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!