Basketball KK

 KK missed her first game. It was supposed to be 2 games but for some reason they changed her schedule last minute and they had a bye the first week. Worked nicely for us! KK's season started out rough like it did for soccer! The last 3 years she had the same coach and many of the same players on her team. Her coach decided not to coach this year so her team was split up. She and two others were put on the same team but this team had been playing with each other for probably the last 3 years (same coach). Just like soccer the other girls wouldn't pass to her or the other two players from her previous team. She could be wide open and/or on a fast break and they wouldn't even glance in her direction. They would force a pass to another teammate that wasn't even open. It was frustrating! Plus KK is used to bringing the ball up and at least in the beginning they rarely let her do that. If she wanted the ball she had to get it herself (steals or rebounds). 

Ruthless...tripping girls!

Rebound!

Love the boxing out!

Steal, shot, rebound, score!

Steal (kind of)!

Halfway through the season a lot of girls on KK's team were out of town (4 day weekend). I think they only had 1 sub so KK played almost the whole game (I think she sat out first but played the rest of the game). They had no choice but to let her bring the ball down at least half the time. This was definitely a turning point for her. The other girls actually started passing to her and she was able to bring the ball down the court a lot more. KK definitely rocked it the 2nd half of the season!

Steal (and travel!)

Steal and basket

Another steal and eventually a basket

Haha! I swear she almost never makes the basket the first time! Good thing she's pretty good at rebounding her own shot and going back up!

assist

block!

Blakely had a flag football game right before one of KK's basketball games. We were running a little behind schedule. 

KK: We need to get in there quick so I can start stripping!

She had sweats on and her game was about to start.

Basketball Eden

Eden missed her first 2 games because of our cruise. I was a little sad that she missed 1/3 of her games but after watching her in her first game, I changed my mind very quickly! I think it is safe to say that Eden doesn't like basketball! I thought it was hard to watch her in soccer but boy was I wrong. Basketball was rough! First of all she was afraid of the ball! Haha! When she was on offense she would guard her player or maybe she just stood there and made it really easy for her player to guard her?!? When she was on defense she was no where near her player. Secretly I think she is super smart! I think she knows if she stands next to the other player when she's on offense not only will she not get passed the ball (she's not open) but the other player is basically a shield so she won't get hit by the ball! On defense if she doesn't guard her player then the ball won't come near her because they will pass it to her player because they are open! See GENIUS!

She's on offense and yet she's not trying to get open to get the pass. Not only that but as soon as the ball goes up she backs away! Haha!

She's so afraid of the ball!

Starting to understand the concept of defending?!?

At least she is trying her best to stay with her player!

I think by the last game she realized that if she had to touch the ball she would prefer to just dribble it up the court and then get rid of it.

Family Pictures/Missionary Pictures

 Family Pictures Oct. 27th, 2026

Poor KK was so cold. Her lips were starting to turn blue!

November 2025 Veterans Day concert, Burley Temple, Elder Kelsey farewell

 

Veterans' Day concert. 

Eden got sick!

KK was sick the week before!

Our family was sick non stop this fall/winter. It's been horrible! I honestly feel like I had maybe 3-4 days where I felt 100%. All the other days (for well over 3 months) I was either starting to get sick, sick, or just starting to feel good and then boom another sickness! We had fevers, sore throats, ear infections, stuffy noses, throwing up, headaches, dizziness, etc. I even went to Urgent Care after 10 days of not being able to swallow. I thought for sure I had strep throat but it came back negative. It was definitely over 3 weeks before I could finally swallow without it hurting.

Doesn't Beau look good in glasses? 

We had a primary activity. I was in charge of a craft. I had the kids make scriptures using chocolates.

Blakely and KK did a free basketball clinic. They even got pizza!

We went to the Burley Temple open house. I think we stood in line for 2 1/2 hours! This was our one and only day to go with the whole family! I wish we would have gotten a family picture!

We went to a restaurant afterwards.

Easton had his Farewell talk at church. He had a really good talk but unfortunately he spoke so fast I'm not sure many people understood/heard what he was saying! Luckily I read through his talk the night before so I knew what he was talking about. Nathan says that he is more than ready to speak Spanish because of how fast he was talking! I almost think he was talking so fast because he is always listening to things on You tube at double speed. I think it carried over to his talk! Hopefully he'll remember to slow down when he comes home for his homecoming talk!

Afterwards we came back to our house and had a luncheon. We decided to do a Mexican theme (only fitting!). I totally forgot to take pictures. Boo! Blair helped me decorate the night before. We had a taco bar (3 different types of meat). I think it turned out well. We also had homemade vanilla ice cream with cinnamon and do leche.

Those who came: Gma and Gpa Earnest, Gma Fern, Gma Gretch, Gpa and Gma Kelsey, Aunt Jessica and Uncle Bryen, Aunt Bethanie, Jeff, and Hudson. 

Thanks for coming and supporting Easton! I know he felt loved!

Grandma Gretch brought a Pinata for the kids!

Later that night the Stake President came over and set Easton apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Last family picture for 2 years...

Easton started home MTC the following day. He got sick during that time and eventually gave it to me before he left for the Mexico MTC. He left for the Mexico MTC on Thanksgiving! We took him to the airport early in the morning for his 6am flight. I got my final hug and cried all the way home! 

KK's Thanksgiving Macy's Day Parade balloons!

Poor Beau!

I guess it is only fitting since he gets mistaken for a girl all the time!

I stalked Elder Kelsey all day to make sure that he made it safely to the MTC! Don't worry he knew and said it was okay to put tracking devices on him and his luggage. I think Easton was sick most of his time at the MTC (I think he got something else while there). He even went to the doctor a couple times to get meds. Apparently the Mexican Dr gives out the good stuff! Haha! Easton still doesn't know what they gave him but he said it helped a lot!

Haha!

I love that they are getting closer!

First snow!