December 14, 2011
Dear Friends and Family,
Have you ever thought, “This is the year I’m going to have the perfect Christmas picture?” So, after attending church for 3 hours, you take 7 subjects of various ages and cooperation levels, force them into clothing of similar hues, corral them into the backyard on one of the chilliest days of the year, set up the camera on a tripod, hit the timer and command everyone to “Smile!”
After several attempts, you anxiously download all pictures – quickly scanning through the photos in search of “The One.” After asking your favorite personal graphic designer and sister, Season, if she might be able to photo shop B’s hand off her face, it hits you…this is as good as it gets…and it is a fairly accurate description of your life: mostly happy, at times rather goofy, not without moments of surprise and confusion, generously interspersed with experiences which resemble massive constipation. And so, with that realization in mind, you turn the reigns of the 2011 Christmas letter over to your 12-year-old and banish yourself back to the basement because somehow, although the original goal was to simply clear a pathway, you deemed cleaning out the entire storage room (after 4 years, no less) was a good project to tackle two weeks before Christmas.
Wait! What? This scenario hasn’t happened to you? Oh, well then, a little TMI on our part. Merry Christmas anyway! (Insert Addysen’s commentary.)
Season’s greetings! We’ve been plenty busy this year, so let’s get down to business.
Greg and Tacie: Greg was not promoted to Chief of Police this year. However, he and his business partner did become the 1st National Director’s of Consumer Choice Marketing. Given that police work was never really Plan A, Dad is currently working on Plans B, C, D and E. After many months and a high learning curve he is launching a new website which will coincide nicely with his direct sales business. (See our shameless plug and contact info at the bottom.) When not pursuing entrepreneurial adventures, Dad can be found coaching Cannon’s baseball team, sacrificing months of his life making videos for my volleyball team, hanging with the boys in our church or jumping over fire while trying to keep up with mom as she runs through the mud in a crazy obstacle course event known as the Warrior Dash. (Oh, and since he got his braces off, he now smiles with his mouth open. Mom loves that.)
And speaking of mud – Mom participated in a fascinating community event entitled “Get Back to Your Farming Roots: A Real Life Depiction of Surviving and Thriving in Slop.” A.K.A. “Spring Soccer.” Given that we broke historical records for rainfall, we all learned a great deal about mud: it’s smell, it’s impact on outdoor sports and indoor carpeting and why Target can charge so much for a simple pair of rain boots. When not chauffeuring to/from various kid activities, Mom can be found snapping pictures – a hobby she truly enjoys – or visiting one of her many personal “ists” where they research why a youngish mother of 5 has a constant headache. Oh. Hmm…I think I just discovered the answer. Thankfully, she is making great progress with her headaches thanks to her physical therapist and chiropractor. Dad and mom also traveled across the country to LV, CA and FL, not bothering to bring their children along. They claimed it was business.
Addysen (12): I am very proud to say that the North Ridgeville 7th Grade Volleyball team came in 2nd place in the district. We beat any and all records in the history of the school, and overall had a great 15-3 season. I make a living by babysitting. I’m in show choir at school, I finally made it to Young Women’s this year, I just made the basketball team (literally - -made it tonight) and yes, I still play soccer. I’m a huge help to mom and she is often overheard saying, “every mother deserves to have an Addysen.” I’ve already exceeded mom’s shoe size and fully expect to surpass her in height fairly soon.
Cannon (11): Cannon graduated from being at the top of the food chain in elementary school to the bottom at the middle school in 6th grade. Unfortunately he does not love all of his teachers. He is a Tenderfoot rank in Boy Scouts and continues to play baseball and soccer. He has quite the collection of memorabilia in his room, things such as signed batting gloves, signed baseball cleats, signed cards—you name it. He has been working hard in school and scouts and will be starting basketball soon. Cannon recently recommitted to ‘honesty is the best policy’ as he was caught delivering goodies for the 12 Days of Christmas. As he was exiting the scene, the neighbor (not realizing what was going on) demanded, “What is your name?” to which Cannon dutifully replied, “Greg’s Boy.”
Brynnley (8): This has been a big year for Brynnley. She turned eight and was excited to get baptized. She was particularly happy to have G & G Purcell come all the way LV for the event – although you might have had a hard time believing that, given her beastly behavior while they were here. Good thing we believe in repentance. Turning eight made her eligible to join Activity Days, which she loves. She enjoys singing her little heart out every day, playing soccer, being a 2nd grader and correcting Kenzie’s politically incorrect statements (Ex: at the food court at the mall: K: There are a lot of China people here. B: They prefer to be called Native Americans.) She also will be starting basketball.
Kenzie (5): Kenzie started kindergarten this year, and besides the long bus rides, loves it. She comes home excited to get her homework done. Kenzie was happy to be one of the first in her class to earn a jingle bell for demonstrating her amazing shoe-tying abilities. Recently attending her first ballet, Kenzie was quite shocked to discover there would be no talking in “this movie.” She is learning to read, waiting to lose her first teeth, and likes to play with her sisters. I know what you’re thinking, but the answer is no, Kenzie will not be starting basketball soon.
Cambrie (2): If you ask her what her favorite movie is, be prepared to hear the title “Tangled”. (Although I’ve just been informed, “Shrek” comes in at a close second.) Her new favorite phrase is: “Are you kidding me?” Cambrie likes to occupy her time by pretending she’s Sister PTalbot, (or adding a p to the beginning of any name) taking care of newborn babies, and watching herself sing. She loves to go visiting teaching and is excited to graduate from the church nursery and into Primary. She has an extensive vocabulary for an almost-three-year-old, and no, she won’t be starting basketball either. (But you can bet she’ll be watching a lot of it.)
To wrap things up, it’s been a decent year. Trips to North Carolina, Grandma’s house, Kalahari, and Indian’s games… what more could you ask for? Mom and Dad are anxiously anticipating the newest addition to our family come February --a real live teenager. Bring on the hormones. We hope you’re having and continue to have a great year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
The Kerr’s
P.S. Addysen informed me that I have made way to many edits to her original and she no longer wants to be associated with this letter. Did I mention hormones? Consider nothing being said from Addysen’s perspective.
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