Ah, the magic!

Due to popular demand the Kern team took their traditional walk through the Christmas lights last night. You name the character we saw them--from Santa to the baby Jesus and then from Charlie Brown to Pokemon they were all there in their full glow glory. Before leaving we took a moment to brainstorm what new characters were out this year and sure enough Karly won with her prediction of "Charlotte's Web" and "Happy Feet". Who did we forget? CARS. Lightning McQueen himself was there along with his pals.

When the kids were little we'd bundle them up and take them by wagon, stopping every 10 steps to gather someones dropped blanket, pass the cocoa, or settle the forever space dispute over who had more room in the wagon than the other. Wow is it ever nice to have everyone walking and yet still young enough to enjoy the magic of the Christmas lights! I had a few flashback moments at some of the homes that have maintained their original decor through the years. I could see the kids peering through the same windows, standing in the same positions, as they did many years ago--little tots then. Wow, time goes fast! I am thankful that it's still a big event for Karly and Kyle. Something they look forward to; the lights, the cocoa, the yummy treats along the way. Ah...the magic of Christmas!

Santa's Plunge

Not even a blustery day could keep Santa from making his round! Kent kept his yearly commitment by running the Roseville Polar Bear 5K and then swirling down the slide into the unheated pool. Sure there were a few in antlers and jingle bell hats, but only one Santa made this early morning plunge. Brrr... While he knows he might find a better time running without the red suit, it's become tradition and the honking of the cars passing by keep him smiling.

Back to the Caribbean--ya mon!

Well it's official. Kent and I have been long time warm water travelers, and we just can't get enough of the Caribbean. So we're headed back, this time with the kids! We will be cruising next July out of Ft. Lauderdale to great ports of call: San Juan--Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, and Nassau. A few of these ports are islands that we first visited on our honeymoon which will then be 14 years previous. The kids are very excited and we have put together a "cruise fun" money jar that everyone is contributing to. This will be our excursion money--because this family plans to not only see paradise but also find some adventure along the way. Some of our ideas include: a Spanish fort, kayak and snorkeling eco tours, catamarans, 4x4 adventures and a pirate museum. The best part is we have seven months to research, plan and anticipate our schedule! Half the trip is just looking forward to it.

The kids will be at great ages, 7 & 8. Old enough to enjoy the water slides on board while Mom & Dad relax poolside, cute enough to dress up and have fancy dinners at the grown up table, and young enough to find magic in shoreline shells, and gentle waves via our ports of call. We hope it will be a memorable time for us all--building that Team Kern concept and sharing lots of joys and experiences together.

Gil-i-Monster

Gil-i-Monster is our new nickname for Gilligan. While he is absolutely won our hearts he can be quite the tyrant on occasion. He's the lap dog of a life time (all 35+ pounds of him), he's so mild in temper, full of personality, but he's chewing on everything. About a month ago the chewing slowed. Many of his baby teeth had fallen out and the new ones came in--so we thought we were done with this phase. At almost six months, this puppy has now ruined two of my nice pairs of shoes, a few articles of clothing he's then thrown-up--yuck, my mouth pieces I wear at night (got fitted for new ones today), a library book, our kitchen chairs, a few my little ponies, my children, and more. It's not that he doesn't have his own things to chew. This dog has a dozen toys! It's not that he's dumb. He's smart--he can "sit", "come" and "lay down", plus he runs to the car if I ask him "Do you want to go get the kids?" Not bad for a preschool Bully. In dog years I figure he's about three and a half. That makes sense with his naughty behavior! Three was a tough age for the kids, looks like Gilligan will hold fast to the Kern tradition. Nonetheless, I doubt we'll ever have any other dog but a Bully. His nature is great! He's just our speed and style. He's been a great addition and we have no regrets!

Traditional Treasures

It took only a few moments after the green tubs of Christmas decorations made their way into the house for the kids to begin digging through the traditional treasures. Karly had a story for each ornament, something she remembered, with silly giggles sprinkled within her self-dialogue. Kyle rather was focused on the tasks at hand-- putting together the tree, wanting to help with the lights (inside and out), getting the ornaments actually on the tree. Gilligan worked against our efforts. Chewing on anything he could get away with and diving nose first into the boxes of ornaments and alike. Seems like someone was always yelling "Gilligan!" Perhaps the kids have been watching too many Gilligan Island reruns here--the tone used here is much like the Skippers!

November Promise

Each November I remember. With Karly's birthday quickly approaching, I am compelled to recall the journey we traveled on our quest for parenthood. It was November, eight years ago, that we found out we were not pregnant after our final attempt at pregnancy (in-vitro). After years of infertility treatments, pills, and syringes we were out of options and still longing to be parents. That November was filled with a mix of emotions. The death of a dream and then promise of new life--our Karly call. How awesome is it that the very week we found out we weren't pregnant that phone rang about a baby girl who would need a home. Wow! What a week! I believe there will be few weeks in my life where I experience such a spectrum of emotions.


It's good to reflect. It's amazing to look at her now and to find so much joy in our November promise! Our November promise of Karly will always remind me of the fact that a good thing can come from a cold, dark time. Hence, I call her Sunshine!

Got pictures?

I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving, but I always seem to forget to take pictures during Thanksgiving itself. I imagine the cute photos of the kids diving into the pumpkin pie and Auntie Kathy's cream puffs but then never do capture the moment. I must have my mind on a few others things--the stuffing or my own piece of pie--Yum! It didn't dawn on me until Kyle won a bunko prize (bunko is a good game that 80 and 8 can play) to actually pull out the camera. By then the sugar had Karly in silly mode, so a passing "cheese" will have to do. Until next year....

Poultry and the Pilgrim

Can you believe we've been married 13+ years and I've never had to cook a turkey? That was until yesterday. For years I've found comfort creating the green bean casserole and homemade rolls (Kent's favorites), but this year the need for an extra local oven brought the turkey to the Kern house.

I had the perfect 19 lb turkey and a helpful husband but somewhere between almost blowing up the microwave, backing up the garbage disposal, and the discovery that removal of a neck from the packaging was required-- the laughter began. Kent was gracious to take care of the neck and giblets for me though I had to convince them the giblets really were in there somewhere. I didn't think I'd be grossed out by the realness of the bird until I actually had to work with it raw--yuck! Why do we get the neck? I don't want the neck! Kent joked that I wouldn't have made a very good pilgrim; I dare say he's right!

In the end turkey and stuffing turned out just great thanks to Martha Stewart and her cheesecloth recipe. I do plan to cook a turkey again as long as my side-kick pilgrim husband will continue to support my poultry anatomy avoidance issues.

Boo!

Halloween at our house is full of more silly than it is of spooky. After weeks of looking at costumes the kids narrowed it down to a "powder pixie" (not sure what a powder pixie is but Karly was quite sure she liked it) and a "friendly ghost". Poor Gilligan only lasted minutes in his "Boo" basket gift (a pumpkin costume) I don't think we'll be dressing him up again anytime soon. I have to confess some of the Halloween favorites (the PB cups, kit kats, and almond joys) met their end early by way of the garbage disposal the next day. Remember the Sex in the City where she eats the cake out of the garbage? I knew I too couldn't be trusted to just throw them away! Be assured the kids are still dining quite nicely on Halloween treats and have not asked what happen to the good stuff. :)

Lake Almanor

Our get away spot. It's about three hours drive but the kids have done it since they were born, so they find no problem with passing time in the car. We head out any three day weekends we can find, and usually spend another week somewhere in the year. Lake Almanor sits at the base of Mount Lassen-- about 4,000 feet. Warm in the summer, snow in the winter. We wakeboard, tube, and golf in the summer and fall. We sled, build snow forts, and explore our ways through the winter and spring.This past summer we hiked into areas of Mt. Lassen and explored the live volcano with all it's glory and smell (sulfur). Of course we also spent lots of time at the peninsula sandy beach buidling sand creations and swiming to the dock.

Back to School

Back to school...I can't believe they are old enough to both be in school all day. I haven't had lunch by myself for 7 years. I actually have car time where I can listen to my music! Funny how I thought I'd have so much time on my hands--and yet I seem to have less. Mornings and late afternoons are now busy with kid stuff. Getting them up and out and then homework and after school activities mean that everything else must get done while they are in school. It is nice to have grocery store trips without playing pacifier pick-up or count the apples, but you also miss the chatter (okay maybe just for a moment-- LOL) a little one brings. 1st grader Kyle finds the big kids blacktop full of options though tether ball has his devotion. 2ND grader Karly is reading through 1-2 chapter books a day and daddy calls her a "book nerd"--a title she loves! What a great age this is! I'm trying to treasure it each moment!

A Third Child??

We have long wanted an English Bulldog. We researched, we watched and waited for the opportunity. The kids read Bulldog books and Kyle especially took interest in learning puppy care. In August Gilligan won our hearts and has since then become our third child and a part of the family. He seriously thinks he's human. He wants to do what we do and go where we go. His temperament is great, he's not an over excited breed and yet can play fetch with the kids. He loves to just be loved on. He snores loud but he's so silly cute that you just giggle when you see him. I have "lost" a few shoes, and both kids have been chewed as well in the puppy teething process. Wrinkles and all we love him!

Travel

Travel is a pleasure that we forever hope to indulge in. We seem to always be planning our next trip somewhere and half the fun for us is in the anticipation and information gathering. Our travel dreams kicked up a notch when the kids were past the baby stage (about 3 & 4) and we took off to Negril, Jamaica for us time and our 10th anniversary. This seven mile stretch of gorgeous beach is full of Caribbean delight. The water is so clear, and nicely protected by a great reef a ways off shore (makes for great snorkeling!) No big waves, just the gentle rolling kind that bring schools of fish, rays, endless shells, and warm water fun. We hope to see Negril again! Just beautiful. Great trip!

Our next trip was Cozumel. We decided rather last minute to take a cruise out of New Orleans down to Cozumel just before Spring Break 2005. Nothing like throwing a vacation in just for the fun of it! We just can't get enough of the sunshine, and warm waters. Took a 4W jeep adventure and snorkeled with a sea turtle and all the colors & wonders of the sea.

Most recently our travels took us to the East Coast, and to the charm of South Carolina. Kent had a conference to attend in Charleston, so we tagged on some extra time to visit Myrtle Beach and to tour Charleston and the surrounding areas. As a history nut myself, I had a blast taking in the culture and viewing sites with revolutionary and civil war significance while Kent attended his education events. Charleston is a must see for those of you who also dabble in a love for the past! To be honest, we are a bit intrigued with SC. There is a part of us that would love to pick up and move to the slower pace, golf courses, ocean, southern hospitality and lower cost of living SC offers. (Not to mention the beauty--it's green, lush, and the ocean is nice and warm at 80+ degrees.) Who knows maybe someday we'll call the palmetto state home???

Of course we've also travel with the kids! We haven't forgotten them completely. Santa Cruz, Monterey, Disneyland, and San Diego have all been great trips and a source of joy.

We want to pass onto Karly and Kyle the excitement of the journey. The adventures to be had throughout our country and throughout our world. Our next trip hopes are for Summer '07! We've started saving as a family and hope to set sail from the shores of Puerto Rico and travel the southern Caribbean.