Happy Memorial Day. Tonight Tyler started pitching and continued through 4 innings. He then caught the last 2 innings for Cole. Tyler had a good batting night. He was 2-4.

I took this picture after the game at 11:05p.m. Tyler had another stellar night of pitching. The first 2 innings he caught for 3 different pitchers. Then in the third inning he went to second base where he would only stay there for one out and then pitch the rest of the game. He only allowed 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Tyler was the first batter of the line up last night. He hit a single. He then had some aggressive base stealing to 3rd. He then scored the teams first run.He also pitched the first 2 innings. In the 2nd inning he struck out one and made 2 plays to 1st base to make all 3 outs.
Tyler caught for Cole in the 3rd and 4th inning.

For the past two weeks Tyler has been having baseball practice. (Yes that's right track and baseball overlapped.) Today the two Storm Lake coaches held a scrimmage to work through all the kinks. Tyler started out pitching the first round of batters. He also played catcher, short stop, and third. Villager is our sponsor this year. A business we patron often. His first game is Monday night where he will be the starting pitcher. He will then most likely transition into the catcher.

Due to 5 boys being ineligible to run Tyler got the pleasure of trying the long jump today. He only practiced one day. His first and furthest jump was 12' 71/4". His goal was to not get last. He attained his goal. He beat one kid from Sioux Central.
The team with Coach Miss Redinius, on the right, before crossing the finish line. She did a wonderful job strategically placing the boys to come out on top. They won the conference meet! Awesome job for a first year Science teacher and coach.

They jumped in jubilation as the team got first place in the conference meet this evening. To celebrate, Grandma took us to DQ for a Blizzard.

Tyler also ran a 400m leg in the Distance Medley relay. He usually runs this event but its been the 200m leg. The team got 3rd place.

Tyler also started the 4x100m relay. The team did not place.

This is the end of Tyler's 2009 track season. It's been a successful year.

Academic Excellence Award

These students earned a 3.5gpa or better through the first 3 quarters.

Recognition of Fine Arts

These 8 students in 7/8th grade were selected to the Northwest Iowa Honor Choir.

Recognition of Fine Arts
These 34 students participated in the Dinner Theater.

The proud parents and our successful student. After the awards ceremony I treated Steve and I to a school lunch to celebrate with Tyler.

While mushroom hunting Tyler found a frog and played with him for a while.
Tyler building his first camp fire.

For supper we had chili cheese dogs. Tyler got to roast the weinies over and open fire. They were great tasting!

This morning after breakfast Tyler wanted another smores. He roasted the marshmallows, Rich got the rest put together, and Zella and Rambo were hoping they'd drop something.

The finished product.

This weekend started off like last weekend, Tyler treating me to breakfast at TJ's. This weekend though we headed SE to Waukee with Rich to take in a sunny weekend of camping. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend mushroom hunting, playing with Zella and Rambo, and cooking and eating. On our way home we were already talking about when we could go again.

Here is Tyler's performance of a poem he wrote on his own titled "Christmas with the Rednecks." Mrs. Friesen complimented Tyler that this poem was his best writing yet.

7th grade Writing class and their poetry books
Tyler and his poetry book

After Grandpa and Grandma treated us to breakfast this morning we headed to school to watch Tyler perform his poetry. Here is his performance: he had to memorize this poem from his favorite author, William Shakespeare.

Tyler, Cole, Joe and Jose making their music composition debut, I said "What What in the gut." A remake of a famous You Tube video, "What What in the butt."

To continue birthday month Grandma and Grandpa came up to celebrate Tyler becoming a teenager. We went out to eat at Legacy where Tyler polished off a 16oz. T-Bone, 2 sides, and a Mountain Dew. After the concert we had ice cream cake.
St. Mary's Middle School Choir

Today for Tyler's birthday he brought his favorite treats to school to share with his friends: glazed donuts from the bakery. After school he had track practice. The team ran Seiler hill. All 7 miles of it. Then it was off to the dentist. After that he made the last bit of baseball practice. Finally we ended up relaxing over a nice dinner. What a great feeling it is to know I've survived the first 13 years of my sons life...

No that's not me screaming at the thought of Tyler being a teenager. It's Tyler's gold tooth. "Just a little bling bling to catch the ladies eye."

Tyler fielding a ball at his first baseball practice of his Senior league season.

Tonight for Tyler's birthday I took him out to eat at Legacy Steakhouse. He ordered a big plate of BBQ ribs. His favorite! After dinner the owner, who we are friends with, brought Tyler a Brownie Delight for dessert, on the house.

Our family photo
Tyler and Great Uncle Merlin in his finally finished restored Model A.

4 Generations

Weekend 4 of 4 started Saturday morning with Tyler treating me to breakfast. (What a great son I have.) Then we headed to Sioux City to pick up Grandma and Grandpa for Krista and Jordan's wedding in MN. The wedding was nice and we had a great time visiting, dancing, and playing the slots. I came out $7.30 ahead. Good enough to buy Tyler Subway on the way home.

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.

The photo is of the boys making their victory lap and crossing the finish line as a team. Way to go boys!!!

This was their toughest competition yet and they all did great. Tyler ran the first 200m leg of the Distance Medley and they finished in 3rd place. Tyler had a personal best time of 30 sec. He also ran the 200m led of the Sprint Medley and they did not 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.

This afternoon we headed to D & B's. After a few hours of fun we racked up 2,897 tickets! We headed home with all this stuff. Getting it in our carry ons for the ride home is another story.

Friday night swimming in the apt. pool.
Tyler entertaining Chloe in the pool.

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.

Today St. Mary's Middle School held their annual fair day. This year they did a cultural fair. Tyler chose to explore his Greek heritage. He painted the flag, provided interesting facts about Greece, made a greek dip, and dressed in traditional male dress.

Tyler receiving his certificate of completion from the D.A.R. E. program.

Mike Orlando, Channel 4 news sports anchor, was the guest speaker for the graduation. He wanted a photo of the group to air on the evening news.

After the ceremony a lunch was provided by sponsors of the D.A.R.E. program.

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."

After track practice today,Tyler, got his second workout in bouncing Chloe. This is her very first picture in full smile mode.

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.