Tyler's first basketball game for the green n white was this afternoon in Odebolt. He played half the A game and all of the B game. He had 4 points in the B team game. 2 were free throws that were the clinchers at the end of the game.

We spent Thanksgiving in Sioux City with the Reinert clan. Tyler got to eat a feast, play football, basketball, and spend time playing with all his cousins. It was a blessed day.

Tyler had a stellar day. He passed a test in gym without even studying, had his favorite lunch of cheese pizza and salad, and got invited to try out for the basketball tournament team. Not bad for a first day of school. After school, we went and cheered on his new basketball teammates. Tyler starts practice with the team tomorrow. He had a great time getting reacquainted with some new (old) school friends.

Tyler and Steve participated in the annual turkey shoot. They won the 8th grade boys group with Tyler making 11 of 15 freethrows and Steve making 8.
Tyler receiving his certificate and turkey
All the winners

Today was Tyler's first game of his 8th grade basketball season. He's the starting point guard. He had 2 beautiful layups off of fast breaks.

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.