The Week Between

We spent the week between Christmas and New Year's in Visalia and enjoyed the time with family working on projects, going on walks, playing games, and visiting. One of the projects we worked on was making a granny square afghan with the yarn and squares that Jonah's grandmother had started. It was fun to have sewing circle with Heather and Michelle and work on something that we've done a lot together in the past. Mom and I also had a good amount of time to sew together on quilting projects.

I enjoyed a cup of tea every morning in the new mug I got for Christmas on the coaster Natalie made for me.

Game time with Uncle Joshua.

Joshua and I also enjoyed taking the kids out for our traditional hot chocolate treat on Friday. This year was Ezra's first time joining the party.

After enjoying our drinks, Joshua headed up to Sacramento to attend a bachelor's party while I stayed with my family for the weekend.

Christmas 2017

Joshua and I had a rush trying to get ready for Christmas this year. It was a particularly busy term for him since he was taking extra units. But he did a great job and after the term was over we received the exciting news that he is now ABD (all but dissertation). That's a big step in the program and means that from now on the focus is on writing the dissertation. Anyway, since the term was busier than usual, we were a bit behind on Christmas preparations when it ended. We spent a few frantic, but mostly enjoyable, evenings working on getting things ready and drinking eggnog. Thankfully, we were able to finish everything up on time and hit the road on the Friday before Christmas. Once in California, we enjoy a particularly pleasant and relaxed time celebrating Christmas with both our families.

We kicked things off by making shortbread on Friday after dinner. It's so good, especially with Tea of Good Tidings.

We celebrated Christmas with the Kerrs on Saturday with Christmas dinner, presents, and desserts. Then we had doughnuts Sunday morning and got to light the advent candles at the Christmas Eve service.

I couldn't resist making bears for Amari and Elias for Christmas this year.

We celebrated Christmas with the Chandlers on Monday, gathering at Mom and Dad's house around lunch time. Dad had gotten a package of mystery Oreos, so we tasted those after lunch and tried to figure out what the flavor was. Still not sure, but something fruity.

Then we opened presents and took the traditional picture of the kids in front of the Christmas tree, all wearing the matching pajamas that Mom made for them this year.

We finished off the day with a delicious Christmas dinner and chocolate birthday cake for dessert.

Baby Announcement Celebrations

Back in September when we made our quick trip to California so Joshua could give a couple of papers, we also were excited to share the news of our pregnancy with our families. We got great reactions on both sides and some pretty surprised faces. After the news was out, it was time to celebrate.

Heather gave me a bag of her favorite maternity clothes that she had just gotten back from Michelle. 

Mom brought home two kinds of Cold Stone ice cream for a special mid-afternoon treat.

We also enjoyed a delicious family dinner complete with raspberries that Mom picked up and raspberry wine that Dad got because the baby was the size of a raspberry at the time.

Thanksgiving in Oregon

 We did something crazy for Thanksgiving this year. All of the Kerrs came up and we gathered in Reedsport to celebrate Thanksgiving at Grandad's house. It was a bit crowded at times, but we had a lot of fun. Since we were already in Oregon and other family members were traveling, I got to do some extra food prep on Wednesday including making my first pecan pie. I was a little nervous making pecan pie for the first time for such a special occasion, but I was happy with how it turned out.

As expected, we had a feast on Thursday. We ate out on the patio, so it was a little chilly but not bad.

Photo credit: Lamar

After dinner, Laura, Lamar, and I headed out on a walk with the kids. We quickly realized that we were all spouses of the Kerr family. Then we ran into Gayle, also a Kerr spouse. So all four of the Kerr spouses ended up going on a walk together: the Kerr spouse clan.

Friday afternoon we drove down to Shore Acres. We arrived in time for a beautiful sunset.

Photo credit: Bethany

All of us at Shore Acres.

After enjoying the sunset, we walked through the gardens and admired the lights. It really is impressive; so many lights in one place.

Bethany and Laura left to return home after viewing the lights and the rest of us got seafood for dinner before returning to Reedsport.

Saturday we enjoyed a day around Grandad's house and finished things off with the famous taco pizza. This is something the Kerrs enjoyed frequently on trips to Oregon and I'd heard about, but never experienced. It was fun to finally try some. After dinner, we headed back to Eugene and everyone else headed back to California, leaving Grandad to enjoy a little peace and quiet.

It was so much fun to have everyone in Oregon for Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed the time spent together and doing something a little wild for the holiday.

Edible Decorations

Time to eat our fall decorations and make room for advent decorations.

Meet Me in St. Louis

Last weekend I went to St. Louis for a Shields family reunion and to celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday. Due to having just a personal item on the flight, I didn't have room for my camera, so all of these pictures are from Heather and Nathan.

Photo credit: Heather

I flew out of Eugene and Mom and Heather flew out of Fresno, but we all happened to be on the same flight from San Francisco to St. Louis.

Photo credit: Nathan

Friday night we kicked things off by getting to meet Laura's partner, Al, and having dinner at his family's restaurant. It was delicious. We filled up about half the room.

Photo credit: Heather

Photo credit: Heather

 Mom, Heather, and I stayed at Uncle Dave's house in their basement suite. Heather and I shared this huge bed. It was just a normal king size, but we're both used to sleeping in a queen.

Photo credit: Nathan

Saturday we hung out at Dave and Brenda's and the rest of the family gradually arrived to visit and help make Thanksgiving dinner. It was a great way to get to spend time together. I felt like I had a good chance to talk to almost everyone and it was particularly fun to meet Al, Laura's partner, and Anna, Micah's partner.

Photo credit: Heather

Among other things, Laura and I helped make salad.

Photo credit: Nathan

The kitchen was crowded, but we had fun working together.

Photo credit: Heather

Photo credit: Nathan

We all managed to sit down and eat together, and what a delicious meal. After dinner, Aunt Alma read some of the memories that people had contributed to a memory book for Grandma's birthday.

Photo credit: Nathan

Photo credit: Nathan

We had cake and pie for dessert and Grandma impressed us all by blowing out a large portion of her 90 candles with the first blow.

Photo credit: Nathan

The group.

Photo credit: Nathan

Mom with her siblings.

Photo Credit: Heather

Sunday morning we had brunch, catered by Laura's friend, Loren, along with a few additions.

Photo credit: Heather

Photo credit: Nathan

The kitchen was full of people and food again.

Photo credit: Nathan

Photo credit: Heather

Photo credit: Heather

And what food it was! Heather's plate is a little less crowded than mine was, but it was all delicious and the presentation was beautiful. After the brunch, we relaxed and visited some more and people started leaving to catch flights.

Photo credit: Heather

Our flight was in the late afternoon, so we arrived in San Francisco in the dark and got to see the city lights. Unfortunately, my flight back to Eugene was delayed and then we hit a bunch of turbulence as we descended because it was raining pretty hard. I'm guessing it was normal for the pilots, but it was by far the most turbulence I've ever experienced and was pretty wild. Needless to say, I was glad to be home again. But it was a good trip and fun weekend and I was glad I got to go see the family and celebrate with everyone.

Coming Soon

Announcing our little pumpkin!

Baby Kerr due early May 2018.