Hoopfest 09 - In The Books

Titus started his day with a loss which knocked him and his mates out of their bracket. He did, however, make it to the semi-finals in the shoot-for-the-car contest. Out of several thousand shooters of a half court shot, Titus was one of about a hundred and fifty that made it. Next came a 3-point shot that culled the field to him and just 30 other hoopers. Those thirty-one shot another three pointer to see who gets to shoot the final half court for the car. Here is Titus launching his shot in the semi-finals...it looked oh-so-good, but did a double skip on the front and back rim before bouncing out.

Levi and his team faired better in their first game, winning 18-15. That gave them a second game this afternoon, but the competition was just too tough. They lost, but in gentlemanly style.

The Strange Tilting of the Universe

Ever notice how just when you're starting to really have a lot of fun in a public place, suddenly, out of nowhere comes a bigfatkid and ruins the whole thing?

I hate it when that happens.

Hoopfest 2009 - Spokane, WA

Every year during the last weekend in June downtown Spokane plays host to a gigantic 3-on-3 basketball tournament. According to the website, Spokane's Hoopfest is the biggest 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the planet with nearly 7000 teams, 3000 volunteers, and 400 courts spanning 40 downtown city blocks. It is a real event. Here's a shot of 'center court' where the Open Division championship game is held, along with the slam dunk contest and the awards ceremony.

The Master of Opening Ceremonies this year was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The weather was perfect for the hooping.

And the fans from around the world came out to cheer on the ballers!

Linda(US), Ming(China), SoYun(Korea), Maya(Japan), "Ace" (Korea)

Both Titus and Levi played this year...Nate was planning to play, but a recent shoulder surgery took him out of his game.

Ya Gotta Love This Game!

For the lucky fans that have thier court assignment near the skywalk, they get the 'club seats' view.

A nice shot looking down toward the fountain in Riverfront Park.

Ming and Maya doing the big girl bus thing.

No, I'm not really handicapped. But one year when I played Hoopfest, I did spend quite a while in the First Aid tent after badly messing up my ankle in a game!

The L-Dawg Got Game

Young Levi showed up this year with his A-Game...a nice touch from long distance, and a force around the rim.

Not to mention some very stylish shoes.

Levi, how did you get so much bigger than all of us?

Don't worry fellas, I got a handle on it.

Titus The Ferocious Competitor

Don't bring that weak stuff in here!

That's a three ball.

White Boy Giant.

I believe I can fly...

Doing da Docta Thang

The doctor kit Ming gave me for Father's Day is getting a workout...and the patient looks very serious!

Big Brother Nate

Nate stopped by tonight for a BBQ'd burger and a little fun in the driveway with Ming Mei. You'll see in the pic that he is sporting a sling (again) as a result of his second baseball-induced shoulder surgery in 9 months. I hope Doc Lynch got it right this time!

Father's Day Fun

This morning I awoke to a special pictoral presentation on Levi's computer - an electronic Father's Day card. He had a bunch of photos that rotated through on the screen, along with a nice note to me on one of the slides. He also gave me a football themed frame in which I can (and will) put one of his FB photos.

Here is sleepy Ming Mei giving me her present. It was a doctor's kit that included a bunch of orange plastic implements for which doctors are known (see the stethoscope below). Based on how the whole doctor thing usually goes, I'm sure I will end up 'doctoring' her more than she does me.

Ming is checking out Titus' heart, but I know has a big one from the nice note he wrote me and the special gift he gave me - an official flag from one of the golf holes at Eagle Bend Golf Club. (He didn't actually take it from a hole, but bought it in the pro shop). It will look good hanging in my office.

Look Ma, I'm Jumping on Your Bed!

I got a new camera here in Montana this weekend (with a wider angle lens, you'll notice) so I wanted to test out its shutter speed with some action shots. So I invited Ming into the master suite for a little bed jumping! As you can see by the photos, she was a willing (and joyful) participant.

Cardz In The Big Sky

Part of the Szym family made the trek to Montana for the Father's Day weekend. Nate didn't come because he's making money back in Spokane, but the rest of us are hanging in Bigfork for a couple of nights. These crazies in the photo like to stay up late watching movies and playing cards. I like to go to bed and turn out the light.

Look Ma, I'm Famous!

Just a few days ago I posted the above photo in our blog. It didn't take long for that photo to find its way in an advertisement for the Community Colleges of Spokane. Linda serves as a Coordinator in the International program at the college and she's also an experienced Homestay Mama. As usual, it pays to know someone on the inside. :-/

Yee Haw!

Riding the grocery store horsey.

Titus Turns Twenty

A little birthday party action tonight at Grandma Szym's house, complete with Mama's awesome Oreo cheesecake.

And candles!

The big boy w'his homegirls.