Proud to be a Jayhawk!

Our Jayhawks surprised everyone this year when they made it to the Final 4. . . We watched the big win over Ohio State at Grandma Cheryl & Grandpa Kermit's house and Grandma fed us all a delicious dinner to get the evening started off right.

Keeping with tradition, Violet wore her lucky cheerleader uniform, and also sported a face tattoo as a bonus for this game.

 In heart-attack fashion that has become their trademark of this tournament, our boys rallied back to win the game!  Violet was quite pleased with the outcome.

 So that brings us to Monday night: The National Championship game against Kentucky, a team that really is more NBA than NCAA.  Could we possibly pull this one out?  To get us all pumped up for the game, Russ dug around and came up with his old VHS of the 1988 championship game.  He even played it on his 1988 TV.  If you ever want to hear a good story, ask Russ about the big black snake that watched that game with him and Scott. . .

 We kept the game going while the 2012 game started.  It was humorous to see how little Jim Nance has changed in 24 years.

 Do these kids look ready to cheer on their Hawks or what?!? (Don't ask me about Calvin's face.  He's too cool to smile these days.)

The youngest girls worked hard to keep Grandpa Kermit awake during the game.  Bouncey, bouncey, bouncey!

 

Wow! We're smoking the #1 team in the nation! There's your proof right there; we almost have their score doubled!

 Okay, so the game didn't really turn out as we had hoped. . .

 . . .but we always had this game to turn to!  We won, we won!

Russ and Kyle were doing some "research" and found the box scores from that '88 championship game.  If only we could have pulled Danny from the bench; that 31 points and 18 rebounds would have come in handy.

Even though the final game didn't have the outcome we were all wanting, we are still so proud of our boys!  We took off for the fieldhouse last evening to welcome them home.

 Before they arrived, the Ohio State game was being re-played on the big screens, and the boys were actually watching very intently.

 Love my boys! (even when they are being ornery Oliver)

 We went on a bathroom break. . .

 . . . and saw it was really filling up when we got back!

It was estimated that we were in a crowd of over 5000 people.  I'm honestly surprised there weren't a few more!

 I counted 12 news stations, just on our side of the court.  The press was definitely there!

They made it -- There they are!!

 First, T-Rob and the seniors spoke for a bit.

 Then Coach Self said a few words, once the roar of the crowd dulled a bit.

 He ended by saying, "We didn't come up short; we just ran out of time." Isn't that the truth? A few more minutes, and our comeback kids could have pulled it out, I just know it!  At any rate, it was an awesome year for KU basketball, and I'm proud to be a Jayhawk.  Rock Chalk!!

What Can Bring Brothers Together?

Lots of things, but since Christmas?  The I-Pod Touch!  You remember Santa brought the kids this collective gift, and for the most part, they've done a great job sharing it.  This is how the boys can be found lots of times as they are "playing" together!

If You Love Him, You Have to Let Him Go

For the past week or so, Rocky Cat has had a little competition as the Dwyer family pet.  And I do mean little.  Let me introduce to you Li'l Bill.

Let me explain the name. . . A couple of years ago at the lake, the kids found a turtle and promptly named him Bill.  Ever since then, any turtle they've come across has been "Bill."  This beautifully-colored turtle is "Li'l Bill" because. . .

. . . he's about the size of a quarter.  So cute, don't you think?

 Grandpa Denny found Li'l Bill and brought him to show the boys.  He thought they would just look at him and then release him.  Well, my boys had other plans!  They immediately started asking for a home for him and food, etc etc etc.  So we did a little research and found out that baby water turtles eat fish food, at which point Russ ran to the store to buy some.  The boys faithfully fed Li'l Bill and played with him for nearly a week, but unfortunately, it was apparent that he just wasn't happy trapped in a container.  We decided the best thing to do was let him go to be a free Li'l Bill.  The boys sadly made their way to the pond where they would say good-bye to their friend.

 Calvin had to get in one last "hug". . .

 Then the big release. . .

 You could almost see him smile as he started swimming around and burrowing in the mud.  Oh Happy Day for Li'l Bill!

 We'll miss you, buddy!  Maybe we'll see you again someday when you are a Big Bill!

Mushroom Season

With all of the rain we've had the past couple of weeks, the ground was prime for some morels!  Uncle Scottie was the actual mushroom hunter this year, as Russ is way too busy right now.  But we were all fortunate enough to be invited to the dinner!

 Uncle Scottie fries them up just perfect.  YUMMMMY!

 Violet got her first taste this year, and I think she liked them!

Palm Sunday

This year, April started off with the traditional processional of the children through the church waving their palm branches for Palm Sunday.  

 This year, Miss Violet was such a big girl and waved her branch just like the big kids.

Have a blessed Holy Week!