How We Spent Kruzer's Birthday

Yes, this happened 4 months ago, BUT, this is bloggerland and I can backdate my post!

I downloaded about 1000 pictures from my camera card yesterday and so I thought I'd post a few highlights of our summer. (since April - that's when I got my new camera!)

First up was/is Kruz's birthday.

We spent the day at Kyran's AAU Tournament in Hilliard:

Kruz, Kendall, Kori, and Lexy

Coach Kelley doing his thing.

Kyran (No. 1) making a 3 pointer.

The Birthday Boy sporting the necklace Kori made him from Bendaroo's.

The Champs!

Daylan and Kyran with the trophy.




Finally, the day is over but we didn't get home until well after dark. We gave Kruz an ice-cream sandwich with a candle in it and sang Happy Birthday to him!

Kruz with his birthday outfit from Kelley, posing with the trophy.

Isn't he just so stinking sweet?

Whetstone Wildcats Vs. Grandview Bobcats

Today the Wildcats took on the Bobcats.

Twinkie was very excited for Kyran and Daylan's first game.

She wore her red to support both the Wildcats and the Buckeyes!

Kruz, poor Kruz.

You can tell by his color choice who he was supporting today.

Boo!!

That's what we all think of the Wolverine's, Kruz!

Here's Daylan with a steal and a bucket. Whoo~hoo!!

And KJ with one too!

Please excuse the blur. My camera just isn't a 'sports' camera. Maybe I'll get one for Christmas (hint, hint!)

Kyran shooting freethrows.

He gives me 10 push-ups for every missed free-throw.

Kelley used to pay me $100 bucks. Fortunately, for him, he didn't miss many.

The Wildcats were victorious today, as were the Buckeyes, as were the Crush!

Couldn't ask for a better day!

Ballers!

Kruz, A.K.A. Baller, decided a few days ago to stick a bead up his nose which, of course, got stuck. Apparently, he was pretending it was a booger and did what every other toddler does; tries to pick it out instead of the logical choice - blow it out. After panicking and running to find Mommy he realized Mommy's advice is the same for real boogers as it is for bead boogers: "Get a tissue!" Due to the large size of the hole in the bead it took quite a few blows to send it flying across the room but it did eventually come out. The whole thing reminded me of a time during my childhood when one of my sisters stuck a bead up her nose while we were in the car. My Mama kept her cool while driving and with one hand on the wheel and the other plugging one nostril that bead too was blown out. The things kids do....

K.J. AAU

KJ's AAU Team

Runner-Up

You know your son is growing up when you allow him to take a weekend trip without you. This past weekend he and his team played in Cinci. Ky 'bunked' with his coach and his son. They took in two Red's games and had his first trip to Kings Island. They also found time for basketball, although I don't know how!

Kelley in the Making........

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We found out this week that Kyran was selected for the All-Star Team this basketball season!!

Shoot the Ball!!

Here's Kelley hitting one of his SIX three pointers during Sunday's game.

Notice the background - their gymnasium is outdoor. Pretty wild!

It's Official

I'm a single Mom again. Kelley left on Saturday for Venezuela. He's in Caracas. It's heartbreaking to know that the average temperature there is 84 and we're in the middle of a cold winter storm. Negative 4 the night before last. And with no heat, still, I might add. I can't believe we've made it through (almost) and entire winter with no heat except for the fireplace and a few space heaters. Amazing. This spring we're selling the house and moving south!! Dallas sounds nice....Tim and Sanja here we come! :)

In the mean time Kelley's on the beach, wearing shorts...It's hard to believe him when he says he'd rather be home with his family. I'd choose nice weather any day over my spouse and kids! Ha!

The Thorn-Dunker

Meet the Team:

(left to right) Kyran, Courtney, Daylan

(front center) Collin - team mascot

Game time and last minute instructions from Coach.
First game drew a big crowd - we were playing against the defending Champs 3 years in a row and the Sheridan High School Varsity Coach, Assistant Coach and Women's Head Coach's sons.
Talk about being N-E-R-V-O-U-S! (me, that is - the kids were just excited)
This was their first tournament. Up to this moment they'd only ever observed a Three-on-Three competition.
I didn't even know they could dribble, much less shoot the ball or play defense. (joking of course - Kelley had them running plays!)
They won their first game - just in time for a torrential downpour. Luckily we'd set up camp beneath the pharmacy awning. We crammed under there like a bunch of sardines.
We stayed mostly dry - only the smart ones thought to bring rain gear.


Finally the rain blew over and the boys started warming up again.

.....now back to ballin'.


They went undefeated the whole tournament.


Your Champs: Team Reeborn and the Rockettes!!

Our Lil' Mascot, although excited for the win was extremely upset to not get a trophy too.


But the good people running ThornDunker realized the error of their ways and quickly produced a trophy to make one happy little boy!

Finally, it's over so Stinka-Man can go put up some shots!

We all had a great time. The torch has officially been passed to the next generation of ballers. Of course that doesn't mean that the torch has been extinquished in the older generation............and NO, I'm not calling anyone OLD!!

"There's No Place Like Home..

...there's no place like home, there's no place like home!"

It's official. The basketball season is over. Now it's time to be magically transported back home. I can't wait.

Fellow Americans

Last night was the final game of the regular season for the Giants and they played at home. (and won, I might add!) At half-time they introduced none other than The Harlem Globetrotters! The Globetrotters will be performing in the arena on Saturday and they were there to promote their show. Kyran got to meet Aundre Branch and talk to him for a few minutes. He played college ball at Baylor in Texas. He tried to bait Kyran into playing a football game with him right there in the arena since Ky was wearing his football All-Star jersey from last season. Pretty funny and definitely qualified as a 'Belgian Highlight' for KJ.

Antwerp Giants Win the Cup!

Congrats to Kelley and the Giants! Tonight they won the Belgian Cup! Next stop Play Offs! The game was broadcast on television so I tried taking a few pics. Ha! Here's my attempt at catching Kelley on Belgian National T.V.

Busted Mouth

Here is the link for another Antwerp Giants highlight reel. Kelley and team were playing against the number one team in the League - Charleroi. One of their players literally lost his mind. Watch closely, the Giants are in red and Kelley is number 13. He starts the tape with a steal and a layup. The Giants of course win this game. God don't like UGLY.

Playoffs Here We Come!

Here's a few highlights. Check it out - it's mostly in Flemish but they interview Kelley near the end.

ATV :: Regionale televisiezender provincie Antwerpen