Jennie's new shelves.

This past weekend Jennie finally got her wish and got some shelves in the playroom. She has been talking about them for quite some time and now has them. One of her friends (Shannon) husband (Chris) volunteered his day off to help us put these up. The kids have so many toys and the limited space in the playroom made it hard to keep clean. Now that we have plenty of space we will see if the number of toys was the issue or if it is the kids. I am predicting that it is the latter of the two. Anyways it looks good right now and has opened the room up a little bit. Here are some transformation pictures of our project.


This is the wall before the shelves were built. It use to have a book shelf full of things and a lot of loose stuff laying on the floor. The kids loved cleaning out the playroom as they got to take all the toys out to the living room and play with them all day. The living room was a disaster.


Next we have the shelves built and waiting for all the toys. It took us about 4 hours to build them up and it will take something very drastic (like a bulldozer) to knock them down. They are glued, screwed and nailed to the wall and each other.


Here is the final product. The sad thing is that this is only about half of their toys. I have no idea where we got them all but we seem to get additions on a regular basis. I am sure it will never look like this again so we will have to treasure this moment and picture. Now we just have to wait and see how long it takes Nolan to figure out how to climb up them to the top and jump off. I am sure he will figure it out eventually.

Jennie's Birthday!!!

This past week Jennie turned another year older. I know that women can be sensitive about their ages so we will just leave it at that. If she wants you to know how old she is she will put a comment on here with her age. We ended up just going over to her parents house for a good home cooked meal and then had cake and opened presents. A pretty uneventful day but good time spent with family.


The kids love to help blow out candles no matter who's birthday it is. After they blow them out they each have to have a candle on their own piece in which they can blow out. For her birthday Jennie got some clothes and a new set of scriptures. If only kids were as excited to get clothes as a present.

Anyways Happy Birthday honey and here is to being another year older.

Hoops at the Q.

On New Year's Day Jennie and I got the opportunity to go play some hoops on the Cleveland Cavaliers home court for a couple of hours. One of the guys that we play with in the mornings won an auction for the right to play. He invited about 40 people (not all played) and we were lucky enough to be 2 of those people. It was a lot of fun although it took awhile for our depth perception to adjust. It is a lot different shooting with an empty background rather than a wall background. They played sons vs dads and invited a couple of ringers (Jennie and myself) to make sure that the dads won, which we did. After we got done playing they took us on a tour of the players locker room. Jennie felt like she was invading their personal space but I was just taking it all in. We got to see everything and they let us take as many pictures as we wanted. Since most people will never get this close I figured I would post some so you can see what it is like.



Here I am sitting in Lebron's chair in front of his locker. Jennie thought I was crazy but I figured I was that close and may never get the chance again so I had to do it.


Jennie would not sit in his chair so we settled for a picture in front on his locker. Notice that he has a TV, stereo system and X-box in his locker. All lockers were equipped with the same. Lebron was also the only player who had an empty locker next to his. Must be nice to be "The King".


These are the chairs that the players sit in for treatment and to get taped. Now I am a pretty big guy and I look very small in this chair. They were very large which puts into perspective how big some of those guys really are.


Jennie and I standing at center court. I can't believe Rich didn't get any of the logo but you get the picture.


Here is Jennie standing in front of Shaq's locker showing the muscles. Not quite the same as the "Big Witness Protection" but a funny picture nonetheless.


Here is Jennie dominating a 12 year old. I love this picture because you can see her teammate, the guy running down the floor, counting the basket before she even made it. What confidence he had in Jennie's abilities.


And you thought Lebron was the only one who required a triple team. She was the only female that went out and played and was able to hold her own against the sons. Notice she does not force things and finds the open man for the easy score, kind of Lebronesque.


Here I am getting ready to take some poor kid to the hole.


Jennie deep in the Q. I hate to admit it but I think she did have more points than me.

Well we had a lot of fun and it was cool to see where the players get ready and hang out. Not sure if we'll ever get to do it again but hopefully next year he will win the auction again and invite us to play. It is nice to have some connections.

Maddux is the big 6.

On Friday our big boy turned 6 years old and boy did we party big. What was suppose to be a party with a couple of his friends turned into a houseful of people. I will apologize for not getting that many pictures but with 22 kids, 8 to 10 adults and one bloody nose it was quite crazy in our house. I guess I didn't think we had invited a lot of people until they all showed up and were here. Anyways it was a lot of fun and I finally got it all cleaned up this afternoon. Man, the time sure does go by fast. I guess people aren't lying when they tell you to cherish these times. Thank you to all of those who came and for those that sent or brought gifts. I don't know what it is about Bakugan figures but I think everyone but 2 people gave him some type of Bakugan. He is really into those right now sop those were perfect gifts. He will be getting some thank yous out soon. Well since I didn't get very many pictures I figured I would post some past pictures so you can see how Maddux has grown. I hope you enjoy.


This is Payton who can't wait to get a piece of that cake. She is watching as each piece is passed out just waiting for hers.


Maddux about 18 months hanging outside with his sister playing in the water.


Two years old playing baseball at Great Grandma Beards. He showed a knack for the game at a very early age.


Maddux at 2 1/2 getting ready to go to Church.


2 1/2 years old in Florida. He had no fear of the water so we had to water proof him very good.


His first trip in the ocean (Clearwater, FL).


His first baseball game at 3. I will never forget this because he was ready to go home before the first pitch was ever thrown.


Showing the guns at age 4. If anyone wants some tickets to the gun show Maddux has them.


5 years old and goofy as ever. He went through a period where he was all about the head and hand stands.


One of my favorite pictures of Maddux from this last summer in Florida. I asked him to look and wave at me during his launch and that is exactly what he did.

We are so grateful to have Maddux in our family and grateful for the energy and spark that he brings to us all. It has been such a pleasure to watch him develop and gain his own personality over the years. He is such a great example to his siblings, his family and his friends. I can't wait to watch him grow up and become a young man over the coming years. There is definitely never a dull moment with Maddux and we love him so much for that. He keeps us on our toes and is a great blessing to our life.

Until We Meet Again : Grandma Elaine

We were saddened with the passing of Grandma (Great Grandma) Elaine last week but know that she is in a better place free of pain and worry. We will cherish the last year and a half that we were able to spend time with her and see her on a regular basis. We kind of felt spoiled having her so close to us and being able to see her whenever we wanted. I will always remember the time and love that she showed the little babies and know that she absolutely loved her great grandkids. I have put together some of our favorite photos of Grandma Elaine and her time spent her in Ohio.

Excerpt from her memorial blog : (http://www.elainepkerr.blogspot.com/)

Elaine Podgorski Kerr, 85, of Walnut Creek CA, died December 30, 2009. Born on January 6, 1924 in Cambridge, MA, to John and Ethel Cunningham, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert B. Kerr and Edward T. Podgorski; her sister, Marjorie Smith of Myrtle Beach, SC; a brother, John Cunningham of Nashua, NH, and a daughter, Diane Kerr Noel.

She is survived by five children, Kathleen Kerr-Schochet, of Orinda CA; R. William Kerr of North Olmsted OH; Charles T. Kerr, of Boonsboro MD; Kenneth P. Kerr of Frederick MD; and Karolyn Ray, of Walnut Creek CA; and two step-children: Francis Podgorski, of Chester MD; and Barbara Dalzell of Sykesville MD. She is the grandmother of 17 and the great-grandmother of 17.


She retired, in 1975, from the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual help in Woodlawn, and then St. Agnes in Catonsville.
There will be a memorial service in June with internment at Woodlawn Cemetery following.

You will notice a familiar theme in most of these pictures and that is her love for the babies. All she wanted to do was play with and hold the babies and in almost every picture we have that is the case.


Playing with Payton over at Greg and Tacie's.


The first day that she met Penny.


At Brooklyn's birthday party with Granny and Suzie (in background).


Holding Payton at Bill and Connie's.


Again holding Payton right after she was born.


With some of the great grandkids back in Walnut Creek at the Ray's.


Holding little baby Cambrie.


Grandma with Payton right before Payton's surgery.


One of Grandma's other loves in life, Penny.


On Mother's Day with Connie, Tacie and Jennie.


With her two girls (Payton and Cambrie).


Three generations of girls (Jennie and Payton with Grandma Elaine).


In one of her favorite spots, on the couch with Cambrie.


With Jennie and all the Beard great grandkids.

Grandma Elaine, we thank you for all the memories that you have left us with and for the example and person that you were. We love and miss you and look forward to the day that we can all be together again.

Maddux loses his first tooth.

Maddux finally lost his first tooth the other day and was very excited for the tooth fairy to pay him a visit. There is a funny story surrounding what the tooth fairy left and his big sister Brooklyn. Maddux woke up the next morning and forgot about his tooth and what may have been under his pillow so Jennie and I asked him what he got for his tooth. He got all excited and went to look under his pillow. He came back and said the tooth fairy left him $1. Well Jennie and I had a talk with the tooth fairy the night before and know that he was left more than that so we told him to go back and look again. He came back and said nope just $1. Jennie and I being had to go look for ourselves and sure enough there was nothing else there. We didn't know what had happened to the rest of the money but figured it would turn up soon enough. Well later that day we were putting some clothes in Brooklyn's drawers and on top of her dresser was the rest of the money. She must have went and looked under his pillow and took some of his money figuring it was his first time and he didn't know what to expect. Just goes to show you that you can never trust your older sister.


If you look close enough you can see Maddux holding up his tooth. Now if we could just get him to lose the tooth right on top as it has been dead for a couple of years now. He hit it on a metal chair and it has been dark ever since. His other teeth have grown bigger but the dentist is not worried about it and says it will fall out when ready so we are just waiting for that.


Here is another funny story as the boys have turned into quire the little artist. They found a black pen and thought it would be fun to draw some pictures on the playroom wall. Luckily it wasn't permanent marker but just shows you what little boys like to do when they aren't being watched.


Now the funny part of the story is that I asked Maddux if he had done any of the drawing and he replied no that it was all Nolan. I wasn't quite sure if that was true and the drawings may have been a little too good to be Nolan but had no other proof as Nolan agreed that it was him. Well then I found the above picture in the corner behind the basketball hoop. Moral of the story: if you are going to write on the wall and blame your little brother you might want to not write your name on the wall. That kind of gives you away.

Finally we have a couple pictures of Brooklyn ice-skating. Grandpa Beard turned her onto this while he was here remodeling our house and I think this is the first time that she has been since. A good friend of hers invited her to go so I took her up and got a few pictures of her. It was quite funny as the first half our was her just holding on to the side of the wall and walking around the ice rink. She probably made 3 or 4 laps in that half our.


Then she found a cone and skated around the rink with that for the next half and hour but started to gain a little more confidence and pick up a little speed.


Here she is with another friend she met while there and skated around a little bit with her but still holding onto the cone.


Finally she lost the cone and decided to brave it on her own. Notice she still is not that far from the wall but did go on her own for the last 30 to 45 minutes. We will have to continue to take her so that she can get the hang of things and gain more and more confidence. She still had a lot of fun and just enjoys hanging out with her friends.

Finally a Family Forever.

Well it only took 9 years and a few obstacles but Jennie and I and the kids finally were sealed as a family for time and all eternity. That means we are stuck with each other forever. If you ask the kids about that they may feel differently about that right now but will come to understand the meaning and importance as they get older. Jennie and I are very excited and glad that we could have so many people there to support us despite the weather. Since we had waited so long we wanted to make it extra special and go all out so we decided to head to Washington DC and go through that Temple as it is one of the nicer ones around and not too far away. As you can see from the picture they had quite the snow storm that day. I believe they were calling for 20+ inches, which for a town that averages 15 inches a year, was quite a big deal. We went up Friday night to beat the snow, and did, but over the next 24 hours the area probably got 18 or so inches of snow. That meant that nearly everything in the Washington DC and surrounding area was shut down. We got extremely lucky as Greg, Aaron and Rachel all flew in Friday night and were able to be with us as we went through the Temple. Aaron had a little trouble with his flight and as a result was actually able to get into DC. The airline sold his ticket as he found out upon showing up 25 minutes before the flight but was able to get on another flight and made it ok. The ironic t hing is that if he would have been on his original flight he would have been stuck in Chicago and would not have made it. It is kind of funny how those things work out. We definitely had someone watching out for us. We had all of Jennie's immediate family there and a lot of good friends who made the trip up to celebrate this special day with us and glad that everyone made it there and back safely. We even had our good friend "Big Dawg" fly in from Salt Lake City to share in our day. We are so grateful for those who not only made the trip but also pushed us and helped us along the way so that we can benefit from one of Heavenly Father;s greatest gifts to us. It is such a comfort to know that life does not end after we die and that one day we will all return to live with our families again. Here are some pictures from our trip. You will see all the snow that we dealt with on that day and we hope to go back some day, soon, and get some decent family pictures in front of the Temple without all the snow.


Here we are with the kids standing outside the Temple. There really weren't any great places to take a good family picture due to all the snow so this will have to do for now.


Nolan, Maddux and Brooklyn standing in the snow in front of the fountain at the Temple.


Spencer and Greg clearing the foot or so of snow off the cars. That was just from sitting in the parking lot for a couple of hours.


Most of the family standing in front of the Temple in the middle of the snow storm. This was about as good as it was going to get that day.


Maddux trudging through the snow. He was wondering why his legs were so cold.


The top of the Temple amidst a flurry of snow.


Uncle "Big Dawg" with Brooklyn and Maddux. I don't think that Nolan was 100% comfortable with him so that may be why he is not in this picture. He likes to talk about "Big Dawg" but not to crazy about hanging around him.


Brooklyn hanging out in the hot tub back at the hotel. This was kind of a cool pool and hot tub as it was actually on the top floor above all the rooms.


Kenzie and Nolan relaxing in the hot tub playing with the water. I actually had to pull Nolan out of the hot tub for a little bit because he was starting to turn red from being in there so long.


Nolan just hanging out enjoying life.


Bill and Spencer after a long day and a longer night. They decided to go see Avatar that night with Aaron and Greg. The movie was 2 1/2 hours and didn't start until 10:30. Mix that in with an early morning and you get some tired guys.


Even though it was the middle of winter and over a foot of snow on the ground the Temple still managed to have some flowers out and Brooklyn never passes up a chance to play with flowers.


All the kids with "Big Dawg" hanging out in the hotel room.

Once again Jennie and I are thankful to all those who had a hand in our special day and especially grateful for those who made the difficult trip down to show their support and love for our family. Yeah the weather was bad and we had a couple of hiccups along the way but we had the perfect day and were glad that we could spend it with family and friends. It is such a blessing to know that we will be a family for the rest of time and eternity and we are glad that our children could partake in this special day and hope that one day they realize the importance of this decision and choose to be sealed to their families forever. Thank you again and we love you all.