In LeMars at the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop Ryan and Tyler each got a triple scoop ice cream fudge sundae. Did they each eat their quart of ice cream sundae?

Ryan and Tyler toasting to a weekend of "fun in the sun".

"Look mom, no hands!"

Not for long.

At Arnold's Park. For those of you who know Ryan this pic is really true.

This weekend Tyler brought a friend along to the cabin for a day of tubing and fishing. Sunday we went to Arnold's Park to finish the weekend off. What a great time we all had.

This is at our highest point... 600 ft. in the air.

Notice the "happy face" on the sail?

Here we are descending.

Back to the boat.

The slogan "third times a charm" rang true for Tyler and I today. After attempting to parasail on two different days we finally got to go today. It was a fun ride in the air. It's funny how when you're that high how slow it seems your going, how not windy it is, and how high you really realize what 600 ft. is. We had a blast and would recommend it to anyone. Even those of you who are a little afraid of being off the ground.

This is the field where the movie "We are Marshall" was filmed.
Trivia question #1: What is the capital of West Virginia? This is a picture of the building.

T-man and the "Cornrow Cadillac"

Trivia question #2: Where is the "World's Biggest truck stop" located at?

Tyler spent a week on the road with Gramps traveling to Richmond, VA and back. Tyler had a good time eating beef jerky, fries, and Mountain Dew for breakfast. He kept in touch with his friends back home via MSN and cell phone. He played video games on the computer, surfed the internet, and listened to xm radio all week. He also had a good time "gambling" away grampa and Riley's money. Sounds like he needs to get back to Storm Lake and attend some good 'ol wholesome Catholic School!!!

This past week Tyler spent 4 days at a basketball camp in Orange City at Northwestern College. 260 boys ages 11-14 gathered for a week of "guy time". Daily awards were handed out to kids that went above and beyond. On Wednesday Tyler received the "Barnibus" award. That award goes to a player who demonstrates good teamwork and encouragement towards his teammates.

The above award was given to Tyler on the last day at the awards ceremony. Everyday all 260 kids shot 25 freethrows. At the end of camp the "Top 10" were recognized. Tyler earned 10th place by making 80 of 100.

What a nice surprise T-man received when his Aunt Hollie and Uncle Jason showed up to see him play his last regular season baseball game. He had another stellar night of baseball plays. He had a good bunt to get on base, played first base and got a player out, and pitched the last inning to go 3 up 3 down (striking the last one out). They had a perfect season, 10-0.

Trivia question #1

What famous NBA star has this guy for a younger brother?

with Rahshon Clark

with Wesley Johnson

Even at basketball camp there was still time for a photo with a wrestling legend, Cael Sanderson.

If planning on attending the camp next year and the smile on Tyler's face is any indication on how well they enjoyed the camp then it looks like the Father Son basketball camp at ISU was an eventful weekend . There are more pictures to share and lots of stories to be told, in person from Steve and Tyler!!!

Another great night at the ball diamond. Tyler played right and center field, 2nd base, and short stop. Tyler also had a good night from the batter's box. He went 3 for 3. One hit was a sweet bunt down the 3rd base line. Everyone was safe. We played through the top of the 6th inning just to practice.

Tuesday night we had another baseball game except this time we did it backwards. With mom getting off a 3a to 3p shift we headed for ice cream first then to the game in Rembrandt. It started at 830p and got over at 10p. Tyler had another good night. He played left field, short stop and catcher. He had a wonderful throw from short to home, walked to get on base, and scored a run. We have another game scheduled for tonight.

I know what you're thinking this picture looks like all the others. Wrong!!! Tyler is playing 2nd base and he's never played that position before. This time grandpa made it to the game and he has never seen Tyler lose before. Obviously, by the score Friday night was no exception. Tyler played 2nd and caught. Afterwards, grandma treated us to DQ to celebrate yet another victory.

Another ball night with a happy ending. Tyler started out catching for the first 2 innings. With a inning off to warm up Tyler came in to pitch. After 2 innings only giving up 2 runs, walking 1 and 3 strike outs the game was called due to run rule after the top of the 5th. Tyler also had a good night of batting walking twice and getting a good hit to shallow left only to have the ball caught by the 3rd baseman. Next game... in 3 hours.

Tyler playing 3rd base for the first couple inning. After that he was catcher for the rest of the night. It was a nailbiter until the last run. Ace was behind most of the night until the 5th inning when Tyler got walked and came in to tie the game. In the 6th they held Citizens Bank and with 2 outs got a run in to win the game. Afterwards in true grandma tradition she treated us to DQ.

Another baseball night of show stopping plays. Tyler started off in right field. For the next 2 innings he played catcher. With 1 out Tyler threw the ball to 2nd to attempt to get out the steal. After a missed catch and an over throw to 3rd Ryan threw the ball back to homeplate to get the runner out. Tyler caught the ball and got the runner out. Yeah!!! Unfortunately, while Tyler jumped for the ball the runner ran into him and knocked him over. Tyler landed on the ground with the runners shoe in his calf. After a minute on the ground Tyler spent the rest of the game in the dugout with an icepack on his leg. Once the game got going again Aaron was looking for the game ball. Guess where it was grandpa... still in his glove in the dugout. It's a bit sore but he'll be ready for the game tomorrow night.

On another note Tyler is a leader for 14 kids ages 5 to 9 at Vacation Bible school this week. Yesterday he had an exciting day of fending off a 9 year old boy who liked to talk back and a 7 year old boy who likes to eat rocks and apparently swallowed 8 of them while participating in an outdoor activity. At one piont Tyler said he had to tell the kids to "get in a straight line" because they were all running around and not paying attention. Only 3 more days left...

After a rain delay, a bag of popcorn, and some soggy shoes we were ready to watch "Ace" demolish the Sioux Central Rebels. Tyler started on the mound. After 2 innings striking out 4 batters and allowing only 1 run he took over 1st base. There he caught a foul ball to end the inning. Tyler's batting was improved also. He walked twice and had his first hit of the season, a single to the 3rd basemen. They only played through the top of the 5th since there is a 5 run rule per inning. They only play 6 innings. After celebrating coaches birthday with cake and pop we headed home at 10:30pm.

Sporting new uniforms again we headed to the ball field last night. Tyler played everywhere shortstop (pictured above), left and center field, and ended with catcher. After 6 regular innings it was tied 3-3. So they went into overtime where the kids rallied and made 3 runs and held the other team to none.

Tyler's first at bat. He walked and eventually made it home on an overthrow while he was stealing second base. It was the teams first run to tie the game 1-1.
Tyler's first position of the night was catcher for Luke. On a missed catch Tyler hustled and threw it to Luke to get the batter stealing home out. He also played first base for an inning. Last inning Tyler pitched. He threw 19 balls total. walked 1 batter and struck 3 out. ERA 0.00. Good job and win on your first night of ball Ace Hardware.

Last Thursday the 5th graders held a play. Tyler played the part of "old man villager."

On a side note:

Saturday night after mass Tyler bought a crucifix. A gentlemen from the Holyland was here to sell religious artifacts so the people over there can make some money. Due to the war and the safety issues in the Middle East people are not traveling and therefore unable to buy there souvenirs.

Trivia question #1

What's the difference between a cross and a crucifix?

Trivia question #2

What does INRI above Jesus head stand for?

Mrs. Smith announcing the members of Character Council: Tyler, Dimitri, Hannah, Tyler, and Diew
Mr. Smith announcing the Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee winners.
Tyler-1st
Urias-2nd
Dimitri-3rd


Father Bruce Lawler announcing the students who served as Altar servers this year.

Today at school the annual Middle School awards were held. Tyler received awards for the above 3 activities plus was recognized for his participation in Show choir and Honor choir for which he received his awards last week at the concert. Afterwards, Steve and Tyler enjoyed lunch together. I'd also like to add that he was on the Honor roll all 4 quarters for which I am most proud.

For those of you waiting for the results to our 5K run we did last Friday night here they are:

Out of 162 runners:
Tyler finished 91st with a time of 30:29:00.
I finished 139th with a time of 46:03:00.

For Tyler's birthday party Saturday afternoon we rented a 15 passenger van and loaded up Tyler and 9 of his friends. We drove to Sioux City where we stopped at Godfather's to eat pizza and open presents. Then it was off to the Tyson Event Center to watch the Bandits play. With a little time to spare the kids played a football game of their own while "tailgating". After that we headed inside to get all the kids set up with a hat and Tyler a football, where they got to go in the locker room to meet the players and get autographs. The Bandits won 36-29. While driving back to Storm Lake the kids took a vote and it was unanimuous: This was the best birthday party they had ever attended. Me too!!! After dropping off all the kids I finally got to bed at 1a.m. The boys favorite part of the game:

"the cheerleaders"

Friday night Tyler and I (he ran I jogged) in a 5K for ALS (Lou Gerrig's disease). For those of you who don't know the conversion that's 3.2 miles. It was a fun time. I will post our official timed results when I get them.