1st Down Classic - Ottawa 24, Baker 14

What a great game last night in Ottawa, KS where our own Ottawa Braves defeated bitter (and bumbling) rival Baker Wildcats.  Ottawa took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and the Braves never looked back, taking the season opener 24-14 in the Victory Sports Network First Down Classic. It was OU's second straight win in the First Down Classic.  We had an awesome tailgating experience before and after the game (had to feed the victorious boys).  Cady received her championship ring at half-time and the weather was perfect!  After watching Baker and Ottawa play 7 on 7 this summer, I thought Baker had a better team.  However, throw in superior linemen and pressure the quarterback and what once looked good, completely falls apart.  Next up is Bethel (get to drive to Newton, KS for that one).  Go Braves!

Shelby and Kalie

Me, Brenton, and Shelby

Don't knock it, it obviously works

Cady getting her ring

You know the ring is big when you can see it from a distance

Dee Dee

No, Brenton is NOT smoking on the field (but get whatever that is out of your mouth)

Green and Gold Scimmage

The Rompin Stompin Raider Band premiered the first two numbers of their 2010 halftime show at the Green and Gold Scimmage Thursday night.  The show is Jekyll & Hyde (music from the Broadway musical of the same name).  It was a beautiful evening with cooler than usual temperatures.  The band got to wear their new band t-shirts and did an awesome job.  I was hard to believe they have only had a couple of weeks of practice.  If Thursday night is any indication, it should prove to be a successful marching season. 

Shelby in the new band t-shirt

Back of the new shirts

Win for KC Triathlon 2010

If you look back at blogs from last year, you would see an entry about the Win for KC Triathlon that I attended to cheer on my P.E.O sister, Laura Antonic, and the Kansas City Chiropractic team.  I remember the day clearly as I drank mimosas and ate huge muffins and cookies.  Afterward, I went to the Olive Garden and had soup, salad, and a large number of breadsticks.  Those were the days.  This year was somewhat different.  My sister, Martha, came into town with her husband, Larry (The Bike King - what a great bike teacher).  My trainer and friend, Stacy, Martha, Laura, and I completed the triathlon while co-workers, P.E.Os, friends, and family (not to mention the staff of Kansas City Chiropractic - our sponsor) cheered us on. What a sight to come out of the water and see all those blue shirts yelling and cheering (and my Daddy waving a blue pom pom)!  We were a couple of minutes over our goal so are going to have to train harder for next year!  It was really hard, but so rewarding.  I will say there was a minute while pedaling up a hill that I thought about how nice a mimosa would taste but quickly banished the thought.  Here's looking at 2011!

Pictures from Wichita State Bowling Camp 2010

Shelby with Coach Rick Steelsmith (Shelby's coach, Aaron, has taken lessons from Rick - small world)

WSU Bowling Camp

Yesterday, Shelby and I headed out for Wichita, KS for the start of the Wichita State Bowling Camp. She was a bit nervous when we got there (there were tons of kids and bowling equipment).  They told her to start bowling (she is on the left against the wall - only had my phone with me so couldn't zoom in).  She threw a couple of practice balls (not getting near the pocket).  The coach then came over with a movie camera to video her from the side and back for analysis.  She picked up her ball and threw 2 of the prettiest strikes I've seen.  The girl certainly handles pressure like a pro!!  She has already made a friend (from Goddard).  So much for being nervous.  We attended the opening banquet, listened to the WSU assistant and head coach talk about the camp, and Shelby got her 4 inch binder full of everything they are going to cover (somehow in 3-1/2 days).  Ordered the picture packet so will have official pictures to post after camp.  Maybe she can teach me something to improve my game!

213 Crew to the Windy City

The OU 213 Crew traveled to Chicago to play in the NADA (National Amateur Dodgeball Association) Outdoor National Championship last weekend. Round-trip airfare was part of the prize for winning the KC Dodge for a Cause tournament last spring (as was $1000 which they have yet to see). All the fans; however, got to hit the highway. Cady, her mom, Michelle, Shelby, and I stuffed ourselves into Cady’s car and made the trek with all of our luggage as well as Brenton’s and Matt’s luggage as they were going site seeing upon their arrival.

We counted the Kum and Go stores in Iowa (there is something really wrong about that).

It was definitely a long drive but we made it without mishap. We ordered deep dish pizza for the entire group (8 pizzas and 2 huge salads) for dinner and the boys then played some beer pong (with water of course). Saturday saw us at Nationals. It turned out that it actually wasn’t a “National” in the traditional sense as anyone could pay and enter (no qualifying needed). The court was about half the size as the indoor court (which definitely was a plus for the small nerdy teams – not so much our big hulking boys who actually took up most of the space). It’s hard to dodge when you have no space. There was only one referee watching 12 people and 6 balls (he actually just watched one side so you always knew who would win – and it usually wasn’t us). The rules were changed as well which made it hard (they changed them during the matches too just to keep us on our toes). All of this we could have overcome perhaps except for the horribly offensive trash talk of the Chicago teams (did I mention that all of the teams were from Chicago except for us and one other?). The boys won 5 games, tied 1 and lost 6 in pool play and did not make the finals. It was all rather disappointing and the boys were split on if they would ever do it again – ½ want to come back next year and kick some ass – ½ said take the airline tickets and go somewhere else (the Indoor National Tournament in Las Vegas would be awesome except it’s during football camp). We went downtown Sat nights and ate at Billy Goats Tavern (I had a “Horny Goat” cocktail that was yummy). Went to the Navy Pier and took a limo back to the “L” station. The boys had to be up bright and early Sunday as they had 7 on 7 Sunday night. We drove into KC used the bathroom and picked up Brenton and Clint and headed to Ottawa. It was a very long weekend but lots of fun (great bunch of parents and the boys are a hoot when altogether).

213 Crew

Brenton and Michelle

Shelby and Brenton

Brenton and Cady

We did see a man in a hospital gown outside of the Liberty Hospital (surrounded by 5 of KC’s finest). That was a first. I also had something drop on my head outside of a gas station (I thought it might be bird poop but after Cady, Shelby, and Michelle quit laughing they assured me it was only water).

Fun Day in Lawrence

Shelby and I spent the afternoon in Lawrence, KS last weekend at the 2010 All-State Bowling Luncheon.  The All-State team members were given a framed certificated, keepsake book listing all bowlers (with pictures), and lunch.  Coach T could not attend as his son was getting married that day, but Shelby and I had a great time.  She's already talking about ways to motivate her teammates next season.  Tim had our camera in Canada, but we sat with a nice family from Hutchinson and they took some pictures for me.  Here is the first one - more to follow.

The 6A Girls All-State Team