#72 Benny Gordon
#62 Brendan Gaughan
Tyler and the Miller Lite girls.
Tyler with Miss Iowa Speedway.

Tyler with Austin Stewart. Tony Stewart's nephew. He races mini sprints all over the US.
Tyler in a simulator car. He raced on Bristol's dirt track. His best lap time was 13.811 sec. 4th fastest all day for the "young guns" division.
Our whole group at the speedway.
Friday afternoon we headed to Ankeny to spend the night with Rich and Andrea. Saturday morning we headed to the Iowa Speedway where the RV site was already set up for the tailgating festivities.

Even on vacation teenagers can't be without their "electronics."

We've had a great week sharing in Barb and Jerry's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. It's always fun when we get together with our family to swim, visit, and eat. Many laughs were shared and memories made these last few days. We treasure our time with all of you.

Tyler and Josh getting out of the water after going down the speed slides.

Tyler and Josh before getting into the lazy river.

After supper this evening, Tyler invited the "big boys" over for a night of X box.

To salvage what was left of a sunny and 85 degree weekend we loaded up the car and headed to Okoboji this morning. The boys (Tyler, Cole, and Chris) rode rides at Arnold's Park, raced go karts at the mini track, and played 27 holes of mini golf at Treasure Village.

Alexis and Wendy couldn't resist a picture with Tyler in front of the Princess Inflatable, after they jumped inside.



Tyler took 2nd place in the kids dance contest. You guessed it Rich, he did "The Worm" (forward). That is important to know since the kid taking 1st place did it backwards.

Tyler, Chloe, and Justin at the waterpark today.

Chloe trying to do one of her favorite things, drool and put anything she can reach in her mouth. This time its Tyler's sweatshirt and fingers.

Yesterday we picked up Hollie and Chloe from the airport in Omaha. We are so happy to have them here with us to visit. The only one not happy is Devo. He is not getting his usual 20 hours of napping in.

Last night was the end of the season tournament for baseball. Tyler's head was there but his heart wasn't. He wants to thank everyone for coming and watching him. Especially grandma, she helped with under eye and had near perfect attendance. She only missed one game. Thank you everyone for supporting Tyler. See ya all in September for football.

Thursday night was Tyler's last regular season game. Afterwards, the sponsor treated the team to ice cream cones. From the beginning of the year til the end Tyler has improved sooo much. From his accuracy in pitching to his throwing kids out in the catcher position he did a phenonemal job. I am so proud of him. This will be Tyler's last year in community ball. Next season he will play for the Panthers of St. Mary's. I can still remember his first T-ball game in his yellow shirt and velcro shoes...

Tyler was the man tonight!!! He caught all 5 innings for 3 pitchers. He had 1 throw out to second and 2 throw outs to third. He also caught a pop up. He scored 2 runs.

Classmates and Teammates, Adam, Tyler, and Ryan after the game. Tyler pitched the first 3 innings. He allowed 6 unearned runs. This was his best night of pitching. They just need to work on their defense.

Sunday morning for breakfast we all met at Bonfire for a family style breakfast. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend. Saturday, after the zoo, Teresa hosted a BBQ for all of us. It was so nice to get together and "catch up".

Since it was Father's Day and Kneifl men always get what they want Grandpa got his way by taking the 3 generation portrait in the fire.

We saw the 3-D movie "Under the Sea" at the I-Max theater. Tyler, Grandma, Sherry and Teresa with their fantasy glasses on.

Tyler and Grandma by the "hot" metal tigers

Tyler got to touch a sand shark. He said it felt like a slimy snake.

Saturday morning, before going to the zoo, we stopped by the Janasko's in Savage and got to meet Julia Rose. She's 8 months old. She was very smitten with Tyler. It must be the "chick magnet" he's carrying around in his pocket

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.