In Tyler's Science class they are talking about renewable energy. Today, Steve spoke with the kids about wind as a renewable energy source.
Trivia question: What state is the windiest?

Today we were in Rock Rapids for Tyler's Mock Trial event. The teams did very well in their first ever trial in the Regional event. Tyler personally had 2 lawyers (that were judges) come up to him after the hearings and congratulate him on how well he did. Their team was unable to make it to the next round at the state level but learned alot of valuable lessons that will be able to be used in future mock trials or endeavors in life. It most certainly has helped Tyler learn to plead his case with me at home, as if he needed anymore help.

Tyler and Caden ready to cheer on the Cyclones!
Justin and Scott came to the game and over to play some football of their own with Tyler while tailgating.
Sunny and 71 on November 7th? Sunglasses, tshirts, and shorts? Can you believe it???
The reason Tyler loves ISU games: "guy time."

Tuesady night was the NWIJH Honor Choir in LeMars. Tyler and 7 other students from St. Mary's were selected to spend the day learning music and then performing it at a concert in the evening. The Choral Director is a professor at Luther College, coming from Dominican Republic, and was a neighbor to Sami Sosa. Tyler enjoyed his day reuniting with friends from basketball camp, eating taverns at Bob's and ice cream from Blue Bunny, and learning different kinds of music.

This morning St. Mary's held their fall festival. As room moms we are in charge of the snacks. We brought apples n caramel, popcorn mix, cookies, fruit rollups, and water for the kids to enjoy.
The kids enjoying their goodies. Boy, they sure can eat!
After the snacks the class wanted to play a game called Apples to Apples. It is a fun game to play. The kids laughed practically the whole time.
The "nice" pic. 2 girls are missing. Their home sick with the flu:(
The "crazy" photo. I'm doing a lot of "lasts" this year. Being room mom is one of them. It's sad yet a happy time for Tyler and I. We've made lots of happy memories and look forward to the good times to come.

After a long week of Tyler having the flu, Friday, we headed to Ankeny to celebrate Dad(57) and Chloe's 1st birthday. It was a wonderful weekend of eating, visiting, and shopping. Rich and Andrea were once again the perfect hosts. It was so great to be with everyone and share in their birthdays.

Tyler on the kick return team. He caught the ball and ran it back for 20 yards.
Coming off the field after playing defense. Tyler started defense today at the defensive end position.

Late last week Dr. Frushour released Tyler from his care and therapy. Right after rehab he headed to practice. The team clapped for Tyler when he came running onto the field in his football gear. Tyler got to play in the teams last middle school game of his career. He was quite excited.

We headed to LeMars this afternoon to cheer on the 8th grade football team. Tyler's on the side lines in his black jacket and khaki SHORTS! It was 40 degrees and wind speeds about the same but we bundled up and weathered through it.
After the game Grandma treated us to supper at Mr. P's. She's such a great grandma to cheer on the team when her grandson is on the sidelines.

Friday afternoon we headed to DesMoines to ride with Rich and Andrea in the RV to Kansas City. It was a double feature weekend. ISU game on Saturday. Chiefs game on Sunday. This was Tyler and I's first NFL game. Even though we saw 2 losses we still had a great time. From the tailgating to our inaugural RV showers it was a weekend we will never forget. There are not enough thank yous in the world to tell both of you how much we appreciate and love you. We are so fortunate and blessed!!!On the hill overlooking the parking lot and stadium
The Chiefs going out onto the field.
Rich and Tyler at halftime of the ISU vs. K- State game.

After a 6 hour nap Caden finally woke up to watch the ISU game.
Andrea and Tyler sporting their new tailgating shades.
Tyler holding Caden. He is 7 weeks old. Tyler is so excited to have another boy to tailgate with. Now if he could just throw a football.

This weekend we traveled to MN to see Grandma for her 86th birthday. Sherry and Merlin hosted a wonderful weekend of food, cards, and laughter. Here is our 4 generations.
Tyler is officially taller than Great Grandma (even with her big hair.)
Tyler and Maggie playing.

Tonight we went to the football game for Homecoming. Here's Tyler with his friends Chris and Roman. He didn't want me to take any pictures of him. So I didn't. I had a friends daughter do the dirty work. He said that was "SOLO" of me. That's the new term for kids when they talk about there parents "so low". Yeah, that's ok. Someday he'll have kids...

Tyler and his Physical Therapist, Russ. Russ also is a family friend. His son, Roman, is a friend of Tyler's. Tyler enjoyed the summer boating and tubing with them.
After his 45 minutes of therapy Tyler sits in the chair with an ice gel pack on his knee for 15 minutes. It helps with the inflammation that happens with his intense therapy. He also gets a bottle of water and an apple to replenish himself afterwards.

Today Tyler had his first physical therapy appointment. He did a great job performing his exercises. The therapist even commented on his "good form." There were a few exercises he had trouble performing and couldn't do. That will come as his knee heels and becomes stronger. Overall, he did a great job.
He has no restrictions so he went back to work for Joyce today. She is glad to have him back and he is glad to be back. I am especially glad to have him back working. I've been filling in for him the last 3 weeks. I told him his "short term disability" was all used up.

No crutches!!! No immobilizer!!! No surgery!!! His meniscus is torn and he has cartilage damage to his knee but the blood flow is good. He's got rehab to do for the next 3 weeks. He should be fully recovered by then. He will need to wear a knee brace for organized sports from now on. We also found out this week he's anemic. So he's started iron and vit c pills. He also got strict doctors orders to get plenty of red meat in his diet. Grandpa and Uncle Rich will be glad to help Tyler comply with those doctors orders.

Even though Tyler can't play football he still goes to practice everyday. He also travels with the team to games. He's #11. He said tonight, "He wanted to be out there so bad." He did a good job supporting his teammates with pats on the back and words of encouragement. That's an all around good team player.

This weekend Rich and Andrea came to Storm Lake to camp for their 8th wedding anniversary. Grandma, Grandpa, Tyler, and I went to the campgrounds on Saturday to "hang out." We had such a great day talking, laughing, and of course eating. Tyler is doing alot of that in the above picture. He went to the Dr. on Friday. He is scheduled for a MRI and a talk with the orthopeadic surgeon this next week. He will most likely require arthroscopic surgery to his knee for a torn ligament and cartilage. We will know more later and keep everyone updated. Please keep Tyler in your prayers.

Scott and Tyler with their crutches. Justin feels left out. The boys came over tonight to cheer Tyler up and play Halo with him. That was better than any pain medicine I could give him.:)

Yesterday I got a call from Tyler at football practice saying he hurt his knee. I took him to ER where they took x-rays of his knee nothing was broken. Now the hard part. Wearing a knee immobilizer, using crutches, and waiting until Friday to find out if he torn his Lateral Meniscus. For those of you interested, before his knee went sideways he did in fact make the tackle and stop the run.

Today we headed to Sioux City to spend the day with our family. First off, we went to a Briar Cliff Chargers game where our cousin Jeremy plays a defensive lineman. Afterwards, we went to see Great Grandma and brought her her favorite treat, a DQ hot fudge sundae. She ate it all. Then, we went to Mass at St. Boniface with the Reinert's, Johnson's, and Schindler's. Lastly, we were invited over for a home cooked supper at the Johnson's. Tyler got to "play with the boys" while I visited. It was a great day. We loved spending it with our extended family.

Today was Tyler's first day of school and football practice. Practice for this week will be at 7:00am. Tyler, Cole, and Adam were pumped to get to practice. At school Tyler will be taking high school Algebra 1 which he has homework in tonight. He also will be taking Religion which he has already said will be his favorite class.

We had another fabulous weekend at the Kneifl hacienda in Ankeny. Friday evening Tyler played poker with the "big boys." He got to the final table once and was pretty excited. Saturday we went to Farmer's Market where I bought a fresh Strawberry Rhubarb pie. Tyler ate almost all of it. He let me eat one slice. In the afternoon we enjoyed a WII marathon. All of our shoulders were sore Sunday morning. Then Saturday evening we went to All Play for pizza and games. Tyler won 580 tickets. In the picture he's holding his winnings: 160 tops and 200 fake redneck teeth. Thank you Rich and Andrea for the great weekend. We always enjoy our stay with you.:)

Tyler and Chris had fun "scoopin' the loop" tonight in Tyler's new ride!

...and Tyler did. Today ended his camp session. It was the best day so far. The high school football coach, Coach McCabe, helped Tyler with reading the defense and passing. He threw a lot of sweet passes and is excited to start the 2009 football season.

Rich giving Tyler a ride in the Model T. Yes, I said it right, a ride. They got up to 20mph in 2nd gear. Both of them were all smiles.
Tyler and the Model T

#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.