Tyler's GREAT aunt and uncle, Karen and Vin, stopped by on their travels of the "lower 48" to take in a baseball game. Tyler scored half the teams points. He also had a great throw to second to get the runner out who was trying to steal.

Steve and Tyler attended their 3rd annual ISU camp. Tyler had a great time playing the game, meeting the players, and making new friends.

Three Generations of Devos Men

For 6 innings Tyler played catcher. He did a great job being the "field commander."

I didn't want to put the picture of Tyler and Grandma up tonight on the blog. Tyler replied with, "Why not? Chloe's not happy in all of her pictures and Hollie still posts them. " He was right. It was another tough loss tonight. Batting didn't go well and he couldn't get a strikeout if he paid for one. I learned a valuable lesson tonight. I wouldn't miss his games for anything. I love him when he hits a double and when he strikes out. I love him when he walks a batter and when he strikes one out. So here he is bummed, upset, and hungry!

Today the Storm Lake Baseball Association held their annual cookout fundraiser. Tyler and I worked from 5 to 7. Thank you grandma, grandpa, and Steve for buying tickets and supporting the association. The kids did a good job working the food service line.

Wednesday afternoon we headed to Des Moines for quite a treat. Rich and Andrea took us to supper at Buffalo Wild Wings and then we went to the Jeff Dunham show at the Wells Fargo Event Center. We enjoyed the show from the tenth row. It was great. Thank you Rich and Andrea. You both are so good to us. We love you. This morning Tyler then had Andrea give him a haircut. He loves it sooo much. Afterwards, Tyler made some money by "picking up" after Rambo and Zella.

Tonight when we got home Tyler then had a game to play against the "other" Storm Lake team. Tyler caught for 4 innings, played shortstop for one, and pitched the last inning. The highlights of the night were when Tyler threw 2 kids out trying to steal second when he was catching. The team also had a double play. Afterwards, it was off to our sponsor where grandma treated for ice cream. A wonderful couple of days with wonderful people.

Tonight Tyler pitched 4 innings. The Scott twins that he used to race with were on the other team. The boys' mom and grandfather came up to Tyler after the game to tell him he pitched a good game. It was a tough loss.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other"- Abraham Lincoln

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, it will come naturally"-David Frost

"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure."-George Edward Woodberry

"Pain is temporary. Quitting last forever." -Lance Armstrong

"Never be afraid to fail"- Michael Jordan

"I believe good things come to those who work hard." -Wilt Chamberlain

"Goals determine what you're going to be." -Julius Irving

These are Tyler's favorite quotes that he wrote on the inside bill of his hat. During a tough moment in a game he takes off his hat, takes a look, and goes back to pitching. They remind him he's doing what he loves and is loving what he's doing. Amen.

Tyler went 2-4 batting. He caught 5 2/3 innings. With bases loaded and 2 outs Tyler comes in to close the game. First pitch...ball. Second pitch...strike 1. Third pitch...strike 2. Fourth pitch...strike 3... batters out. Game over. DQ Blizzard for the pitcher with the save.

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.