ND vs. Tulsa

We were lucky enough to get 5 tickets for the Notre Dame vs. Tulsa game.  Since Tyler went to IU to visit, we had two extra tickets.  We let Gabi bring two of her friends, Lizzy and Nikki, with us.  We even met up with Jake Sandborn (Trenton's buddy at North Central and the one he got "Cutest Couple" Award with last year in wrestling!  The girls did good, as long as they had food (haha), but you could tell they were ready to head out by the time the fourth quarter came.  Game...well, that was another thing.  Sorry, Coach Brian Kelly, but WHY WHY WHY would you march down to your 19 yard line with 40 seconds left in the game and down by 1 point....to try and THROW the ball for a touchdown!!!  Run the ball to center and as far as you can go down the field till fourth down and kick the thing!!!  Very disappointed with the game, but glad we got to go to one this year. 

Last Volleyball Game - Liberty

Gabi's team beat Liberty 21-19 today for her last game.  Next week the A team continues on for the city championship.  Hoping Hums can pull it out and take it all!  Gabi has done very well all season and really enjoys playing volleyball!  A great learning experience for her!

Sectional Game 2

Against Goshen.  Tyler had sacks, tackles, stripped the ball for a turnover and a 3 yard touchdown!  Can't ask for better than that!!!  Final score 35-7  Sectional title game next Friday!
Fox 28 caught his sack
WNDU caught his touchdown
WSBT caught him stripping the ball for a turnover!


Friday Night Football Fever: October 29 - wsbt.com

First Loss

Gabi's B team got beat by Beiger 19-21 last night as the two undefeated teams faced off at John Young.  Gabi was excited that Uncle Chad/Aunt Amber and kids got to come, along with grandpa, Uncle Dave and maw maw/paw paw.  Gabi got in some good hits but her serves were not as good as they have been...not sure if the evening game put a hitch on things or what happened.  Her last game is this Saturday, so we are hoping for a nice victory to close out her season.

Jack O'Lantern

Famous Already

This is the second football, along with three other papers, that Tyler has had to sign for Gabi's little classmates.  Yep, "To ________________, Go Cavemen!  Tyler Reinoehl #22"
Gabi is their little go getter for them...how cute!  I guess Tyler is famous :) 

Just another reminder for Tyler to be a good role model for the little boys wanting to be an athlete!!! 

Irish Action

Found a coupon in the Sunday paper today for tickets to a Notre Dame volleyball game!  We had the time and it was worth the money so we decided to make good on daddy's promise to take Gabi to one!  She called her friend and teammate from her own volleyball team, Nikki, to go with us.  It was a last minute plan so we were glad she was able to attend!  Unfortunately, the lady Irish got beat by Marquette 2-3 :(  but the girls got to see what "real" volleyball is all about! 

Open Practice

Made a trip to North Central this morning with the family and LOVED it!!  Chad/Amber and family were able to come, along with my parents, Ben's dad and his brother.  Tyler and Gabi were able to come too.  We were able to watch Trenton's open practice and visit with him for the day.  It was good to see him back on the mat!  It's been a rough couple of weeks for him being sick (bronchitis and a sinus infection), but with meds and rest, he is bouncing back nicely.  We can see how hard he has been working and looking forward to his wrestling season!  We were supposed to tailgate with the wrestlers but unfortunately, the weather had other plans.  We checked out the new Res Rec building because we had not been able to see inside it last year and dropped off goodies we got for Trenton at his dorm and headed to lunch.  Because of the girls and Trenton being sick recently, we opted out of being outside and headed to Old Country Buffet in Naperville.  While there, the rain decided to stop so we decided to go to the football game, considering it was against Illinois Wesleyan (who upset the Cardinals last year) and would prove to be a pretty good game.  Chad/Amber decided against going to the game since the girls were tired and probably would not sit well at a game at this point in the day and my mom had a headache so they started home.  Ben's dad and brother went to the game for a while with us while we visited and watched.  It was a good time.  North Central pulled out the win 30-7 so we were able to leave after the third quarter.  We dropped Trenton off at his dorm and said our goodbyes.  Always sad to leave him...but it was a nice visit :)     

Sectional Game 1

Mishawaka over Elkhart Central 55-12.  Good win for us where we were able to put alot of the boys who have not played this season, as well as some of our freshmen who have earned the right to dress!  It had to feel good to get in on a varsity game and we were excited for them!  Tyler had a good night.  Had a couple of good run backs on kickoff return, recovered one of Elkhart Central's fumbles and had plenty of tackles.  Can't complain for the first round of sectionals!  Looking forward to round 2!  And I absolutely LOVE the cavemen who have showed up to about 3 or 4 games cheering on the crowd!!  They are supposedly alumni from the late 80's but they are just AWESOME!!  They were throwing "rocks" with M's on them and I was lucky to grab me up one!! 

Grandparent's Day

Gabi is SOOOO very lucky to have her maw maw and paw paw and her grandpa willing and able to attend "Grandparent's Day" at school with her!  They visited the classroom to see the famous "bathtub," did some shopping at the Book Fair, took some pictures and ate some goodies.  How very special!

School Days

My heart is somewhat sad because I finished Tyler's "School Days" plaque.  Looking back, I remember putting in the first one...from first grade, thinking, "wow, look at all those empty spots.  That's a long ways away."  But it wasn't a long ways away.  It went way to fast.  I finished up ordering Tyler's senior photos and I am pretty happy with my choices.  Everyone will be receiving theirs with his open house invitation next year unless specified that they want them earlier :) Wasn't Tyler a cutie patootie!

And how sweet is this assignment Gabi did last night! 

Kiwanis Athlete of the Month

Just got back from Honkers for a luncheon to honor the Kiwanis Athletes of the Month.  One of those athletes...yep, Tyler.  Had a nice presentation from three different schools in the area, a boy and a girl athlete from each (Penn, Marian and Mishawaka).  Annalisa Lehman (girls' golf) and Tyler were the two athletes for October from Mishawaka.  Each athlete was invited to bring their coach and parents along for a polish buffet and short presentation.  Each athlete also received a trophy with their name, school and engraved "Kiwanis Ahtlete of the Month - October" on them.  What another nice honor for Tyler!

LaSalle

Hums put a hurtin' on LaSalle this morning and are still undefeated...A team and B team!  Gabi's (first B team) won 21-15 with Gabi scoring a few of their points - not just from serving this time :)

This cutie pie got up this morning and saw Tyler's article in the paper and asked..."Dad, when do you think my name will be in the newspaper?"  Ben gave her a big hug and kind of chuckled.  He quietly said, "honey, they unfortunately do not cover elementary school sports...give it some time."  How adorable!  She did awesome today and we are VERY proud of her, even if her name isn't in or never does make the newspaper!

Sole NIC Champs This Year!

Mishawaka pulled it off!  Talk about a game that we will NEVER forget!  It ranks right up there with the Sectional championship game from last year!!!  Mishawaka pulled a come from behind victory that left us in tears!  Tyler didn't see too much action the first half again because of the offense that Washington runs.  The fourth quarter, when the Cavemen decided to turn it UP, is when Tyler became key.  In fact, two key plays Tyler was in on....a safety (that in actuality ended up winning it for us) and with fifty seconds left to play in the game and the score being 29-28, Tyler intercepted a pass, allowing us to knee the last plays of the game!  NIC Champs and SOLE NIC champs on top of it!  What a game!  Also wanted to note how awesome it is that Tyler is sporting pink tape this month for Breast Cancer Awareness month! 

From the South Bend Tribune this morning!  Full article here.

Washington's Colin Skodinski (left) tries to make some extra yardage as Mishawaka's Austin Slabaugh (center) and Tyler Reinoehl try to bring him down after a pass recption . Oct 15, 2010
High school football: Reinoehl's interception seals Mishawaka victory

By MATT KOPSEA
Tribune Staff Writer
SOUTH BEND - Tyler Reinoehl wasn't in a sharing mood Friday night.
High school football: Matt's MatchupsReinoehl's interception with 43 seconds remaining sealed the deal as Mishawaka rallied for a thrilling 29-28 victory over Washington in a Northern Indiana Conference football showdown at School Field.
Matt Carver's five-yard touchdown run on a fourth down play with 51 seconds left capped off the comeback as the Cavemen (9-0, 6-0) battled back from a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit to capture their first outright NIC title since 1980. It's the second title in a row for the Cavemen.
Mishawaka shared the crown with Penn and Washington last season.
After losing to the Panthers (6-3, 4-2 NIC) the past two seasons, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior Reinoehl made sure the streak wouldn't reach three by hauling in an offering from Washington quarterback Tate Borlik.
“We knew No. 4 (Gehrig Dieter) was killing us on the deep balls, so (Mishawaka defensive coordinator) Coach (Gregg) Smith told me to press him,” explained Reinoehl. “I pressed him and then dropped back into my zone. The quarterback didn't see me, so he pretty much threw it right to me.”

Risner's Rainforest

Gabi was very excited about her presentation today with her class on the Rainforest.  She was excited about studying this unit before she even knew she was in Mrs. Risner's class this year!!  They transform their classroom into a magical rainforest with vines and animals from the rainforest!  Today was the presentation ... for parents, for 2nd graders and for 4th graders.  Gabi studied the Morpho Butterfly and did a GREAT job on presenting!

Some Football Tradition

Friday night after the games I usually wait to hand out home baked chocolate chip cookies to the football players as they come out of the locker rooms.  This is a tradition.  I learned of another as I stood waiting one Friday night.  I heard shouting and yelling...it was the players and they were chanting "We want teddy bear! We want teddy bear!" I noticed it stopped when Coach Curtis went in.  So, me being the curious person I am, asked Tyler the next morning what that meant...he explained that they chant those words until all the head coaches are in the locker room with them after the game.  He went on to tell me that when they have all arrived, they sing a song together...
"They play this game on Sunday
In heaven's own backyard
With Jesus playing halfback
And Moses playing guard.
The angels on the sideline
Give a mighty yell
When Jesus scored a touchdown
Against the boys from hell.
Save us, save us
Jesus on the 45
Moses blocking mighty fine
Save us, save us
Rock 'em, sock 'em, Jesus sock 'em
Save us, save us
Coach, coach, coach, coach
Breakdown on Coach
Ready
COACH!"
Coach talks to them and they get around to leave for the evening.  I asked what this was for...some point?  He said, "No...it's just something they always do, mom.  Tradition."  He heard them do it his first time in the locker room and has done it ever since.  Tradition.  That's what I love about Mishawaka.
Also...Tyler got a note yesterday...he is the Kiwanis Student Athlete of the Month!  More to come on that!

Takin' Down Cancer!

Trenton called today and shared the news that their team will be working hard to raise cancer awareness and also raise some money for cancer research as well.  Their "Fear the Bird" shirts are supposedly going to be pink this year with "Takin' Down Cancer" on the back.  Trenton also said that the wrestlers were to choose a color to represent a cancer and they would order that color of shoe laces to be worn that season.  Trenton chose dark blue for colon cancer.  He seems to be doing well.  A little worn out from some pretty tough practices and fighting off kind of bug, possibly a sinus infection.  Prayers for my boy to stay well and stay focused.  Looking forward to a visit with him in the next couple of weeks.  Go Cardinals!

More Than Just a Pumpkin Patch

Made our annual trip to get pumpkins yesterday...this was the first year we went to Thistleberry Farms with Chad/Amber and family and my parents.  I was amazed at the activities they had for kids.  I guess I had always just been used to a hayride out to a pumpkin patch and maybe picking some apples.  But, this place was nice.  Crowded, but had plenty to do and see.  We got the kids a wristband to enjoy most of the activities and bought a couple of Corn Cannon shots for the bigger "kids."  We enjoyed looking at all the animals first and headed out to the Corn Cannon.  Tyler ended up getting two free spicy chicken sandwiches for hitting the Chick Fil A sign dead on!  In fact, a special needs fella was watching behind him and wanted to try.  Tyler was so kind to give him his last ticket to try and get a shot.  The most touching part...the young man asked Tyler to help him!  Tyler tried a few times, but they just couldn't seem to get it...according to the guy operating the Cannon, each corn is shaped different and has to be shot differentlly.  I think Tyler made a pal that day, he followed us around quite a bit just watching and talking to us.

The kids enjoyed the cow train, the big jumping pillow, pedal cars, the giant tube slide and Gabi took her shot at the kids corral (a maze much like she has seen on Survivor). We grabbed a quick drink - gatorades and waters since it was over 80 degrees and headed to the U Pick Pumpkin part of the farm.  At first the kids were not too excited about the type of pumpkins but Ben convinced us all that you just had to actually look for a good one!  We ended up finding many good ones and one I especially liked that looks almost antiqueish.  Unique.  The kiddos ended the visit with pony rides thanks to maw maw and paw paw and we went to Chad/Amber's house for our annual fall dinner visit together...chili with bread bowls and of course, all the fixins, donuts and cider for dessert!  A great time for us as a family.

Twin Branch

Gabi is becoming quite the pro at overhand serving!  She made the 14 out of the 21 points it took to win the game against Twin Branch today 21-10!  Go Baby!!

Clay and Senior Night

I knew this night would be emotional for my son the minute I heard him tell me about Thursday's practice where the coach took the seniors into the stands under the press box and told them that this was what they would be seeing next year...they only have a couple more months and they would be watching in the stands...their high school years would be over.  I was so excited because my grandparents were going to come watch for the first time!  And to top it...when I heard our assignment of writing a letter to Tyler (from Ben and I) to give to him when we would be announced on Friday, I knew the tears would be flowing.  I could barely compose myself to write the first couple of sentences!

Senior night...filled with much emotion and tradition...I tried to take in all the sights and sounds that I would miss the most and even tried capturing some on my camera during the game.  Not sure I succeeded with getting all of them, but I got some.  You see, Coach Curtis made a new tradition that the boys write their parents a letter as well to give them on senior night...so we started senior night out with an exchange of letters :)

Clay was rough, a very good passing team that came back in the second half with a vengeance.  Mishawaka won 28-21.  Tyler felt like he had an off night...probably because of Clay's offense they run, but I am sure emotions were high as well and coming off a big win from last week was sure to interfere with concentration this week.  Tyler made some good tackles and missed some this week...but he made up for that with making the "Hit of the Night" on Fox 28 news!!!  His sack was pretty awesome!!!!

The boys fought hard.  I can't say I was any more or any less proud of Tyler than I am EVERY week.  He came out of the locker room in tears - obviously from reading our letters and hugged me very tight and sobbed.  It is a moment I will NEVER forget.  He and his closest team mates went and sat on the field in Steele Stadium knowing it was the last regular season home game.  They sat, they read their letters from their parents and they cried.  They sat, they looked around to take it all in, they were quiet and still, they walked and they talked together.  An awesome sight to see.  Something I will always remember.