Wolverine Wrestling, 2011

Our wrestler finished up his last week of wrestling last weekend. He finished his first and last season of Wolverine Wrestling fifth in the region in the 182 pound class. It was a grueling weekend chocked full of wrestling match after wrestling match! Jon and I both took the day off to watch, and for Jon to volunteer. The girls and I didn't leave the gym Friday night until after 11:00 p.m.!
I wish my camera took better picture- but these are the best I could do.


Below is a picture of what I consider to be the best match of the night. Blake wrestled against a KNW Eagle- so I had to cheer against my old crowd. Whew, it was loud but I got my voice heard! Blake won by points and right at the end the kids parent he was wrestling yelled, "At least he didn't PIN YOU!" haha, it was awesome. Highlight of the weekend for me!

We are super proud of Blake for joining and finishing wrestling this year, it was a great learning experience for him.

Student of the YEAR!!!

Yes, that is correct. Blake was chosen not only as Student of the Year but also as the Academic Student of the Year for 2011. I was told he was chosen "hands down", just sayin'..... an almost mom to a teenage boy has to brag you know.

I was surprised and he was too fast for me to get a good picture!

Blake worked his butt off this year to make up 6 credits- on top of doing his regular Junior Year school work. Hence the Academic Student of the Year honors.

Blake, to say the least is very mild mannered and um, quiet. I have said many, many times this year he is the "polar opposite" of his brother Matthew. It is no exaggeration- one is very outgoing and going, going, going... the other content to chill and work on his computer.

Basically chilling at his awards ceremony with Sis.....

Needless to say, we are very, very proud. Our spring was a little rough, and this award made it all worth it.

Prom 2011

Somehow Jon talked Blake into going to Prom this year (no Dumb and Dumber costumes, remember what it took for M. to go to Prom?). He waffled back and forth, back and forth and finally decided that he would go.
A few hours before the dance he told Jon he would need some "lessons" in slow dancing. This cracked me up. Jon tried to show him without me- can you picture it? Yeah, I died too. So when I got home Jon cranked up Alisha Keys' "No One" and we busted our moves. I warned him that his date might try to get a little frisky (aka stealing a kiss or two), I even modeled.... Jon didn't seem to mind. I offered to show Blaker how to dance, he turned about 10 shades of red and passed.

I think overall he had a great time and going to Prom at least once is an experience every high school student should have. The Tracker has made it to Prom three times, actually made it home to our house only twice. We were happy we didn't have to find it in a pit at Aleknagik the morning after Prom.

But to end on a bright note....I think Blake made the right decision to go to Prom. He cleans up pretty good.

Warming up....

Sis really seems to be warming up to Blake.

"Blake I wanna sit on your lap."

"Blake you know what? I saw a moose indawoods."

"BLAKE!!! It's time to waaaaake uppp!"

I didn't take the picture, but it looks like Sis got Blake to read her a beloved Clifford book. Yup, it's official. She's warmed up to him and he is definitely starting to fit into the House of Clouse.

Welcome to the Family

If you haven't heard we have acquired another teenager. The word is out- The Clouses take teenagers. We're on our third, people think we are crazy. Little do they know that when our girls are teenagers these boys are going to be our eyes and ears, keeping our teenage girls in LINE!

This teenager was actually referred to us from another teenager, who happens to be his older brother, who also happened to have lived with us for a few years.

His name is Blake.

As you can see he has made himself quite comfortable in the last few weeks. He prefers a different piece of furniture when compared to his brother. Matthew preferred to crash out on the chair, but you know who am I to judge? Whatever floats your boat. I can never figure out boys.

He has fit in quite nicely at the Clouse House. Jon has spent quite a lot of time with him- driving lessons, hunting, yard work, Algebra II homework, etc. He is quiet, and likes his computer time- quite the opposite of his older brother.

Matthew- loud, lots of friends ALL the time, in and out of the house, didn't eat much while he was at home, etc.

Blake- very quiet, some friends sometimes, at home, eats like a typical teenage boy (which is a LOT).


We think we are going to keep him. He fits right in.

Note to Blake: if you fall asleep in the living room and Shannon is around, she will take pictures, lot's of pictures. She will post them on the blog.