Surprise 60th birthday party Grandpa!!!

 Sherry, Walt, Kathy

 The Tanner's

 Lori, Josh, Jerry, Barb

 Kevin, Lisa

 The Smith's

 Everyone eating and visiting

 The Janasko's

 The Riley's

 Enjoying the warmth of the campfire

 Giving a toast and speech

 Getting ready to eat

 A delicious BBQ meal from Jethro's

 How Cooper spent most of the party...

 A party isn't complete without birthday cake, half carrot cake and half champagne, it was yummy!

 Lisa, Grandpa, Lori...one last picture of the 50s decade!!!

 The "boys" watching football Sunday afternoon

What a blast we had planning and preparing a 60th birthday bash weekend for Grandpa!!! He truly was surprised. There were so many funny moments from the beginning to the end. It was so fun spending time with all of our family and friends.

First Hit!

Tyler has his first hit as a cyclone and got an RBI. He's doing such a better job getting a bat on the ball.

They played a doubleheader against the Grand Island Islanders at Explorers stadium in Sioux City today. They won both games 7-4 and 12-6. Tyler played third base, pitcher, and left field.

Baseball

This past weekend the Cyclones had a tournament in Elk Point, SD. Saturday they played the Frozen Ropes from Omaha and lost 5-7 and the Blizzard of Minnesota and won 8-3. Sunday they played the Blizzard again and lost 2-11 and lost 5-15 against the 18 year old Cyclone team. Tyler played many positions including pitcher, third base, left and center field. It's been very enjoyable watching the boys come together as a team.

Happy Grandparents Day!

 Tyler helped with supper tonight and made mushrooms. Just like he makes at work. They were delicious!

 After the game, Grandma treated us to ice cream for a belated birthday treat for Steve's birthday.

Today we headed to Valley Springs to play a scrimmage game against Brandon Valley Legion team. They lost 5-10 in 7 innings. Tyler played left field, third base, and right field. He got on base twice on a walk and an error.

Tyler's a CYCLONE!

A few weekends ago Tyler tried out for the Sioux Falls Cyclones 16 under fall baseball league and made it! Last night was their first game in Renner, SD against a 19 under Legion team from Sioux Falls. They played 9 innings and lost 1-6. Tyler played third base, left field, and pitched an inning. It is like no other baseball we've watched before. The team only committed one error, everyone pitches, and everyone bats. They only allow 12 kids per team which allows for a lot of playing time.

Iowa State Fair

 Thursday we headed to the Iowa State Fair to get a head start on Steve's birthday weekend celebration. First we picked up Chloe and met up with our friends Kent and Wendy. First order of business at the fair, go to the Pioneer building and see the life size Snow White made out of butter!

 Steve on his first and last ride of the day with Tyler.

 While Steve sat and recouped from his ride Chloe wanted to ride on the dizzy dragon. She was laughing for a while but by the end when she got off she said, "I got dizzy on that ride."

 The carney worker made it look so easy. Climb the ladder and ring the bell twice. Tyler attempted 3 times...he did not ring the bell twice.

 Make one free throw and win a stuffed animal. For 2 free throw shooters that should be pretty easy, right?!

 While they shot free throws Chloe and I visited the petting zoo.

 She did and excellent job holding her fingers straight and feeding the goats.

 Chloe also rode the camel all by herself. She said she wasn't scared and liked riding her.

 We had lots of good fair food. Ice cream, Gyros, Fried veggies(Chloe loved the mushrooms and greenbeans), smoothies, cotton candy and caramel corn. It was definitely fairlicious!

 Since Steve and Tyler were one and done on the fair rides Chloe got to use up the rest of the tickets.

 She loved going high in the sky on the dragon.

 The water bumper boats seemed fun when watching from the side. When she got in one it was a different story.

 New at the fair this year was a 28 foot high zipline. Tyler convinced Steve to do one more fair ride.

It's 10 o'clock at night, Tyler finally made a free throw to win this jamacian monkey and Steve rode 2 more rides than he wanted to. We ended the night watching the fireworks display. It was a fun fair night!

Scoop the Loop

 Steve getting into the race car. Not as easy as it looks.

Wednesday night, Lemars held their annual Scoop the Loop night. It's a fun event where people across the tri state area bring their cars to show off. This was definitely the car to see and TOUCH. Tyler let his young friends sit in the car and pretend to race.

Family Fun Weekend

 Playing a game of dodgeball

 ...and he goes for a dunk!!!

Jumping in the foam pit.

This past Friday we headed to Ankeny for another fun family weekend. Friday night the Smith's took us to Sky Zone in Grimes. It is a building full of trampolines and alot of fun. Steve and I jumped for 30 minutes which was plenty while Tyler jumped with Jason for a whole hour. Saturday we did some tax free shopping at Jordan Creek before we headed over to Newton to tailgate with the rest of our family and friends. Steve got to see his first race. He was glad for the oppurtunity. Thanks for all the fun, food, and family time everyone.

Camp Award

Tyler spent the week at Northwestern Basketball camp with his team. There were 240 high school boys in attendance. Tyler made 86 of 100 free throws for 10th place.

Baseball Banquet

 Tyler has been at basketball camp, at Northwestern, in Orange City all week but came back for a couple hours to attend the baseball banquet.

Coach Eckstaine had a lot of good things to say about his move in Devo, as he's called by the team. He said, "If you didn't see him throw this year you missed out. He threw hard and has a great curve ball. He will see lots of playing time on the mound next year." He also said, "most of the time when a school gets a transfer you usually don't get a good player. Coach McCabe from Storm Lake said to Coach that you got one of my good top pitchers. Lemars got a good one in Tyler. 

Pleasant Surprise

 Chloe found just her size chair to relax in.

Saturday afternoon we went to Storm Lake to attend Steve's work picnic. Across the street at the cabins Steve spotted Jason and Chloe! The Smith's were right across the street! It was so fun to see my sister and her family. I got to hold little Cooper and Chloe got to go on a boat ride with us. It was such a fun time with a 3 year old on the boat. She told us how she was on vacation on the ocean and we looked for octopus and fish like they saw in Hawaii;)

Lemars Bulldogs Baseball

The team played their sub state game at Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City. This is where the Sioux City Explorers play their games. I think their were more people there to watch last nights game than their are at an Explorers. HAHA

It's been fun to continue into the post season with the Lemars Bulldogs. The Varsity was undefeated in Conference play. Their first game they beat MOC-FV 14-6. Their second game they beat Spencer 6-5. This win enabled the team to become District Champions and receive a medal. The sub state game they played Heelan and lost 5-6. It's been a fun season to watch the kids and we've enjoyed getting to know the parents and kids.

Last game of the season

Today was Lemars JV last game of the season. They played Sioux City West and beat them 9-8. Tyler played shortstop the first 5 innings and pitched the last inning. It's been a fun season to watch the kids and see them grow as a team.

Our start to July

 Sunday before we left Ankeny we went to the park.
 We had such a fun weekend with family again! Our nephew/cousin baby Cooper was quickly born on July 3rd. He is so adorable and we love him so much. Saturday we hit up the best Farmer's Market around, did some shopping, and ate fro yo at Lemon Tree. At night, Rich and Andrea hosted a fun get together of family and friends. We love coming to Ankeny and you all are such great hosts! Thank you:)

 Tyler and Chloe doing some leftover "snakes" from the 4th.

Last weeks games they played Cherokee and lost 0-11, Glenwood lost 4-9, and in the 105 degree heat, Tyler pitched 6 innings vs Harlan and they tied 3-3. This game was by far the teams best performance. The defense, batting, and pitching was right on and they really worked as a team.

in at relief

Tonight vs Sheldon in the Varsity game,  Lemars was behind 0-4 in the 3rd inning, bases loaded, 1 out  and they bring in Tyler as relief pitcher. He pitched 2 2/3 innings. He had no earned runs. At the end of the 5th the score was 4-7. Top of the 6th they bring in Levi TeBrink for the save to win the game 8-7. Tyler had his first at bat in Varsity play. He hit a bomb to center field but unfortunately it was caught for an out.

The JV team won vs. Sheldon 10-4. He had 2 good scoops and throws to first for 2 outs. Monday they played Spirit Lake and  lost 1-13. Tuesday they played Spencer and lost 6-11.

Varsity Debut

Tonight the team played Sioux City North. The JV team lost 4-6. Then the varsity game came. Tyler made his varsity pitching debut against a 4A school. Colin Borchers pitched the first 2 innings and the score was 2-5. Tyler came in the third inning and pitched 4 innings. He allowed 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. They ended up losing the game 2-7 but Tyler did a phenomenal job his first time on the mound. Fortunately, Grandma and Grandpa were able to come and see him play. Afterwards, we went out to celebrate Grandma's birthday weekend. Grandpa treated us to pizza and drinks at Townhouse and birthday ice cream cake at Dairy Queen. What a fun Friday night!

Busy week

After a fun weekend we started right in with baseball Monday night. They lost to Central Lyon 5-11. Tuesday night, due to rain, the jv didn't play vs Storm Lake but the Varsity did. While Grandma was in Ankeny watching Chloe, Grandpa was in LeMars with us. He treated us out for supper at Monterrey's and then after the game we went to Bob's for ice cream. Thank you Grandpa. A night of no cooking is always a treat. Tonight the team traveled to Emmetsburg. They won 13-12. Tyler played second base, shortstop, and third base due to 3 different pitching changes. Tyler had 2 hits, 4 RBI, and the game winning throw to first base for the final out. What an exciting night of baseball!

Father's Day weekend festivities

Father's Day weekend we headed to Ankeny. We had a great time with our family. Hollie and Jason hosted the gathering and Rich and Andrea put us up for the night. We also saw a movie, went shopping, and out to eat at Cheesecake Factory. It was a great weekend to celebrate Father's Day, my parents 40th wedding anniversary, and put guesses on when baby boy Smith is arriving.

Briar Cliff tournament champions

Today the basketball team had a tournament at Briar Cliff. They won their first game against South Sioux City 71-50. Their second game they won against Sioux City East 35-43. In the championship game versus Heelan the boys pulled off a victory in double overtime 69-67!

More Baseball

Tyler pitched the game of his life today against Glenwood. He pitched the whole 5 inning game and had 11 strikeouts and one walk! Unfortunately, his defense behind him wasn't as grand and they lost their game 3-7. Last night they lost to Spencer 5-11.

Baseball Scoreboard

Two and a half months later and half way into the baseball season we finally got Tyler's first set of Lemars Bulldog gear. Better late than never;) Mondays game they played Emmetsburg and won 7-2. Tuesdays game they played in Okoboji and lost 4-6. Tonights game was against Spirit Lake and they won 7-2. Ty got a bat on the ball tonight and got his first RBI.

weekend fun

Saturday Tyler and the rest of the Varsity basketball squad participated in Dordt College's summer high school classic tournament. 15 teams from 4 states played in the tournament. They lost 2 games to Southwest Christian of Sioux Falls and Unity Christian. They won their last game against Boyden Hull. Sunday we headed to Sioux City and picked up Grandma along the way. We shopped a little at the mall and saw a movie with some friends from Storm Lake. It's so fun to just drop by and get her to spend the day with us.

Last night was Tyler's debut in his LeMars baseball uniform. The team traveled to Storm Lake to play the Tornadoes. Tyler played second base and also pitched the last inning to come away with a 7-2 victory over his old team. Going through the line his former Coach, Kevin Cone, gave him a hug. Let the baseball season begin:)

A couple of weeks ago I was getting my nails done. My technician showed me an art project from Pinterest that she was going to attempt. It is called "Melted Crayon Art." I loved the idea so much that I wanted to create our own project to fill up a huge blank wall we have behind the kitchen table. Our idea was to melt the crayons and have the chinese symbol for "family" painted on the canvas. This is our finished product. It took a total of 7 hours to complete the project from start to finish. Three of those hours was melting the crayons!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day weekend was a fabulous one for this Mother. Saturday, dad treated us all at Bev's on the River for lunch. Afterwards, we went back to their house and had margaritas, visiting, and a delicious steak dinner. Sunday it was more of the same. Steve and Tyler treated me to flowers and a wonderful dinner at HuHot's. Thank you for making this Mother's Day a special one.

State large group contest

Friday night we watched the choir in the Iowa High School state large group contest held in Lemars. The group received all "1" ratings. Tuesday night the school held their spring music concert. They all sang so beautifully. Thank you Grandma Kneifl for getting our seats. It means alot to me that you support Tyler not only in his athletics but his other extracurricular activities too.

Activities

Tyler is on the Lemars tennis team. His first meet was against Storm Lake. He played 2 matches. The first one was against his good friend, Tanner Hoops. He got beat 2-6. The second match he won 6-0.

Monday Grandma came to watch Tyler play tennis. It is so fun to be so close to her. She sat with me while we watched Tyler play, gave us rides in the side car, and treated us for supper. Thank you sooo much! Then Wednesday night she came up with homemade banana bread and went on a walk with me. This is so much fun!

Tuesday morning I took Tyler to Sioux City to get his license. He can now drive anywhere he wants with no parents in the car. It is a treat for both of us. It feels like just yesterday I was getting him a motorized jeep to drive around in the yard.