Tennis Awards Night

Sean lettered in Varsity Tennis (award on the left) and he also was inducted into the State All-Conference Team by the Montana State Coaches (award on the right). WooHoo! Sean made "ALL-CONFERENCE"

When they brought up Sean to present his awards, the coach went on and on about how they nurtured Sean two years ago, then sent him to Texas last year to improve his game and then brought him back. Everyone laughed. Sean had the best record on the Boys Varsity Team this year. He went 12-3 in season play, came in 3rd place at Divisionals and made it to the State Championships, where he came in 9th. He helped Park High School reach 6th place at State. Higher than they have ever gone. There are 18 teams in the state and we came in the top 1/3 in the State this year.

They had cake and ice cream at the awards night. I made sure I got the piece with Sean on it. (back row, 2nd from left). It was yummy!

Buffalo Burgers

Me and my Mom drove down to Gardiner this afternoon for a Buffalo Burger at Helen's. They sure were good. Look at that burger in my Mom's hand. That is only half the burger! Good thing we went hungry.

Helen's in Gardiner is the best place in the world for buffalo burgers. They are huge! 1/2 pound of pure gut-buster enjoyment. You don't have to eat the rest of the day. And these burgers are like homemade, no pre-shaped patties. If you are ever in Gardiner you have to give them a try.

Seminary Graduation

Sean graduated from Seminary tonight at the Stake Center in Bozeman. He had to give a talk on the New Testament and did a very good job. He is a natural speaker and he did most of it off the top of his head. Bishop Orton handed him his diploma and it was so nice to see him accomplish such a big thing. To graduate from Seminary, Sean had to get up early every morning for four years before school and attend a Religion Class at 6 a.m. That is not an easy thing to do, and Sean did it for four years. Tonight he and the other kids received the recognition they deserved. It was a nice graduation. Grandma Wilma flew into Billings this afternoon and I was able to pick her up and we drove into Bozeman in time for the graduation. Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Art wanted to make it but Aunt Kim was graduating from Long Beach State today, earning her Master's Degree. Way to go Kim! They will be here on Friday in time for high school graduation this weekend.

Sean celebrating Seminary Graduation

Grandma Wilma came from California for Sean's graduation

Grandma Wilma with her favorite Grandkids

Is this a good looking family or what!?!

Proud Parents with Sean

Lacey and Sean

So nice to see the kids getting along....

The Park High Tennis Bus

Sean went to State! Want proof? Look at the window on the bus....

Photos from State Championships

Sean played tough at the State Chamionships in Miles City. He ended up in the Top 10 of all boys singles players in the State of Montana, Class A. Way to go Sean! He is a natural when it comes to tennis.

Sean ready to hit a return during the State Championships

After the first day of the tournament Sean and his teammates had dinner. Page and I surprised them all with an ice cream cake to celebrate Sean's 18th Birthday that day.
A couple days before the State Championships, the team had a pre-tournament dinner and Hanna surprised Sean with a Birthday Cake shaped like a tennis racket.

State Championships

Well, Sean made his run at the State Championships. He first had to play a real tough player from Billings Central (a favored team to win State this year). The first set Sean lost 4-6. He hung in there pretty tough. The second set started out a lot better. Sean found a groove and was leading 5-2. Then the wheels fell off the wagon. The Billings kid took the next 5 games to beat Sean 7-5 and win the match. That was tough. The kid he lost to is expected to be in the top 4 by the end of the tournament. The next game Sean played was against a kid from Libby. Sean took him to task and beat him 6-1, 6-3. That win put Sean in the top 10 of the tournament. His third opponent was a kid from Lewistown that has beaten Sean twice this year already. We were very anxious hoping Sean could avenge his past losses. (One of the losses was not technically a loss, since the match ended due to hail and rain and they didn't finish the match, but the other kid was leading...). Anyway back to the tournament... it was late Thursday afternoon and they started the match. The other kid took the first set 6-4, but you could tell Sean really wanted this match and was not giving up. Sean kept fighting back getting better as the match continued. He won the second set 6-3 and the momentum seemed to be going Sean's way. They had to play a 3rd set tiebreak. They were battleing it out, but you just sensed that Sean was going to take this game and move forward in the tournament. The third set was tied at 2 games a piece, Sean was serving and it was 30-30 when the rain started to come down hard. They called off all the games being played due to rain, to resume the following morning at 7 a.m. Sean was dissapointed because he felt like he had the game in hand and he had gotten inside the other players head. Sean was concerned that letting the guy sleep all night and resting would take away the advantage he gained during the match. Well we came to the courts at 7 a.m. They still were a little damp and the ball was heavy. They resumed where they left off. Sean just couldn't get anything going and lost 4 straight games, lost the match, and was eliminated from the tournament. Page and I felt bad for Sean. However Sean had a very good attitude and had a good time at the tournament. He felt it was a real privilege just to make the tournament since only 16 in the State made it. Page and I came home today, but Sean chose to stay with the team. The girls team is expected to win the State Championship. It was so much fun to watch Sean play. He had some brilliant moments during the tournament. He fought hard every game and never gave up, trying his best. That was exciting to see. We had so many parents of other players come up to us over the last two days praising Sean and telling us how highly they think of him. We think he is a pretty good guy too.

On Thursday we brought Sean a balloon to the tournament that said Happy 18th Birthday on it, to try to embarrass him a little. It was fun. That night the team went to eat dinner and we showed up with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. They all sung Happy Birthday to him and we shared the cake with the entire team and coaches. I can't believe our baby is 18. We have no more minors living in the house now. We got them all to adulthood. Do we get a reward for that?

Happy 18th !!!

Sean turns 18 tomorrow (May 24th). Our baby is now an adult. Our big plans are watching Sean play in the State Championships for High School Tennis in Miles City tomorrow and Friday. Last night the tennis team players going to State had a dinner at Hanna's house and they made Sean a big birthday cake shaped as a tennis racket. How cool. I wish I was there to see it. Last night Sean also had his band concert and had a nice solo playing Fantam of the Opera. They also gave all the seniors a butonier and had them all stand and be introduced. He also stood after his solo to applause. Wish I could have seen that too. Anyway, I can't beleive our baby is 18. He has been a wonderful son and we are so proud of everything he has accomplished in his young life. We are expecting a lot of great things from him. Happy Birthday, Sean !!!

Tennis Divisional Pictures

Sean serving up a win in the Divisional Tournament. Sean came in 3rd place. Top 4 in the tournament go to State. Only 16 boys get into the Montana State Championships. Sean is one of the TOP 16 in the State. Is that awesome or what?

Sean is all grins when he has enough wins to make it to State

Sean and Hanna

Sean receiving his 3rd Place Ribbon

Sean is going to the Montana State Championship
YIPEE !!!!!!!!!

Boys Varsity Tennis

Park High School Tennis Team (Sean is back row, 2nd from left)

Going to State

Sean and his team had their Divisional Tournament for Tennis. Their division is made up of Park, Havre, Fergus and Butte Central. They went up Thursday night to get ready for the two day tournament in Lewistown on Friday and Saturday. Sean was supposed to be seeded #2, but some last minute protests from Havre and Fergus moved Sean down to #4 because he didn't play in the tournament last year. Duh! He was in Texas! I think it is a crazy rule, but nevertheless, Sean was moved to #4. First day, Sean played the #4 player from Havre and beat him 6-0, 6-0. Later in the day he played the top Butte Central Player and beat him 6-1, 6-1. Sean had a great first day and it put him in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Saturday morning arrived and Sean had an 8 a.m. start, playing the #1 Havre player who was also seeded #1 in the tournament and is favored to win the State Championship. Sean has played him twice before and has beaten him both times. We had our fingers crossed because if he could beat him again, Sean would play in the Championship game. It was cold and the wind was blowing like 30 miles an hour. These were terrible conditions to play tennis. Sean won the first set 6-2. The start of the second set, the first game went on forever. They went back and forth to duece several time and Sean finally pulled out the win. He was leading the second set 1-0. Then the other player got a pep talk from his coach and he came out a completely different player. He was smashing his shots, making every one. He was hitting bullets making Sean run the court. Sean was trying to keep up but ended up losing the second set 2-6. So now they had to play a third set. They battled back and forth, but the Havre kid broke Sean's serve and Sean lost the third set 4-6. Page and I felt so bad. Sean was frustrated. He lost to a kid he beat twice and it knocked him out of the championship game. I have to say, the kid looked like he took go-go juice or something. He was on fire and overpowered Sean. Now Sean was knocked down to the consolation bracket. He had to win the next game or he would not be in the top 4 to go to State next week. We were worried about his mental state and if he would pull himself together for the next match. His team really helped him relax and soon he was smiling again and watching other team members play. At noon, Sean had to play the #3 Havre player. The kid had just knocked off our #2 player. The kid was good, but Sean soon figured out the guy's game and took him to town. Sean beat him 6-2, 6-2. OK! Now I was doing the happy dance. This game assured Sean was going to the State Tournament. Sean made it to State. He still had one more match to see if he was going as #3 or #4. He had to play the #2 Havre player who just about beat the #2 seed of the tournament and the #1 player from Fergus. (#1 Fergus was the only guy Sean lost to all year before Divisionals). This was going to be a tough match and other players from other teams were talking smack to our player saying there was no way Sean was going to beat this guy. Sean started the match and played inspiring tennis. He was so relaxed and was hitting everything. He destroyed the other player 6-1, 6-1. If you took away the game he lost, Sean was the most dominate player in the tournament. Sean was dissapointed that he was so close to winning the whole tournament and just missed it. But he was very pleased that he made it to State. Page says Sean does much better if he is not playing early in the morning. Maybe it would have been different if that 8 a.m. match was played later in the day. Who knows. But Sean got his ribbon for 3rd place and will be playing somebody who came in #2 in their divisionals. There are 4 Divisions in Montana and Sean plays in the Central Division who is the most dominate Division in the State. In fact, somebody from our Division has won state the last 5 years in a row and Sean has proven he can beat anybody in our Division so I think he could make a good showing in State. He is excited to go and says he plans to have a lot of fun playing. Good luck next week Sean! We are very proud of him and will be in Miles City next week cheering him on.

Awards Night

Sean had his Awards Night tonight. The PHS Boosters Club gave their scholarship to Sean. Page said they praised Sean for the things he has accomplished. They talked about how he helped hurricane victims and assisted the elderly. Congratulations Sean! Page went and said it was a long hot night. Sean looked the best. He went in a suit. All the other students were in jeans. About 75% of the scholarships went to students planning to stay in Montana for school, which limited Sean's ability to get the available scholarships from the school. Sean really wanted one of the scholarships that would have given him $1000 a year for 4 straight years, but didn't get it. (I would have been happy with that too). But I'm proud that he got the Booster scholarship. It will help with expenses his first semester at BYU. He has worked really hard in high school and has acomplished a lot academically and with his extra-curicular activities. He said a few handful of students got the majority of scholarships. Isn't that always the way? And he was surprised that some got scholarships when they were known more for partying on weekends and hosting "kegger" parties than academics. Sometimes it's more about "who you know", I think. Nevertheless, I'm glad the Booster Club recognized Sean for his great accomplishments.

Los Angeles

I was in Los Angeles this week. I arrived on Monday in Long Beach. My Mom told me my cousin, Karen was not doing well and was expected to pass away any moment, so we rushed from the airport out to Riverside to see her. She did not look well. But I did get to see her and express my love to her and give her a kiss. She is only 44 years old. (My Mom called this morning and informed me she passed away this morning in her hospital room at 10:45 a.m). Monday night I headed to downtown LA for a two day meeting. I was able to take Dr. Tracy and Dr. Wurzel to the Bonaventure for dinner on Tuesday night. We sat at the top, where the room moves so you get a 360 degree view of Los Angeles in about an hour as you slowly move. We could see the Griffith Park fire from where we were eating. The fire just missed the zoo and the observatory. Wednesday, I took the docs to Santa Monica Pier for lunch and dropped them off to the airport, then I headed back to Moms for a couple days. Thursday we had a great time. We had breakfast on the ocean in Long Beach, then we went shopping for shells for Lacey. We then went to downtown LA's chinatown to eat at Yang Chows and had their slippery shrimp. It is the best thing you will ever eat! Delicious. Every table orders it and the green beans. We did too. After that we drove down to San Pedro to put flowers on my Grandma Congo's grave since it would have been her 89th Birthday, then we stopped at the Spanish Deli and got some Manchego Cheese and Spanish Chorizo to have for dinner. We had a full day. On Friday we just hung around the house then off the airport where I flew to Salt Lake and was delayed for about an hour. I got into Cody at about 11:15 p.m. last night. Then this morning we moved to a new house! I am beat! My feet hurt so bad.

Page called and said Sean is doing well at Lewistown for tennis today. He has beaten Butte Central, Havre and Hardin which ensures him the 2nd seed for next weekends Divisional Championships. If he beats Lewistown convencingly this afternoon, he will be top seed. Page said the girls all told her they think he looks like Andy Roddick out on the courts. That should be good for his ego. Page also said his racket broke and he is worried about playing Lewistown with a poor racket (a spare he brought). I hope you do well Sean!

Sean also got an invite to the awards banquet for Wednesday. The school only sends out a personal invitation if you are getting an award or scholarship. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Last week, Sean also got a certificate for being in the top 10% of ACT scores (college entrance exams).

Well I got to get back to cleaning the old house, getting the last few items from the old house to the new house and then start unpacking. I'm going to miss celebrating Mother's Day with Page this year. Happy Mothers Day, Page!~ and to my Mom and Mother-in-law. By the way, I got to see my Mother In Law this week. She has been very ill. I have to say, I felt a lot better when I saw her. She looks great. We have been so worried.

Sean and Chelsie

Sean and Chelsie went to the High School Prom tonight. The theme was "Mardi Gras" and it was held at the Livingston Depot.

Prom Night

Sean is leaving the house to head up the mountain to pick up his date for the Prom. He is dressed and ready to go. He was the only boy at the Prom that wore tails. He looks sharp. His date has a green dress with pink flowers, so he wanted to make sure he complimented her. He sure did! You look great, Sean.

Sean picking up his date, Chelsie, for the Prom

Sean giving Chelsie her corsage

Mom and Dad have to take pictures before they can leave

Sean and Chelsie leaving for dinner and then to the Prom

Sean with his big sis, Lacey
Sean and Chelsie double dated with Kenny and Moriah. Here they just arrived at the Prom after having dinner at the Montana Rib and Chop House.

Sean and friends

Sean and some of his tennis teammates

Sean is ready to Party!

More Tennis Pictures

Hey World! Sean beat Havre

Sean and Coach Hoover talking strategy

Lacey got to watch her little brother play some tennis.

Here is Sean between games

What's the big deal you ask? It is a HUGE deal! Sean beat the #1 player from the #1 tennis school in our division today. He was at a tournament in Billings. This morning he played the #1 player from Glendive and beat him. Then he played a new guy from Hardin (the 4th different guy they have thrown at him) and beat that guy. Then late this afternoon he played Haver #1. We have been waiting for this, and I have to admit I was pretty nervous. I was just hoping he would not get beat too bad. Yeah, I thought that, isn't that aweful? Sean took the first game and I thought... hmmmmm.... he beat him, it was well fought and each game was close but Sean seemed to close the deal on most of the games. After he beat Havre, he came to the fence where Page and I were sitting and he flashed the biggest grin. He and we were so excited. Getting to the State Championships seems very likely at the moment.

My Celebrity Look-Alikes

Ok, do I really look like these people? (Thanks Karie for this fun idea)

Sean updates

Sean got back Sunday night from the Salt Lake City Senior Band Trip. He had a real good time. They saw a couple musicals, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and All About Millie. Plus they went to the SLC Symphony. The majority of kids didn't want to do the Temple Square Tour so they didn't do that. They did go to Trolley Square and also played Laser Tag. Sean beat everyone in Laser Tag. We are glad Sean had such a good time.

On Monday, Sean had some tennis matches. He played a close game against the #1 player from Lewistown and lost in the tiebreaker. Needless to say he was dissapointed. He was not feeling too well and had a terrible headache. Before the next match he started to feel much better and beat the #1 player from Butte Central. Then his last match was #1 JV from Bozeman and he beat him too. Sean's coach called Sean.. "the Man!"

Today Sean went to Dillon and played the #1 player from Hamilton and beat him pretty easily too. Sean is having a great year in tennis. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will make it to the State Championships this year.