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.