AAU Volleyball - Let's Add One More Thing! Why Not?

Elyse goes for hit!

Another hit by Elyse

Kaitlyn and Elyse get the block!  Yes!

What else could we squeeze in our schedule?  Sure.....we have time.......

Crestwood decided to set up some AAU volleyball teams to travel around and play.  Elyse, along with her cousin, Miranda, played up with the few juniors out and did very well.  They played in three tournaments, placing 3rd in two of them and 2nd in one.  The last one, the girls placed 2nd out of 15 and qualified for the state volleyball AAU tournament, but due to previous commitments by many of the girls, they are not able to go play this weekend.  Bummer!  It would have been fun to watch them play some more.  If this is any sign, hopefully next season of volleyball will be an exciting one. 

Throw in volleyball practice the last few weeks of basketball and start of track, these were some busy girls!  But they did it and did a super job.  Elyse had to leave half way through the last tournament to get to Des Moines for Lightning basketball, but she was so glad to be a part of a great team of girls!  Exhausted.....but happy! 

Great job Elyse and Miranda (and the other girls on the team). 

Elyse Starts Track and Alex Starts Baseball, Track Next Week

The kids are getting into track.  Elyse has already had two indoor meets and is anxious to start outdoors.  Alex has started baseball practice for AAU and will be starting track next week.  We can all be honest that he is NOT excited about track, as he would rather be in the weightroom working out or on the golf course.  (Friday, he and his friends golfed 36 holes as we did not have school. He is so like his father!)  But he will be at track practice starting Monday as he knows it is a good way to keep in shape.

I had to post this adorable picture of Elyse and her favorite fans.  Have a good season Elyse and Alex!

Jamaica - I Love You!

riding horses in ocean - common activity for many tourist.  This is a local trying to entice tourist to do it. 

Wayne snorkeling right off beach edge

Yes.... it is "Teachers"

Our favorite bartender....Keeno.  Specialty drink called "hypnotist".  Yummy!

My daily view on the beach! 

Once basketball wrapped up, sadly too quickly we thought, Wayne and I booked a quick trip to Jamaica.  Being we booked two weeks before we left, our choices were limited but we found a place that we had been to before that was adequate.  It was exactly what we needed.

The beach was heavenly, the weather was 85+ everyday, the food was good, and the drinks were better.  Wayne golfed every morning at 6:30 with his caddy while I slept in, and he was back by 9:30 in the morning when I woke to head to breakfast and the beach. 

I'd like to say we left the resort to do some touristy things, but this time, we didn't. We signed up to go ziplining through the jungle area, but did not go when we saw how beautiful the weather was going to be that day.  I needed to be on the beach (and of course, Wayne had to golf for a few hours)  We had all we needed and I was content on the beach as it was perfect.  We did snorkel but we did that right at the resort as there was a reef right off the beach that had beautiful fish.  The fish were obviously fed frequently by people as they would swim right up to you looking for food.  The water was crystal clear and heaven. 

There was a sign about how much I needed to get away for a few days.....We were walking by one of the bars, as there are many, and I saw a bottle of liquor called "Teachers". (see picture) The bartender made me come around the bar and took my picture with it but I thought it best not to post that.    Of course we tried it - not my flavor as it was like a scotch/whiskey!  Yuck! 

There is something about Jamaica.......Yeah man! Much needed rest....and heavenly atmosphere.  Keeno....my favorite bartender.....took good care of Wayne and I!  What more do we need?  Sunshine, sand, ocean, and smiles.  No stress!  (I did miss the kids though....:)

Yes...We are Still Alive! Elyse's Confirmation! Alex - Wake Up!!!

Elyse and her "Besties" - Alexis, Elyse, Molly, and Megan

Connor helping make fruit pizzas - after he would eat the fruit

Kerian granddaughters confirmed, Miranda, Elyse, and Lydia

Elyse and Kim

Elyse and Sara, her sponsor for confirmation

Hello Blogger world!  Sorry it has been FOREVER since I have last blogged.  Time has just flown by so quickly and my world has slowed down a little with basketball wrapping up and track just starting that I forgot about my blog post.  For my friends far away, sorry about that.  We are still alive and busy as usual.  Here are some quick updates.

We had a wonderful weekend just pass as Elyse had her confirmation.  Sara, Derek, and the boys came and spent the weekend with us.  They couldn't get enough of "Wayne" and "Alex"......tear, tear for myself.   Cutest site....two little boys trying to wake up a 14 year old(Alex) on Saturday morning!  :)  I don't know how many times Connor came back from Alex's room saying, "Alex no wake up!"  It was adorable!  They didn't give up though and eventually Alex rose from the dead.  The boys had a fun time watching the 500 runners in the "St. Patrick's Brew and Stew 5K" run by our house.  Some of them had on some interesting outfits, which were fun to watch. 

My parents also came up Saturday to spend the day and go to confirmation.  Gma Judy had time to stop after mass as well to celebrate Elyse's confirmation with us, which was very nice!  It was a wonderful weekend, beautiful weather outside, and so great to have everyone over for the weekend!  Lots of laughs!  Thanks to Sara for being Elyse's confirmation sponsor and spending the weekend with us!  Everyone always says that Elyse is so much like my sister, Sara, and I say that is great!

Congratulations to Elyse on her confirmation.  Not only did she have that on Saturday, she had the first indoor track meet for the season.  While she was not too happy with her high jump, she was extremely happy with her run in the 4x200 as the coach told her right afterwards she "had a super run and her speed has increased so much from last year!". Her relay team did well.  He just asked her today if she would like to run the 400 as well and would give her a few days to think about it.....hmmm...what will she do????

Congratulations to Wayne's nieces Miranda and Lydia, who also celebrated their confirmation the same evening.   Everyone looked wonderful!