Football Stats

Tyler has been filling out info left and right needing stats from sports and school for some awards he will be receiving and for some scholarships he is applying for, etc etc etc.  I thought it would be nice to post some of them for the memories...
Tyler is current ranked 40th in his high school out of a total of 382.  He holds a 3.6 GPA
His football stats are:
OFFENSE
Total Points Scored:  2009-24 and 2010-20 for a two year total of 44 points.
Rushing Yards:  2009-262 and 2010-68 for a two year total of 330 rushing yards.
DEFENSE
Tackles for Loss:  2009-6 and 2010-10 for a two year total of 16 tackles.
Solo Tackles:  2009-39 and 2010-63 for a two year total of 102 tackles.
Assists:  2009-24 and 2010-55 for a two year total of 79 assists.
Fumble Recoveries:  2009-1 and 2010-3 for a two year total of 4 fumble recoveries.
Interceptions:  2009-1 and 2010-3 for a two year total of 4 interceptions.
Sacks:  2009-0 and 2010-3 for a two year total of 3 QB sacks.
I must say...NOT TOO SHABBY!

A Favorite Sandwich

I have really been trying my hand at baking homemade breads lately and we absolutely LOVE this recipe!  Amish:
2 c. warm water
2/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
6 c. flour
In a large bowl dissolve sugar in water and stir in yeast.  Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.  Mix salt and oil into yeast.  Mix in flour one cup at a time.  Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth.  Place in a well oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel for an hour (double in size).  Punch dough down.  Knead for a few minutes and divide in half.  Place in oiled bread pans 9x5 and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 
WE LOVE to make BBQ pork in the crockpot for some YUMMY sandwiches for dinner.  Tyler enjoys putting apple butter on this bread too.  SOOOO GOOOD!

School Board Meeting

Mrs. Risner's 5th grade class has been doing their President's speeches right around President's Day for the last 35 years!  Gabi chose Abigail Adams as I stated in an earlier post.  She did wonderful!  Below are pics from the class...see how many Presidents and wives you can see! :)
From left:  Abigail Adams (Gabi), Eleanor Roosevelt (Kara Knip), Jackie Onassis (Nikki Strohl), Jackie Onassis #2 (Thi Do) and Michele Obama (Lizzy Ashburn)

Mr. and Mrs. John Adams (Aaron and Gabi)

Class

Boys

 

Girls

Gabi's Speech

Blast From The Past

Ever since the Superbowl we have been suuuuuuuper excited about Transformers 3 coming out on July 1st.  Just brings back memories of the cartoon and my boys playing with the little toy transformers when they were just toddlers.  Amazing how we can go from this:

to this:

Winter Blues

There was a brief moment when I thought the snow was gone for good...the temperatures were wonderful - in the 50's and sunny.  I was excited.  My mood started to change for the better.  Trenton came home during this time (this past weekend) to go to Conseco to watch the Individual State Finals with Ben and Tyler.  He got to visit with alot of the family briefly and was able to watch the sport he loves.  He shared with us that he got another tattoo...and I was a bit nervous.  I have always told them if you are going to mark up your body, do it in a place you can cover up if needed and don't get anything stupid.  He chose a verse and I have to admit, it is a good one.  Psalm 23:4  "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  - and he got it where he can cover up.  Good idea.  The boys had a good time at Conseco and I was glad they got to spend time with each other.

Til the cold came back on Sunday...the cold rain and sleet.  Tyler and Gabi were off for President's Day yesterday and the snow came.  My hopes for a faster Spring were diminishing fast.  Since we didn't do much on Sunday I decided to take my Gabi shopping at the mall.  She is becoming an avid fan of the brand names already.  Aeropostale and Abercrombie and Fitch are starting to replace Justice.  Don't get me wrong though...she still like Justice, she is just branching out a bit...she is growing up.  Fast.  Too fast.  I helped buy her first Aeropostale sweatshirt yesterday with her allowance savings and she couldn't have been more excited.  She also showed me plenty of things she wanted for her birthday coming up.  Yesterday in that moment of shopping with my baby girl, I looked at her and realized she is really growing up and I didn't want time to go by so fast.  This phase in her life (preteen) seemed to go by soooo very quickly with the boys and it hit me that I have to really, REALLY take all this in NOW.  Because soon it would be gone.  So for now, winter can stay a little bit longer...if that means time will slow down just a little bit as well.  I'm just taking it all in.

Abigail Adams

Gabi did her speech on Abigail Adams today in class and will be doing it again for the School Board next Tuesday evening.  She has been practicing for many weeks now and has memorized all of it :)
Thanks to Abby (Tyler's girlfriend) - she has a GREAT costume!  We were kind of talking about Gabi's class and the assignment came up and Gabi mentioned she chose Abigail Adams.  Abby piped up and said, "that's who I was in 5th grade when I did those speeches!"  So one thing led to another and we got an awesome outfit from Abby's grandmother...so THANKS ABBY!

 Below is Michele Obama (Lizzy Ashburn) with Abigail Adams ...

Bummer

Last night was Gabi's championship basketball game against Twin Branch.  We were very delightlfully surprised with how many supporters came out to watch Gabi - maw maw, paw paw, Tyler (and his poor shoulder), grandpa, uncle Dave, uncle Jeff, aunt Pam, Brennie, Leigh, uncle Jay, cousin David, uncle Chad, aunt Amber, Presley, Addy and Reese!  We had a crowd!!!  Twin Branch had their plan and unfortunately, it worked.  We knew they had ALOT of tall girls so we would have to work around that...what we didn't plan on was the aggressiveness they brought.  I think their team had over 10 fouls by halftime!  Our girls fought hard and never gave up.  I think they were down by like 10 points or more at the start of the fourth.  We just couldn't make our baskets, including our free throws.  By the end of the fourth with a second to go, Hums was down 17-19.  And as usual...with our family, we can't walk away without a dramatic ending...Gabi got fouled.  She was set up for two.  She made the first but missed the second.  We lost 18-19.  Our immediate reaction was that she would blame herself and she did for a bit, but with lots of talking to and coaxing, she realized that it was absolutely NOT her fault and that there was plenty of other shots that could have been made to win.  She walked away with a smile...sad that they lost, but she was okay.  A bit battered and bruised...I think she even face planted at one point.  She has a big burn on the side of her face....but she is good with the turnout.  She loved being able to play at Mishawaka High School in the "cave."  We told her Twin Branch lost once to us so they have one loss and we lost once to them...so essentially we are champions too!  Great season, miss Gabi.  So proud of her!

 

Closure

Tyler had his labrum surgery today.  Everything went well.  No surprises this time and the doctor said everything was just as it showed on the MRI.  He was able to attach the labrum back with two anchors.  Tyler is is some pain...which is normal, of course, and he really doesn't enjoy the big bulky shoulder brace, but in time that will come off and hopefully, he will be back to normal.  Normal.  That is something new to Tyler.  His career in sports (since the 3rd grade) has given him a broken ankle, a bucket handle tear and two torn labrums (each side).  He is indeed ready for some R & R for his entire body and I think he is looking forward to it.  So, goodbye to sports...
We already said a very somber goodbye to football and just recently goodbye to wrestling. 
Goodbye to sports...just glad he left wrestling like this ... under the lights at Mishawaka High School with his hand raised!  (thanks Kathy!)

The Griddys

Look where we get to go!  The Griddys 2011.  March 20th for Tyler.  Tyler will be presented with a Griddy for Big School All State Honors in footballs!  Check out the video - looks VERY cool!  What an honor!

My Sweethearts

My sweetie took Gabi and I to Pasquale Rulli's for Valentine's Day on Saturday night before the MHS girls basketball sectional final game.  Such YUMMY Italian food!  I had mentioned being in the mood for that a few days back and lo and behold...my honey takes us there :)
He also did something VERY SWEET for me....he encouraged me to have the flooring done in the kitchen (last Tuesday) and he put the finishing touches on for us yesterday (trim, new cabinet handles, dividers).  We cleaned up the cupboards really well and it is now complete for now and I <3 the final product!
Before

After

Made some cutout cookies for the weekend for my Valentines

and a special breakfast this morning

 

Got an extra special text from my Valentine in Naperville that brought tears to my eyes...
Message after telling him I mailed him a Valentine package...
"lol well hey thanks!  Can I share you with dad as my valentine?  I don't have one lol and why not my mom? the best woman I'll have in my life"
Looking forward to the big Fondue Party in Gabi's class today for her Valentine party...
On the menu tonight...New York Strip Steak!!  I have a feeling everyone will LOVE that :)
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!  Be sure to hug all yours today - I WILL!

First Tourney Game

Against Liberty.  Gabi did well, but did not have as many points as what she normally scores.  I think she only made one basket for the team this time.  The team did great...awesome defense.  Hums won 26-8 which puts us in the Championship game next Wednesday!  Gabi is sooo excited!  Below you can see her reaction to winning :)

She also had quite the audience this time around.  Uncle Jay, Aunt Annie, Grandpa, Aunt Amber, Presley, Addy, Reese and Tyler were all there with us.  We couldn't have been more proud!

Good News

I was a bit worried when I got the call on Monday morning, first thing.  I spoke to the nurse and she said, "I would count on two surgeries for Tyler."  I tried to pry more information out of her but all I basically got was that Doctor still wanted to see us at the office.  Because of a viewing (Abby's grandpa) and funeral, I figured if we could fit Tyler in that afternoon, it would be best.  She did it for us.  I was nervous to say the least, but to both Tyler's and my surprise Doctor Graham came in and said he had a Grade 3 LCL Sprain and NO surgery was needed.  I questioned what the nurse said and his response was that she was reading it and since this knee was one that was operated on previously, the MRI report was stating that he had hardly any cartilage there, etc. - just what is left of the last surgery I guess.  Good news for us, finally.  Tyler will only be having his shoulder operated on next Tuesday.  Please keep him in your prayers. 

As for a little humor...my mom shared a story from yesterday regarding Reese.  My mom picked up a Ken Doll - beach one with dirty blonde hair and was opening it for Reese to play with.  Reese grabs it and says, "This is Tyler."  My mom just laughed and laughed.  Today at Circle Time I asked which doll was Tyler and she picked up that very one and hugged him and said, "My Tyler."  Tyler then had to sit next to Reese at the table to eat lunch.  So cute.

Undefeated Team

Played Battell today...last city school to beat and we did!  21-16!  Boy, was it a rough one.  Lots of pushing, elbowing, tripping...quite a few fouls that were not called on the other team...but we survived another one!  I am sooo proud of this team.  From last year (not winning one game) to being undefeated!  Wow.  Gabi's shot was on today too.  She got 10 out of the 21 points for the team!  Ben was very impressed with her layup shots - her form and ability was great!  In fact, below a video of one of her layups :) 

And can I just say how much I LOVE this picture of her.  It displays Gabi's personality during games perfectly...she is a little "beast."  Lots of parents love it.  She may be little - but she is definitely a fierce one -and she doesn't even have red hair ;)  

Tournament starts Thursday and very excited for that one.  Gabi has many war wounds from this game (on her elbow and her little knees) but she is ready for it.  Ready to make it official...they want to be City Champs this year!  Go Hums Roadrunners!

Slow Mo

It seems we have been running in slow motion this week...the big blizzard came and brought us over a foot of snow on top of the 5 inches we already had making for a dreary, coooold week.  Take that along with the 2 snow days the kids got on Wednesday and Thursday.  I just had a hard time moving.  My claim is due this week so I have slowly but surely been working on paperwork in the office while trying to stay warm and keep the kids from getting cabin fever...but I did not succeed with that one.  I think they were somewhat glad to go back to school on Friday (well, maybe a little).  We were able to get Tyler in to get his MRI on his knee on one of the snow days (Thursday) so we are awaiting results.  Feeling kind of lost today while most of Mishawaka's wrestlers headed to Regionals.  6 of them are advancing to Semi State and was glad to hear that.  Tomorrow is an ISWA tournament at John Young that Ben and I have to work at.  Ben in charge of bout calling and I am in charge of the scorekeepers.  I have to say, I am anxious to hand over the duties that come along with being a Board Member of the Wrestling Club.  Next week we have two games for Gabi.  One against Battell (that was rescheduled from Wednesday) and the tournament begins on Thursday.  She is excited to kick some butt!! :)  For being a team that did not win a game at all last year to being an undefeated team this year, we are all very proud and excited for her.  And some home improvements this week to boot.  Busy week ahead...guess we have to be to stay out of the "winter blues."  Spring CANNOT come fast enough.