The Kerr Christmas Letter!

From the Better Late Than Never Department, it's the Kerr Post-Christmas Christmas Letter!!!

I thought since the Mayans said the world would end 12/21/12, my final days in December would be better spent making biscotti rather than writing. Alas, the Mayans were wrong and thus I am behind in my yearly tradition.

So even though your decorations are put away, all of 2012's holiday cards upcycled into some cute craft, and the left overs eaten, here's one last Christmas letter.

2012 was a rather quiet year for us and that's a good thing. When you have six kids, quiet is good. Except when the boys have been upstairs for more than 20 minutes and it's not bedtime then quiet is probably not good. But I digress.

In January, W. Bear represented the family at the annual homeschool spelling bee. He didn't place in the top three, but had a great indepth discussion of Pokemon cards with the contestant next to him.

Spring activities included Gaspee Days wherein Bo took part in a pirate encampment and did piratey things like cooking over a wood fire, shooting off a blunder buss and scowling at errant children. While he has enjoyed the camaraderie of the pirate crew, I think the sleeping on the ground bit is wearing thin for him. However, I don't know if pirates are allowed air mattresses.

In June, Bo did his annual Father/Son motorcycle trip in and around Maine. Fun times and sore bottoms were had by all.

In July, Grandma Barbara paid us a visit and we went to the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, RI. She also took her first motorcycle ride with Bo. Seeing as she is Bo's mom, I thought we should refer to her as Grandma Hunkmeister. But then a friend has suggested shortening the title to Grandmeister. Given how easily she took to the Doc Marten boots and motorcycle gear, I would have to concur.

Also in July, our Princess Git Er Done turned 13 and per Kerr custom, Dad and her had a day trip to the Lego store and lunch at a fun restaurant called Wasabi where the sushi comes by on a conveyor belt. I thought the child would vibrate into another dimension from the excitement of it all.

At the end of July, we joined the rest of the Grattan family for a reunion in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. All 17 of us were able to spend a week at a lovely resort to celebrate my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Yay Mom & Dad! Except for the fishing trip, much food and fun was had by all.

In August, Bo and some friends did a motorcycle ride out to Cooperstown, NY and the baseball hall of fame. Given how much time he's spent on the motorcycle this year, donations of Monkey Butt powder would be greatly appreciated.

In September Bo and I enjoyed a nice get away weekend to Nantucket. It rained most of the time we were there, but it was still great to spend some time having conversations that were not permeated by "What's for dinner?" "Can I watch tv now?" "Baby broke my Lego car!"

September also included a surprise at our door in the form of an itteh bitteh kitteh. She's still with us and as rambunctious as ever. She's a perfect fit for the gang.

I can haz control of ur mind, yes?

November we spent Thanksgiving with my parents on Long Island getting our fix of real bagels and true New York pizza. It was also the weekend of my 25th high school reunion. It was great to see some old friends. Old as if from high school and not old as in age. Y'all looked great. Really.

Bo, when not touring like a rock star, is still working for Newfangled Web Developers.

I am currently training to run a 5k race in the spring. Baking desserts with too much sugar is a lot easier.

Princess Buttercup joined the legion of teenagers with braces this year. She is also working for a local organic food cooperative called Fertile Underground. While it's a volunteer position, she receives credit she can use for chocolate groceries.

Princess Git Er Done has also taken her earring crafting a step further by selling some at Fertile Underground. She is also still performing with the Rhode Island Philharmonic String Orchestra.

W. Bear is still heavily into Legos. And when he's not playing with Legos, he's playing with Pokemon. And when he's not playing with Pokemon, he's playing with Legos. Periodically he sneaks a book in there.

Tater is right behind W. Bear in the Lego/Pokemon time-distortion field.

Baby is getting better at his reading, is a very creative inventor of gadgets and weaponry and has avoided going to the ER this year. That makes this a very good year.

Gummi is still Gummi, adorable as ever when not acting like he owns the world.









Well, that's all for us. Hope your holidays were wonderful and may your 2013 be devoid of world ending predictions!