The "Journey" begins for Matt . . . .

Matt loves basketball! He has been blessed with height (6'7")and physical and mental talent for the game of basketball. He works very hard at perfecting his game. He is an eager student of the game! I say all that to say big things are happening for Matt! A couple of weeks ago he went to Indianapolis at the invitation of Nike.com to play for one of their teams. Matt was asked to play on a team for Nike.com. He will play out of Indianapolis and his games will be in Indy, Louisville, Charlotte, NC and Portland, OR. Nike will be paying all of his expenses! This will start after his school season ends.

Matt tried out and made the 8th grade Monticello team. He has started with practices and his first game is Sat, November 1st.


Last weekend Matt was in Ft. Wayne getting to play with his new teammates from Nike.com. This is all so new and he said the level of competition is fierce.


We are all learning as Matt goes another step how all this works. He got a letter from the Valparaiso coach about watching him. The biggest thrill has been that the Illini have spoken with him but they have all kinds of NCAA regs that have to be followed on both sides so he is being careful. Rod, Marlin and Matt did go to an Illini basketball practice and Matt was able to talk with players and coaches. The three of them then joined some of the team and Coach Bruce Weber for an Illini football game. Matt got a note from Coach Weber that he would be watching him the next few years but he wouldn't be able to contact him again until after his sophomore year. (I think I have that right). The guys had a blast at the game . .Dad got a kick out of being driven to the game in a golf cart and right into the stadium. How much fun for all of them and the Illini won!


Here are a few pics of Matt and Coach Weber. Matt we are proud of you and hope you have an awesome 8th grade season - Aunt Nancy

Congrats to Kyle and the SCW Marching Warriors

Saturday was GSL at the Edwards Jones Dome. SCW took 3rd place in their division. GSL is described as the Super Bowl of Band Competitions for the metro St. Louis area! Over 5000 high school students were involved in the competition.We are very proud of Kyle. This Saturday he will be competing at the Mizzou Marching Competition in Columbia, MO.
Colton, Eric, Carla, Kyle and J.D. before the competition.

The Seniors after the competition!

Senior Night for Kyle

Tonight was Senior Night at St. Charles West. Before the football game (which I will say was quite chilly) the seniors and their parents were recognized. The band could not wear their uniforms since the pants are white and there was so much rain today and a muddy field. GSL is tomorrow so no time to clean the pants before competition!

The tradition is that the seniors walk off the field and leave their shoes behind . . . on a wet and muddy field Kyle left his shoes for JD to come and pick up.
Carla had dry socks and Kyle's tennis shoes for him. He said he couldn't feel his feet by the time he got to us to get them !
Aunt Nancy may work for Pattonville but she is a proud supporter of SCW Warriors!

GSL "Chairs"

It is the tradition at St. Charles West that the parents (family) "Sneak in" before the last practice for GSL (Greater St. Louis Band Competition - at the Dome on Saturday) and decorate the chair of their band member. This year Kyle is the man of the hour! We snuck in and decorated his chair in the "Gator Bowl - Disney" theme. Their band will be travleing to Disneyworld and the Gator Bowl over winter break this year. Here is a picture of his chair with and without his special Senior banner.

Breaking News. . . . This Friday night is the last home football game for SCW. It is Senior Night and Kyle will be marching in his final football game. The game begins at 7 pm at SCW and the senior festivities at 6:00 pm.

An amazing amount of balloons (this is a small portion of the room)!

Colton was on the "other side" tonight as he helped to decorate Kyle's chair.

GOOD LUCK KYLE AND THE ST. CHARLES WEST MARCHING WARRIORS!

Happy Birthday Darlin' Marlin

Happy Birthday today to Marlin Dean! Wishing you a happy birthday and a special year! We love you!

Marlin at Pre-Camp at Camp Ne-O-Tez, Summer 2008. Marlin loves Camp Ne-O-Tez!

OUR Football Star . . did he ever tell you about the time he played against Johnny Unitas and won!?! Marlin played football for Murray State University.

Flying with Tom Chaney(J.D. and Colton)

East St. Louis Flyers Football Field

Page Extension Bridge

Downtown St. Louis - Arch

Our Street - click to enlarge - house with red car in drive (you are looking from back of home) Eric is in the street!

Click to enlarge - back side of home - red car in drive (second one)

Sunday Afternoon Colton and I got to go flying with Tom. We took off and flew over Mid-River Mall then headed towards our house.we could see Kyle and Eric outside,then we went to Grafton,IL ,downtown to see the Arch. After that Tom said "Lets go see Camp NE-O-TEZ". We could see Big River Heights Road but the trees in the valley protect you from seeing the cabins and buildings from the air!

Thanks Tom for a fun afternoon.

Matt and Basketball Showcase

Matt went to Chicago past weekend for a basketball showcase for the classes of 2013 and 2014. Here is what they had to say about Matt:

Matt Kruse
6'6" Center
Champaign Monticello
Class of 2013
Great size! Very mobile. Very nice all-around floor game. Does an excellent
job of establishing position inside. A strong finisher and rebounder in the
paint. Punishes smaller opponents inside. Very much a player to keep an eye
on as he continues to develop over the next few years. Could very well
develop into a high level prospect with his size and skills.

Matt has tryouts in a couple weeks for the Monticello 8th grade basketball team - he is excited!

Watching Jack Play Football!

Eric and I went to see Jack (cousin Susan's son) play football yesterday. It was a riot! The other three kiddos had come from soccer games and joined us all for the second half. It was great to see everyone.

Happy 22nd Anniversary JD and Carla

Still in love 22 years . . .

and Three boys later . . .

Happy Anniversary - may you have many more years of happiness together! We love you!

PS - Happy 30th to Angie Lingua Earnhart who at age 8 was none too happy to celebrate her birthday at JD and Carla's wedding!

Vice Presidential Debate - Nancy

Last night Mother and I did something we had never done. We went to the VP Debate Watch Party at Chaifetz Arena. It was a blast - no matter which candidate you support it was history making! Before the debate there were a variety of speakers and music. The crowd favorite was Andy Benes. We watched the debate on the big screens and the big draw of the evening was that Sarah Palin came after the debate and spoke to the crowd. Governor Palin arrived in her Straight Talk Bus. Mother and I were seated in the area where her bus came in (they pulled into the arena) and we had thundersticks to make noise. It was quite a night!