Sam and bowling

Sam started bowling last fall, when he was asked to be on a league with two of his best friends. It has been alot of fun. His average is about 85 now, I think. His best game is probably in the 130s. He got a bowling ball at Christmas, and his team went to a state youth bowling tournament a few weeks ago. These are some pics that I took of that weekend. Click on any picture to see it close up.

Bowling Tournament in Baton Rouge for Sam

Here's the team: Aaron, Stephen B., Sam, and Steven M. they did very well. I think 5th in their division in the state. The team name is The Drillers. Sam and "the Stevens" as we call them, have been in Bible drill together at church since fifth grade.

Here's a silly picture of the team.

Sam and Steven placed second in the division as a doubles team. Good job, guys.

Steven M., Stephen B, and Sam playing video games after the tournament.

Renee and Steven Martin at the bowling tournament. Renee is a dear friend that I work with at the cancer center and Steven and Sam have been good friends for a few years.

Kyle's first track meet of the season

Kyle, Sam, and Nate before Kyle's meet in the stands together.

Adam and Kyle watching the meet from the stands.

Watching the relay races before their event (the one mile).

Nate home from college, came to his little brother, Kyle's first track meet this year.

Kyle getting "in the zone" before going out on the track for his event.

Claire,Kyle,Adam, and Emily before the race.

The runners line up, Kyle and Adam are in the middle.

And they're off!

Adam looks at his mom for his split time as he goes by.

Kyle running in the pack.

On the last lap.

At the finish line. His personal best 5:21 for the mile.

Out of breath, Nate checks on Kyle.

Trying to recover from his run.

Back to normal. He did a great job.

Coloring Eggs 2007

Easter Eggs 2007

Here are Sam, Nate, and Kyle last year at Easter

Sam and Kyle at Olive Garden

We took Kyle out for his birthday dinner to Olive Garden Restaurant. Sam spent his "own money" and bought Kyle a 4 x 4 Rubik's cube. Kyle loved it. He got money from us, and many of you for his birthday and bought a stereo system for his 86 Jeep. (the money pit, as we call it).

Claire and Kyle on his 17th birthday

Claire took Kyle out to dinner for his birthday. I took this picture in front of our house before they left.

Time for birthday cake

Here is a picture of Dick, Sam, Kyle and Claire (Kyle's girlfriend), before he blows out the candles on his cake.

Kyle

I love this expression on his face while we are singing "Happy Birthday" to him.

Kyle turns 17

Here is Kyle with his favorite type of cake. He asks for it every year. It is a TCBY ice cream cake with White Chocolate Mousse yogurt.

Matthew and I wearing our Burger King crowns!

Here is a picture taken on our way from St. Louis to Quincy. We had a lot of fun together, and it was great to visit our Aunt Dottie who is 89 years old, and in a nursing home. We hadn't seen her in 3 years.

My favorite picture of Dottie and Matthew

This is a picture taken at Dottie's nursing home on Saturday. Matthew brought his piano book and played the piano for the residents. The pet bird in the room, tried to sing along with him.

Dottie visits her parents' graves in Mendon

This is a picture Matthew took when we took Dottie on a ride in the country. We ended up at the Strickler Mausoleum. Our mom's marker is here as well. It meant alot to Dottie.

Mendon, Illinois (the old Strickler store perhaps?)

Aunt Dottie had a hard time remembering specific places in Mendon, even though she grew up there. I guess when you are 89 years old you are allowed to be forgetful. We aren't sure, but I think this is where our grandfather had his grocery store.

Dottie and me

Matthew took this picture of us on Sunday.

Sunday Lunch with Dottie

This was our last "outing" from the nursing home with Dottie. Matthew treated us to lunch at The Pier restaurant in Quincy. This is one of Dottie's favorite places to eat. We overlooked the Mighty Mississippi River, and watched huge chunks of ice thawing. Dottie really liked getting out of her usual routine and visiting with us.

Missouri Redneck at gas station

Matthew took this picture with his I Phone. The guy had gone "mudding" in his pickup, and looked like he didn't mind getting his picture taken.

Filling up the rental car in Troy, MO

Here is Matthew filling up the rental car on the way to St. Louis, before turning the car in. He flew out of STL and I took the Amtrak train from St. Louis to Texarkana, AR. We had a great visit seeing Dottie.