Catch Up

It seems I'm perpetually behind when it comes to posting anything on our blog. My kids love reading the extended family blogs and are quick to notice how little of our family life gets captured via this blog. Most posts are short and sweet because it's like I always say, "We're too busy living life to blog about it!" Someday that may change. But for now, here's a quick attempt to 'catch up' a bit. (I really just need to learn how to cut and paste from my siblings' blogs because they take the time to record the details).

Taylor, Liberty, Hilary, Mom, Dad, McKay, Heather, Tiffany

Since the six siblings are scattered around the globe (China, South Carolina, Utah, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Texas) it's a rare event to have us all in the same room. The bittersweet passing of our G-pa Kerr on April 28, 2011 brought us together for a few days to celebrate a life well lived.

There was no shortage of laughter during our brief time together! Thanks Brent and Kathy for trying to help us "capture the moment" - the weary travelers turned giddy but we managed to get a few decent pictures.

Mom and Dad the night before the funeral. Services were held in Blackfoot, ID on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. The great-grandchildren sang "I Am A Child of God" with Brinley accompanying them on her violin. Just days before G-pa died, we were in Mapleton, UT for his birthday party where he told Brinley he wanted to hear her play her violin.

I'm sure he did.

At the cemetery in Idaho Falls, ID.

Eight of the nine families (from Bob & Ann) were represented here.

My brother McKay is front left.

Military honors for service during WWII.

Heather and G-ma Ann.

Cousins gathered from far and wide to honor our incredible family patriarch.

My parents and their posterity at the luncheon following the graveside service.

(We missed Shawn along with kids/spouses of McKay and Libbie).

Later that evening, we attended a temple session together and quickly realized how exhausted we all were. Hey, G-pa would be pleased that we maximized our time together and were efficient and productive!

Just hours after everybody left our place, we packed up our minivan and drove 5 hrs. to Boise, ID for the delightful production of Broadway's musical "WICKED".

(Quinn and Elsie had a sleepover with G-ma M).

It was a real treat to stay overnight in a hotel where the kids enjoyed swimming in the pool. Just before the matinee began, we managed to squeeze in a yummy lunch with Aaron's brother, Cameron who now lives in Boise. Wow - Chuck-A-Rama has really upped the program!

Here were are on a shuttle after the show heading back to the parking garage.

We had incredible seats and LOVED every minute of this amazing production (once we finally got inside, but that's another story).

One of my many quirks is to take notice of and make exit strategy plans from large gatherings. This time it worked like a charm! I don't mind darting through a crowd of people with the kiddos close behind. We had a tight travel schedule since the kids had to be back for school the next morning.

Tanner receiving his Life Award for Boy Scouts.

Eagle project = summer fun.

Tanner was selected to be part of the yearbook staff for the middle school where he contributed time and talent to it's creation. Hard to believe he's completed 7th grade!

Jantzen at Field Day at the elementary school.

Anna with Lacie and Elsie.

I'm pretty certain she was the only one wearing boots with shorts.

Jantzen's contributions to the team have been significant this baseball season.

Go Astros!

To help us transition from our winter hibernation, I decided some physical activity would be good for Elsie and Quinn. We did a little gymnastics together during April and May.

We learned Elsie is extremely flexible. I'm pretty sure I didn't pass that trait along.

Quinn loved playing in huge pit with foam blocks.

He never would walk on the low beams - Quinn preferred the high beams. And the faster the better for him! He is such a climber I figured this would be right up his alley. What I didn't plan on was having access to balls in the gym!

Even with exposure to all of the climbing and jumping of gymnastics, this is where Quinn gravitated every time. Parents and coaches alike took notice of his uncanny ability to find any and every ball located in the entire facility!

Just before Aaron took the boys on a Father & Sons camp-out, they attended Brinley's middle school orchestra concert. This year she has also been part of the Fiddle Club which required Monday morning practices before school. The Fiddle Club performed at various functions in the community during the year.

She has had a fabulous 5th grade year with Mr. Durfee. Recently, we were surprised when the local newspaper captured a picture of her during their class's "History Museum Learning Fair". Each group presented a specific time period and event in history. It was a huge and successful undertaking. Handy-man Aaron even helped the teacher build the frames used by the class.

Brinley and her team.

Austen, Jace, Jantzen, Cache, Carson

Jantzen and his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Sherman.

He received his Wolf Award at Pack Night on this day - hence the shirt.

Anna completes 1st grade with Mrs. Skillicorn.