The Kerr Krew

Fast and Furious Fun!

2009-07-22T22:27:00.004-04:00

Man, this is bad. I just got a kick in the pants when someone said they visited this site today and I realized I have not been on in so long that I forgot the password!

Here are some updates!

Connor: Ended up being totally green from head to toe after helping us make our scout Troop 113 float for the parade. This year the theme is "Go Green" and Connor took that literally...and to a new level. Funny, he loves John Deere and the tub looked like an OS series model by the time he was done in it. We took him to the John Deere 2 Cylinder Expo 2 weeks ago and he was in heaven! We did chores for our neighbors so they could enjoy the week down at the expo and give them a break from the farm. Connor was a huge help! He made me goals for the summer: telling time, tying his shoes better, and writing a book. They could be mine, too.

Colin: Was privileged to be invited to the Easter Regional Elite Running Camp at the Olympic Training Center. He calls each night under threat of having to finish his own laundry upon his return!! LOL! Just kidding. He is having a blast hiking a few of the high peaks, attending clinics, meeting other athletes, and apparently jumping off cliffs into water. Tony and I are so jealous!!!! He finished the school year with a 94 GPA, so we are pleased. He is working on trying to balance a social life, school and sports. It's going to be a fun ride.

Coming Up: Tony and I are leading the Troop on a High Adventure from August 7th - 12th through 5 lakes and climbing a mountain in the ADKS. We are so excited. It has been fun watching the boys have to plan this trip and read canoe maps. We have the parade this week and a fun year ahead! We can't wait to see our family. Karl and Jenn in the middle of August and my family toward the end. I will post pics from those visits as they happen. Love to all!

Blue Mountain Lake

2009-04-21T14:38:00.003-04:00

As you can tell by the date, work has been crazy. Now that my CSE's are almost over, I can breathe a bit and blog! Unfortunately, the boys are in school this week and we are not; hence the weekend trip to Blue Mountain Lake. We stayed at Blue Mtn. Rest, a cottage that loves dogs, so the whole family could go! We had a fast and furious blast! How many families can say they climbed a mountain, canoed the perimeter of a lake and trout fished at Buttermilk Falls all in one day? The scenery was gorgeous and God blessed us with a wonderful Saturday. At the base of the mountain it was 60 degrees. At the summit ( 3,759 ft) it was less than 30 degrees. The last 1/2 mile of the climb was steep and had at least 3 feet of snow and ice pack. In spots we had to use ropes and the boys learned fast! We were so proud of Connor. He did the whole way by himself, and this was the toughest out of all we had done ever before. It was 2 1/2 hours on the way up and 2 hours down. We saved time when we had to slide on our butts down the rope on the descent! Milo was a blast. He ran circles around us the whole time and was really good at scouting the best path ahead! Colin kissed the summit when we got there! On the way down his legs were jello and he was laughing so hard once we had to stop for him to catch his breath! The canoe ride was fun. On the way back across Blue Mountain Lake the boys were hauling a red hippity hop ball bopping along the water behind them! It looked hilarious. They found it and brought it back as a memento! Tony and I thought of Garrett and our senior AP English Project! Tony and Connor tried the trout stream at Buttermilk Falls to no avail. Maybe next time with the Troop! We scouted out the entire trip for the summer from Blue Mtn Lake, through Eagle and Utowana Lakes to the Marion River through Racquette and up to Forked Lake and Buttermilk Falls. Just a beautiful area and the locals were super nice offering us places to park our vehicles when we come with the 14 scouts next time. The DEC and Ranger were awesome help and gave us great pointers. All in all a great weekend! Wish we had the boys all week to do this!

March Madness

2009-03-08T20:38:00.003-04:00

March madness has taken on a new definition in the Kerr Krew household. How many projects can we start? Wallpapering John Deere calendar pages onto Connor's wall (a borrowed idea from my mother-in-law. I remember one of the boys' rooms plastered with poaster in a cool effect like that.), the pirate ship is almost done, and Tony fixed all the light fixtures in the basement. It has been nice the last 2 weekends getting some projects taken care of now that Indoor Track is over. However, outdoor begins tomorrow. Connor has been taking daily hikes with us in the back woods trails. We love watching Milo get on a deer or bunny trail! Connor has been riding his bike next to me while I run a few times this week. He gets further each time. He is learning so much so fast! Colin has done a great job in school this quarter, and we are proud of him, too. He now has his own email account that we monitor, as well as a Facebook account we monitor as well. It is so much fun watching him grow into a young man. His Confirmation in June fast approaches, and I feel old! We are all very excited that we will get to go to Timmy's birthday in NJ the weekend of March 28th! We have not seen them in over a half a year!

Happy, Birthday, Connor!

2009-02-12T22:25:00.004-05:00

The U tube videos are of his birthday party in school and from the Daytona 500 at Freewill. Each student and parent could run laps. Their goal each year is to reach 500 miles in one week! Connor's birthday party will have a Star Wars theme at home. The kids will have a Jedi training obstacle course, a hunt for asteroids, and a detonator game along with dinner, cake and ice cream. After dinner we will have the Clone wars where 2 teams will compete in different skills such as dart gun target shooting, bean bag throwing and Star Wars Bingo. We are looking forward to the fun tomorrow!

Colin did well at Sectionals and may be competing at the Meet of Champions after the break. After that, Outdoor track begins. He had a bit over a 93 avg this 2nd quarter with a ton of homework and projects. He did fairly well trying to juggle that and indoor for the first year. Aahh...growing pains.

We were thrilled to learn Garrett has a dog! We welcome Mac to the family and can't wait for Milo to meet him. He is a boxer! Speaking of Milo, this break he will undergo being neutered...the boys flinch at the mention of it! Hope everyone is healthy out there! Love to all!

Brrrr....

2009-01-27T11:26:00.004-05:00

Well, now that the NYS ELA's are done taking over our house, we may have time to
blog! This week Connor tried his first snowshoe race. All he cared was that his bib# was bigger than Colin's! At 5 degrees and after waiting too long for the start, he did not want to do it and just needed rest. He had great intentions and then was so cold he didn't care. Who could blame him! He hopped in the truck and played with Milo instead. He wants to try another soon, and hopefully it will be warmer! He has been reading to us everyday and we are just so impressed with how quickly he is picking up language. Colin is stressed with midterms and has put in many hours studying. He can't wait until they are over after this week. He did qualify for the Empire State Games in Lake Placid on February 22nd for snowshoeing. We don't know if he will go yet or not. It depends on his track schedule and if it is really something he wants to pursue...it will be the last of these games for a while due to Patterson's budget cuts. I will get some snowshoe pictures up later!

NYS 8th grade Runner of the Year!

2009-01-08T11:52:00.005-05:00

We found out 2 days ago that Colin is the NYSPHSAA's 8th Grade Runner of the Year!
His coach told us of the news in an email and Colin found out in practice that day.
He is enjoying this moment tremendously as he knows as he gets older accolades as such are much harder to come by. It gets quite competetive! He owes a tremendous amount of thanks, gratitude and respect to his coach and his teammates who push him to do well and accept him for who he is. His newest thing: matching in one complete color from head to toe...including hat and gloves for each practice. He cracks us and his teammates up. I have added the link to go to the website to see the write-up!

Connor and Colin loved Christmas in the North Country. Aunt Jackie and Uncle Louie let us use their trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and 4 wheeling. We also sledded at Whitakker and had a great time. I got to run with Colin and go on walks with Dad. One day I got up to 8 miles! It was so nice to have time in the day to just relax and do anything. Late night scrabble games and a chance to work on my sewing skills were a blessing with mom. It went by too fast, and here we are again...back into the thick of things. Scouting's Klondike Derby fast approaches us.

The last 2 weeks we have taken Connor (during Colin's practice time) out back to either sled or snowshoe or ice fish each day. It has been a true winter and we are really enjoying it! Connor will be quite the Outdoorsman!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T10:04:00.002-05:00

We will be spending Christmas day with Garrett and then heading up north to the McBride's and checking in on Chase Mills with a sled ride or two or three...
Jackie and Louie let us ski and 4 wheel in their woods, and there may be enough
ice for ice fishing already!

We wish everyone a joyous season and we'll share our pictures when we return!

2008-12-20T09:37:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays!

Sorry it has been over a month since I last posted, relatives!

The last month has been a fun Advent experience, reading from The Jesse Tree and adding an ornament each night. We play a board game after each meal at night, and playing by the candlelight has been a nice touch!

Connor has been doing very well in school and had his classmate, Cameron, over to play a few days ago. He has been so into the Advent season this year, reminding his family quite often as to what it is all about. He built his own candle shrine to Baby Jesus and lay pillows down "So my knees don't hurt when I pray like at church." He broke our hearts when he wrote his letter to Santa. "Dear Santa, I won't forget carrots for your reindeer. The only thing I want are flowers that won't die for my Mugsy and Sasha." So I am off to JoAnn Fabrics. We can't believe he is still grieving and working through this. We talked to his counselor at school and she will be working on helping him process before one day, God forbid, it is a person he has to work through!

Colin's Indoor Season is fast and furious. He ran the 1600 (1 mi.) at his first meet in 4:50. He ran the 1000m and the 4x800 in his last meet. The 1000m time was 2:54 and his 800m time was 2:17. He is disappointed in his times thinking he can go faster, but it is tricky running on an indoor track. He is doing well in school and enjoying the Tech Class he is in. He has expressed an interest in being an engineer.

SNOW! Time I could spend on the blog has been spent shoveling, organizing the scout newsletter and the MS PTO. Winter is here. Today and yesterday we got almost 2 feet of snow with more to come again on Sunday. School of course was cancelled for the boys, but not for Tony or I. We ring the Salvation Army Bell tonight and are having friends over for dinner.

Finally Better!

2008-11-22T10:31:00.002-05:00

The Kerrs have spent the last 10 days sharing a lovely flu bug of sorts. We seem to have finally recouperated. Now if I could just say that about the house... Connor has been steadily improving in school. He knows 10 sight words and can read a few level 1 books now. We have had about 8 inches of snow over the last few days, but only about 4-5 have accumumlated now outside. Winter fun is here! We did not have a fall, honestly. It was 63 last Friday. Colin had a GPA of 94.13 and missed high honor roll again by less than 9 tenths of a point. He began his Indoor Track Season and his first meet is Dec. 4th. We went to the West Walworth Turkey Party. It was the first year Colin didn't go and the first year we did not win a turkey. He jinxed us. He has no choice but to go next year! We are off to Garrett's for Thanksgiving Weekend! It will be a blast with Mom, Dad, Mark,Bernadette and Cody joining us. Happy 40th Birthday to our Uncle Malcolm!

For one day, at least, the fastest 8th grader in NY!

2008-11-10T10:58:00.004-05:00

We are back from Long Island. It's been a few years and I can't believe I had to drive 85 on the LIE just to not get passed! Phew! Colin did very well at the state meet. His goal was to beat any other 8th graders who may have been there. (3) and he ended up besting the 9th graders in all the other races as well. He had a few 10th graders in front of him in his race, but most were juniors and seniors. He came in 41st. His 8th grade legs just did not have much more to give at the end. Cardiac Hill (400 meters in length at a 45 degree angle) zaps them! He was a bit disappointed in his placement, but we were thrilled! His teammate, Yanko, also did phenomenally well, placing 48th right behind him! Well worth it!

Connor had his vacation, too. We played on Long Island Beach and had a great time collecting shells and scaring off the seagulls! He loved swimming in the pool there, which I have to say was beautiful and clean! We are so glad we went (All thanks to Mitch and Patty Miles who took care of Milo...and to Lexi who had to endure him)! It was a great experience and we are so grateful to Coach Johnston, his teammates and the other parents and friends on the team who drove down to cheer for Erika, Colin and Yanko!
Next year States are the same weekend, but in Plattsburgh! Here's hoping he has another great year!

And We're off to Long Island!

2008-11-04T22:07:00.002-05:00

Colin sure worked his butt off this week! It paid off! He earned himself a trip to States! His teammates continually amaze us with their support and gratitude. It made me cry to see the girls cheer each of them on, even though they were thoroughly exhaustred from their own race on an extremely cold day. Colin leaves at noon on Thursday. We are leaving Friday morning. Connor is excited because he thinks we are going on vacation to a pool in a hotel! LOL! We are so excited for Connor! He wrote his first whole sentence and read his first book all by himself word for word this past week. He is growing up way too fast! Here are our Halloween pics and a You Tube Video of the Sectional Race.

League Champions!

2008-10-26T12:48:00.003-04:00

The Wayne Eagle's Cross Country team went undefeated this season with a record now of 42-0 after yesterday's League Championship Meet! The whole team delivered spectacular performances in cruddy, muddy conditions. They all looked like they spent a day at the spa getting mud treatments upon arriving at the finish! Working together, they finished all 5 top runners under the top 25 slots. Colin finished 3rd behind 2 fabulous runners, and earned All-League, Super Seven Status. 3 others on his team also earned All-Leage Status ( A lot like All - Northern where we came from). They continue on to Sectionals next Saturday at Marcus-Whitman. It will be a wild race to see who can earn the 5 state qualifying positions! His race is at 3:30!

Connor was fabulous! He cheered so hard, and we had a great time in the mud and rain as well. This week he has really shown such great progress with numbers and letter sound recognition. He read his first full sentence independently yesterday! "I see the dinosaur!" We are so proud of him! He is Boba Fet for Halloween! Colin is Han Solo, Tony is a strom Trooper and Mom is Padme! Milo is either Yoda or Chewie. Not sure yet, but he wants to be RdD2. We'll see! Connor's school has a costume parade on Friday I can't wait to see!

Uncle Karl's birthday is next weekend, Nov. 2nd! If memory serves, I think this is the year he told his mom she was over the hill, so he now officially joins her:).

Ahoy, there, matey!

2008-10-14T10:59:00.004-04:00

This weekend was filled with fun! We camped out in the tent all weekend long in between Colin's practices and the Seneca Invite. He placed 6th overall, running with many Class A runners. He posted a personal best at 16:25. Not bad! Since the meet was next to the zoo, Connor and I went there and counted how many animals we could find! His favorite was the elephants! Only because..get this... they poop really big!He also loved the sea lions and this one meerkat that we swore was trying to have a conversation with him. Then we got to visit with Andy and Emily Volpe, friends from Waddington summers. Sunday was church, a birthday party for one of my God children, and then camping out again! Monday Colin had practice and a team pasta dinner before today's last big Dual meet. If they win, they are officially undefeated for the season! During the day on Monday, we escaped to the back pond. Connor and Colin made the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Connor's sails were the best and his boat, the Pinta, won! Then they hopped on the Santa Maria! Even Milo! See the picture on top for this one! It is a hoot! I am having problems uploading hte pic and will try later tonight.

Moonlight Madness~

2008-10-06T08:42:00.004-04:00

On Friday night we took the kids to the Corn Maze and used our flashlights to navigate. We raced other Scout Families and it was awesome! 5 minutes after we got out of the maze, Connor fell asleep sitting up on the picnic table! Satruday I ran 7 miles with Colin and then Grandma and Grandpa Kerr came for a surprise visit. Connor had a blast with all the toys they brought down for us to help them sort. Now they will have an EWOK Village and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to play with when they go visit next time. It was great seeing the Kerrs as they take off for FL in about 2 weeks. We had a great walk through the woods to the pond and a wonderful dinner together. We won't see them until May! Sunday was beautiful. Plenty of outside work got done, but on a bad note Colin lightly sprained his ankle in the driveway. We will see how that goes. He may not run at Tuesday's meet just to be safe. It looked better this morning, though! Sunday night we went to Kyle's birthday party. He is one of my 5 Godchildren and Connor's best friend! There is a picture to the right of this blog of them!

Look Who's Runner of the Week!

2008-10-01T08:35:00.002-04:00

You can go to the following site to read the article:

http://wflxc.com/

Where Did That Weekend Go?

2008-09-29T20:43:00.003-04:00

Tony packed up Troop 113 for the Fall Camporee and then drove back to watch Colin's race. After the race, he drove back to the Camporee! He was running his own race this weekend! Connor was my big helper with barn chores this weekend. He wore his cowboy hat and boots. If he does not become a farmer our west, all will be lost. Colin did well. There were over 6,500 runners at the McQuaid Invite from all over the US and Canada. His team was bumped up into the seeded race. In other words...he ran with the big guns. Out of about 200 runners or more and the only 8th grader, he came in 20th with a time of 16:13. We were thrilled,but he was disappointed. He is too hard on himself. He has so much to learn and time to grow. We remind him he races against people with facial hair! The link to the right of this blog will take you to his picture about 4 meters before his finish at McQuaid on dyestat.

Back to School Bash & Wildcat Intvite Week!

2008-09-21T13:27:00.003-04:00

Who's Grandma rocks? Connor's...well at least she does the Electric Slide, and not afraid to do it in front of about 300 other people on a grassy knoll behind Freewill Elementary. I think Pop-Pop was ready to run and hide in the woods! Connor loved showing them his school. He didn't miss a room or anything in it! Especially the library and Cuddles the rabbit!

Colin lucked out and had BOTH sets of grandparents show up for the Wildcat Invite at Marcus Whitman near Canandaigua. They were not disappointed. His whole team was just awesome! Pierce Morgan (a senior on Colin's team) paced he and Yanko through most of the race. He is such a calming force out there, making sure they are on the mark and their heads are in the game. Then Colin was able to be lucky enough to outrun the really nice Dinan kid from Geneva who schooled him a few weeks back at their first home meet. He ended up winning his race with a time of 17:39 for 5000m. It was a great race. Even more wonderful was to see how his team mates support each other and run hard straight to the end. The older kids on his team are wonderful role models, are extremely patient and very positive to be around.

It was a great weekend and we are so grateful to his grandparents for driving so far to cheer him on!

The Final Season!

2008-09-16T21:36:00.002-04:00

Tony, Garrett, Mark and Colin got spontaneous and at the last minute took off for a NY Yankee game in New York on Sunday! What a game! A Grand Slam by A-Rod and Jeter tied Lou Gherig's all-time hits record! Great memories on a hot, humid day in NY. Something I am sure Colin won't quite soon forget.

His race today: He placed 2nd in the race, 1st for his team and his team won! Yay! They are currently undefeated in their dual meets record. He has a huge race at the Marcus Whitman Wildcat Invite on Saturday. That should prove to be a great race to watch with over 200 runners!

Connor is doing well in school. He loves his teacher and talks about his friends. They are rhyming and singing. Quite often I find him humming a tune from school. He plans on a big camp out this weekend with mom in the woods! Yahoo!

Our Sasha

2008-09-10T21:28:00.003-04:00

She came to us as a gift from Karl and Jenn 10 years ago. Who knew we would get so attached so easily? She was a spunky free-spirited snow dog. We remember all of the times she pulled the kids on sleds or Tony on skis!In recent years, the boys built a klondike sled and returned the favor, pulling the queen on her own sled and loving every minute of it. I swear she helped train Colin for his big race! She would roll and bury herself in the snow so deep all you could see were blinking eyes looking at you! She loved her bone and cuddled Connor. When he was in the height of his sensory disorder, she was the one who comforted him and let him hold her to bring his senses back into check. At the end, she only let him hold her again. It was too quick, unexpected for us and on her terms. True to herself to the very end. She and Mugsy have reunited and the best buds are most likely planning their next bit of mischief! Look out St. Peter, they are known for their escapes! Our Sasha, we love you. 9/8/08

Back to School

2008-09-07T18:30:00.002-04:00

Well, so much for my triathlon in 2 weeks. I have a severely sprained ankle that even the doctors couldn't believe was not broken. A few weeks on crutches and I can't even swim or bike. This just stinks. On the bright side, it is not broken. The boys have been hauling it this weekend on their own with mowing, laundry and making meals. It really has an impact when one team member is down. Colin and Tony have been pulling quite a load. Connor's first week in kindergarten has gone well, and Colin has enjoyed being back with his friends and cross-country team. His next race is Tuesday and Tony will post the video from it on Wednesday on You Tube. Tony has already caught his first cold from his students,but has a cool Smartboard he is having a blast with! I have been blessed to have many nice students in my classes helping me hobble around. One even wheeled me in my office chair to my next class! We may make an Olympic sport of it! This next week holds a race, scouts, PTO, and Curriculum nights...the race begins.... We hope to visit Garrett on Saturday night. If we do, I will post pictures.

Our Big Kindergartener!

2008-09-03T17:27:00.002-04:00

Connor's first day of Kindergarten was today. Aunt Collen is a speech/lang teacher there and she greeted him. He had his picture taken with his Principal, Mrs. Wright, his teacher, Mrs. Knox, and the Supt. of Schools, Mr. Havens. He had a blast and loved every minute. He told his teacher " I am your helper!" I am in debt to Carol Dennis, the speech and lang teacher at my school who covered 2 of my classes, and Mr. Durkee a SS who covered the other so I could enjoy this morning with Connor. He got to see Colin get on the bus first, and then it was his turn!

What a Summer!

2008-08-30T10:24:00.002-04:00

August 29, 2008

I don't know how much more fun we could have jam packed in to this last month! We started out by being able to see Grandparents up north, see Colin enter the Carp Fishing Tourney with Pop Pop, hang onto some memories with the Kerrs, visit with Jeanette, Gordon and Timothy; create a scout float and win in our town parade, and watch Colin start his Varsity X-C career. It has been an emotionally charged and fun-filled month. We have been able to go to the pond a ton to swim, fish and canoe. Watching the boys jump from the dock and flip the canoe brings back memories... I miss my childhood. Thank God I married Peter Pan. We have so much fun. Tony and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary on August 14th. Although we have been together since 1987, so it should seem longer...time flies when you are having fun. This Labor Day Weekend we are just laying low and taking some time together camping out in the woods and swimming in the pool. Colin's season begins with official meets on next Thursday. If you want to keep tabs on his results and see his schedule, go to: waynerunners.com!

A High Adventure Scouting Week!

2008-08-11T08:56:00.002-04:00

We got back last night from our week up in Redfield, NY on our High Adventure Trip! Tuesday and Wednesday Eileen and Mitch (along with Lexi and Milo) headed up a 25 mile hike around the Salmon River Reservoir with 40 pound backpacks to carry tents, food, clothes and other gear. They picked up trash as they went and also filled in an old well that a hunter, small kid or animal could have fallen into. The weather was not the most cooperative, but the scouts got used to pitching tents in record times and packing up to avoid the next storm. Tony came Wednesday night after the major hike with Connor and we switched off. He and Mitch then took the kids canoeing and kayaking over to an island where they learned survival skills, fished, and swam. Colin caught a nice 4 lb small mouth! They returned from the island after 3 nights. Then on Saturday we kayaked and canoed from the Salmon River to Lake Ontario! It was gorgeous. A well-deserved day picnicking at the beach. We rode the waves and played baseball for 5 hours. Afterwards we had ice cream, and had our last campout around a roaring fire sharing funny stories about the week. The Miles family was awesome and everyone had a blast.

On Thursday we head up to Waddington for the fishing tournament! More fun to come!

A Bittersweet Goodbye to a Little League Career

2008-08-03T16:28:00.004-04:00

A bittersweet day today. We were thrilled to see Colin catch and pitch, but sad to say good-bye to the days of Little League. They lost in the semifinal game. He gets his All-Star and Division Title Trophies tonight. I will cry like a baby. He will be a runner now... but we will have endless hours of family fun on the diamond in the back yard for years to come. He announced he wants to be an assistant coach to Connor's baseball team next spring. More memories to come!In the mean time, feel free to watch the video I made of his last season of baseball on this site.

2008-08-02T13:19:00.002-04:00

Colin's Team won again today! 10-4. They play tomorrow and if they win tomorrow they move to the Local Championship game on Tuesday! He had 2 boubles and a bunt. Scored twice and had 3 RBI's! Not bad. Welcome back to baseball from Scout Camp!

2008-07-31T21:54:00.003-04:00

After our trip to Maine, we got to have Karl, Jenn, Ian , Emma and Vivi at our place! It was a quick but fun-packed few days in between the rain drops. We managed to get in a swim and a trip to Long Acres! We miss them so much and had a great time....Ian was quite good at the Orca Rodeo and Emma was Queen of the Swan! Vivi was very impressive in the water! Afraid of nothing! She and Connor got along quite well and played non stop for hours!

Colin has been helping Murray hay until he left for Camp Babcock Hovey this week. He is having a blast in between training. He swims, bikes and runs daily to keep in shape for Cross Country. He entered a road race in Webster and placed second to some freshman in college. He had fun and still turned around and played a double header in baseball! He is reading books a plenty and really enjoying the Star Wars series that extends off the originals. He has also been studying his bio he will have a NYS Regents exam in this year.

Connor and I have camped out all week while Colin has been away. We went biking on the Erie Canal, painted landscapes and played princess and knights! He has quite the imagination! He is so much fun right now. He is really a beach kid and loves to swim and dig! Our next trip may be to China between he and Milo!

Marvelous Maine

2008-07-10T22:26:00.003-04:00

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. The last 2 weeks of school were crazy! I think Tony and I got lucky when we got 4 hours of sleep a night. Some fun in the mayhem:

June 23rd: Colin's last concert of the year. It was awesome! The Jazz Band rocked!

June 21st: Colin won the Regional Junior Olympic 1500m title. Ran it in 4:43. It was enough to get him to nationals, but it was the July 3-7th and we were in Maine. We are so proud of him. He is 5 foot six and weighs 120 lbs. now! I think I hear our refrigerator growning each time he opens it. At least he eats slower with braces now! We celebrated his bday just as a small family. His party with friends is on the 23rd.

June 29th- July 4th: We were in Maine. We did our usual Popham Beach, Cape Elizabeth Portland Headlight House trips, and we added Acadia! We climbed Cadillac Mountain, Acadia Mountain (Really beautiful views!), and Sand Cove! We also went on the Thunder Hole Trail. It was gorgeous. Connor loved how the waves made sounds like thunder there! Our last Mountain was Acadia and it was hot! At the end, we got to swim in Echo Lake! Cool, refreshing and clear to the bottom! Just gorgeous! We could relax knowing Sasha and Milo were in good hands. Thanks, Garrett and Mike!

Tony started work this week teaching summer school. I have been blessed not to have to work for the first summer since I was 15! God Bless Tony for carrying that burden for me this summer. It was a stressful year, and after 16 years in special ed, I am beat. I am in heaven now spending time running, biking, swimming with the boys...and keeping up!I am able to run up to 5 miles without a problem now. It only took a year! Geez, I am getting old. It takes me a good 40 min to run that long. I remember when it took me 30! I love the fact I can keep up with house work as I go throughou the day and have time at night to relax and read. I am so spoiled! I love being able to hang the clothes out on the line now.

Connor is so fun with board games, singing and playing. I love his imagination right now. He
totally gets that imaginative play from his dad. He is trying to read and his sense of humor cracks me up. He loved being with Megan and Eleni. He finally says their names correctly and is so proud! He just adores them. He told his preshcool teacher he was going to see his sisters, and she thought I had a step-family! He is now excited that Ian, Emma and Vivi are coming next weekend. Yahoo!

Milo is such a ham. He is adorable, and a great bundle of energy we all needed. He loves to fetch and will even run up the pool ladder and dive for toys! Connor loves it! Milo even gives Colin a run for his money. Colin finally has begun to play and get attached after losing Mugs. It is nice to see him role around, play hide and seek with him and fetch.

I will try to post photos from our new camera. We shall see if I succeed.

Fireman of the Year

2008-06-15T13:52:00.005-04:00

Happy Father's Day!What a fab weekend! Connor was in complete glory. God bless Mr. Ambroz. He is the fire chief and the father of kids I used to watch here over the summers. Seth is one of Colin's great friends. Connor got to ride in the brand new ladder truck, as well as in the vintage 1949 truck! He got to ride through town and blow the air horn! He had a wonderful time. I think Walworth recruited him! Colin also talked with Mr. Ambroz about possible Eagle scout projects to start on. He wants to build dugouts and a batting cage for our small town's baseball fields. Big task. Good idea to start early. He wants to offer people to purchase the bricks to build it in return for having a loved ones name inscribed on it. Not a bad start.

Colin has had some fantastic nail-biter games to watch. Tony has been in his glory, too. Colin got a HR yesterday and struck out the side. Then in the last inning made 2 outs on his own to clinch it. It is like watching Garrett out there. Feel old. He is doing well in school and is studying for his finals the next 2 weeks. I will be in my glory the day we leave for Maine. I can't wait to see Lynee, Malcolm and the girls. I love the ocean and feel like it is my official spot to finally relax from the 50 - 60 hour work and volunteer programs we run. Look out, Maine! Here we come!

Tony and the boys will now be joining Karl and his parents in Cooperstown tomorrow for the last MLB game to be played there. Karl bought tickets months ago. Tony is so excited. It is fun to see the intensity and anxiousness about it. Now the boys are in it as well. They will remember this! Thanks, Uncle Karl!

A Fun Weekend!

2008-06-09T09:08:00.002-04:00

Saturday we went to the Drive-In in Avon to see Kung Fu Panda and Indiana Jones. The kids had a blast! We have not been to a drive in for at least 5 years, and it was quite a treat. Colin had 2 baseball games. He pitched and won a complete game yesterday. The heat was unbearable. Tony, Colin and my classrooms have been at 90 degrees or more for a stifling 4 days. We have lived in the AC in Connor's room!

We opened the pool this weekend and that has made a tremendous difference. Connor is really becoming quite the swimmer! So is Milo! He is adorable in the water! How fun! We are looking forward to this week: Colin's last concert on Tuesday, braces go on Wednesday, and an awards banquet for him on Thursday for school. Toss in 2 ball games and it will be fun! Connor will go to one game, and the other times we will be playing at home. Connor's last week of school is this week at Sienna Catholic. I can't believe how early they get out and finding a place for him next week will be tough. He may end up coming to school with me the last week. He is so excited to be ready for kindergarten in the fall. He truly has been a sponge learning lately and I take such joy in watching him grow in to a kind, sensitive little man. My favorite thing to do is sit on the hammock and read with him in the woods right now.

We look forward to Father's Day next week with Tony. Then he has to leave for Cooperstown where he and his family will get to see the last MLB game played there! He can't wait!

Birthday Bashes!

2008-05-27T11:34:00.002-04:00

What a glorious, fun weekend! We sure tried to jam in as much as we could with everyone! We went to Saratoga for Vivi and Emma's birthday party! Connor had fun on the treasure hunt and on this water apparatus that looks like a slip and slide on steroids with a skim board! He really started to get it down! Colin was too chicken! LOL! He just didn't want to get injured! Their Uncle Jason was brave and did really well on it!

Then we had a birthday party for my mom at Bernadette and Mark's house. Mark has done so much to place! It is phenomenal! He knocked out walls to make the kitchen area bigger, leveled the back yard, and rewired in places! Phew! We got to see Jeanette, Gordon, Timothy (who is walking up a storm!), Garrett, and Mom and Dad. We had fun playing basketball on the courts next to their house and camped out in the backyard! Connor had fun sitting on the motorcycle and snow mobile. When I asked what their favorite parts of the weekend were at dinner last night:

Connor: Cuddling Cody and playing with Vivi
Colin: Basketball one on one with Uncle Garrett (who schooled him!) and the treasure hunt

Tony's birthday is the 29th, this Wednesday, and we were going to celebrate with a night at the pond, but one of Colin's baseball games got rescheduled for that night, so we shall see. The boys got dad a digital camera to finally have instead of FunSavers! I can't wait to put some pictures up from this past weekend!

Fun Weekend Coming Up!

2008-05-16T12:05:00.002-04:00

First off, we are so proud of our Emma Kerr, who made her First Communion this week. To see their beautiful family, just visit the website I listed in the green field next to this! We miss them!

We are also very happy for Uncle Garrett, who just purchased his first home in Syracuse, NY! Yay!

This weekend, we are in charge of chores at the barn, as Murray and Sue are away camping. We have a ball game tonight at Colin's school, and one tomorrow at Penfield Little League. It is hard to believe this will be his last year of baseball....But it will be Connor's first! Yahoo!

We plan on camping out at our place and just hanging low after a month of pure crazy fun! Fishing in the pond, canoeing, playing ball and getting lawn work done...all in the rain, of course!

Colin was moved up to 8th grade band this week and we look forward to his Jazz and Band competitions and concerts. Then braces go on him on June 11th! Connor's class has hatched 6 baby chicks as of this morning! He took pictures and we will post upon completion of his film. He is so excited. They are also hatching butterflies! He made me a beautiful picture of vase full of flowers for Mother's Day and can read a bit now, too!

5k FAMILY RESULTS

2008-05-10T13:56:00.004-04:00

Well, as I made it past the 1 and 1/2 mile mark at about the 12 min mark, I noticed Colin is the distance, already on his way back! Talk about humbling! I had my i-pod on and just did my normal run I do each day...no racing for me. Had a twisted ankle and at the 2 mile mark almost needed a bathroom due to the intestinal virus I have been fighting since Wednesday morning. Oh! Well. I still made the 3.2 miles in 28 minutes, and my goal was under 30 minute, my normal out for a jog pace. For my first race...some advice for others I found out. Use the bathroom before the gun goes off, even if you don't think you have to go!

Tony was great. He got Colin to his team pictures before the race and drove him to the race like a mad man so he wouldn't be left out of the picture. He also managed Milo and Connor together!

Colin, on the other hand, was already done when I reached the 2 and 1/2 mile mark! He raced it in 17 minutes and 59 seconds....just squeaking in a sub 18 time for the first time. 5:50 minute pace. Not bad! He won his age bracket, but more importantly raised 667 dollars for his church youth group! He came in 9th out of all the adult runners.

Connor was the best supporter! He was the one I could hear above all the others! I think he was worried about his mom when she didn't come in right after Colin! That will never happen. He will get used to it!

The rest of the day is mowing, mowing, mowing....and then tomorrow for mother's day, a hike and a canoe trip at Mendon Ponds! Definitely enjoying the boys' ages!

Pictures are from Waddington, NY

2008-05-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

What an Easter! Under many feet of snow! Enjoy the pics! Tomorrow Colin and I are running in a 5k race. If I am alive, I will write more tomorrow!

A Wild Weekend Ahead!

2008-05-01T20:34:00.002-04:00

More fun for the Kerrs!

Friday: Colin has baseball practice, then we go watch "Willy Wonka" the world premier of the play. Colin's very good friend, Matt, has the lead as Charlie. The original "Charlie" from the movie is actually coming to see it! Connor can't wait to see Matt sing and dance! we hope to win the golden ticket and ride in the Wonka mobile!

Saturday: Colin has All-state Trumpet, then his baseball game and then off to scout camp!The Kerrs are on their way back from FL and may join in on the fun! Connor,, Sasha and Milo go on adventurous hikes with me between innings on the great paths in the woods next to the games.

Sunday: serve mass and then we finish collecting and writing thank-you's at church for all those who have sponsored him and his team for the Run for the Young. This is his community service project, raising funds for his church youth group. The run is a 5k on May 10th. He convinced his mom to run!

A New Member of the Family!

2008-04-20T15:48:00.002-04:00

Milo is here! He was born in Milo, NY on February 5th on Windy Acres Farm. He lived with the Amish and then we threw him in a motorized vehicle! Connor came with me, and Milo picked us out right away. We knew we had a good one! He joined us last Saturday and has been quick to train. He tells us when he has to go out and he can even sit when told already! He loves to cuddle and the boys wipe him out! Now, if only he can train the boys....Sasha seems to be putting up with this but appreciates when we get him out of her hair! He loves to sleep by her.

Tony took on having to rebuild the shed and move it to higher ground this week. What a project this has turned into. Thank God we have had great weather. We have kayaked, canoed, and fished in the pond in between lawn chores. We caught poliwogs, crayfish, and worms! It has been a fun week of working in the yard raking, building up the flower beds and planting our garden.

Colin has had baseball everyday and enjoying every second. Next year he may run Varisty Track. He changed his mind this year to have some fun and give those legs a breather. Connor has gone on hikes with Milo and I during the games at the park. Today Colin hit a double, 2 singles, had a walk, pitched an inning, caught for 2 or3 innings and played 3rd. Just a scrimmage, but it was fun. Connor led the hike and we made our own trail. We had a blast. I wish I did not have to work. I have been spoiled this week as a temporary stay at home mom and loved every last minute of it!

Colin and I are running in the Run for the Young for our Parish. He spoke at church the last few masses asking for others to join or sponsor him. It is on May 10th. It will be fun! Hope I survive!

A Busy Week with Scouting and Baseball!

2008-03-30T17:27:00.005-04:00

I do believe we are celebrating not just Timothy's 1st birthday, but the day Vivi joined the Kerr Family! How cool that those 2 important members of our family share such a happy and blessed day!

This was a busy scouting week! Rock climbing overnight, Chemistry at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, barn chores and a spaghetti dinner benefiting Colin's Jazz Band trip to Boston for a competition over the Memorial Day Weekend.

This week Colin was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society and found out he made the baseball team at his school. He is thrilled! We couldn't be prouder. Connor has really been great this week with all the business. He really does like to join in on these things and will probably be able to climb a mountain by the time he is in kindergarten! He has been painting a lot this week and really getting into reading lately. He recognizes some sight words like "the, a, at, me ,my and" and can write his full name and each of ours.

Sasha's surgery on her mouth to remove a growth went well. She was eating within 3 hours afterwards! She is a happy camper and just glad to be home! Pictures at Wegmans developing center. Will have new ones soon!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T14:20:00.002-04:00

3/23/08

What a great weekend we are having! We had a blast sledding this weekend. The snow in Waddington is such that you can walk onto the roof of my parent's house! At the park near the river, the access road is not plowed, and the snow and ice formed so that it is like a half pipe on the way down the hill! It was a fun 2 hours at Whitakker! We took lots of pictures of the fun and should have them up by next week! Uncle Mark surprised our family and drove Aunt Bernadette up last night! Mark and Garrett had a midnight snack and found out in the morning from Grandma it was the Easter Ham! It was so funny! Thank God we had a turkey, too! We got to spend Easter morning together as the kids hunted for eggs! They even braved the snow and ice to go hunting outside this morning. Colin found one in the gutter on the roof! Man, that Easter Bunny is brave! Having Bernadette and Mark there was just an awesome surprise! It seemed empty when they left. We journeyed to the Kerr house in Chase Mills. We really missed being able to visit there, but they should be so happy to be where it is warm! Happy Easter to all! Happy first Easter to Timothy! His birthday is in 6 days! Can't believe it!

Camp Cutler, Home and Away!

2008-03-10T19:35:00.003-04:00

Tony and Colin camped out in this lovely winter storm the past weekend. 2o inches or more of snow and sleet mix. They had a blast ice fishing, snow shoeing, playing capture the flag, ping pong, and basketball (yes, in the snow), sledding, snowboarding, and feasting on smoked turkey at the cabin! Connor and Mom camped out at home in the tent in the living room and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled! We did barn chores and shoveled and shoveled. We baked blue berry muffins and then, yup, you guessed it...shoveled!

Connor: Had his audiological eval. Passed barely in his left ear and will need surgery to remove the tubes in his ear drums still too stubborn to come out!

Colin: Has all county band this week, a district wide concert Tuesday night, and braces get put on the 25th of March!

More pics to come after the concerts this week!

"Teriffic!"

2008-02-29T17:17:00.003-05:00

Connor and Tony went to see the children's play "Charlotte's Web" today with his preschool class at Nazareth. Then the boys has a nice day together at home. When I came home to Legomania, there was not an inch you could step from room to room without stepping on a lego. Needless to say, I left for barn chores (Sue broke her ankle...six weeks...ugh!) to escape to the horses while they cleaned up.

Unfortunately...Connor's fish, Sharkbait, lived up to his name. He got sucked up into the water pump filter! Just like the movie! I knew the name was ominous. He loves his card from Ian, Emma and Vivi. He keeps opening it up to hear Scooby say Happy B day to him. He has worn his car pajamas from Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Gordon and Timmy....and will sleep in his tent from Aunt Bernadette and Uncle Mark tonight again!

Colin is headed out to an overnight B-day at his friend, Greg's tonight. He has recuperated well from getting his teeth pulled! Tomorrow is sledding and the Eagle Scout Banquet. He was nominated for Junior National Honor Society this week. He is receiving an academic award as well this Wednesday morning at the Commended Breakfast. We are so proud!

Sunday is Murray's B day and we will be baking a cake since Sue can't stand up! We can't wait to go up to Pop Pop's for Easter! Connor is sure the Easter Bunny won't be able to find us up there. If there is still as much snow...he may be right!

A Smorgasbord

2008-02-25T21:28:00.003-05:00

There is a smorgasbord of pictures on here from Connor's birthday to a pic of Megan and Eleni arriving. I will add more this coming weekend after my heavy IEP writing load is done. We had a blast with the Andersons, even if one had his wisdom teeth pulled and one got poison ivy...yes, even in the winter! A Happy Birthday out to Aunt Jenn! We miss the other Kerr Krew!

Happy 5th Birthday, Connor!

2008-02-16T08:51:00.003-05:00

February 15, 2008

We can't believe he is 5! It feels like yesterday we were making deals with God next to an incubator! He had a fantastic day! He woke up at 5:55 (he was born at 5:54, eerie, eh?) . I started to sing to him and he said, "I love you, mom, but could you not sing yet because I have to open Grandma and Pop-Pop's present first!" He has been staring at this big package all wrapped up for 5 days. He was so excited when he opened up the Pirate Ship! He took the cannons off and had to hold onto them in the car all the way to school! When he got home, Aunt Jeanette was on the phone and he opened the Cars PJ's from Timothy, Gordon and her! He is still wearing them this morning! Aunt Bernadette called and she quickly got dismissed by, "Can I talk to Cody, please?" Geez. Poor Mark had to bribe the dog with a french fry to get him to talk to him! Aunt Jenn and cousins called after that and Connor answered the phone with "Hi, Emma and Ian!" For his birthday, we brought him to a pet shop and told him he could get either a tortoise, turtle, gecko or fish. He has been grieving Mugsy a lot lately, bringing his picture with him everywhere we go! Even on little errands. Mugsy used to cuddle him when he was sick. I think he missed this a lot the last 3 weeks. Anyway, he picked fish! He has 2 guppies. He thought of naming one Emma, because the red reminded him of Emma's hair! He ended up naming one Sharkbait ( Nemo Movie) and one Connor....after himself, of course! We had a pirate ship cake (Thanks to the mold that Aunt Cathy sent up!) and he opened some clothes from Mom and Dad, a hat and gloves from Murray and Sue, and some camping clothes and a remote control car from the Roths. The picture attached someone took at my school on Valentine's Day. When I get his birthday pics and pics from Eleni and Megan's visit this week, I will post them.

A dentist or a tooth fairy?

2008-02-09T20:37:00.000-05:00

2/8/08

Connor had a visitor at preschool this week. He said it was the tooth fairy! Then I looked at the pictures in the daily log they keep there and saw it was a dentist! LOL! He was so excited about his new funky looking toothbrush! Connor has had a rough 3 weeks with his health. A nasty intestinal virus, a sinus infection, croop. Nice upper respitory issues. He was doing so well this winter for the longest time, and then boom...3 weeks in a row of this. His little body is just worn out and I am lucky if I can keep fluids in him today. His disposition is still upbeat, so I guess that is a good sign. He is a trooper~

Colin did end up making All-County for his trumpet. The guest conductor turns out to actually be the band teacher from my school, Mrs. Passemato! Angela was so excited to see his name on her roster! He received his report card with a 92 avg this week as well. He was a bit disappointed, but it's a new quarter! He travels to Sectionals for indoor track this next weekend. How cool...another runner from his race in Kansas, a friend of David Goldstone who ran neck and neck with Colin, found this blog and sent his regards! It is so neat how the world is smaller....He was such a nice young man, too! Great sportsmanship. Colin can't wait to meet up with them again.

Today we went sledding, did barn chores, and built legos for hours with Connor! Colin got in on the action, too. Tony took a picture of what Connor's room looked like during Legomania...can't wait to get them developed and up on this site. It was the first weekend we did not have to be somewhere, and the hours got spent just relaxing, hanging out and playing games. We had a list of things that needed to get done onthe house, and we did none of them. It felt good!

Aunt Cathy saved the day and mailed up a cake mold in the shape of a pirate ship for Connor's birthday next Friday! Yahoo! Connor was speechless when he opened the box! Lynee, Eleni, and Megan are coming during the February Break from Maine and we can't wait! We are having a pirate birthday...pieces of 8 treasure hunt outside, pin the crow's nest on the ship, dress-up like pirates, and much more!

Happy Valentine's Day to all this week! Tony, the kids and I will make homemade chocolate lollipops and molded candies. Married my best friend, and glad I did! He sure is a great dad and is our favorite Valentine. Should have seen him on his skis today! Now Colin knows where his speed comes from! I am in IEP writing mode and will be typing my hands off the next 3 weeks into the wee hours! Hope all we love are happy and healthy!

6 more weeks of winter? Bring it on!

2008-02-03T17:36:00.000-05:00

2/3

The kids have had a blast in the snow this week. It's that really heavy packing snow that makes great snowmen and snowballs. The Klondike sled has been raced daily and Colin beat Tony, Eileen and Connor in our one hour snowball fight today! We gave a try at a Clavin and Hobbes snowman scene.

Connor: Has had a lovely upper respitory infection the last 3 weeks. The more we get him out, the better he feels, though. His nebulizer has had a workout and we are starting to see an upswing today. Hopefully he and I get some sleep tonight.

Colin: Aced his midterms, yahoo! However, he was not too confident about his Solofest performance in front of a judge yesterday. He finds out his score on Monday at school and if he makes all-county. He told us "It was the worst 13 minutes of my life! More tense than any race. Glad it is over!" However, he sounded better than he thought. He just knew he could play better. He's learning how to handle stress and still perform under pressure.

Tony: Electrocuted himself fixing a pencil sharpener today. Anyone out there surprised? It's fixed and he is all charged for the week! He graded NYS exams all last week and is preparing for the course he teaches at the U of R.

Eileen: Still running everyday. Don't feel like I am making much improvement, but at least I am getting out there. I am certainly not 20 anymore! I have enjoyed watching the boys interact this week. Colin has a lot of patience. He really does try to include Connor in on things. He is a better sibling than I was.

The Klondike Weekend

2008-01-26T14:55:00.000-05:00

1/26/08

Last night, Tony led a snow campout up in Ontario at the Klondike Derby. Apparently, Colin is super warm at night, even in the winter. He melted all snow anywhere around them! Colin's team raced their sled, built fires in record time, applied first aid, and completed a scavenger hunt. It was a beautiful 25 degrees out today and lovely compared to the 10 degrees and terrible wind all week. We were relieved! Even Connor took a ride on the Klondike sled they built!

Connor and Eileen camped out with Sasha at home in the living room. He was really disappointed, but still has a cold hanging on for the last 10 days and we didn't want to take a chance in the snow. Maybe next time at the winter camp out at Cutler in March. He had a fun week at school, and is starting on making Valentines. We have found out he is allergic to Fluffy, the hamster in his classroom, which explains the constant runny nose we have not been able to get rid of!

Colin has an indoor baseball game tonight he can't wait for, and next weekend is Solofest, where judges from around the state grade you on your piece, sight reading, scales, and technique. He plays level 5 music on his trumpet, and I think there are only 6; so he is doing well!

Connor started drum lessons this week and loves it! His "homework" was to listen to music and find the beat. He was so excited to purchase his sticks. He takes lessons once a week after school at my school and loves it! Those drumsticks don't leave his hands long!

Phew, what a a week!

2008-01-19T20:18:00.000-05:00

1/19/08 Today is Uncle Mark's Birthday! We love him!

This week was pretty insane. NYS Exams for Colin, Tony and Eileen in 3 districts, Connor was sick for the week with a 104 fever, and it got cold again!

Colin: On top of his state exam, he is studying for his midterms. We started at 20 min a night 3 weeks ago and we are now at 30 min a night. He's also been practicing his trumpet for Solofest in a few weeks. He is a pooped puppy! On the bright side, he was the first 7th grader in Wayne Central history to make the Varsity Outdoor Track and Field team, and he is really psyched about that! He is at a friend's overnight B-Day Party and deserves the fun!

Connor: After fighting off this lovely virus this week, he pepped up today enough to take him to the mall and ride the carousel. He pretended we were knights and he picked the black stallion to ride. Apparently, they were not fast enough. Just not the same when you are used to the real ones! He threw a penny in the well and made a wish for Colin!

Eileen: Turned 36 on Wednesday, the day Connor was his sickest. I had to prep for a sub, but really enjoyed being able to stay home with him. The best B-day gift! My Grandma Helen McBride shared this B-day date with me. Special prayer for her! Bless her soul, 8 kids...How did she ever do it? On my daily run I reflected upon her influence. I miss her.

Tony: Met one of his past skiers he coached at the mall today. Man, do we feel old now! He has been updating his school and scout website this week on top of the ELA's. His parents called today where it was 65 in FL! At 20 degrees and snowing, we are so jealous! But, what would it be like without snow? You wouldn't be able to do what the boys did in these new pictures! How fun!

Love to all~

Video of Nationals at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas

2008-01-15T13:27:00.001-05:00

Goose bumps, heart beating video of Colin racing in Kansas with all the runners that braved the 20 degree weather with windy conditions. Some of you may note that the video is steadier than the one I took on that day, but I'm sure you'll be fine without hearing my breathing, comments on strategy(although Colin went with the C plan- C being for Colin), and a father's amazement as Colin showed true grit in a fantastic runner's dual. Check out the link from the USATF website for JO Cross Country. Click on the Boys Midget 3k race! They even have commentators on the video!
http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USATFJuniorOlympicXCChampionships/video/

Love,
Tony

Thank you, David!

2008-01-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

1/14/08

How exciting! David Goldstone found us on the web! He was the phenomenal runner just behind Colin in his National JO race in Kansas! Colin has so much respect for him and will be thrilled when I tell him he left us a post! Congratulations, David! You are one outstanding runner! Thank you so much for your friendly spirit and competitiveness! Also, he was able to clarify what the race official could not for us...he is from Washington, not California! Funny, Tony's favorite football team is there! ...Also the state we almost moved to the year Colin was born! Thanks again, and we hope to see you again next year! Wouldn't it be funny if they went to college together some day?

The Boys' Week

2008-01-12T10:47:00.000-05:00

1/12/08

Today is Uncle Garrett's 24th Birthday! Happy Birthday!

We are posting pictures from our visit with Bernadette and Mark at Christmas, as well as Tony's picture with Chris Rizzo at his Wedding in D.C. this last weekend! I have to rely on Jenn and Karl's site for Christmas pictures with them, as our camera was still not found unpacking until we got to Bernadette's! See her link!

Connor: He had fun learning about the Three Kings visit at preschool. He fell in love with the apple corer from Pampered Chef. He ate 5 apples that when stretched out after this process look like slinky toys! He is currently wearing his Spiderman Halloween costume and playing Pirates with the CD blasting!

Colin: Prepping for his NYS exams and midterms next week. With three ELA exams in this house next week, yoy can imagine the joy here. He is working on merit badges and studying hard! He got to practice at the U of R this week with the Varsity Indoor Track team and had so much fun at his dad's alma mater. Those indoor track corners were ticky, nearly hitting the wall on the turns! Good thing I wasn't there. Just found out that he will be in the next edition of the national scouting magazine: Boy's Life!

Tony: Rough week. Lost one of his students this week and it really hit him hard. We're just thanking God for our own kids and the joy they bring right now. He really had fun at Chris's wedding!

Eileen: Just finished the scout newsletter for the next three months if you want to check out what we will be doing! Found out Lynee and the girls will be coming from Maine for winter break and am just so excited! We got together with Colleen, Todd, Bailey and Kaitlin doing our annual Three Kings present exchange! They are all getting so big! We also had a fun New Year's with our old neighbors, The Lozipones, and a dinner with the Gerhardts! Don't even want to talk about the 60 hours of work this week...

Tomorrow afternoon we are going to see Veggietales: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything with Connor and National Treasure 2 with Colin! Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Hug your kids!

The boys' week

2008-01-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

1/5/06

Today I added another link to the right of the text. It is the website to Karl and Jenn Kerr. They already have Christmas pictures posted! You can see the boys and their kids having fun in the snow as well! (Hope that is not yellow pee, Colin!) Man, we need a digital camera soon! Great job, Jenn! Her website is so much more advanced than mine!

Colin had indoor track practice this week after school. Next week they practice at the UofR. Tony should have fun going back there to help out. The boys will get to see their Dad's National Championship picture on the wall at Fauver Stadium (Colin is thinking "Time for a mustache, Dad?") Colin is currently reading The Bourne Ultimatum and his next book he has lined up is The Kite Runner that came out last year. The current movie "Charlie Wilson's War" takes much of it's background from that. I plan on bringing him to see National Treasure 2 this week. He loves US History!

Connor had a great time at Preschool this week playing with his friends. He learned about the three kings and tomorrow we will visit Mexico on the web to see what they do to celebrate. He is writing his name and practicing ABC's. He is still in Pirate Mode and is creating a Lego Pirate Ship with his brother as I write. He also asked an interesting question this week about a certain body part...oy vay! Not appropriate for the website by any means! Colin was dying!

Tony left for DC 4am Friday. Just got off the phone and he is having a great time with his old running buddies, but tired from the drive. Chris Rizzo's wedding is today. He may get a chance to see his brother, Tristan, on the way back. Here's hoping they can meet up.

I will be developing film sometime this week and hope to have new pictures up for view by next weekend. Aunt Cathy McBride had a great idea. Thinking about starting a "McBrides" website so we could each add to it each week. Give everyone the password to be able to add blogs and pics from all over the eastern coast! There's a new goal! Any ideas for a name? Maniac McBrides...no...McBride Melee...no.....still thinking. Any ideas?

Hi, Uncle Hughie. This is Colin. Thanks so much for cheering me on from Arizona! You're the best!

Thanks to all my work buddies!

2008-01-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

1/2/08

When I checked my mailbox this morning, there were at least 20 articles clipped out of the Rochester D&C newspaper in there! Thank you to all the teachers and staff who thought of us being out of town and nabbed them for us! I have pasted the article here for all those out of towners to read!

Walworth's Colin Earns National Championship
John BoccacinoStaff writer
(December 23, 2007) — Every second counts in cross-country running. That's a lesson Colin Kerr learned when he first started running, and his attention to detail has earned him a national title.
Colin capped an eventful month of running by capturing the 2007 Junior Olympics Midget title in Lawrence, Kansas, Dec. 8, edging out 268 other runners ages 10 to 12 to win his first national championship. Colin's winning time in the two-mile race was 10 minutes, 27 seconds, 0.95 seconds faster than the runner-up on the University of Kansas track.
"This is a really cool feeling. I wasn't expecting this, but my coaches really helped get me here," said Colin, 12, a seventh-grader at the T.C. Armstrong Middle School at Wayne Central and a Walworth resident.
Colin took the lead 25 yards into the race but went back and forth with Washington's David Goldstone until David pulled ahead with a little more than 300 yards remaining. On the final downhill stretch Colin, in his first year running cross country, pulled away.
"The two hills in the race were the difference," said Colin, who captured the Regional Junior Olympics title Nov. 18 to qualify for nationals. "Running strong on those helped me get ahead of the other guys."
Carl Johnston is the varsity coach for Wayne and started working with Colin this fall on identifying and developing good race strategies."He doesn't get too caught up in his success and he knows he can continue to improve," said Johnston, 42, an Ontario resident. "For him to evolve as quickly as he did is unusual. For his age, he really knows how to run a race."
Colin and his friends and family celebrated his win with a big party on Dec. 14.JBOCCACI@DemocratandChronicle.com

We are sure Colin is way over this and ready to move on, but his parents are still on cloud 9. Even Connor loves to wear his gold medal! He now practices with the varsity indoor track team to stay in shape for baseball in the spring! He is doing well in school and continues to play trumpet in jazz band, concert band and has Area-All State and solofest coming up in March.

Connor is in Pirate Cove! He loves listening to the Pirates of the C. CD and searching for treasure at home. Thanks to all who sent pirate gear! It's quite fun! He mentioned a pirate ship B day cake in February! Wish me luck making that one! He and I listened to the Pirates CD on the way to work this morning, and I think he can hum and "play drums" to every tune!

I probably won't update for a week now, but just needed to say thanks and share with you all!

The Kerr Krew & Scouting

2008-01-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

1/01/08

Happy New Year!

We were blessed to be able to visit both the Kerr family and the McBride family in Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park, NY this holiday season. We had a blast! Colin and Connor enjoyed making snow forts, sledding and playing kings and castles in the playroom at Karl and Jenn's place. They truly love each other and pick up playing like we never missed a few months with Ian, Emma and Vivi. They have all gotten so big! Their house is beautiful, homey and fun; of course, Kerrs are in it! It's funny how even though we live so far away from each other, that our front yards in the winter look quite alike....snow forts, sledding hills, igloos, ice rinks...quite a testament to Tony and Karl's fun imaginations and love for their kids. We had a nice surprise when Tristan arrived! All three brothers were together for Christmas for the first time in many years! It was perfect! We took pictures for Grandma and Grandpa Kerr who are enjoying the sunshine in Florida...we are sure laughing away at us in the 2 ft of snow here. Many thanks to Lilly, too, for sharing her space with Sasha!

We were quite impressed with the amount of progress that Bernadette and Mark have made in their lovely new home in Clifton Park. Cody, their golden lab, is adorable and even shared his living space with our Samoyed, Sasha! We don't leave her alone now that Mugsy has passed on. She gets too depressed...and quite honestly, so do we. Uncle Mark tried his hand at Colin's trumpet (Cody just loved that!) and did quite well holding his own on the PS2! The tree, fireplace, food and fun were more than enough to liven up the holidays. Bernadette put on quite the feast with Mom. To add to that, Jeanette surprised us all by driving up from NJ with Timothy, she and Gordon's adorable 9 mos. old. He is so happy and such a wonderful combination of both of them! Grandma and Grandpa McBride were blessed to be able to see each of their kids! Poor Uncle Garrett had to leave at 4am the following day for work. He made quite the sacrifice to be there, too! It was just too hard to say good-bye!

I have to give a huge thanks to my sister-in-law, Jenn Kerr, for giving me a start on this web site. I update one for school, one for scouts and one for the PTO, putting our own on hold for way too long! I hope to have pictures developed soon to put on for everyone to view. This week Tony leaves for D.C., as his best friend, Chris Rizzo, is finally getting married! He is in the Special Forces and has had to rearrange his wedding a few times to serve our country. God Bless! Check back for pictures soon! We will be digging out of 12 inches of snow tonight....the blog may have to wait!