What a January!

Hello strangers! You would think with as many days as we have had off of school due to snow, fog, and freezing rain the past two weeks I would have had time to put a more current blog post wouldn't you? Guess not. There may not have been school much lately, but the kids still keep us very busy. I also am very tired of this weather!

Elyse's AAU basketball team won 1st place at a recent tournament last week. The team played well together and pulled it through. A week before that they placed 3rd - should have gotten 1st but nothing would fall in one game that they lost in the last seconds. Thus the pictures from a few of her games. I also included a picture of Wayne and another father, David, playing on their iTouches and PSPs showing what "dads do between games". Elyse has been playing well, still practicing weekly with a local Cresco athlete, Kyle. Now that she doesn't have bball practice every day after school, she has replaced that with practice for the upcoming musical she is in in March. You would think she would be home more but that is not true. . . .the moment her friends find out there is a snow day, she is gone or they are all over here. Not complaining though. . . . we were talking yesterday about this summer and how our lives will change with her new summer schedule. . softball, driver's ed, etc. She will have her school permit next year. . . .scary!!!!

Alex has not had a tournament in a while. They recently had a double scrimmage and came out victorious for both of those as well. He is loving it and goes to the fitness center almost daily to keep practicing with his friends. I am not sure how much "practicing" they are doing, but he appears to be very dedicated. He has also started weight lifting. . . .part of our basement has transformed into a weight room, and he is also busy with Park and Rec basketball on Monday nights. His group of friends are more on the "go" than Elyse's friends ever were in 5th grade so I am a little concerned about what Alex's social life will be like in high school. . . . hard to keep my finger on that kid. (I hear he is just like his father. heheheh)

I want to congratulate Wayne's niece, Kayla, and her new husband, Peter, on a great wedding reception last weekend. It was a fun night with a little Vegas theme to it so the kids were able to actually try gambling at real "casino tables" in a pretend way. Of course, the first thing Elyse says when she sees me take a picture, "Mom, I could get in trouble for this or kicked out of sports for gambling." I reassured her that there was no money involved, everyone was just given chips to play with no exchange of money or anything, all in fun with no real betting. Of course, Miss Analyzer, was a little hesitate at first as she knows what is right and wrong. She needed a little reassurance from everyone that it was fine, no money involved, just pretending. Next thing I know, Kirstin and Elyse are at the table playing 21 and never left their spots the rest of the night. We also had to pose as a family for a photographer in a "James Bond/Charlie's Angels" kind of photo which was very fun as well. Can't wait to see those pics. Anyway, congratulations Kayla and Pete! Great creative wedding reception as well!

Wayne and I are leaving in a few weeks for our trip to Jamaica. (So excited!) I have read three books in the last week (2 pleasure, 1 education related). I have 2 more here that I know I will read before then. I also know my family, avid readers, so I would appreciate any book suggestions for my time on the plane and the beach. Just email me any suggestions. I am up for anything. . . . Thanks!

One last comment. . . GO VIKINGS!