Triple Birthday Dinner

We had birthday dinner for Isaac, Heather, and David while the kids and I were in Visalia between their birthdays. Mom made a chocolate cake, and I got to decorate it.

Later on during our visit, we went for a walk and were followed by the neighbors' pig, Jellybean. He was a friendly fellow, and we watched him until the neighbor could come to take him home.

Snow

We were excited to get snow.

The kids had fun sliding down hills on our walk, which we took in the morning instead of the afternoon like usual so that we could enjoy the snow before it melted.

End of the Year

We enjoyed being part of our second annual staff reunion retreat. It was a great time. We got to decorate cookies with Katy and watch the dancing after dinner the second night.

 After the retreat, we went back to Visalia for NYE. Natalie and I made our traditional muddy buddies, and we enjoyed snacks, a puzzle, video games, and dancing.

Welcome to 2026!

Christmas at Home and in Visalia

We enjoyed reading the Christmas story and opening gifts together Christmas morning.

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast with Joshua's homemade bacon and danish pastries. I've been wanting to try making laminated dough at home, something I used to be part of at Creswell Bakery, and this was the perfect occasion.

 We finished off the celebration at Dad and Mom's house with everyone.

Christmas in Modesto

We headed up to Modesto the Sunday before Christmas to see Solace as Clara and Amari as Fritz in the Nutcracker. They did a great job, and we enjoyed the performance. On Monday, we kicked off the Christmas celebrations with brunch and gifts with Dave, Gayle, Joy and the kids, and her friend.

We had to leave promptly because Hannah's follow up appointment with the orthopeadic specialist was that afternoon in Fresno. He said it should heal well and gave us a brace that will keep the bone in position while it heals.

Joshua and David enjoyed reading the new Little Prince book David got for Christmas.

Shortbread Cookies

We had a Kerr family shortbread making party on Saturday.

First Fracture

Hannah became the first person in our family to break a bone on Wednesday when she fell off the bench and landed just the wrong way. As long as she held still, she wasn't in a lot of pain, but if I tried to pick her up, it hurt a lot. An x-ray at urgent care revealed a fractured collarbone, but they couldn't do anything for her there, so they told us to go to the ER at Valley Children's Hospital. Hannah was a little trooper and had a good attitude.

They couldn't actually do much at the ER either, but they gave us a sling and referred us to the orthopeadic specialist.

Cookie Decorating

We enjoyed another visit with Dad and Mom and the fam. David loves building fires with Grandpa.

Mom, the kids, and I went to the annual citrus tasting. Mom has gone a number of times, but we've only heard about it, so it was fun to finally go and get to try different local fruit.

We got to decorate cookies with everyone, something Mary looks forward to every year.

 David decorates the way I used to with lots of frosting.

Christmas Tree Hunt

We headed out to the forest to find a Christmas tree.

And we found the perfect one.

 

We made a new advent wreath after church.

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a brief but lovely visit with my family for Thanksgiving.

 On our way home Friday, we stopped to smell trees during the Christmas tree hunt.

November Happenings

Making sand art.

Watching a cement mixer pour concrete while waiting at the dentist.

Mary picked out a book about how to draw dinosaurs at the library, then did a great job drawing some.

Making cinnamon sugar pretzel bites.

Enjoying a rainy day.

Mary learned how to make Jacob's Ladder and play Cat's Cradle.

Heading out to pick apples in the mist.

The first snow of the season.

Joshua and David built a sword together, and he spent a lot of time carefully sanding it.

Uno and Birthday Fun

The kids and I headed to Visalia during the men's retreat at camp. Mary and David were excited to play Uno with everyone.

We also had time to draw.

And a second birthday dinner which was equally enjoyed.