Elyse's Little Fans



Elyse and MacKenzie after game

 I had to post these pictures as they are too adorable not to.   Elyse just got done playing basketball and she does not want me to post them as she said, "I look terrible Mom!" but I think they are cute.

Elyse babysits for friends of ours.  One family has a little girl named MacKenzie. She is 2 years 1 month old and so adorable! She came with her mom at the middle of the freshman game.  The moment MacKenzie saw Elyse, all she kept saying was, "Lyse!  and pointing to her.  The cutest moment was at the end of the JV game when Elyse was running out with the team.  MacKenzie saw her coming, pointed at her and screamed, "Lyse" as she ran by.....sad that Elyse did not stop.  It was so cute and Elyse just smiled when we told her about it.

Elyse and Graham after game at home

The other family Elyse babysits for is the Sorensons.  Their little boy is named "Isaiah", and Elyse spends a lot of time with him....all of which she loves!!!! He is 1 and 1/2 years old and the cutest little boy!  He has the best expressions that just make you laugh......(although he is never too sure about Wayne and is always "eyeballing" him!)   They had just gotten there at the end of the game but have been to a few others. 


MacKenzie, Elyse and Isaiah after game.



MacKenzie, Elyse, and Isaiah after game!



 So I had to share the pictures of Elyse with MacKenzie and then Elyse with the two little ones.  And of course, the picture of Elyse with Graham when she got home from the game.  (sorry it is fuzzy).  Such a cute little fan club!!!!!

Big Win Against Decorah!!!

Elyse goes up strong and draws the foul!!!!

Elyse's game Friday night was against the local rivals...Decorah Vikings.  Decorah is only 20 minutes from here and there is no loss of love when it comes to sports and how Cresco feels about Decorah and vice versa.  The first time they played them, Crestwood killed them.  That was the case this week as well  I am not sure of the exact score, but the Crestwood Cadets freshman team won by 20 points or something like that.  Every one of the girls played fabulous ball and worked so well as a team.  It was a fun game to watch!



Elyse loves this shot from the top....and usually makes it!!!! This shot went
in for 2!!!!!

 Next week is the last game of the season for the girls, both freshman and JV.  I will be sad to see it end.  I am not sure what my family is going to do every night during the week.....we might have to talk to each other instead of hurrying off to a game....even worse.....I MIGHT HAVE TO COOK MORE!!!  :)  So much for pizza or hot dogs at the game....



Where is Elyse???? The were getting ready to double team
her on the inbounds play. 



Back in after a minute of rest!!!



Graham playing his video games during JV game when Elyse
was not playing..

 Elyse has special visitors at her game Friday night.  Her aunt, Sara, and cousin, Graham, came down from Minneapolis to watch her play.  Elyse was so happy to have them there watching, especially because she felt she had a strong game.  Graham was such a trooper sitting in the gym from 4:30-7:30ish....sitting through both the freshman and JV game.  He enjoyed some pizza with Wayne.....and his first experience with Taffy....which he made quite the face for at first, but then loved it!!!!  Sorry Sara and Derek!!  Sara even through in a few shouts for "number 32"!  :)  As you will see in the pictures, Graham did bring some video entertainment, which was a good idea as during the JV game Elyse did not see playing time. 

It was a fun night for all of us having both of them around.  Elyse wanted to come home quickly after her games so she could spend some time with Sara and Graham.  She even read Graham many bedtime stories.  Very cute!  Thanks for coming down Sara and Graham!

Looking ahead, Elyse is anxiously waiting to start track/field at the high school level.  She is not so pumped about the track part, but very excited about the field event....high jump!  I think she is still pumped about getting 2nd at the conference meet last year....hope she does as well in high school.  I can't say we enjoy track meets as much as basketball....not even close...but we will be there to cheer her on!

Next week Alex has his 2nd AAU tournament in Minnesota!  Can't wait!!!!  Wayne and I are then gearing up for our week in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic!  Sunshine, fruity drinks, and golf (of course for Wayne), are calling our names!!!!

Correction - Crestwood Freshman Basketball tied for Conference Lead

Elyse and Nikki (aka..."Enemy from Oelwein")  they even look alike
but Elyse is MUCH prettier!!!! :)

Elyse found out the other day from her freshman coach that their team is tied leading the conference with guess who.....you know.....Elyse's "favorite" person...."Enemy's team" from Oelwein!!!!!  I guess their only loss was to us, the first time we played them, and our only conference loss is to them, second time we played.  So....both teams have one more game before the season is over....let's hope that Oelwein gets a loss and the Crestwood Cadet freshman win the conference with a win Tuesday night for the last game. 

The pictures shows Elyse getting ready to guard Nikki, aka "Enemy".  :) All in good fun!

Elyse's Freshman Team...Still Winning Conference. JV - Doing Well!

I am sure that if there is a namebrand of bleachers that is engraved on it, it has to be permanently stamped in my butt after I have spent so much time watching so much basketball.  Elyse's freshman team has been busy playing lots, and she also travels with the JV so that leads to many, many nights on the road.  Thank goodness we love basketball or it would be a long month.  Considering the freshman play at 4:45, followed by the JV, and then the Varsity, 3 games every night is a lot of basketball.

Elyse's freshman team had their first conference lost 2 weeks ago.  And wouldn't you know it, it was against "enemy's" team.  If you have read any of my previous post, you will know who Elyse's enemy is from Oelwein.  The team came out slow to get going and were down by 10 going into the 4th quarter.  As we pulled closer, the team pulled it within 2 with 1 minute left.  Elyse shot with 15 seconds left and it went in!!!!!  That tied it up and put us into overtime!  We hung with them and then Elyse fouled out.....she was pretty crushed as she played incredible defense against "Enemy". We ended up losing. Oh well, that is their only conference lost so they are still leading the conference.  Two freshman games left.......cross your fingers we win them both.



Elyse scoring against enemy



She has gotten in on some JV games...even scored last week....but usually she enjoys the bench with her cousin, Miranda, when the JV is playing.  They bothplay almost all of every freshman game, so moving up and dressing JV and getting in at least a little each game is something they are proud of.......we are proud of them too!  They have had a super season!  I will be sad when the season is over....but my butt will be thankful.

(She is number 32 in white and 33 in blue.  She is the one shooting in most of these shots except the one where she is boxing out)



Elyse double teamed...in blue under basket





Alex's First AAU Tourney for the Season

 Alex's AAU 6th grade basketball team finally had a tournament this past weekend.  It seems like they are not having as many this year.  Sadly, it showed in the first game, that we have not played anywhere except in practice.  They boys did a great job, just came out a little weak the first game.  Alex's team ended up losing the first one and winning the next two so that was not so bad.  Alex did well and played hard although he has been spending a lot of time since the weekend practicing his free throws as he missed quite a few.  This of course then became a mental game for him. Things got better the next games and he turned it around.

He has a few more tournaments in February that will work out perfectly as Elyse is wrapping up her freshman and JV season within the next two weeks.  Perfect time....

Alex is number 34.  Top picture he is in blue and the bottom 2 pictures he is in white.

"Cryin' For Me" - Miss You Bill! (And Ken!)

Today was a pretty emotional day as Wayne and I lost a friend to cancer.  While we mourned his lost today, we also celebrated his life in a similiar fashion to my brother's funeral.  His closest friends gathered after the funeral, had some drinks, shared stories, and shed some tears.   His name was Bill Gosch.  Wayne and Bill go way back as friends, and were the best of them for a long time. I'd like to say they didn't get into trouble, but I heard a lot of memories today that would contradict that.  :)  Wayne was the bestman in Bill's wedding, my first few years in Cresco were spent with Wayne and Bill out on Thursday nights, and as couples, us along with Bill's wife, Barb, and many other couples, have a lot of fun memories together in our early years of marriage.

Bill battled cancer for 3 1/2 years and was a definition of a "fighter".  When Barb and I were chatting the other night, amid all our tears, we both smiled because I told her that I know Bill was sitting with my brother having a beer (both loved beer) and chatting about what a sucky year the Vikings had - both Vikings fans!  She said she hopes so....and I know in my heart they are!!!   Bill has a son that is a year older than Elyse and two stepsons he called his own. His oldest stepson, Brandon, also has 3 little kids who Bill loved very much.  (You will see them in the video at the bottom of this post)  Everyone loved Bill and no matter what he was going through, when you asked him how it was going, he would always say, "Can't complain."

Words can't express the emotions that came back today....new ones and old ones....sometimes life just really sucks.  I read the book titled "One More Day" yesterday morning before Bill's wake. (very good book if you haven't read it)  In it it stated that "When someone is in your heart, they're never turly gone.  They can come back to you, even at unlikely times."  I can only hope that is true.  I felt quilty today at times because my mind and my emotions went back to Ken and it was Bill's day.  But I know Bill would understand......(and Ken would still be telling me to "quit crying"...as he said I am the "emotional one".) 

So, here is a video one of Bill's family members made.  The song is "Cryin' For Me" and someone sang it today at Bill's funeral to acoustic guitar.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  There was not a dry eye in the place.  So...here is to our friend Bill....and my brother Ken......sometimes we just cry for ourselves because we miss you.....now both of you!

Christmas at the Nadermann's

We traveled to my parents' house Christmas morning to spend Christmas afternoon and evening together.  It had just snowed a few inches the day before so driving to my mom and dads' was calming as the fresh snow looked so pretty.  Although I am sick of snow, it was pretty to see it on Christmas day. Sara and Derek arrived with the boys just a few minutes before we did.  Of course, Mom had all sorts of yummy munchies waiting for us..just what we all needed!

It was Connor's first Christmas, so that was fun in itself.  Graham had a wonderful time helping everyone unwrap presents and handing them out from under the tree with Elyse.  Elyse and Alex loved playing new games with everyone as well as spending time with the family. Alex and I beat Grandma and Papa in a game of eucher, one of many that was played over the time we were there. 

I had to include a picture of Sara and I "slaving" away in the kitchen - we were exhausted afterwards!!!!!! Our mom is still a slavedriver.....just kidding....we did make the eggbakes for breakfast but that was it....and only because Mom made us!  :)   Mom did all the rest and it was super!!!

While it was our first Christmas without Ken, I think we all felt he was there with us.  Happy Holidays Ken!  We love and miss you lots!!!

More Pics of Kourtney and Brandons' Reception

Great Time at Kourtney and Brandons' Reception

Elyse, Alex, and Kirstin at winery

I was taking pictures off my camera quickly and thought I would make a quick post.  We just returned from a fun night with family as we celebrating my cousin, Kourtney, and her husband, Brandons', marriage.  They were married in Hawaii a few months ago so we celebrated last night at a winery in Cedar Rapids.Both of them are in their last few years (I think) of med school and soon to be Drs. I think Brandon should be on Grey's Anatomy as he will be known as "Dr. Comfort"....fits right in with Dr. McSteamy right??? (for those who know Grey's Anatomy).  hehehe.  That is really his last name!  Sounds like a great Dr. name, I think!!! :) Anyway, it was a lot of fun and good to have all of the extended family together! 



Wayne and Kim (after many glasses of wine)

 The "older cousins" surprised Kourtney and Brandon by taking them on a limo ride around CR, making a stop at a bar for beverages to welcome Brandon to the family.  Wayne and I really enjoyed this time as we never seen many of my cousins...or if we do, we all have our kids around, so this was nice to have just the adult cousins and reconnect with one another.  Brandon and Kourtney were very surprised when they got into the limo to see all our faces...whether they wanted to or not.



Graham leading EVERYONE on dance floor!

 We then headed out to the winery, which is fairly new and a perfect place for a quaint wedding reception.  The wine was great, the food was fabulous, and the music was fun.  My nephew, Graham, danced every song the whole night and even led everyone in one of the dances.  It is my favorite picture of the whole night!  So much fun!



Alex and Sara

 The night ended by everyone returning to the Marriott in Cedar Rapids for more family time, socializing, and cards.  My mom's family waste no time getting started playing cards...and they are serious about it as well.  Wayne and I did not play, just hung out while our kids ran around with their second cousins and reconnected as well.  They had a great time as well.



Graham dancing...he danced all night long!!!

 Who knows when we will all be together again....but I can't wait.  Thanks for a fun night Sheila, Joe, Brandon and Kourtney!  And thanks for the toast and dance to Ken!  Meant a lot to all of us!!!  I am sure he was dancing along and drinking with us....

Snowstorm Hits the Outer Banks

I couldn't resist posting this picture of the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  It is one taken at part of the Southern Shores beach, which is where we stayed every summer with Ken as well as this coming summer with mom and dad, as well as Sara, Derek, and the boys!  Rarely do they get snow in the Outer Banks, but this is a pretty picture....although the ocean is kind of intense looking. 

Merry Christmas OBX!  See you in July!


Snowstorm hits the Outer Banks of North Carolina!



Alex's AAU Scrimmage...Looking Good!



Alex scores

 Alex's AAU team is off to a great start as well.  They participated in a scrimmage against Waverly and Cedar Falls two weeks ago.  While no one was keeping score, I'd have to say that we beat Waverly and came close to beating Cedar Falls.  Alex would say that I have them backwards but I don't think so.  Either way, they did well. 



Alex rebounding against Phife.

 Waverly is a pretty good team.  They have a guy who is very big....Alex may be tall, but this kid makes Alex look tiny.  The boys father played for UNI when I was in school there.  His last name is Phife.  He doesn't move much, but he is a big boy.  Alex played well against him.  One picture shows Alex, number 34, going up for a rebound against him. 



Alex going for the shot

 Due to Kirstin's graduation, Alex missed the team's first tournament, which he was bummed about but understood his priority was to be somewhere else.  I heard they won 2 and lost 1 so good job boys!  Alex is ready for the next tournament as he is loving basketball! 

We look forward to the many years ahead watching Alex and his team playing basketball (among other things).  Go Cadets!

More Freshman Basketball! Still Undefeated!!!

Elyse's team continues to be undefeated and playing awesome!  Here are some randomn pictures I thought I would post of my tall blondy and her team!  Go Cadets!


Time out.  Elyse's team.  She is blond to the left on the bench. 



Elyse...number 33...jump ball.





Elyse...33..scoring basket.



And Another basket...Elyse!



This time...driving down the middle!



Elyse Faces Her Biggest Enemy......Pulls off the Win!



Elyse going up for outside shot.

 Elyse's freshman basketball team continues to be undefeated.  They are doing a fabulous job, playing team basketball, and look incredible!  It is awesome to watch them play, and hopefully they will continue to keep winning.  Elyse (and her cousin, Miranda) continue to dress for the JV team as well.  They get in randomnly.  The JV team is also undefeated.....looks good for Crestwood basketball!!!



The ball is almost there.......

 You have probably seen post in the past made on my blog page about Elyse's enemy from Oelwein.  She faces "her" in the high jump (Elyse beat her at conference meet), volleyball (both middle hitters), softball (both first base players), and of course basketball (both post players and both do jump ball).  Elyse gets pumped when she faces "her"; yet it also makes Elyse play even harder.  "Enemy's" number is 21.  I have posted three continuous pictures....elyse going up for outside shot, the ball going to hoop, and then it going in.  Yeah Elyse and team!!!



And it's good!!!!!

 Elyse is the blond in the white, number 32 on the outside of the team shooting the ball.  You can see her to the left of the box/hoop shooting.  She is not the one standing under the hoop...she is shooting (just to clarify for my uncle Dennis as he needs help finding her. :)  The "enemy" is the blond guarding her all the time or vice versa.  Elyse looks forward to the next 4 years meeting "the enemy" in every sport she plays.  Of course, again, Crestwood came out the winners!!!!

Kerian Christmas - A BIG Celebration!



Kirstin, Elyse, and Alex

 Well, when I say a "Big" celebration, I am not kidding.  We had the Kerian family Christmas at our house yesterday (yes it was a busy weekend with graduation), and the family has grown to over 30 people!  The house was busy and active, but it was a great family gathering with lots of laughs! Not only did we celebrate Christmas, but we also celebrated Kirstin's graduations.





The Kerian Crew (minus 2)

 We tried to take a picture of Judy(mom) with all her kids, their spouses, and grandkids.  It was successful, but it is hard to see some of the people....It's the best we could do.  Elyse is in the back peeking over - HI ELYSE!  :)  We were just missing Kasie and Dusty and it would have been complete!  We missed them and wish them happy holidays! 








Kevin, Wayne, Judy, Carol, Nancy, Randy