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

Congrats (again) Shelby

While it seems to becoming habit, I must once again say a big congratulations to Shelby.  Finals start today and Thursday she will be done with her junior year.  If that wasn't exciting enough, she was named section leader of the Rompin, Stompin, Raider Band Pit for the 2010 marching season!  They are going to be doing the music from Broadway's "Jekyll and Hyde."   I know she will be an awesome section leader!  Congrats, Shelbs!

Congrats Jacks or Better BBQ

Tim and some of his fellow firefighters cooked in the Great American BBQ Contest this past weekend and scored big with their side dishes.  They won 4th place in the vegetable category, 1st place in the potato category, and with their 32nd place in the bean category were named the Grand Champion of Side Dishes!  Pretty amazing!  Well done.

Mother Nature - Take the Rain Somewhere Else

Okay, I know rain is good for plants and flowers and I seriously like plants and flowers, but this is ridiculous.  I know the amount of rain we have had in Kansas City pales in comparison to the amount Nashville had (thank heavens Murfreesboro escaped damage). What does it mean when you walk out of your house in the 'burbs - miles away from the nearest body of water and you have visitors in your yard?  I left the house yesterday morning, bright and early at 7:30 and had to go back inside to get Shelby and the camera.  Much to my surprise, we had 2 ducks in our side yard.  Were they searching for dry land or is my yard so oversaturated they thought it was a pond?  Very strange.  I am really tired of all the rain as is poor Shelby who we have discovered is basically allergic to outside (trees, grass, weeds, mold, and cats).  Not sure but I think all this rain isn't helping her mold allergy.  Come on, Mother Nature - Go rain in the UK and give us some much needed sun! (My apologies to Emily - presently in the UK).

Goodbye to a Member of the Family

It was with heavy hearts that Tim and I made the decision to put our beloved Brittney Spaniel, Missy, to sleep this morning. Missy joined our family as a puppy way back in 1995. At almost 15 years of age, she had lost her vision, her hearing, and was having great difficulties walking and climbing stairs. She fell yesterday and injured her back legs and we could not stand to see her suffer. Tim has wonderful memories of hunting western Kansas with her, Shelby and Brenton have great memories of growing up with her, and I will never forget the night Tim let her outside in the middle of a blizzard, only to have her jump the fence and head off down the street. Tim got dressed, scraped the 4 inches of snow off his truck and went to find her. When he didn't come back, I got dressed and joined him on the hunt. I will never forget rounding the corner and the headlights hitting Missy, eating the neighbor's trash. We called her name and she looked up (with part of the trash hanging from her tooth) with an excited expression that said "I've hit the motherload!" She loved to jump the fence (until Hannah drug her up the street by the collar when Hannah was just a puppy and Missy never jumped the fence again). The memories go on as will our love for our friend. RIP, Missy - you will be missed.