Shutout

Cole's team, the Lightning, played its first reguar season game on Sunday. They were edged 36-0 by the Gorillas. It was not all bad news for Cole and the boys as they did gain yards on two offensive plays. Cole had a three-yard run and a 20-yard reception for the only positive yards all day. For the game, Cole rushed five times for minus 19 yards.

Once again, Yipes.

Whoopin'

Brad's South Cougars traveled to Blue Valley, home of Coulter's lacrosse team by the way, and ran into a 53-6 whoopin' at the hands of the Tigers. One time the mighty Cougars marched down the field, reaching the nine-yard line. First and goal from the nine became fourth and goal from the 49-yard line. About six or seven players on Brad's team were out due to injury. Brad played on a bad leg as he was injured in last week's narrow loss. He played quarterback in the first half and then sat out the second half.

Yipes.

Happy Birthday Dad

Sept. 4 is my dad's birthday. He has been a great father to his three children and a great grandpa to his three grandchildren. We always love to see him and he always wants to know how Brad and Cole are doing. By the way, they are doing well although Cole tends to turn in some school work late. Here is a picture of the birthday boy - Mel Strauss (on the left) with Lisa's dad Gus.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Bradley's First Game Via Texting

Lisa went to Bradley's first game of the season, while Mike worked. Lisa kept Mike updated with the following texts:

4:30 p.m. - 8-0 bad guys. Good guys are not doing well, but Bradley caught an interception.

4:31 p.m. (on the offense). It is all ugly.

4:39 p.m. - Bradley had about a 60-yard touchdown. 8-6.

4:44 p.m. - Bradley took an interception in for a touchdown. 12-8.

5:35 p.m. - Third quarter still 12-8.

6:06 p.m. - 2:40 and we have the ball on the ??? 3rd down, still 8-12.

6:07 p.m. - Shane just caught a pass for a touchdown. 19-8.

6:18 p.m. - 33 seconds left. 16-19. Yikes!

6:20 p.m. - Bradley got the onside kick.

6:23 p.m. - Bradley just threw an interception with 25 seconds left. Why???!!!

6:26 p.m. - They caught a pass at the 20, but it was called back.

6:27 p.m. - It is over!

Cole's Preseason Football Tournament

Cole's sixth-grade Lightning football team played a two-game preseason tournament last weekend. They lost the first game 12-0 and the second game 34-6. The only score was a 70-yard run by Cole. He played great defensively making a lot of tackles. Here are a few photos of him taken by one of the parents.

We Are Back Four Months Later

So we slacked off on the blogging this summer, but we are back and will try to update often. Here is a photo of the clouds I saw when I came out of the office today. I thought they were interesting. I said I thought they were interesting, not you. Anyway, here they are.

He Shoots, He Scores

Cole played his third lacrosse game on Sunday, April 26. While his team did set a new team scoring high with five goals, they also allowed a season-most 15 goals. Cole scored the first four goals for his team to give him seven of his team's nine goals this season. Before you start to think he is a ball hog, he also leads the team in passes. Yes, just passing the ball. It ain't it pretty, but he is having fun.

Cole's Opening Day of Lacrosse

After weeks of getting "weathered out" Cole finally had his first lacrosse games on April 19. His team played a double-header and lost both games. Cole scored a goal and had an assist on the only two goals by his team in the first game and then scored the only two goals for his team in the second contest. He had a lot of fun and played really well.

Honor Roll Recognition Speaker

On Tuesday night an honor's roll ceremony was held at South Junior High recognizing the top eighth grade students. There was an honorable mention for those with grade point averages between 3.00 and 3.49, honor roll recognition for those with GPAs between 3.50 and 3.99 and president honor roll accolades for those with perfect 4.00 GPAs. Bradley was on the honor roll after getting all A's to go along with one B+ (his ninth grade math class).
The faculty and staff selected one boy and one girl to speak at the ceremony and Bradley was selected to represent the boys. It was a great night.

Tennis Anyone?

Bradley had his first tennis match as a member of the South Jr. High Eighth Grade Team. He played three doubles matches with three different partners. They lost their first match 6-1, the second match 6-1 and won the third match 6-0.

In his second match his partner wore jeans (see photo). However, jean boy was usually able to get the ball over the net.

Inspirational

Here is a link to Wayman Tisdale's home page - http://waymantisdale.com/.

On the right side there is a video from an ESPN piece they did on him. I love his attitude and got a lot out of this. Hopefully you will too.

For those who don't know, he was a three-time All-America basketball player at Oklahoma and then played in the NBA. He is now a bass player and has a lot of albums out.

Baseball Opener

Bradley's baseball team opened its 2009 season playing in a tournament in suburban Kansas City on a cold and windy Friday night. The Rebels posted a 9-0 victory and will continue play Saturday and hopefully Sunday. The Saturday forecast is for 70 degree weather with potential for rain, while Sunday is expected to have snow and be in the 30s.

Bradley started at shortstop and did not get a ball hit to him as the other team only had one hit on the night. At the plate he was two for three, but got on base all three times and scored three runs. He had one solid hit up the middle and then beat out a ball he hit to the first baseman for his other hit.

Golf Course Sign

This sign was in the men's lockerroom at the golf course where we had the U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Pa. this past summer. Makes you wonder if there had been problems with this before.

Better Late Than Never

Sure it is March 31, but here is a photo of Bradley from earlier this basketball season. He helped his South Junior High Basketball team finish 14-2 and win the city championship, just like their football team did. Bradley averaged nine points and six rebounds per game.

Mr. Cool

How cool is Cole wearing Mike's sunglasses?

Bradley Is Driving

In Kansas you can obtain a learner's permit at the age of 14. We waited five months and then Bradley passed his test and is now on the road with Mom or Dad in the car.

We were able to travel to the Insight Bowl with the Kansas football team at the end of December. Here are Brad and Cole getting off the team plane when we arrived in Phoenix. We had a great time and saw some friends from Utah - Jim, Carol and Eric Laub, Kami and Jarron Taylor, and one of my high school friends - Mike Thorell, who is on the Insight Bowl committee. We enjoyed the warm weather.