Phillies vs. Mariners

Rick and Tyson treated themselves to seeing a second Phillies game of the season since they happened to come into town to play the Mariners. They had fun watching batting practice and seeing all the players close up.

Piano Recital 2011

Tyson played "The Pines" by Alfred.

Little League Tournament

The Giants ended the tournament with Second place. Wow, they did great. It was a fun tournament with close games, great plays and a lot of excitement.

I loved watching Rick coach the boys. And Tyson, knowing the game really well, was always coach junior.

AAA Baseball

Rick coached Tyson's team again. They had a great season. Tyson played mostly catcher, and second base, but did pitch a few times. He was a great hitter. It was fun to watch him because he loves the game so much.

Go Giants! "Black and orange, black and orange"

Kentwood Band Festival

Tyson got to play the trumpet in a band festival with several area elementary schools, the junior high, and high school.

Kids Cook-off Winner

So Tyson, with my help, entered a Kids Cook-off Contest at Red Robin where you get to make up your own burger recipe with 10 ingredients or less and the winner has their burger featured at stores nationwide. Tyson didn't win the whole contest, but managed to win for the Kent store. He got a $25 gift card and his name on two posters at our local Red Robin. His burger was call the Fajita Avocado-inator, a chicken burger on a ciabatta bun with roasted peppers and onions...So we went out at celebrated as a family. We had a great time.

Tyson for President

Tyson decided to go for it in the 6th grade year at Meridian Elementary. He ran for Student Body President. With Bradley as a diligent campaign manager they went to work.

His slogan was 'Play your cards right, I'm dynamite'. He handed out hundreds of playing cards with his name and slogan.

The voting was on election day. Tyson stayed after school for volleyball practice. Bradley came home with a forlorn face....and then gave every detail and emotion of the annoucement, and then said "HE WON!" and gave me a big hug!


We celebrated with confetti.

Tyson had promised the student body in his speech that he would color his hair school colors if he won....

Congrats Tyson, and big thanks to Bradley for all his help.

Fall Ball

Tyson's true love: baseball, so he plays it twice a year. A practice season in the fall, and a competive season with Little League in the spring.

He had a lot of friends on his team, did well fielding the ball and enjoyed the season overall.

Minute to Win It Party

For Tyson's 11th Birthday we put on a party based on the show Minute to Win it. It was perfect for a big group of boys. We went to the church to have the competition, which included 10 different games. Then we came back and ate and the kids hot tubbed. If you haven't seen the show check it out on NBC, Wed at 7pm.

Tyson got some great presents for his birthday including a sleeping bag, digital camera, wii baseball game, pull up bar, games, etc.

My favorite part of the party was after I had been watched in awe the boys ran in and out of the hot tub with squirt guns and bowls of ice water etc, and Tyson looked at me with a straight face and said "that's what we do."

Our Little Leaguer

Tyson has had a great time playing Little League this year. Rick is his Manager (coach). He has improved in hitting, done well as catcher, and started some pitching. Their team has had some tough loses, but some big wins. It's been really fun and exciting to watch, especially when it's sunny! It's also been fun to watch Rick as a coach. He hasn't coached since Bradley was 3 (soccer). It's a great age to work with because the boys are serious, but teachable. Rick has loved doing it.

ROCK! The History of Rock and Roll

Tyson's 5th/6th Grade class put on a play about the history of Rock and Roll. My parents and sister were able to attend. We watched along with the students. Tyson was Ed Sullivan and John Travolta. With a little help from the Value Village we got him all decked out. He really got into his characters after researching them on Youtube. He looked like a natural up there.

Meridian Elementary Talent Show 2010

It took a little bribery ($10 cash), but Tyson braved his peers and perfomed a Jazz piano solo at his school's Talent Show.
He did a great job, even under pressure and looked stylin' in his new hat.
Way to go Tyson!They even had a nice little finale with all of the performers.

Tyson on Trumpet

The whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa Hoyle, Aunt Kay, and Uncle Jeff were all able to attend Tyson's first band concert at Meridian Elementary. It was fun to listen to them, and Tyson even got to announce one of the songs.

Bradley and his friend, Alicia watching the performance.

Paige, distracted reading some ads.

Final Moments of Summer Fun

The snails were out one night, more than we've ever seen. Bradley, Kate and Jeff caught 14 easily. They had a great adventure in the dark. Luckily we snapped a few pictures, because by morning they were all gone, but not forgotten.

Kate recently learned how to write her name, and thus is autographing everything. This being our cooler.

I let her play in the van one day during a baseball game and when I got back in she had written 'mom' on the steering wheel. Great. When I inquired she replied, "well, it's yours." What could I do but laugh (to myself of course, as to not give permission for future misdeeds).

It was a summer of nighboorhood hot tubing. All the boys would throw on a suit and go from tub to tramp, back a forth. It was great to keep them active and busy.

Then there was the afternoon that Bradley let Kate do his hair. It was actually quite cute. I'm sure he'll love this picture in 10 years!

It was definately time for the Kent School District Teachers Strike to be over. Get these kids in school!