XC Banquet

Another awesome Cross Country season has come to an end.

In addition to another varsity letter (pin in lieu of), this year, Patrick was honored with "Most likely to be remembered" and "Best Farmer Tan" peer awards. He started unbuttoning his shirt on the way up, in an effort to protest the "farmer tan" title...also demonstrating why he's so memorable, I'm sure.

Here's some more pics with Patrick and his friends. Don't they look like a fun bunch?



















And we're the most fun of all, of course! (Doesn't Troy look like he's lots of fun?)

Congratulations, Patrick!

More Cross Country Fun

I've really enjoyed watching Patrick run. I especially love how he's adopted the headband this year...making him much easier to pick out as green runners fly by...


And they're off! (Where's Patrick?)



Last Wednesday's meet was at a private Christian school up north. It was the first meet where they've had to do laps instead of a laid out course. On the final lap...



They had to turn into the lane of cones for the finish...



Although he still hasn't met his personal best time from last year, he did come in 4th on his team (13th overall)...which is the highest place he's come in so far.



Boys! He had to get a pic with his bloody-nosed friend. This one will make the banquet slideshow. Guaranteed.



They finish out the meet with group stretching before heading for the bus.



I was too far away to hear what they were saying, but they were being total goofballs...



It was hard not to crack up while watching these two.

Cross Country Clairvoyancy

After keeping a decent training schedule over the summer, Patrick was ready to go at the first meet of the school year. The night before, Patrick predicted he'd come in 5th for his team, 15th overall at around 20 minutes (they run a 5K). He even posted the prediction on Facebook (therefore, it was "Facebook official").



Coree got a bonus for supporting her brother...a couple of friends who run for a rival school ran over to say hello before the meet.



I appreciated Patrick donning this headband. It made him easy to pick out in the sea of green.



And there he goes...



Patrick had purchased a rose after school and planned to have a friend hand it to him near the end. He then ran to the finish with said rose between his teeth. I wasn't aware of any of this, and unfortunately, an over-zealous (and apparently visually impaired) teammate who had already finished walked back toward the crowd and RIGHT in front of my camera as I was trying to get the shot. I honestly wanted to reach out and smack him upside the head...but dang it, I'm an adult and that would have been wrong.



He gave the rose to Sarah...along with a big sweaty hug. She's a brave girl.



Not sure who this is...he might be another one of the youth in the district...but I love his hair!

Oh, and that prediction? Spot on. 5th for Kubi, 15th overall, 20:08. I think his first meet last year he ran a 26:something. The question is...was it just a lucky guess, is he psychic, or was it a self-fulfilling prophecy? Interesting.

Way to go, Patrick...looks like a great start to the season!

The Lettermen

The letterman jackets finally arrived. (These were Christmas presents, remember?) I knew they'd arrive after Christmas, but the end of February seemed a bit excessive to me.


Oh, how I love these boys.



These grad year patches are my favorite



Troy had a football number to add, but there are no numbers in cross-country



OK, maybe the dragon is my favorite. (Go Dragons!!)



And of course, their sport pins.



Patrick ran into the house shouting, "Wait, Troy...you need your football."
To which Troy replied, "Um, Patrick...I don't actually USE a football."
To which I chimed in..."That's right Patrick, Troy is more of a...'people' person."
Troy liked that.
Patrick still insisted on the football.



Then Patrick wanted this action shot.



He says the jacket makes him feel epic. I think he's pretty epic anyway.

Cross Country Banquet

As I mentioned in a previous post, Patrick's Cross-Country season ended...so there was the obligatory awards banquet to attend. It was held at the Habu Pit (of Homecoming dance fame).


You can dress Troy up...but you can't take him out.



Here's Patrick hugging Coach Campbell after receiving his varsity letter...and his peer awards for "Sweatiest Athlete" and "Biggest Chu-Chu Fan". (Chu-Chus are Japanese "Otter Pops". They are very popular, and the coach sells them out of his classroom, along with other snacks. Apparently, Patrick is his best customer.) We're so proud!



Awww...Coach and Patrick.



Awww...Patrick and Brandon.



Awww...Patrick's whole family!

Congratulations, Patrick...we love you, man!

Cross Country Finale and Color Guard Cutie

This is what cross-country season coming to an end looks like.


Patrick's had a great run of it. (RUN of it...I kill myself!)



And just to make this post even cuter...here's Jake preparing to do his duty in the Cub Scout color guard for his friend's Arrow of Light ceremony.

Patrick Makes Varsity!

This is what making varsity looks like. Well, the last piece of it. There are other requirements, but the biggest one is coming in 7th at a meet. Patrick came in 7th here with just over a 19 minute 5 K. He has shaved almost 7 minutes off of his time over the season so far.

Not bad for his first year in Cross Country, huh?

More Mr. Hotstuff

Notice anything amusing about this picture? (Besides how much Patrick appears to dig himself?)


We were just goofing around taking pictures of Patrick's rippling muscles and then noticed Jesus standing on Patrick's shoulder, whispering in his ear. I was relieved not to see the devil standing on the other shoulder.


And speaking of rippling muscles...here's Patrick at today's Cross Country meet. He's actually doing quite well.

Go Dragons!

Cross Country Modesty

Patrick's Cross Country uniform came in...



As soon as I saw it, I was prepared to either offer my sympathies, or tell him it really wasn't TOO bad...you know, offer him some sort of consolation...like, "You'll be running so fast, no one will notice" or "At least everyone else has to wear it, too." Turns out, it wasn't needed...



Patrick's face lit up almost as soon as he walked through the door, as he exclaimed, "I...look...sooo...HOT in this!"

*sigh* I don't even know what else to say...