Shopping Fun

Cole, Clay and I went shopping in Wausau for clothes for Graduation pictures and Clay has grown so much he needs all new clothes. There was no getting around "well they're shorts no one will know the difference." When they're up to your crotch you notice. Cole got a couple of polo's and t-shirts, I'm not really sold on them, for his pictures. It's what he normally wears but I guess I just don't know what I should put him in. I don't want it to look dated in a couple of years and I want him to look nice. We're fighting about a button down shirt. Any suggestions would be helpful. I know I don't want him in stripes. He is going to the football field in his jersey we know that for sure. I guess I'll look at the ads the photographers have sent us. I don't think I spent this much time on what I wore for mine.

More News about the Weekend

Now that Kyle's games are all taken care of I can tell you about Cole and Bill's Saturday. Both were at the Nike Sparq High School Combine. The boys were tested for 2 hours and all I can remember is Cole ran the 40 yard dash in 5.7. This is pretty good considering our top running back ran it in 4.9 and the next one ran it just over 5. Not bad for a big kid. Bill got to talk with the Patriots coach. Bill had to help with the set up and running because he's on the youth board of directors. His highlight was the ability to try on the Superbowl 33 ring. He was a more than a little awe struck. He also scored the football team some nice equipment. We are waiting for the site to post the rankings. They were also telling me about a kid who came all the way from Queens for this who jumped 39" vertically. By the way those of you who aren't real familiar that's insane.
Clay has scored a week up at camp Winter and Wednesday can't come soon enough.

We are the Champions!

After a tough start to the game we ended up winning it 8:7. Our pitcher walked 2 in the 3rd inning. We changed pitchers he walked the bases load and the next batter up hit a grand slam. It was in the final at bat the we won. Kyle had the double that started the rally. We came back to within 1 that next inning. Kyle really had a nice game. He hit well, ran hard and made two nice catches in the field. He looked like the old Kyle Kid again. He's all smiles.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Kyle's been playing ball for the last 4 days straight. Last night they beat Plover (which is always good) 8-7. Today they played Rapids and beat them by 1 not sure exactly the score. We just got done playing Neenah and beat them 12-1. Kyle played Centerfield and had a couple really nice catches. He did fine batting. He's still not hitting like he did but some of it is mental at this point also. So right now they are 3-0 in the tournament with one more game to go tomorrow night against Bayport. This will probably be the toughest team yet.
Cole got to see Brad Paisley last night and said it was wonderful. He had the chance to go again tonight but none of his male buds were going so he's going to a friends house tonight to watch a movie.
Clay got to go swimming between games today so he was thrilled. I felt so bad because most of the kids he plays with during the game all had a game today also. He's a real trooper putting up with all of this.

Where's Cole?

I'm not really sure that I still have a 17 year old son. I haven't laid eyes on the boy in over 48 hours. He went to the Dells on Wed with his buds and yesterday he and Nathan went to Country Fest in Cadott. I talked to his a couple of times and when he left Cadott he called to let us know he was on his way home. He did say that it was "Amazing!!!" He saw Rodney Adtkins and Taylor Swift. The latter is who he really wanted to see. I think he got a real education last night. Mix heat, beer and music. I think he saw lots of skin. I may have to douse the boy in ice water.

Kyle played a great game yesterday but they lost by 1. He's really frustrated about his hitting. He currently has a .741 on base percentage and has only struck out 4 times in 8 games and walked 9. He's thinking he should be parking the ball. Problem is that everyone on all the teams is having a problem hitting. I think it's because they are all growing so fast and aren't used to their bodies yet. He's got a tourney this weekend so hopefully he does better. We just need to get him to relax.

Clay is having a blast. If I'm not careful his cholesterol may be through the roof with all the ice cream and cheese curds he's eating at the games.

It's Hot Hot Hot!

Well the heats not bothering any of my kids. Clay and Kyle went to the pool yesterday. Kyle is swimming with his buds today. Cole has been to Lake Emily with his buds just about everyday and today he and 2 buds went to the Dells to use the Dells passes we have left. Good day to do it. Kyle has umpired the last 2 days. Both kids scheduled to ump yesterday woosed out due to the heat. Hey for $30 Kyle will stand in manure. Tonight Kyle and Bill have a double header. Kyle has a tourney this weekend but the weather may not cooperate on Sat. It's been a terrible year for rain during baseball this year. Cole's headed to Country Fest tomorrow to see Taylor Swift. He'll be coming home late (or early) and that worries me a little. Clay is enjoying a little quality time with Dad. Last I heard he was kicking Bill's butt in Monopoly. He lost one of his last baby teeth yesterday. He hid the tooth to make the tooth fairy find it. Come on kid just tell me you don't believe and not make it so hard. (No I didn't find the tooth)

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to the wonderful fathers in our lives!

Happy Fathers Day Bill, Howard, Bill Sr., Tim, Troy, and Al!

Fun at the Park

Met Mom, Dad, Deb and Family at Medford today for a picnic in celebration for Fathers Day. The first time in ages Mom and Dad haven't been in Canada fishing and that was only due to an act of God. It was a gorgeous day! The boys went swimming, Beth rollerbladed, and we all ate 'till we burst. All that was missing were the Rysewyks. Kyle got a new bait out from the tree so he was happy. Cole tolerated us well. He's not in my pictures because he took them. It was a wonderful day.

Juvenile Deliquent

Kyle has ball practice and then is heading over to a friends house. He got the policeman called on him yesterday. He went to the movies with friends and after the movies they were waiting for us to pick them up. While they were waiting they each had a bouncy ball and were bouncing it on the ground so it would pop up and hit the wall and come back to them. A woman told them to stop or she was calling the police because the balls could got into the street. They waited until she went into the theater then proceeded to toss the ball again. The police showed up and talked to them. She asked that they move to the opposite side of the theater to toss the ball so this woman would not be upset. Oh Brother!

Cole is racing tonight. Denise and everyone are coming tonight. This should be a fun night. Looks like the rain is going to hold out tonight.

Clay just wants to go swimming. He's dying to go. We will have to take him this weekend. He's just trying to figure out what he and I are going to do the week the boys are up at football camp.

Disapointment

This week is shaping up to be one those terrible weeks. First we found out that the tournament we were suppose to play in this weekend got mixed up and they have us down for the July tournament. The problem with this is that the boys are playing in Eau Claire for districts that weekend. So they are out of the tournament this weekend. Then Tuesday we played the one team that we really wanted and needed to play. The drizzling rain didn't help the mood but we had a ton of errors and lost. Tonight 5 minutes before we left to go to our game Bill gets a call and the game is cancelled because they couldn't get the field ready and second base is a mud pit. We played on this field last night and it was fine. So Bill and Steve held practice at a different field. Poor Kyle this baseball season just isn't for him.

First just let me say I'm not a terrible wife by not posting a Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. He was getting us all up at the crack of dawn to head to the Dells. This picture was right before the jet boat trip. Needless to say my hair was about 5 inches higher and wider after the ride. It was fun. We went to the House on the Rock before and spent hours inside. Cole and Kyle both said they were going to have nightmares about never getting out. It's a good thing Cole isn't any taller he was having a hard time standing up straight in the original house. Kyle was waiting for the dolls or puppets to jump out and get him. Clay loved the fact you could just keep moving. Once we got to the Dells we did the jet boats, 4D theater, Ripley's Believe it or not, Wizards Quest (trust me we did it as a joke but it could have been a lot of fun if we weren't so tired), and of course mini golf. Bill beat us by 9. Then off to Paul Bunyan's. It was almost 8 by this time. There was a convention of Smart cars in the parking lot. It was really funny to see. Paul Bunyan's lost money last night on the boys, Clay included.

Thursday nights baseball game was exciting. Kyle's team got creamed (16-2) last time we played them. We were winning until they made us switch pitchers. Kyle pitched the 6th inning and the first 11 pitches were strikes. I would be lying, ok not telling you the whole truth, if I didn't mention the third pitch he threw to the batter didn't park it and get a grand slam. OUCH! This isn't what lost us the game. The previous pitcher walked 7 and allowed in 7 runs to bring the score to 2-8. The game ended at 6-11.

Cole took his ACT's today. He said he didn't know any of the science and at this time would be happy if he got a 12. If that happens he'll be taking it again. I'm sure he did better than he thinks.

Kyle and Clay are at Denise's tonight. Kyle is in a paintball tournament with Al. Bill and I are basically kidless tonight so we're off to do something just the two of us. How odd that will be.

Meeting Friends

We went to Denise's last night to meet Bill Sr. friend Jean from Colorado. She was in Wisconsin for a family wedding. Bill and her went to high school together. We had a nice time. Kyle got his finger nails painted by Afton and she gave him a make up job that's fit for Halloween. Cole jumped up to catch a football and came down wrong on his knee. Jammed it a little bit.

Kyle had an 8 o'clock game tonight. Cole's off bumming with friends. Clay's playing with his legos and just happy to not have to go to school. Report cards came today for the older 2. I'm so proud of them.

By the way we were informed last night that not only will Cole be playing football and in track he is also going out for basketball this year. We had a good laugh but hey it's your Senior year if you don't do it now you never will.

We're going to the Dells tomorrow. We won a bunch of the Dells coupon books for lots of free admissions. We're starting off at House on the Rock. Jet boat tours is and absolute for the boys. Should be a fun day. It's just going to be the 5 of us for a change.

Say What?!!!

Ok here's the scenario; bottom of the 7th inning bases loaded 1 out tied game 5:5. Kyle's up to bat (Mom's about to throw up, I guess this is a better situation than having 2 outs). First pitch ball, second pitch a swing and a miss, 3 pitch a high fly ball out toward left center. Kid runs up to catch it, it goes over his head and 2 runs score, end of game! Not bad however, I'm watching the guys come out of the dugout and Kyle's heads down and he's got the face. Everyone is congratulating him on the great hit. After "the talk" we walk out to put the bags in the car and I'm talking to him. Here's what he's upset about; "I didn't swing all the way through, it was a terrible hit." "What would the hit have been like if I swung right?" "The game wouldn't have been tied had we done.... (fill in the blanks here)" You just won a terrific game and your upset because there were errors? And the answer is yes to those of you who are wondering if he analyses every game like this.

Baseball, Getting lost and Cold

Kyle's Friday night game was a blowout and not in our favor. Kyle was extremely upset. I had to remind him that this is a new coach and there are new kids and the team. The coach hasn't had all the kids together for practice so he doesn't know where they will best fit on the field. Kyle was upset because 2 kids from Plover came to play for the Point league so they could be on the traveling team and they started and Kyle rode the plank the first 2 innings. There was no reasoning with him. Game 2 was a great game and Kyle played center field the entire game. He was extremely happy after this game. He hit the ball but with the rain and grass infield it didn't go far. He did get on base once. The 3rd game got called due to the rain and cold. YEAH!

Cole went to LaCrosse for the state track meet however ended up in Osseo. He was following a girl that says she knew the way because her sister went to school there and everyone should follow her. Needless to say they never made the meet and just came home. He's got several graduation parties today.

Clay and I went to see UP. It was cute but sad. Like all Disney movies someone dies. Clay really liked it and was thrilled to go to the movies without his brothers. He was having a blast at Kyle's games.

Baseball Weekend

We are at Kyle's tournament all weekend if it doesn't rain. They lost big time yesterday. I was angry because he rode the planks the first 2 innings. We had to remind him that this was the first time his coach had everyone together at once and he needed to see what the new kids could do. Let's just say he didn't want to hear it. I'm sure things will get better. This tournament is a practice one. Early-bird and really doesn't matter. It's like pre-season. The bad part is they got beat by the Plover team which is never an easy loss.

Cole's talking about going to Lacrosse today to watch his teammates run at state. He's working right now. I hope he remembers to tell his boss he won't be available next Sat. He has to take his ACT's.

Clay is happy to go to Kyle's game because the skate park is right there and he gets to take his rip stik with him. Plus the concession stand is another wonderful benefit. It's popcorn he gets not sugar. How is this my kid?

Ahhhh a day off!

Since Kyle didn't have school today, I took the day off to be with him. Last night he got a several calls about doing something with his friends. I gently ("What?! I took the day off to spend with you!") reminded him that I had the day off and we had a lunch date. He was just fine with this ("Oops I forgot") and told his friends he was spending the day with his mother.He woke up around 10"30 and then we went out to lunch at IHOP and soon are going to go get his CO2 tanks filled so he can go paintballing tomorrow morning. He's running off right after his ball game tonight.

Cole is up at the Eau Claire Dells screwing around with his friends. They only had a couple of finals today and got out around 11. He informed me he needed a workers permit for his job. I went to go get his SS card and birth certificate since they were found this spring, (Bill had them when Cole went to get his temps and couldn't find them for the longest time) and I couldn't find them. Talk about panic. They weren't in the file I keep all of them in. I did end up finally finding them They got stuck under the drawer somehow.

Clay has his final day of school. I'm going to go pick him up to take him out for ice cream at Dairy Queen to celebrate.

It's a beautiful day and I'm enjoying it tremendously. Bill's got an inspection to do after work so I won't see him until just about game time.

Kyle's 8th Grade Graduation

It was a nice mass. Horrible readings for such a celebration. Bill is umpiring for Kyle on the first game tonight because Kyle is at the dance. The bottom picture is his BFF's since he's been 1 year old.

Opening Day

Kyle finally, after having his first 3 games rained out, was able to play on the big Bukolt field and under the lights. It was a good game considering Bill's team only had one practice and 3 rain outs. It was a back and forth one run game until the last 2 innings. The score ended up 2-5. Kyle had 2 walks and one strike out. The kid who struck him out on a full count throws 78 MPH. I forgot though the late game goes until 10. This should be a fun summer. He has his first tournament this weekend.
Cole has finals the next couple of days and Clay has a field trip today to the Ojibwa nation. Tomorrow is Kyle's 8th grade graduation. Should be fun.