Sunday, January 16, 2011

Old MacDonald or Master Procrastinator?


Cannon was supposed to be clearing the table but he started playing with Cambrie. Every time he tried to go back to clearing, Cambrie would yell, "More Big Boy." So, finally I said, "ok, play with her for a minute while I videotape."

A new favorite

Over Christmas break, we took the kids roller skating for the first time. I'm not sure what I was thinking....taking 4 kids (Cambrie stayed at home with a sitter) who had NEVER skated before. Talk about a workout -- trying to hold them up at the same time. We had so much fun, however, that we went back when all of Greg's family was in town. Thanks to Uncle Spencer -- Cannon is now a PRO. No more wall-hanging for him. And the girls...well, you'd never know they just barely learned. (Ok, so of course, I am exaggerating. It's obvious they just learned...but they got up -- no matter how many times they fell down.)

For the sake of posterity



December 2010
Dear Friends & Family –
I’ll be honest. I debated not sending a Christmas letter this year. I mean really, we aren’t exciting people. Seriously. Who wants to read about an average family of 7, living in one of the fattest, poorest, smokiest cities in the United States? (Thank you Men’s Health for that positive spin.)
Who really wants to hear about 6 trips to and from court with various renters? Or about 48 soccer and baseball games? Kids in 4 different schools? (Talk about PTA opportunities.) Or 567,890 loads of laundry? Raise your hand if you want to hear about Greg’s trip to the sleep clinic? Do I hear a “BooYA!” for a paragraph devoted to Tacie’s 7 consecutive sinus infections? What about Addysen’s 4,000 complaints about math? Or Cannon’s insistence that he has changed his socks at least once in the past two weeks…despite an odor which indicates otherwise. Anyone want to hear about Brynnley’s life not being fair? Or Kenzie wanting to watch another movie? What about Cambrie? Hmmm…well, what about Cambrie?
No, we aren’t exciting people. But we are blessed and we are grateful. We are still here, healthy and happy. So – take it or leave it. It is what it is.
Greg runs the show around here. When he’s not doing that, he runs up bids on Quibids. Never heard of it? Don’t check it out…you’ll find some amazing deals. Or, more likely, you’ll spend a lot of money trying to find amazing deals. He works. He golfs. He talks energy and utilities. Sometimes he sleeps - -and then, apparently he stops breathing right…Can you say, “sleep mask,” in his future?
Tacie is still trying to recover from that ridiculous Lebron James fiasco. Not only did he throw my devotion - and all of Cleveland’s out into the cold --but what an embarrassing segment that was on ESPN. (Yes, I did steal that line directly from my sister’s newsletter.) Is it any wonder Cannon became a Steeler’s fan? Recently unemployed, I now spend my time writing long diatribes to banks regarding loan modifications  -- all the while pondering the I. Q. qualifications for the government masterminds behind the Making Homes Affordable program. Of course I am kidding…this letter writing business has been going on for nearly two years.
Addysen, now rocking the big bad world of middle school, insists that SHE.IS. EXCITING…even if the rest of us aren’t. Is it her love of mis-matched socks? Bright blue nail polish? Shorts and leggings in the dead of winter? Or is it her crush on Justin Bieber which makes her stand out from every other 11-year-old on the planet? We’re not sure. But we’ll keep her around – especially when we need an awesome babysitter…or someone to read the entire Harry Potter series in a matter of days. Or, for when we want to hear, yet again, why someone her age needs an iphone, or an ipod touch or any other i-anything.
Cannon is at the top of the 5th grade food chain – selling candy-grams and flowers as a Student Council rep. Rumor has it, “all the girls like him.” Could it be the powerful way he swings the bat? Kicks the soccer ball?  Or is it his finger popping skills? Perhaps it’s the amazing way he mops the floor – missing entire collections of cheerios from under Cambrie’s highchair. Maybe it’s the way he manages to stick his foot out at the exact same moment one of his sisters is walking by - sending himself into fits of laughter while they fall not-so-graciously to the floor. Hmmm…more than likely, it’s his infectious grin and darling dimples.
Brynnley is a friend to everyone in first grade….but, she especially likes those who regularly bring her presents. She is under the very misguided perception that she is in charge of this household. This is evidenced, to a small degree, by the never-ending pile of clothes on her bedroom floor and the way in which she convinces Kenzie to ask for things for which she has already been told NO. Always generous, however, Brynnley enjoyed spending her $20 Walmart gift card on a variety of lollipops and gum for herself and her siblings.
Kenzie enjoys wearing Brynnley’s clothes, Addysen’s jewelry and playing with Cambrie’s toys. As a preschooler, she writes her name and has discovered a new-found joy in glue and glitter. Her first soccer season was stellar – no injuries and more goals than most kids her age can count. Thanks to music class, Kenzie can conduct a compelling comparison/contrast discussion concerning the tunes of Bach and Beethoven.
Cambrie, always a ray of sunshine on Cleveland’s darkest days, developed sincerely strong opinions about her carseat as she traveled to/from Florida and to/from San Diego (by way of BrianHead and Las Vegas and about 350 other towns both big and small.) What’s 150 hours strapped in a seat to a not-quite-2-year-old? Oh, well, only about 1/3 of her life. She took it in stride, as she does everything, and we enjoyed some very fun trips.
So there you have it – bored to tears? The not-so-exciting Kerr’s – wrapped up into a few crazy paragraphs. Until next year – wishing you and yours a safe, and healthy, and happy 2011. Merry Christmas.
Love,
Greg, Tacie, Addysen, Cannon, Brynnley, Kenzie & Cambrie
PS – Maybe next year’s letter shouldn’t be written at 2:30am. What do you think?

Your thoughts, please.


Why I can't stop reading Mormon housewife blogs

I'm a young, feminist atheist who can't bake a cupcake. Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women?

Saturday, January 1, 2011

What happened to my baby?
















Despite my best efforts to keep it from happening, somehow, in the midst of the holidays festivities, Cambrie went ahead and turned 2. Suddenly she's talking up a storm -- and playing the role of comedian. Having a birthday on December 26th doesn't really leave many people wanting cake -- so we improvised with a "cookie cake." I can honestly say that none of my kids has had a cake like this before.
I can't even imagine a life without this little girl in it. She is a treasure and we count her among our greatest blessings every.single.day.
Happy Birthday "Baby Brie."

Christmas chaos










The aftermath of 12 kids (ages 11 and under) and 9 adults opening presents and chowing down on treats. How blessed we are to be surrounded by friends and family. No matter how many times I've vacuumed and mopped, I'm still finding candy wrappers, clothing tags and those lovely plastic pieces that keep toys in place.

A Very Busy Month




















December was crazy...and now it is over. Here's a sampling of our month...in pictures.