Elyse's Little Friends and Basketball

It's been a while since I have made a post. Busy! Busy! as usual. I thought I would write about Elyse this morning and share how she is doing and then make a post about Alex this afternoon.

I have included some pictures of the two adorable little ones Elyse babysits. They both came trick or treating, and Elyse had Halloween baskets with little gifts in them for each of the kids. Their names are MacKenzie and Isaiah, and their parents are very good friends (Michelle/Brian and Kelly/Jason for those who know them) of ours. Elyse loves babysitting both of them and the pictures were too cute so I had to post them. She spent Halloween night babysitting Isaiah and then ventured down to a friend of her's for a sleepover in the middle of the night - or what was left of it. She was glad to spend time with Isaiah and also her friends. It's still so hard for me to see her growing up so quickly right in front of my eyes. So proud of her! She is so independent yet still needs big hugs from her mom and dad.

She started basketball last week. They played in New Hampton against a school that has 12 girls total on their 8th grade team. We, Crestwood, are used to playing 3-4 games (A,B,C, and D teams), but New Hampton could only play one and a half games due to their limited numbers. Elyse started the A team and did very well! Scored points, played awesome defense, and ran faster than I have ever seen her (yes. . . .I am talking about Elyse :)) Very fun to watch her and her teammates. Let's hope everyone stays healthy as schools are having a hard time making enough teams due to players being ill with flu etc. Elyse has developed quite the cold this weekend. . . .game tomorrow on Monday so hopefully she can shake some of it off before then. Anyway, she did fabulous and is really getting into her basketball, which we are excited about!!!

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. . . .:)