Brenton's Third College Game Ottawa vs Baker

The weather was dryer, but definitely colder tonight as the Ottawa JV squad travelled to Baldwin City to take on the Baker Wildcats. They came up short, losing 18-13, but played a tough, physical game. This time, our boy came about 1/2 inch from blocking a punt. Once again, mom was jumping in the stands, going nuts, and missed the shot. Pictures are before and after shots. Alas. (Note: he is Number 29 in the away jerseys.)

This was Brenton's first road game (Shelby was impressed that the team travelled by coach bus - I think she was expecting a school bus). She suffered the cold and was the "fence." It should be noted that I left the "D" and the "fence" in the car until half-time and the Wildcats nevered scored once it was in the stands. Next time I will make sure it is in the stands at the start of the game!

Those curious about Brenton's new friend, Sam - I found out the following. Sam is one of 5 children. She graduated from West Franklin High School where she lettered three years in basketball and volleyball for the Falcons. She also earned four letters in softball. She earned all-league, all-area in basketball, volleyball and softball. She is in Brenton's Intro to Teaching class and she beat Brenton in bowling. Here they are goofing off...

Last Marching Band Performance of 2008

Last home game of 2008 (unfortunately the Raiders lost to the BV Northwest Huskies), but the Rompin, Stompin Raider Band performed another great half-time show.

We had a potluck dinner before the game (thanks to Dee Dee for cooking my contribution).

Shelby had a great time this year and is already looking forward to next year. The next time the marching band will be together is this Christmas in Orlando, Florida.

Turns out there is another Byrnes in the band, Nikki (pictured with Shelby).

After the game we had a surprise visit from Brenton and his friend, Sam. They had been on a date in Lawrence and decided to stop by to say "Hi." Sam is a freshman at Ottawa and plays on both the Lady Braves Basketball Team and Softball Team. We had a great visit until they had to go back to Ottawa. :(

Grand Champions of the UCM Festival of Champions!

Congratulations Rompin, Stompin, Raider Band on winning the UCM Festival of Champions! It was a long day and a very cool night, but well worth seeing the band receive their trophy. Twenty bands competed in Warrensburg (one band drove 7-1/2 hours to compete). I thought the bands were better on a whole than the bands that competed at the Heart of America Festival as the musicality and intonation were superb. The focus was definitely on the music and not just on being loud. Good job judges. You can check out Mr. Adam's take on the day at http://teacherweb.com/KS/ShawneeMissionSouth/MrSteveAdams,BandDirector/NewsFlash2.stm

Shelby was quite excited and went to Sonic afterward to celebrate with Keri - her partner in pit crime. Needless to say, she will remember this for a long time!

On a football note, the Ottawa Braves won their homecoming game against Bethany, 49-14. They have won 4 straight, the longest winning streak in the Coach Kessinger era. They are now 5-1. The Braves have moved up in the NAIA Top 25 to Number 22. Go Braves!

Bon Voyage, Bowlings

Today, we bid a fond farewell to Josh, Ashleigh, and Lijah Bowling who are relocating to the Raleigh NC area. I have worked with Ashleigh at Black & Veatch since May of 2005. It seems like only yesterday she was harassed by our lesbian stalker, laughed over her love of all things Bret Michaels (much to the chagrin of the before mentioned stalker), and found herself locked in the ladies room on a regular basis. "Seriously," I could go on for days. She definitely made life at B&V more fun.

Ashleigh will be missed by the gang at B&V (Kelli, Brynn, Flat Jeffery, Stephanie, and me - as pictured in front of our B&V bean plant). Flat Jeffery was inconsolable upon hearing the news so a Flat Ashleigh was created.

Josh was Brenton's first boss and turned into a mentor and friend. Josh helped Brenton get acclimated to Ottawa by introducing him to some friends in the area, watching him play football, and taking him out when he was bored. Brenton will certainly miss his "big brother" (although will no doubt plan a road trip in the not too distant future).

Best Wishes, Bowlings. Think of us when wearing your Bret Michael panties. You will be missed!

Shawnee Mission Marching Festival

Compared to the night before, it was a balmy night at the South District Stadium where Mom, Tim, and I watched all the Shawnee Mission bands perform their half-time shows. SM East had the most popular music, performing Carlos Santana numbers, but of course our Raiders were outstanding. They just keep getting better and better. The music of King Kong cannot compare to more popular fare; however, South definitely has the most difficult, better executed program. Next up for the Rompin, Stompin, Raider Band is the Central Missouri State University Festival of Champions this weekend in Warrensburg, MO. I will be taking pictures, but Tim will be in Garnett, smoking at the Garnett BBQ Contest. Go Jacks or Better BBQ, Go Ottawa (their homecoming is this weekend) and Go Raiders!

Ottawa: 3 Kansas Wesleyan: 0

Neither rain nor rain nor more rain nor cold of night...

First JV win was a defensive battle (I truly believe the defense was on the field for 95% of the game) so it was a good thing I brought by big gold D and my black fence to the game (thanks to John Adams for making them for me). No pictures this game due to the weather, but 3 grandparents and 2 parents toughed it out to watch our Brenton. He got to play more this game, but for some unknown reason, the other team designed their plays to go to the opposite side (probably fear).

No brilliance by our boy (and not as much dancing on the sidelines either), but good solid play. No success getting the grandparents to do an umbrella spectacular for the half-time show either (much to the wet crowd's chagrin).

It should be noted that the Ottawa Braves have broken into the Top 25 of the NAIA rankings for the first time this season, at Number 24. Way to go Braves!

C&P Environmental Day or How many Bloody Mary's does it take to get your boss in a dumpster?

Wanting to get extra credit towards next year's environmental goal, Doug and Ho decide to recycle themselves while playing dueling loppers.

Heart of America Marching Festival

Shelby participated in her first marching competition in Lawrence at the Heart of America (or as I called it "The Tone-Deaf Judges") Marching Competition.

South came in 5th although we did win Outstanding Drum Majors. Our drum majors are superb, but I wonder if we did not win because the old deaf retired judges liked the fact that Haley was the only drum major to sport a skirt...).

My rant is due to the fact that the winners played horribly out of tune and won. They are a huge band (with 241 members) but loud and out of tune is worse that just out of tune to me. Alas. I had to put on my ipod and listen to Placido Domingo's rendition of Nessun Dorma to get the winner's version out of my head.

The Rompin Stompin Raider Band had fun and did a great job. Enough said.