More Cabin Advenutures and Videos

Well, even though we are sorry Nancy couldn't make it up for the weekend, it enabled us to stay longer at the cabin and enjoy a few more days. The five days we were to be here went by so quickly, now we get to stay through Sunday! Everyone is having a great time, spending the majority of it on the water. We did have time to run into Mankato and do a little shopping two evenings, but otherwise, it was tubing, swimming, fishing, kneeboarding, jet skiing, and water skiing on the schedule with bonfires in the evening. I am attaching more video of the kids and their experiences. One is Elyse water skiing (sorry that the video "wonders" off in the middle. . .stay with it) and the other is of the kids tubing. We have had the lake to ourselves all week, but it is getting a little busier now that the weekend has arrived. Two more days and then back to reality-bummer! As you can see, we are having a super time.

Fun at the Cabin

We are having a great time at the Kerian cabin! A lot of it has been spent on the water the last 2 1/2 days so I decided I would include some video of Elyse and Alex doing their favorite activity: kneeboarding!!! They are getting so good at it that Elyse said she needs to learn a new trick to do with it. We are heading to Scheels later to check out some "trick videos" for her to learn to do on the kneeboard. The kids have also been tubing and swimming, as well as riding around the lake on the jet ski. Jet skiing is my favorite! We only put one of the jet skis in being there are only the 4 of us here-usually the kids each bring a friend. We have had the lake mostly to ourselves so far this week, which is nice! Fishing has been super for Wayne and the kids - Kim watching. :0) Wayne usually goes out early while the rest of us sleep in. Norah has already jumped/fell into the water multiple times, loving every minute of it. She will just walk down into the water and stand there to cool off. I went for a 3 mile walk this morning on the trail and it was wonderful! Bonfires in the evening have been a relaxing way to end the day. I guess one night we are eating fish as the croppies are biting, I am told. It is breezy today so Wayne and Alex went golfing, Elyse relaxed as she is sore from so many water sports, and I read a book (yes, school work) down on the dock catching some sun! Anyway, enjoy the videos!

Oh Yeah. . . .Guess how tall Elyse is???

Forgot to mention the news: Elyse had physical yesterday. Measured at 6 ft. 1/2 inch!!!! The nurse told her she is the tallest 13 year old she has ever seen. Elyse is excited about it! I said, "Well now your dad can not argue that he is still taller than you. You can for sure call him Shorty". Elyse turned to me and said, "And I can call YOU Shorty too." I just nodded my head. :)

Alex Golfing and More time with Graham

Alex golfed in a tournament by himself and scored in the low 50s (can't remember exactly) and that includes 2 out of bounds. He didn't place as he was put in the older bracket but did well! It was for a good cause as it was a tournament put on by a father who lost his son in a car accident - kind of a memorial golf tourney.

Graham left his morning - sad to see him go as it is much quieter here. :) Spent a lot of time outside on the swing, wagon rides, at the pool/fitness center, and just having fun. Of course, after all those days with us, he still loves Wayne and cries when Wayne walks out the door. Yes, I may be jealous but it is very cute!

Elyse and Upper Iowa University Basketball Camp

Elyse returned home today from a great 4 days of workout at Upper Iowa basketball camp. After getting used to the bed and little sleep the first night because of it, she adjusted, learned a lot, met some more friends to add to her Facebook, and did very well! Her team got first in league play but were beat in the tournament. You can pick her out in the picture of her team- yep - she is the tall one and proud of it! They have an awards ceremony at the end of the camp, and Elyse took first place in two individual competition! One was called the "mican" and the other competition was "speed layups". I guess she made 14 baskets in 30 seconds for the "mican" and I am not sure how to describe the "speed layups". Anyway, I have enclosed her getting the recognition for those two first place competitions. We are glad to have her home and very proud of her. Now comes doing all the laundry. . . . :0)

Fun with Graham

Graham has arrived at the Kerian household! I decided to just post a few pictures as he will be here a few more days and I will post more later. Today he went with us to pick up Elyse at basketball camp at Upper Iowa. He was so excited to see "Lyse" as he calls her, as were we. We also spent a lot of time outside on Graham's new swing, which he never wanted to get off. Someone has also taught him how to smell flowers because he can't walk by some of my flowers without smelling them. So cute. It was a great day. It is good that he goes to bed early because I need my sleep to prepare for tomorrow's adventures - taking Graham swimming at the fitness center. Stay tuned. . . .:)

ISU, Basketball, and Baseball

We just dropped Elyse off for 4 days of basketball camp at Upper Iowa University. We walked in and their women's head coach goes, "Ah, now there is a familiar face. Good to have you back!". So that made Elyse happy and excited. Funny how this time (her 4th year of basketball camps) she didn't need her parents to hang around. As soon as we had their stuff in their room, they were ready for us to go. Anyway, she is excited and has been practicing a lot to get ready. She is rooming with her cousin, Miranda, so we told them to make sure the "Kerian Cousins" leave their mark at basketball camp! I'm sure they will in one way or another. :)

Alex's baseball team had their end of the season cookout the same night as the All-Star game. Alex was all decked out, thanks to Uncle Ken, in Cardinals gear, as was Wayne. Thanks for the shirt and hat Ken! To say that Alex loves that shirt would be an understatement. Anyway, their season is done so he is spending a lot of time shooting baskets and playing baseball with his friends at the park. We have been playing a lot of "Around the World" in the driveway. You will have to ask the kids who beat them yesterday big time! - yes, their mother can still shoot the ball. hehehehe

Elyse and Alex both attended a small camp put on by ISU basketball players. They travel to various high schools and put on day camps for kids of all ages. Alex won a competition for his age level and Elyse came in 2nd in two competitions for her age level. Both had fun, learned a lot, got some autographs, and were amazed that one of the players wore a 18 size shoe!!!!! Wow! Came home with lots of ISU gear! (Pictures are of Alex getting medal and Elyse and her friend Megan standing in line for autographs)

This week we are excited because my nephew Graham will be staying with us for most of the week! I'm sure he will wear all of us out, but that will get us in gear for school routine. :) It is going to be super having him around and I am sure I will post about our week with Graham next time, as well as Elyse's time at bball camp. Until then...

Kerian Get Together and the "Kerian Crash"

Before you start wondering what the "Kerian Crash" is, let me explain. We had Justin and Cody tonight because their father (the Kerian involved in the "crash") had a little accident with his new pet - a horse - and required some surgery today (hence, the "crash") to put in a few pins and plates in his ankle area. We are glad everything turned out alright for Randy and surgery went well. Hopefully he will have a speedy recovery! The boys stayed with us tonight so Randy, their dad, could get some TLC from Lori and relax after surgery. We had a great time with them! Of course, Cody loves Wayne's stories so they ended the night reading one of Wayne's favorites called The Ghost Eye Tree. (The picture of the three of them) Wayne used to read this story to Kirstin almost every night so it was cute. As you can see from the picture of Norah, she relaxed on the chair listening also. Spent the afternoon/evening at the park, playing with legos, riding bikes and scooters, and having fun. Everyone is tucked in bed fast asleep - of course Cody has his fingers wrapped around Elyse's hair while he is sleeping with her. So cute!

The Kerian reunion last Saturday was also fun and relaxing! There were some "tender" moments as people shared stories about Wayne's dad, Jo, and his uncle, Bernie, who just recently passed away. The kids met a few of their second cousins and I, Kim, met a few of Wayne's cousins that I had never met before. Two of Wayne's uncles, one from California and one from Vegas were also there - one trying to convince Wayne and I to head to Sacramento soon. Doesn't take much to convince us when it comes to traveling. :) The picture of Elyse is her with her second cousin with the coolest first name - KERIAN! Yes, that is her first name! Her mom used to be a "Kerian" before marriage so she named her daughter Kerian. Elyse thought that was just "sweet". I could tell it was a special day for Wayne as he commented many times how nice it was to see everyone. Special memories!

Time to go to bed. Sweet dreams. . . and hopefully a relaxing night for you, Randy. Speedy recovery!

The Next Day. . .

It's the morning (or afternoon) after the bonfire party and the girls finally showed life after 11:00 AM. That's probably because I had my iHome fairly loud in the kitchen, but oh well. The bonfire ended about 11:45/midnight last night with comments that it was a blast! Some girls staying overnight, and Wayne and I taking the others home. The ones who stayed overnight just informed me that they were up until almost 4 AM so they are exhausted. It was a successful evening, fun had by all, and there were even "smores" left over for Wayne, myself, Alex and his friend Spencer to eat at midnight- Yumm! Getting ready to go to Wayne's Kerian family reunion. I will post pictures of that later. Enjoy the sunshine as it is a gorgeous day!

Another Busy Week

It's been another busy week at the Kerian household. Glad it is Friday. Elyse, exactly at this moment, is having a bonfire with 10 friends in the backyard. Don't know if I can handle this teenage stuff. Conveniently the "boys" showed up in the backyard playing baseball at the park. I have no problem with that, and Elyse told them they could stop by. WHY DID I SAY THAT WAS ALRIGHT???? :) This seemed so much easier with Kirstin. No really, they are doing super! There is a picture posted of the girls hanging out. 3 more hours until I have to take them home. . . can't time go faster??? :)
Alex and I golfed today in a Mom's and Muppets golf tournament. For the last few years, Alex has always placed but today wasn't our lucky day. A few out of bounds and mom wiffing held us from a few strokes from third. His shoulders did get tired of carrying his mother as he hits the ball beautifully. (I think he got that from me - not!) I did post a picture of him when we were done.

He also had his last baseball game today. Played first and third. He did well but you could tell he was tired from our morning golfing and carrying me through the golf game. They ended in a tie (which Park and Rec does sometimes.) It was a great season of baseball watching him! Sad to see it end.

Tomorrow we have a family reunion on Wayne's side. It will be nice for Elyse and Alex to meet their second cousins on that side. I'm sure I will post pictures of that also. Until next time. . . .

Too Cute Kirstin and Graham!

This is too cute to pass up and I have to post it! Elyse took it with Kirstin's cell phone last Saturday when the kids were outside with Graham playing. How precious!

4th of July Fun!

We had a great 4th of July weekend! I, Kim, started off the holiday going to the spa with friends on Thursday (which was very much needed) and then meeting Wayne and the kids at a friend's house for backyard party and fireworks that evening. We spent the day, Friday, in Cedar Rapids at Ken's for a lunch with extended family - which is always great. For some reason, Graham appears to like Wayne more than me and I am not handling that well. :) Wayne golfed, of course. (I think he won.) Headed back from CR for a wedding Friday evening of a classmate of Wayne's - which was different because the bride is from China which is where they were first married. Unique food and great experience. Relaxed on Saturday, the 4th, and then headed to the Cray annual 4th of July cookout on the river. They purchased a permit to set off fireworks over the water - which were fabulous! Very relaxing weekend! Sorry we missed the Deutmeyer Reunion/Family Potluck Picnic on the 4th in Cedar Rapids. I am sure everyone had a great time and can't wait to see pictures. The pictures were taken in CR at Ken's.

Elyse's softball Team takes 1st

Elyse and Waynes' 8th grade girls team took 1st in North East Iowa Championship.

Alex's baseball team takes 1st

Alex's baseball team took 1st at the Jesup tournament! They all played great!

I decided to start this blog as a way to keep family and friends up to date about the kids and their adventures/sporting activities/ and what's up with all of us in the Kerian family. I am just beginning so don't expect great things YET. :) I hope you enjoy it!