Dodge for a Cause - 213 Crew Wins Pod 10

Ottawa University's 213 Crew moved onto the Sweet Sixteen today at the Dodge for a Cause Dodgeball Tournament defeating Big Rob & The Funky Dodgin White Boys, The Incrediballs, and The League. Having never watched dodgeball, I can honestly say it is almost as fun to watch as football (at least you can yell things like "Hit 'em"). Athleticism won the day as the other teams might have had more experience, but our boys were younger and in much better shape (parents yell much louder than spouses so our boys had the best cheering section). Next Sunday they will find out if they can win it all and get to go to the 2009 NADA Outdoor National Tournament in Chicago.

213 Crew (Clint, Sam, Max, Matt, JJ, CJ, and Brenton) smiling

213 Crew with their game faces

Shelby and her friend Tiffany ready to cheer on the boys

Brenton, getting pregame encouragement from his dad, or perhaps debating which is best - Miller Lite, Bud Light or Coors...

First match

Second match

After second match

After 3rd match

Feeling pretty confident.

Sun Athlete of the Week: Henry Haake, SM South bowler

More kudos for Henry - WEEK'S BEST: Shawnee Mission South High School bowler Henry Haake is The Sun's Athlete of the Week after the junior rolled a career-best 724 series at the Class 6A boys state bowling tournament March 7 at Olathe Lanes East. His series yielded a third-place finish.

Shawnee Mission South High School bowler Henry Haake is The Sun’s Athlete of the Week.
The junior enjoyed an impressive showing at the Class 6A state tournament at Olathe Lanes East March 7. He rolled games of 242, 235 and 247 for a career-high 724 series. His memorable outing came in Haake’s first state tournament and earned him the third-place medal. His placement represents the highest finish at state to date for any SM South bowler. “Henry is a great kid, quiet, unassuming and not cocky at all,” Raiders coach Kent Thompson said. “This could not have happened to a nicer kid. He carried a 185 average all year until the last three tournaments.
"He turned up his game a notch and averaged 220 in the Sunflower League, regional and state tournaments.

The Wedding

It was slightly overcast, but still a great day for a wedding at the Oaklands Mansion. Martha looked beautiful, Larry quite dapper, and the food and cake were the bomb. All kinds of appetizers were served (my favorites were the shrimp bloody mary shooters and the crab canapes). There was also a raspberry chipotle sauce for the pork tenderloin that was the best (need to get the recipe for Tim). Everything was perfect with the only mishap being a flower arrangement that caught on fire (where is a fireman when you need one). Luckily, no harm was done and the rest of the wedding went off without a hitch. Congrats, Martha and Larry.

The Oaklands

The bar was set up outside in this tent.

The carving station (raspberry chipotle sauce on the left)

Appetizers

The cake

Susan and Brad

Shelby looking ever so grown up.

Brenton taking a sip.

The wedding ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Tolbert

Happy Sweet Sixteen, Shelby

Martha and Larry had a dinner party for all the out of town wedding guests on Saturday night and turned the dinner into a Sweet 16 event for Shelby as she was sick on her birthday. We managed to keep it a surprise (perhaps because I didn't tell Brenton). It was a great party and the cake was fabulous. We had lasagna, three different kinds of pasta, bread, and salad.

Shelby posing with her cake.

Martha making her infamous alfredo sauce.

Shelby wearing her tiara.

Table decorations.

Susan Moon's kids.

Shawn - the wedding planner.

Aaron and Leslie from Birmingham (with St. Brad - Susan's husband).

Tootsie Wii bowling.

Mom and Martha (Mom is doing her Sweet Adeline face)

Congratulations Henry Haake!

Shelby and I just returned from watching SMS Raider, Henry Haake, blow away the competition with a 3rd place win at the State Bowling Competition at Olathe East Lanes. Henry bowled the first Raider 700+ series, scoring a 242, 235, and 247 to capture the bronze medal. Now Coach T is going to have to revise his team goals for next year as Henry just took care of one of them (have someone bowl a 700+ series in a competition). This was particularly sweet as Henry missed going to state his freshmen year by 20 pins, and missed last year by 7 pins! Henry will be the team captain for the boys next year. Can't wait to see what he does for an encore next year. Congrats Henry!

2009 Bowling Banquet

The Bowling Banquet was last night at SMS. Great food and cake was served to help the kids celebrate a successful season. The seniors received autographed bowling pins and the team presented Coach T with an autographed T-shirt and picture collage from the season. Shelby received her 2nd year letter and a certificate for Most-Improved Bowler - 66.7 pins more than last year. Coach is planning a spring league for those wanting to continue practicing and a car wash fundraiser is being considered this summer to get money for new bowling shirts (the girls hate the old style shirts and want better looking polo shirts instead). Budget cuts have made it impossible for the school to help so the kids are taking matters into their own hands. Best of luck to Katie and Henry at State this weekend - we will be there to cheer them on!

Regional Update

Just got the news that Shelby was No. 18 on Saturday out of 60 bowlers. She has decided that breaking into the top 10 next year would be a natural progression so we will have to wait and see. Considering last year she didn't get to bowl in regionals, we are quite proud of our Shelby!