Javelin Farm

The many colors of Javelin contest.

Still Having Fun

Sam and Adam are joined with Noah Bolt from Indiana State on the podium. Adam 1st, Noah 2nd and Sam 3rd. All of the throwers from the different schools know each other well since they are throwing against each other for years. Noah is a senior and I believe this is his last conference championship.

Nervous Watching

We all wanted Sammy to get his regional hammer mark so bad that I'm sure our blood pressure was higher than what is considered healthy.

Finding His Spot

Sam went out looking for the target for the next days hammer throw. Visualizing where he wanted the throw it was a good practice in principle. Didn't quite get there this year but he is gonna get it done next season.

Adam

Adam had a good meet, winning hammer and taking 3rd is discus. He peaked at the right time. I was sad for Sam because he didn't quite get what he wanted but happy for Adam who is like a close relative from Britain/Wales. Dylan connects with Adam because they share a love for Rugby, Football and EDM.

Holiday Card Possibility

Great to have all of us together at SIU in Carbondale Illinois. Dodged a few tornados but had fun watching Sammy throw.

MVC Discus Finals

Sam wasn't pushing discus this year but he was still able to take 7th in the conference championship. He was more focused on hammer where he took 3rd. 1st in both next year.

Cyclone Twilight

Grandpa, Rachel and I drove down for Minneapolis for a track meet at Iowa state. Sam had a good day throwing hammer and discus. Taking 3rd in hammer was nice, but he fell a little short of his goal. We will see him reach that goal in Carbondale next week.

Happy Momma

Better Discus Days

Sam is working on some discus issues this year. Discus has some real technical requirements and he's more focused on hammer right now.

Buddy Kisses

Buddy likes the walks in the woods, particularly in the warm months.

Providence at Dawn

6am flight out of Providence RI on Monday offered a nice view of the town.

Chilly Day

Not as much rain as predicted but it was quite brisk. Good seeing the boy play.

Northeast Regional

Spent the weekend in Smithfield RI watching the Black Bears struggle in the regional round of the 7's Rugby championship. They won the national crown last year but came up short to return to Boyds Maryland to defend it.

PR Celebration

Sam, Rachel and Robbie looking good.

Happy Sam

Sam had a 3 meter improvement in hammer with Rachel driving down to see the action. Came up with a 61.54 throw, beating his last best of 58.88 at meet a couple weeks ago.

Old town Vibes

Dinner with the Finnster and Rach.

Everybody loves the sunshine.

Minutes to Sunrise

Walk to the beach for a perfect sunrise.

History Buffs

Fort Sumter visit

Fort Sumpter

A dozen visits to Charleston and the first visit to Sumpter.

A Dollar

Adding money to the ceiling

Cricket

A rousing game of cricket in the Griffin Pub on st Patrick's day. This is a pub I frequented 25 years ago when I spent a ton of time in Charleston with my buddies golfing. I think dollar with my name on it is on the wall somewhere.

First Morning

Arrived in Folly Beach on Sunday afternoon in a pouring rain but woke to a cold but sunny beach.

Whiskey Fire

Bulldog throwers

That's a wrap for the indoor season. One to outdoor.

Podium

Sam with #1 and #3. Both from Indiana State.

2nd in the Missouri Valley conference

Not his longest throw this season, but enough to take silver in the weight throw.

Iowa Open

Sam getting ready to throw at the Iowa open.

Hawkeye

Bulldogs and Black Bears

Academic Athletes.

We attended the Drake basketball game last night and Sam showed up in the group of track athletes with a 3.5 gpa or better last semester. The kid dc all got to match out onto the floor, except Sam, who had a class from 6 to 9 last night.

Gopher Win

Beat Indiana by 10.

Goldie

Nice seats from Dad's friend Thomas.

Mid Mountain Lodge

Not a cloud for three days.

Three Amigos

Three great days on the slopes

Steamboat

Early Moon

Got home a little late from Minnesota after an exhausting but important long weekend cerebrating Mom's life. It was good to get the whole family together and see the 150 who showed up to support the family at the celebration event on Saturday.

Big Winner

At a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity after mom's celebration of life on Saturday. I think mom would have approved. Robbie was the big winner.

Favorite trees

I had these trees planted just for nights like this.

Buddy Love Snow

A two mile walk and Buddy never stopped sticking his nose in the snow.

Her Element

We shoveled out 7 inches of snow this morning and are expecting another 3 inches before midnight tonight. Dylan also helped us shovel Ken and Anne's driveway. They are Buddy dog's parents across the street and appreciated the help.

New Year Buddy

2024 was the year of walking Buddy.

Yuletide

Dinner with these guys before the calendar flips.

Hanukkah

The boys still using their pre-school menorahs.

Ice Ice Buddy

Buddy discovers ice on a walk yesterday. He seemed genuinely confused about standing on water.

Fully Lit

A nearly full moon illuminated the yard last night. The moon is right above the roof line and made for a brighter walk to the mailbox.

Approach

It was a chilly welcome to Minnesota last week. -5 degrees on touchdown. Things moderated from there and we had a great visit, with Sam joining us Saturday and flying home with us on Monday.

Good Lookin Kid

Media Day

Always something interesting when the photographers show up.