Is This Normal?
The chaos that is the KerbersArchive for extended family
A textbook Sunday
There’s Indian Summer, and then there’s 70° in November. Today, it was sunny and 70° outside. No, I’m not kidding…it really was that warm! Grandma Judy, Grandpa Scott, Brett, and Kelli came down to spend the day with us, and it was a really great day. The kids played with Brett & Kelli so much, and they had a blast. They played downstairs, out in the front yard, downstairs again, out in the back yard, and back downstairs some more. Let me tell you that basement was trashed! I swear they had gotten out every single toy we have down there and none of them seemed to find their way home. But it didn’t matter. Just by looking at it I could tell that it was awesome. I think my favorite thing they had done was to set up our blocks to make a sort of wall in the corner. Ben told me that he was a puppy, and that was his cage. His sleeping bag was in there, and an empty bucket was, too. He said that was his blanket and his food. It cracked me up.
“Were Kelli and Brett your owners?” I asked him.
“Yes, he said, “They took care of me!” He had a huge smile on his face.
I love that he is starting to interact with kids more and he’s joining in with imaginative play. He’s getting so grown up, and I seem to notice more and more changes in him daily. What a mixed feeling that is.
I’m calling this a textbook Sunday because we literally got to do everything I hold near and dear about Sundays. We went to church as a family, we came home and went straight outside to ride bikes, more family arrived and we ate dinner together, we played outside with our neighborhood friends, and we generally had an awesome time just being together. It really reminded me of my childhood Sundays, and I have to say I absolutely loved it. For the first time in a very long time, I dread going to bed tonight!
Happy birthday, Jamie!
Jamers is Sweet 16 today. It doesn’t seem possible to think that she’s been a part of our family for 16 years. I can still remember getting the call from Brad like it was yesterday. The sad news is that she can’t get her license yet, though. Apparently you must have your permit for a year before you get the actual license, and she wasn’t really pushing to get that last fall. I don’t think she has to wait very long…like a week or so, I believe…but I’m sure it’s driving her nuts right now. Time will pass quickly, Jamers, and before you know it you’ll be cruising around Jacksonville on your own! That is, if your dad ever lets you out of the house again…
Happy, happy birthday, Jamie. We love you!
Happy anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa
Everyone makes such a big deal over big, fat, round anniversary years. At 10 years, everyone I know goes somewhere together to celebrate. At 25 years, there’s usually some kind of get-together or party to celebrate. Then comes 40 years, for some reason a real biggie, it seems. I can remember my grandparents’ fortieth anniversary party very well from my childhood…it was a par-tee!
Well, this year is Mom & Dad’s 49th wedding anniversary, and while many people don’t think that’s a big deal, I have to disagree. They’ve gone through 49 years together as husband and wife…almost five decades, people! I can’t even imagine! And while I know that next year will bring all the fanfare with the 50th, I hope they know how much I respect and appreciate their marriage now, even though no one may be making a big deal out of it. When I talked to Mom today, she said that this was, “just like any other day.” But I have to disagree…a 49th anniversary is definitely not like any other day.
Thanks for everything you do for us, Mom & Dad, but more importantly, thanks for the great example you’ve set for all of us. We love you…happy anniversary!
Happy birthday, Aunt Nancy!
This year Aunt Nanny is having a little bit of trouble with her birthday. She’s hitting a round number (I won’t mention which one, but if you take 9×5 you’d probably be able to guess it) and it’s bothering her a bit. But I assured her last night that she is definitely the youngest 45 year-old I’ve ever seen! I swear sometimes I feel much older than she seems. I’m hoping that just has to deal with the fact that I’m still chasing toddlers. I hope so, anyway!
There was a time that the mid 40s seemed absolutely ancient! Now, though, they’re super duper young…especially since I’ll be seeing them all too soon! In all seriousness, though, Nance is truly young at heart, and I’m sure that she’s happier with her life every day. What more could anyone want?
Happy birthday, Nance. You’re the best sister I could have…exactly the same as me in many ways, but very, very different in others. I love our relationship, and I love you!
Happy birthday, Uncle Brad!
Man are you old! 
Just kidding, of course…48 isn’t that old. After all, we’re all right behind you in years! You’ve always been a good big brother to me, and the seven years between us seem to get smaller and smaller all the time. There are lots of times I wish that we could hang out more, but alas, four states always seem to get in the way.
Sure wish we could all tell you happy birthday in person, but it won’t be long until we see you again. I hope your day has been great, and that the Bears and Jags both win this weekend for you!!
Illini fun
Family, food, and football…what more could you want, right? Yesterday was a great day spent with all three. The Swartzies bought tickets to the Illini vs. Penn St. game in Champaign, and were looking forward to spending the day with Ryan there. Then, at the last minute, our neighbors offered their season tickets to us for that game, too, so we decided to join in the fun. We quickly threw together some tailgating plans the night before, and it was on.
They picked us up around 9:30 and we all piled in the van to head to Champaign. Their tickets came with one parking pass, so this was the best way to ensure we could all tailgate together. We pulled into the lot, and were very impressed with the location. We were right across from the football stadium in the Assembly Hall parking lot. It was awesome!
Ry gave his brothers, Nance and me a tour of the campus, 
and it was so fun walking around with him now that he knows his way around and has experiences on campus. He showed us where he has classes, and where the house he pledged (and de-pledged) was, and had so many little funny things to tell us. I loved it. After the tour was done, we headed back to the stadium and Dave started grilling. 
We grilled brats and pork chops and had all kinds of yummy snacks on the side. Since the weather wasn’t cooperating too much, we brought hot chocolate with us, as well, and that really hit the spot, too. Some of Ry’s friends came to our tailgate, and it was fun meeting them.
It was all such a good time…until the actual game started! The Illini are so pitiful this year that it’s almost painful to watch them. We suffered through the game, with the intermittent rain and all. It’s so sad to watch. The ironic thing was that the Swartzie’s tickets were just a couple of rows away from ours…a total coincidence, but pretty fun.
We had such fun hanging with them and with Ryan. Even though he’s been a U of I student for almost two months, it didn’t seem as real to me as it does now, after seeing his dorm room and watching him interact with his friends. now it’s sunk in…the next generation has arrived and I’ve officially passed the torch!
Our campfire
Tonight was the annual fall weinie roast out at Grandma & Grandpa Kerber’s farm. Ben was pretty excited, even though he didn’t really know what a weinie roast was. 
It has been three years since we had the last one, so he was way too little to remember it at all. This time, though, he was all about the experience. He went out to the farm early with Dave to help get everything ready. 
When Emma and I got out there later, Ben was all excited that we were having a “real campfire” and that it was already lit. Daddy had even brought his tent out and set it up for the kids to play in.
It was a beautiful night, and it was great that most of the family could be there together. Aside from about a billion little gnats swarming around, everything was great. We feasted on dogs cooked over the fire, which always makes them taste way better. 
And then it was time for marshmallows and s’mores. Mmm…mmm! Emma, Bella and Ben all had a great time running around and playing together. They were in and out of the tent about a million times each.
I think, though, that Grandma may 
have had the most fun of anyone. I know it means a lot for her to have the whole family together, and when it’s done around a campfire, it just makes it all the much better.
Bonnie!
Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal were playing at Ravinia last night, and Rod & Nance and Dave & I were there. 
We went very early, so we got great seats. If you’ve never been to Ravinia, you may not be familiar with the setup. There is a pavillion in front of the state, but a majority of the grounds are lawn seats, and that’s where the real fun is. We packed a big variety of crackers, cheese, fruit, sandwiches, and of course plenty of wine and beer. The Swartzies had borrowed a little table from friends, and we even had a tablecloth and candlelight. It was an awesome spread.
The night could not have been better. The concert was so good, the weather, although it got a bit chilly after dark, was beautiful, and the company was awesome. We’ve decided that we definitely need to make a trip to Ravinia an annual event.
The next generation
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of Illini has begun. Today Ryan moved into the dorms at the University of Illlinois. Of course, since we’re both alums, Dave and I are thrilled about this. In some ways it literally seems like yesterday that Mom, Dad and I were unpacking my stuff in Weston Hall. In others, it seems like that was more than 23 years ago. Holy crap…23 years ago!? How did that happen?? Anyway, it is very exciting to know that someone else in the family will now bleed orange and blue. Now that he’s officially set foot on campus as a student, the Illini loyalty is inevitable. :) I hope that he has even half of the fun I had when I went there. If so, he’s bound to love it.
Good luck, Ry! Study hard, keep an open mind, learn something new every day, and HAVE FUN!!
Ben’s second party
Last night we had Ben’s birthday party here with the Kerber side of the family. It was really nice that almost everyone in the extended Kerber family could attend to help us celebrate. Again, it was a really great night and Ben got a lot of things that he really loved. Among them were several Batman vehicles (including a car that launches a motorcycle from within itself), a Cars sleeping bag, Candy Land, some homemade light sabres, a Bounce Back Racer, some new books, a couple of Matchbox sets, and a two-wheeled bike (with training wheels, of course). What I loved the most was how excited Ben got every time he opened something new. “Oh my goodness!” he’d exclaim while he was opening…even if he had no idea what the item was when he opened it! It made my heart happy. He remembered all of his thank-yous without too much reminding, and he really seemed appreciative for all of his gifts.
After presents it was time for cake, and of course Emma was right in the thick of things singing her heart out to Ben. It was very sweet. I think she finally understands that it’s not just her…other people have birthdays, too! She was excited to sing “Happy Dirfday to Ben” and he was just as thrilled to hear it and to blow out his candles.
It was a really fun party, and even though it made for a very late night for both of them, it was definitely worth it.
