Ice

We recently went to the Gaylord Texan and walked through their ICE exhibit.  It was a great time.

Noelle Gets 4th in All-Around at Texas State Meet

Over the weekend Noelle competed in the Texas State Gymnastics Meet. In order to qualify for state you were required to finish in the top 24 at Districts. Noelle competed in the Level 5, Junior B, Bronze division (which is below gold and silver). This is Noelle's first year competing at the state level.


It was Noelle's best meet ever. She placed in all 4 events (bars, beam, vault, and floor) and won 4th in the All-Around. Her scores were as follows:

• Bars - 9.1 (5th place)
  
• Floor - 9.225 (5th Place)
  
• Balance Beam - 8.7 (3rd place)
  
• Vault - 8.675 (7th place)
  
• All-Around - 35.675 (4th place)
  

4th in the All-Around competition

Preparing for uneven bars

Flying high

On the high bar

Perfect finish

Noelle and Sarah from United Elite

Practicing for balance beam

Handstand on balance beam

Noelle and her coach - John

Noelle's final scores

5 Metals!!

Jewell's Picturesque (but Fraudulent) Marketing Material

Misty and I went to undergraduate school at a great little liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri called William Jewell College.  I  loved my time at WJC.  In fact, Noelle was named after WJC (Noelle Jewell Helms).  

Tonight I got a card from William Jewell asking for a donation.  The front of the card contained a beautiful picture of the quad - a little too beautiful.  Can you tell why this picture is clearly a fake? 

* You don't need to know anything about WJC to find the answer.  Post a comment if you figure it out.

Brittany Gets Another A

Brittany made the A-team in basketball at Cain Middle School. She plays point-guard. Her team had their first game last night - a tough 2 point loss to Ereckson Middle School (from Allen, Texas). Brittany had 6 points and played well. I expect that they will get stronger as the year goes on.

Jr.'s Baseball Stats for the Fall

Shawn Jr. plays baseball for the Dallas Colts.  The Fall season started in August and is getting ready to end.  Shawn has enjoyed the season.  The team has improved and he had one of his better seasons at the plate.  During the Fall is batting statistics were as follows:

• At Bats:  44
  
• Batting Average:  .500
  
• On-Base %:  .589
  
• Hits:  22
  
• RBIs:  15
  
• Strike Outs: 7
  
• Slugging %: .591
  
• Runs: 24

Number of Web Hits

I am amazed at how many people read this boring blog about my family. I created it so the grandparents (in Missouri) could see pictures of the kids. However, we now know that many family, friends and acquaintances read this blog.

Last year I put on a web counter. On July 23rd, a few weeks before Josh was born, the counter was at 2139. It is now at 4672. That is 108 days ago. That means we are averaging over 23 hits per day since July 23, 2008. Now that is hits, not individuals. Therefore, a refresh or return visit from the same person on the same day counts as a new hit. Still, that is a big number given the limited content. We are certainly not that interesting -- but thanks for stopping by.

Just wanted to let you know that if you are reading this blog, you are not alone.

Noelle Turns 9!

Yesterday was Noelle's 9th birthday.  She is growing up so fast.

The Moon

Below is a picture I took tonight with my new Nikon D90 camera.

RipStik Basketball

This is Shawn Jr. riding the RipStik and shooting baskets with Joseph.  

As Grandpa John would say - very dangerous.

** Do not try this at home.

Helms Kids Winning Weekend

The Helms kids had a winning weekend.  The Cain Volleyball A-Team won their district tournament.  Shawn's baseball team, the Dallas Colts, won a big tournament in Mansfield.  Shawn and Brittany's basketball teams Press White and Press Black each won their championships at the RISE.  Noelle had her district gymnastic meet and did well.  Finally Brittany's tried out for a select volleyball team, Impact, and made the top team.  It was a great weekend.

Cain Volleyball

Colts Baseball

The Colts have played in a number of tournaments this Fall and have finished second a number of times. This past weekend the Colts played in a tournament in Mansfield, Texas, at a place called Big League Dreams Sports Park.  Their fields are mini-major league ballparks.  They played at Fenway (Boston) and won first place.

Press White

Impact Volleyball Tryouts

New Pictures of Josh and Company

Homeschool to Public School Update

If you read this blog then you know that Brittany started public school for the first time this year.  She has been homeschooled her whole life.  We were a little concerned about the transition.

Well, to be honest, the first few months were a little easier than I thought they would be.  Brittany has adjusted to the rigors of day-in-and-day-out demands, assignments and tasks very well.  She has managed her schedule and (for the most part) has met each challenge with a good attitude.  She continues to make many new friends and (most importantly) pick her friends wisely.  

Academically she is also doing great.  Brittany got her first report card last week - all As.  Last night she brought home her 'A' Honor Roll certificate. 

Keep up the good work Brittany.  I know it has been a challenge and (as I knew you would) you are rising the meet that challenge!

Brittany is a Teenager!

Brittany turned 13 this month.  I am now the father of a teenager.  Scary stuff.

Two Birthday Girls

Yesterday we celebrated Heather's and Skylin's birthday. Sky turned 2 and Heather turned 21 (or so). Two big birthdays.

The two birthday girls

Birthday Princess

Birthday cake with 14? candles.