It's (Almost) a Sweep....

A great day at College Lanes with both boys and girls JV teams winning, as well as our Varsity Lady Raiders. The Varsity boys came in second but performed well. Coach T had Shelby bowling in the No. 1 position for the first time. She was quite nervous, but had a great series - 501. The Varsity girls scored over 2000 pins for the first time in South history. They are improving every week and have a 8-2 record. Shelby also bowled her first 200 game in competition - actually 204. Shelby has set her sights on regionals and wants to peak at the right time. Go Raiders!

It's a Raider Sweep

The Varsity and JV boys and girls swept todays meet versus Olathe Northwest and Maranatha. Shelby had the high series (523) for South girls and needless to say is super excited. She even started out very slow with 4 open frames, but didn't get frustrated and got back on track. Coach Aaron would be proud (as all of us are). The girls varsity team now has a 6-2 record and our JV boys are still undefeated. Go Raiders!

SMS JV Boys and Girls Victorious over SMW and Kansas City Christian

The Raider JV boys and girls won big over Shawnee Mission West and Kansas City Christian. The Varsity girls placed second (SMW was on fire) and the Varsity boys came in third. Shelby was disappointed in her scores but considering she changed her grip and approach Sunday night (after a bowling intervention with Coach Aaron), I think she did pretty good. Her strike ball is back and now just needs to readjust to get back to picking up her spares. Katie and Shelby's lanes also malfunctioned and after much starting and stopping, they ended up having Ward sit at the machine and manually enter scores. That made it a tad hard to focus. Next meet...Thursday versus Olathe Northwest and Maranatha.

SMS Varsity Girls Victorious Over SME and St. James Academy

Excitement at College Lanes today as the Lady Raiders varsity squad defeated the Shawnee Mission East Lancers and St. James Academy! Shelby is still bouncing off the ceiling (Coach T told her she could be cocky tonight and tomorrow morning, then it was back to reality and more hard work). The JV Boys came is first as well. JV girls placed second to SME. The poor varsity boys came in last (probably because the St. James bowlers went nut - one bowler had a 799 series). Shelby bowled a 492 series and seems to be getting back on track. The next meet is next Tuesday (SM West and KC Christian).

First Bowling Meet - Atchison, Lansing, and SMS

Expectations were high for the first meet and although they kids did well, I think they ended up rather disappointed. The Varsity boys and girls both came in second place. The JV boys and JV girls came in first place.

The lane conditions were very odd - it seemed to those of us observing that those with good form and skill did not get the results they typically get. The best results came from those that stood and "chucked" the ball down the center with spin. The general concensus was "Wait until they get to our house - we will crushed them at College Lanes." Shelby was nervous about fouling as the approaches were quite slick, but she did not foul once. She was consistent and hit her mark perfectly (just didn't get the usual pin action - her strike ball left strange pin configurations).

It was a good warmup for the meet this Thursday versus despised rival SM East.

"Raiders on three"

And Now, the End is Near....

Finally, the final bowl game....The family room was packed as the Florida Gators took on the Oklahoma Sooners (Brenton and Nick obviously dressed to cheer on their favorite, while others were more conservative, choosing to just cheer). It was a 50/50 split until late arrivals had more Gator fans in attendance (although it was the general consensus that Utah should be Number 1). Shelby managed to get her homework done, even with all the testosterone bubbling up from the downstairs (Carly provided the only estrogen).

Imagine my surprise when trying to find the camera to upload my pictures from the game, only to find 139 very odd shots from after the game. How Tim, Shelby, Hannah, Missy and I could sleep through whatever was happening is truly amazing.

Brenton goes back to Ottawa in a few days - the Byrnes house will be so quiet and boring without him. (Don't get any ideas, Shelby...)

And They're Back....

The Rompin, Stompin, Raider Band has returned from marching in the Citrus Bowl Parade and hitting just about every tourist attraction in Florida (Islands of Adventure, Epcot, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, Magic Kindgom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and watched the Blue Man Group perform). Shelby had a great time but was glad to be home. She will not miss the long bus ride, long lines for the bathroom, or McDonalds. Shelby's favorite things from the trip were the Islands of Adventure (the rides were fabulous) and Fantasmic (a show at Hollywood Studios - they lit water on fire which was awesome). She took a lot of pictures and a few of the best ones are attached.

Alan Alda's handprints at Hollywood Studios (Shelby's a huge M*A*S*H fan)

Mr. Kohl getting buried in the sand.

Epcot Center

Clearwater Beach

Christmas Tree at Universal Studios

Ursula the Sea Witch during the Magic Kingdom Parade

T-Rex from the Island of Adventures

Happy New Year 2009

While we typically focus on the future at the start of a new year, today I paused to take a look back. Maybe it is because I have watched enough football in the past week to start dreaming about it. Perhaps it is because I finally decided to clean out the glove compartment of my car. While cleaning out said glove box, I came across this picture - Brenton and Shelby standing in Tennesee Titan's owner Bud Adam's office in front of the AFC Championship Trophy (I think you can even see greasy little fingerprints on it). I think this picture was taken close to 8 years ago - hard to believe they were both so small. Brenton is of course looking football tough (I seem to remember he was mad that Shelby had to be in the picture as she didn't understand or appreciate the magnitude of it all) and Shelby is just happy. Some things do not change.

For the New Year here's hoping (in no particular order):

• Our family and friends continue to be blessed with good health.
• The economy starts improving.
• The Raider Bowling team sends 2 girls to State in 2009.
• The Titans get another trophy.
• My kids learn to put dishes in the dishwasher and pick up after themselves (a mother can hope, can't she?).
• Black & Veatch gets a couple of new large projects.
• The Chiefs get a decent GM and new head coach.
• Hannah (our chocolate lab) quits hogging all the covers.
• The Royals have a winning season.
• Martha and Larry's wedding is as spectacular as I think it will be.
• The Jones family cousins start planning a second reunion.
• Tim gets promoted to Battalion Chief.
• We take time out of our busy lives to remember our loved ones that we have lost, not take for granted those still here, and count our many blessings.

Happy 2009!