Josh's Kindergarten Graduation

This morning we had Josh's Kindergarten graduation ceremony. It was super cute. The kids sang about 5 or so songs and then got their diplomas. We headed back to the class for cookies and juice

Lined up and ready.

More lining up.

Getting his diploma from his teacher.

Shaking the principal's hand.

Just cute.  Josh was in the dead center of the entire Kindergarten. 

Josh and Mrs. Johnston.

Josh and his pals Camden and Allen.

Josh and Mom and Dad (and Jill).

Josh and Dad.

Josh and Mom.

RIP Jose Lima

I am know I am being a little melodramatic, but Houston Astros baseball was FUN back when we had Jose Lima out on the mound. He was a character and so fun to watch and cheer for. So, as a tribute to his memory I was going to post pics from last summer of the kids meeting him at Scott's baseball game.

Jake and Josh thought it was great. Jill was terrified (as she usually is of strange men).

And once more as a "final encore" here is the Casa Ole commercial song. Good times....

Way to Go, Michelle!

My little sister Michelle was chosen to go to Turkey to play in World University Games Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Here is the link below.

http://usavolleyball.org/news/article/36074

Way to go, Michelle!

RCE 3rd Grade Talent Show

Jake and some of his buddies put a skit together for the 3rd Grade Talent Show which was held at RCE during specials today.  Below is a video of the super cute skit and some pics of the group.

Josh's Last TBall Game and Party

So if you were in Houston this past weekend, you probably already know I am going to tell you that Josh's last TBall game got rained out.  We had downpours Friday night and all the fields were underwater.  It kept raining Saturday morning and the games were called.  Too bad.  But we still had the team party!

And since I was going to take tons of pictures and video of the last game but didn't get to, I am going to post someone else's pictures of the previous game!  I know, but they are REALLY good and professional looking and you will like them!

Josh and his coaches at Double Dave's.  They were great guys and Josh loved them.  John Sion on the left and Craig Brothers on the right.  Very positive and encouraging!

 

Josh and his trophy.  The only part of the season that really mattered!

 

 

Josh and his buddy Allen with their trophies.

Here are the good pics of the previous TBall game...

Josh is on the left, cheering on his teammate.

Josh's favorite, the play at the plate!  Watch out for him, he will not slow down for anything.  One of his coaches thought we should call him "Freight Train".  I like it.

 

A Smile, Courtesy of Jill

We had a fun weekend this week, but I only have time for a quick post right now. 

So here is something to make you smile.  Jill decided to wait for the bus with her brothers this morning.  She is so funny!

Sprint For Life

So, this past weekend was Sprint for Life.  Every year, the MD Anderson Cancer Center's Department of Gynecologic Oncology holds this fun run to raise funds for research to cure Ovarian Cancer.  Check out the site here : http://www.mdanderson.org/how-you-can-help/community-events/sprint-for-life/index.html  We stumbled across it years ago (before kids, so 10-ish) soon after Justin's mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Even though we were thousands of miles away from Connecticut, it was a way for us to honor her by participating and contributing to fighting cancer. 
So, after a few years, I was asked to help out by joining the planning committee.  After making a small suggestion to provide more kids activities, I was given the task of forming the Kids Zone to keep kids entertained at the post race party.  After many years of running the Kids Zone (the last while several months pregnant) I decided that I needed to take a break since I would have a new baby.  It was great fun to go back and see everyone and take my kids to the Kids Zone to have fun.  It has come full circle, I guess.

So, here are pics of the fun morning we had.  Justin ran the 5K and his brother walked it, but I don't have pics of that.  Sorry.

The kids already enjoying the kids zone at 7:45 am!  Snow cones already!

Jill lines up for the Tot Trot for the 3 and under set.  She was mesmerized by the Red Robin!

Mommy, Jill and Josh take off for the Tot Trot.  Josh opted for this shorter race and skipped the big kids race.

Jill and Mommy head down the home stretch.

Jake is off and running the Sprint for Sprouts.  A 1K race for older kids.

Jake hits the wall towards the end.  He usually heads out too fast and we end up pooped before the finish.

The family in front of our Sponsor sign.  Yea!

The whole Hyland gang (including Uncle Jim this time) in front of the sign.

Uncle Jim and Jill after all is said and done.  Jill is enjoying a lollipop.

And now for a blast from the past!

The boys lined up and ready to go in 2007.  What cuties!

Josh and Mommy with Donald Driver at the race in 2005.   Go Packers!

TALLADEGA 2010

So, this past weekend was a huge event, not only at the Hyland house, but for NASCAR as well.  It was Talladega time!  For those of you not in the "know" the race held at the Talladega SuperSpeedway in Alabama is the equilvalent of a Redneck pilgrimage to Mecca (see Islam for reference).  It is the longest, biggest, and fastest NASCAR track and is the home of the "The Big One," usually the largest and craziest crash of the season.  Can you imagine a more wonderful place for a race car crazy 6 year old boy?

So, Justin and Josh flew out Friday morning to Atlanta.  This despite Josh waking up that morning with croup.  Right, I know.  They stayed in Atlanta and bussed to Talladega, AL the next morning for the race.  Unfortunately, with all the bad weather in the state, the race was called off for Saturday so the bus turned around and headed back to Atlanta.  [On a side note, a tornado hit the town where we spent Thanksgiving (see Nov 09 post) and wrecked the park where we played.  Thankfully, my family (and their homes) was unhurt.]  So, they ended up spending the day at a super cool aquarium in the ATL.

Finally, the weather cleared and they ran both races on Sunday.  So, Justin and Josh boarded the bus at 6 am central time and headed back to the track.  They spent the first part of the day down on pit road, since Justin got pit passes for the two of them.  That was cool to see the cars and crews up close.  Then they hit the hospitality tent and ate hot dogs and Golden Flake potato chips (don't ask, Justin just wanted to give them a shout out).  Finally the race started and a good time was had by all.  According to the TV announcers it was one of the most exciting races ever at Talladega and set a record for lead changes.

After the Sprint Cup race, the had the Nationwide Race that had been cancelled from Saturday.  After another exciting round of racing it was time to head back to the hotel.  After the bus ride, the boys got back to the hotel at 10 pm central time.  A VERY long day for a 6 year old boy.  But a wonderful one.  He is already asking when they can go back!

Arriving at the track.

Arriving at the track. The stands.

Josh got to go down on the track!

Next to Denny Hamlin's car.

At Kyle Busch's pit.  He is Josh's favorite driver.

Cool tires waiting for Kyle Busch's car.

Getting up close with the pit crew.

Kyle Busch's car.  Ready to race.

Josh signs his name on Pit Road.

Justin and Josh's names.  I guess Josh didn't like his first attempt.

Justin and Josh on the track.

Josh plays Pop-A-Shot with a new friend while waiting for the race to start.

Jeff Burton's Caterpillar car.

Kyle Busch comes out to the track.

And they are racing.  Nice view.

Coming into the front stretch tri-oval.

Josh shows off his binocs.

Kyle Busch's pit stop in the 2nd race, the Nationwide Race.

Justin didn't take this picture (we grabbed it off ESPN) but this was the highlight of the 2nd race (and the whole day for Josh for crashes).  This happened on the last lap at the final turn of the race! 

Josh on his way out of Talladega.  He asked his dad if they could come again next year.  We'll see....