Alex's Football Team is 3 and 0: Elyse's Volleyball, Not so Much

Kill on a "quick set".  Elyse loves these

Another great hit

Sporting events continue to consume our evenings.  The week ahead, Alex does not have a game, but Elyse has three nights of volleyball plus Saturday tournament AND it's Homecoming at Crestwood.  I have a feeling someone may be very grumpy when next Sunday rolls around.....guess who that might be???

Alex's 7th grade football team continues to do well and are 3 and 0.  I don't have pictures of Alex's last game because I was going to Elyse's volleyball game.  Wayne did videotape it so I will be posting video of his last game....he told me to post the parts where he had the sacks, which he was excited about!  So look forward to them soon.  Thanks Gma Janet and Papa for driving to New Hampton and cheering Alex on!  He was excited to have you there and for Papa to get to see him play.  :) You are known to our friends in Cresco as "The Traveling Grandparents" who don't miss much no matter how far you have to drive.  :)  Thanks!

Elyse's volleyball teams continue to go up and down.  Varsity is doing well, except they haven't won a conference game yet.  They have come close, very close, but no "win" for a conference game.  They have beaten everyone they have played out of the conference, so I guess it is up and down.  Her JV team has also come close to win many conference games and pulled off their first conference win the other night against Decorah.  The team played in a triangular and lost to Waukon (should have won) in 3 games and then beat Decorah in 3.  Elyse played fabulous!  The varsity coach was sitting my Wayne and me during the JV game and even commented how awesome Elyse played....probably her best all year.  She had a lot of "quick hits" and "kills" so it was a fun night for her.  Let's hope the team can continue to get more "wins" in the conference as volleyball will soon be over with. 

So, this week is called "survival".  Think Elyse will make it???? I hope so.......at least she will have a some fun with Homecoming as well!   Good luck this week Elyse!  and Alex.....enjoy practice. :)

Family Fun Night in Minneapolis

Graham bowling and Connor "drinking"

Everyone watching Gma Janet

After our morning walk for ALS, we returned to Sara and Dereks' house for homemade soup (no, Sara didn't make it, Mom did :) and bread with snacks.  It was perfect and hit the spot!  Everyone loves my mom's homemade veggie soup so we inhaled it.  The afternoon was then spent relaxing, playing with boys, Elyse and Alex playing cards with Gma Janet, and I even snuck in a little nap.  That tells you how my week was as I never take naps.....I think being with my family and relaxing knowing that we were together was what I needed....plus an hour or two of sleep.  Thanks Sara, for letting me rest a little!  Your home is obviously very warm and cozy!  Perfect!  Wayne and Derek put in a new dishwasher and did some "manly" stuff around the house.  It was just a perfect afternoon for everyone!

Cheering on Wayne....great form!

We then all went to dinner at a fabulous place called "Pinstripes".  If you are ever in Minneapolis, you should go.  It appears to be a very "in" place to be.  The food was wonderful, with all sorts of choices, the atmosphere was great, and they also had cool bowling alleys and indoor bocci ball.  There were weddings going on (that also had their own bowling alley - cool huh?) and a bonfire on the roof as well as outside.  It was the perfect spot for a little family bowling....and of course, some competitive nature fun. 

Alex's Turn

Gma Janet came out the winner of the first game....guess she hasn't lost her touch from her years of bowling.  Wayne came out big winner of the second game, as he used to bowl as well "back in the day", but Alex and Elyse were not behind him.  Alex was close to him in the first game and Elyse was ahead of him for most of the 2nd game.  Who knew they were such good bowlers as we rarely go bowling.  Of course, Graham had a fabulous time as did Connor.  They were adorable drinking from the "sippy cups" while the rest of the adults drank from their wine glasses.  Too cute!  As the evening went on, they also had live music outside the bowling alley door between that and one of the bars so Graham was in heaven.

After a nice breakfast Sunday morning, the girls quickly ran to the mall while the guys hung out with the kids and grilled lunch and watched the Vikings "start out" well playing football.  (but of course, they choked at the end for those of you who did not know).  Sadly, after a fun filled weekend, the Kerians returned home so Elyse could enjoy some of the Homecoming festivities at the high school ..priorities you know.

Thanks Sara and Derek for a super weekend!  We couldn't have had a better time so thanks for having us. I know we all look forward to making lots of memories in your new house.....and family time was just what I needed this weekend!

Elyse's turn

Connor and Derek....

Everyone watching the competition

Bittersweet Day.....Walk For ALS in Minneapolis!

Sign along route for ALS walk

Team Nadermann all ready for walk around lake to start

We just returned from a wonderful weekend in Minneapolis!   It was just what the Kerian family needed after a difficult week.  One of my best friends, Paula, lost her brother, who was 38, this past week unexpectedly, and it was a week of sadness and laughs as many memories were shared about him.  Paula's husband, Mike, is one of Wayne's best friends so we wanted to be there for them as much as we could.  It was comforting to be there for them; yet, saddening kind of, to relive some emotions one feels when losing their brother.  So after the funeral on Friday, and spending time with Mike and Paula, we loaded up when the kids got home from practices and headed north to Minneapolis for some much needed time with family.  That's just what we needed.......

Alex and Connor with Wayne and Graham behind

As a family, we had signed up to do the ALS walk in Minneapolis.  In the past, some of us have done the walk in Cedar Rapids, but we thought we would try a new place.  This time we walked 3 miles around a beautiful lake on a gorgeous fall day!  Everyone went, except my dad who was not home yet, and we had a super time!  There were thousands and thousands of people there so the support shown was amazing!  I am not sure how much money was raised but on the last announcement they made before we started, it was A LOT!  It was nice to have Wayne and Alex join as well as this was their first ALS walk, and I love them even more (if that is possible) for doing this with our family! 

Along the walk, we saw a sign that said, "We walk in memory of Ken Nadermann".  Of course, we huddled all around to take a picture.  I know Ken was looking down at us saying, "Get moving family!" but he was smiling as well!  Sara and I were joking along the way that we weren't walking too quickly because of the little boys, and we knew Ken was calling both of us "wussies" for not picking up the pace.  Bittersweet!

Kim and Wayne halfway

So once again....we walk for ALS because we can.....and will continue to do so!  Love and Miss you Ken!  We know you were walking with us!

Crestwood Varsity Takes 3rd at Waukon Tournament

Elyse, 14, Middle Blocker as serve comes over

Going for the hit!

While I love watching volleyball and enjoy it, the last two Saturdays have been spent at varsity volleyball tournaments.  Yes, they are exciting......but not when there is a 3 hour "wait time" for your team to play.....that is not fun!  It would be better if it were at least in a place where I could do some shopping or something, but that wasn't the fact either.  So.....I waited!  Didn't have my Nook, didn't have my ipod, didn't have my computer......what was I thinking when I left home???? Obviously I wasn't!

Wayne was home doing some "stuff" at the country club and Alex stayed home to rest as the two of them, along with Elyse, have been suffering from a terrible sore throat and coughing.  Elyse had someone carry a tissue box around all day at the tournament for her as she was sniffing constantly. (You are a good friend, Molly)  I am just waiting for it to him me.....hoping it doesn't.  So for today, it was just me at the tourney.

The Crestwood Varsity girls did play in a 12 team tournament yesterday in Waukon.  While it was a day of ups and downs, they girls looked great overall and pulled out claiming 3rd place. Some of the teams we played were from Minnesota while a few were in our conference.  For some reason, we struggle with the teams from our conference (have yet to beat a team in our conference).  Elyse, and a two others sophomores who dress varsity but are mainly JV players, got some "game time" and were excited to participate in a super day of volleyball.  It may not have been much for any of the three, but it was time on the floor.  Elyse even had a spike as well as a set to claim an assist.  She's "in the books"!!!! :)

Great job Crestwood Girls Varsity!

Crestwood 7th Graders 2 and 0

Alex, 82, and Spencer, 41, game captains

Alex, 82,

 Because I forget to write it, Alex is number 82 in these pictures.

Hold him back Alex!

Alex going after runner with ball

Alex, 82, takes him down

Alex blocking as tight end

Alex's 7th grade football team had another win the other night vs. Decorah.  It was a close one, only winning 7 to 0, but a win is a win.

As my mom said when she arrived, "I don't know who is more excited, Alex, Gma, Wayne, or Papa?"  :)  Well.....Wayne being excited is an understatement.   He has always cheered loud for the kids when they are in sporting events but he just might get kicked out of one of Alex's football games? Wow!  Good thing Grandpa wasn't there or it would have been even louder!  :)  Hopefully Alex's grandpa will be at the game Tuesday night as he only has 3 games left.  (just teasing you Dad and Wayne...we still love yeah!)  :)

 From what I saw, I thought they did a great job.  Alex, on the other hand, said it was the worse game he has ever played......like he has played so many????? :)   He had some super blocks, opened some holes for the runners, and great tackles.  Oh....for those who asked....he plays tight end on offense and ........"something" on defense. .......not sure what that position is called but he does well! :)

Thanks to Gma Janet, Gma Judy, Randy, Lori, and the boys for coming and cheering on Alex and the Cadets as well as heading to Elyse and Mirandas' volleyball games from there!  We all appreciate it!

Go Cadets!

Volleyball......Bump! Set! Spike!

Elyse strong hit vs. Oelwein

The kids schedules are keeping us on our toes.  So far it has worked out that we have not had to split and send one of us, me or Wayne, one direction and the other, the other direction.  That will change this week so we better get used to it.

Going for block vs Oelwein

Elyse is busy dressing both JV and Varsity volleyball.  Most of her "time playing" is on JV but she has stepped out on the court and played for a few Varsity matches at some weekend tournaments.  Their JV team is struggling a little since their first two wins and haven't been able to pull a win out.  They have won some games but not the complete 2 out of 3 match.  Not sure what seems to be the problem......Wayne will be quick to answer that and say "serving", as would probably my mom as she has been at quite a few games.  Hopefully they can pull it together this week.

Here are some pictures of Crestwood JV vs Oelwein and then Waverly-Shellrock.  Both teams beat  Crestwood in the third games (as they play best 2 out of 3).  Bummer! Elyse continues to play "Middle Blocker" or "Middle Hitter" in the front row.

Right between the hands vs Waverly

Got the tip vs Waverly's big girl

On Rainy Days......Think of Fun Times

Elyse, on left, Alexis, and Molly getting whipped off tube

It is a rainy Sunday here........don't want to clean or do laundry.......just got done with one meeting about confirmation for Elyse and have another one for her trip to Costa Rica in a few hours.  Trying to get caught up on a lot of things and came across some pictures of our quick venture to the cabin Labor Day weekend. Some of the pictures just make me chuckle and were just what I needed on this dreary day! (sure beats laundry and cleaning!)

Alexis, Molly and Elyse, holding on

The kids each took some friends along.  Elyse took Alexis and Molly while Alex took Spencer.  Although one of the days was chilly and cloudy, the kids made the best of it and enjoyed time on the water.   Sunday was a very "choppy" day on the water, but the kids thought it was the best as they were thrown everywhere on the tube as Wayne pulled them on the jet ski.  There was no one on the lake and all you could hear were the kids screaming.  They were screaming so loud that the neighbors on both sides of the cabin came out to see what was going on!  You could hear the girls, and the boys, everywhere and it was quite funny.

Spencer, Alexis, and Molly screaming for dear life!

So as I sit here in watching the rain come down, maybe I will perk up thinking about sunshine and water....and how the kids always make me laugh!

Spencer and Alex showing off

Pretty Girls!

Elyse, Alexis, Spencer, and Molly

Spencer and Alex

Alex's First Football Game! So exciting!

Thirsty boy at halftime

Alex at bottom on ball for "safety".  Yeah Alex!

Alex going in for tackle 

It was the moment we had been waiting for.....I don't know who was more excited, Wayne or Alex.  First real, legit football game in Jr High.  Alex was ready and anxious.  Playing offense and defense, he knew he wasn't going to get a break until the game was over so he thought he should stock up on "energy bars" because "Mom, I am going to need that energy before the game."  Needless to say, he said he tasted them and didn't like that taste....that took care of that....

almost there.......

Almost got him.....

Anyway, it was a great night for football.  Alex's team came out and dominated.....by the middle of the 3rd quarter it was 30 to 0 and the other team came in (usually two games with two teams but tonight, only one game).  Score ended up being 30 to 14 with Crestwood pulling off the big win.  Alex was exhausted afterwards and was in bed by 8:30 tonight.  He loved every minute of it and had some big plays:  main part of a big tackle in the endzone to get a saftey for Crestwood, swiping the ball as the other team was punting and causing a fumble which we run in for a touchdown, great blocks, and super tackles.  It was so fun to watch them play!  When he got up after tackling for the safety, he was on the bottom of the pile with the ball and got up slowly.  He didn't "run" back to the huddle which of course, Wayne discussed with him afterwards by telling him "he better not jaunt unless he has a stub leg and bleeding to death".  This just made him chuckle.

This morning, when I asked Alex what his number was, his comment was, "Mom, just think Adrienne Peterson backwards.  82 Mom, 82.  Meant to be."  Then he laughed.  So cute!

Anyway, great job Crestwood 7th grade!  It's going to be a fun season watching your team!

Got him!!!

Two "little ones" trying to hold Alex back as runner comes with ball

Volleyball has Begun!

Crestwood JV and Varsity teams were off to a great start last week winning both games in a triangular match.  The teams played well together and had a super time.  Elyse had some nice hits and blocks as did the other girls.  The games were not close and Crestwood won all of them big........might have helped that we were playing 2A schools when we are 3A.....but a win is a win.   Keep it up Crestwood!

Molly, Elyse, and Daron waiting on the serve

Elyse tipping it over

Big hit for Elyse

block