked the door to the secret world of snowboarding with Shaun White! Can you believe it? His chest was pumping and his heart was beating so fast from excitement the only thing he could do was call his fellow Christmas co-snowboarder, his Uncle Jason. Tyler can't wait until our trip to Denver and share the excitement with him in person. His next duty on the roster is to master Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2009.
Tonight was Tyler's last basketball game of the season. Tyler started a new tradition this year by having her treat us to supper after each game. Tyler and I want to say "thank you" to her for making it to every single game this season. We love you very much.
Tyler's getting an inbound pass from Moses and bringing the ball up the floor.
Kyle taking a timeout with the team. Tyler sunk his 2 free throws at the end of the game. The last 2 points for St. Mary's to keep the lead and win the game!
This afternoon I got off from work to go to Tyler's school mass and I'm so glad I did! The homily was a great one about spreading a smile to everyone around you. We've been so fortunate to have so much to smile about. The 30 point buck story, the prank call from Halie (aka Macy's store clerk), and Tyler's 3.74 gpa (gold honor roll.) Now it is our turn to make someone else smile.
While the rest of the world was watching football, even Chloe was, Tyler thought it was more important to tend to his school work. I, of course, had no problem supporting that decision. Tyler had volunteered to make a questions box for his class D.A.R.E. program. Today we went to Payless and he asked for a shoebox. When we got home he decorated it. This was the finished product.
Tyler playing great defense.
One of the few times during the game that coach took Tyler out to talk to him about the game.
This weekend Tyler and I headed to Ankeny so Tyler could have some "guy" time with Uncle Rich. Tyler got a Wii for Christmas and had purchased a game for it..."Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2009." Rich bought a zapper so they could "hunt" all weekend.
They also went out to eat at Tyler's favorite restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings before heading to the ISU game to watch Tyler's favorite player, Craig Brackins. Since it was Christmas break Rich got tickets for them to sit in the 10th row of Cyclone Alley. A couple minutes into the game they scooted down to the 2nd row to watch the rest of the game. Tyler got on the Jumbotron 3 times. A feat Rich has yet to complete. They both had such a great time that they are already talking about going next year over break.
ISU's mascot, CY, recently won the 2008 mascot of the year award. Here he's pictured with ISU's #1 fan.
If the old wives tale rings true about who you spend New Year's Eve with, you can look forward to a good year ahead with them, then ours was and will be gggreat. Tyler and I headed to Sioux City to try our luck with G'ma and G'pa for a Musketeers hockey win. Unfortunately, the Muskies lost 2-5. Tyler on the other hand had skill and a little luck on his side. After downing a 36 inch pixie stix he "chucked a puck". #595 landed on a $10 gift certificate to the Siouxland Humane Society. It doesn't expire until 08-09 so he's got some time left to convince me to use it towards getting a dog. Like I told him...we'll see. 
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