Sunday News

Tylie had her surgery Thursday. I know that doctors who work at Primary Children's hospital are used to miracles, but I wonder if they ever grow immune to them. I don't. Tylie is still a baby - with tubes in her ears and an adenoidectomy around noon Thursday afternoon, we fully expected her to have an overnight stay on the hospital. I'm not saying I don't have faith, but when Gus and Becky were home WITH Ty before 5:00 that evening, it refreshed my faith in miracles. If I hadn't been there, I would have suspected Becky of gross exaggeration. Ty never missed a meal or even whimpered in pain. She doesn't get than from her Nani, the whimp.

Steve is home. I hope to 'hear' a reenactment of the homecoming. I talked briefly to Jodie to update her on Tylie.

Lisa has a doctor's appointment this week. I hope for an update - she went to the doctor last week and we never heard anything. By Friday evening I had to call to hear the news. Bryan, Lisa and Bryce were all sick in bed.

No news from the K Kerr family. All is well!

My Primary Children's Sacrament Meeting program was today. And as always, they were great. So many people remark that the children know so many verses to so many songs. I can attribute that to the children loving to sing, and to the inspiration of Father in Heaven who helps me teach them. This is now the fun time of year when I get to teach them songs not recommended. And yes, we'll start Christmas music soon!!

Mimi and I had a bridal shower for Kamila Kasparian yesterday (her fiance has a Patrick Dempsey look - it's his eyes). There were about 35 people there. It was a blast. Her friends put together a 'honeymoon' bag. Elizabeth may have to explain some of the goodies!!

That's it for the Gene Kerr household. We look forward to a wonderful week and an even better weekend - General Conference. I love it!!!

This week in the news...

Gene was home by 6pm every day last week!!!!!!! Mason's surgery was a great success. When I talked to him he said, "I love you, Nani." Bryan, Lisa and Bryce will be here on Wednesday. Kora had to have blood drawn and she didn't even cry. Gene's best friend and my best friend's husband, Marc Lauper, was called to serve in the Bishopric. I'm the president of his fan club. Carter Woodward died of cancer. His memorial service Friday evening was quite a tribute to him, but especially to Sandi, his wife. Bill Bartak will begin his cancer treatment at the City of Hope within the next 2 weeks. I got to hold Blake Matthew Hope Forge (my good friend, Stephanie's grandson). It's time to start working on Primary music for 2009. That's it for the Gene Kerr family. Have a really great week!!!

Europe in a Nutshell

I don't have an excuse to put this off any longer. We had a great time in Europe. We started off flying to Toronto (and wish we could have seen Jordan Rozsa - that's where he's serving his mission). After a 4 hour lay over we left for Italy. The tower in Pisa really leans. There's a fence on the top floor balcony so those brave enough to venture out there don't fall off.

Then it was off to France. We took the train to Monocco to see the Monte Carlo Casino. Gene and Marc liked that part, even though they couldn't enter. You have to have on a tux and pay a $200.00 cover charge to walk through the door. Mimi and I preferred the Prada store.

Our next stop was Portugal. That was very emotional for Gene and me as Kelly served his mission there. (We have now been to each place our boys served their mission - New York, Texas, and Portugal.)We toured for a few hours, not taking enough money with us to purchase the beautiful handmade tablecloths we would have purchased for each family. The handwork (handmade lace, beautiful cross stitching) was the most intricate hand work I've ever seen. By the time we got back to the ship, there wasn't time to go back to shore to shop. We enjoyed the pastries that were highly recommended by Kelly and Gus. As we left, I got a glimpse of how Kelly felt when he left the beautiful country.

Next stop, France again, but this time we spent 5 hours walking around the beautiful city of Paris. I've seen pictures - experiencing it was another thing. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre- we got a picture of the Mona Lisa just to say we were there - the Arch of Triumph are amazing. I found it captivating that they actually exist! We walked both side of Champs-Elysees. The sidewalk cafes are as popular as our fast food. We enjoyed a crepe and a diet coke. (When you cruise you never really get hungry.)

Then we were off to England, specifically the White Cliffs of Dover, which actually start in France. We enjoyed a great walk around the old town and had some fish and chips, just to say we had them in England. (I think Marc and I enjoyed this more than Gene and Mimi.) At this point in the trip, we realized that each place we visited had beautiful weather - not what we had heard. No gloomy, wet, rainy days. Sunshine, blue skies, a few white clouds. We also realized that souveniers were not something that would be easy to find. We didn't want to purchase something just to do it. Mimi and I could just imagine Becky calling Jodie. "Did you get a package from Mom? What are you going to do with it?" Then Jodie and Heidi going through the same conversation. Needless to say, Gene and Marc were very proud of us.

The next stop was Holland - the land of tulips and windmills. The only tulips we saw were wood (not the tulip season) and the only windmills were the ones that look like the Mercedes Benz insignia. We did see, however, tons of wooden shoes. All I could think of was Shirley Temple.

The next day we spent traveling down the Kiel Canal in Germany. An oom-pah band was there to great us. They boarded the ship to entertain us during the trip. There were people all along the way, just to wave. Germany was beautiful. Green and lush.

The next trip off the boat was in Finland. Another beautiful country. We again were reminded of beautiful weather and how clean everything was. The fruits and vegetables were beautiful and huge. The cherries were close to the size of an apricot. At this point, I should let you know that the sites of all of the places we visited were awesome. Cathedrals, museums, landmarks, people.

The next place we went was Russia and I have to say that I have no desire to return. It's very controlled. The only way we cold leave the ship was to be on a 'controlled' tour. The passport agents didn't smile or welcome us. Marc suggested that there is a Russian conspiracy and I agree. We joked about writing a book, but it would never be allowed to be published. The best thing about Russia was a young man asking me if I was a Mormon. He said he could just tell. He knew the past Mission President and was studying with a few Mormon missionaries. I don't know if he was taking the lessons, helping them with the language, or what. The next best thing about it was leaving!!

It was then on to Estonia. It was a very old but quaint little country, only their own country for 40 years. They had been owned by Germany, Finland, and Russia. There is no love lost between them and the Russians. They are in the process of removing Russian monuments. This was the only day we had rain, but it didn't stop us from walking to the center of Tallinn.

Our last stop was Sweden. This is also a beautiful country, much like Germany. The women are as pretty as the pictures I've seen. They are also tall and shapely. We had a great time with Marc and Mimi and each other. Dad liked that we traveled so many bodies of water - the Mediterranean Ocean, Ligurian Sea, the Dover Strait, the Gibraltar Strait, the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel, the IJ-GEUL Channel, the Kiel Canal, the Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Finland.

There is so much more to this trip that what I wrote. We took almost 400 pictures. We're glad to be home - and we're ready for another adventure!!!

While there's time . . .

I thought I'd write about the last 2 months. While June started off in a sad way with the loss of Ruth, the rest of the summer has been great. All of our children (except Steve and Gus) and grandchildren were with us for the funeral. Then they started to leave, one family at a time. It was busy, noisy, and hectic while they were here, but great at the same time. Two days after the last family left, I took off for Colorado for about 2 weeks. I loved being Mom and Nani. I played, sewed, played, babysit, played, ate, played, and sewed some more. Jodie was able to spend some much needed time with her girl friends and I got to play with Taylor and Mason. Jodie's description of him as 'tank' is correct. He is one massive hunk of little boy - but not a stitch of fat on him. I don't envy their grocery bill. I wonder if Taylor will marry a big eater like the rest of the men in her family - only time will tell. I came home for a few days then Jodie, Taylor and Mason returned to California for 3 weeks. Again, we played. We went to San Clemente on the train, Disneyland, Santa Monica pier, American Girl at the Grove, had birthday parties for Hunter and Taylor, played at Bass Pro Shops (wow) just to name a few. Jodie was able to have a couple of days with her friends and I got to play more with the kids. Two days after she left, I went to Utah to be with Becky and her family. And I played. We went to a baseball game, the zoo, and a picnic for Gus' work. Gus and Becky went on a date and I got to have Dallin, Kailee and Tylie to myself. Tylie was sick and spent 3 days in bed - sleeping. I never saw a 14 month old baby sleep so much. She didn't want to be held, but be in her own bed. I was really sad. But as soon as she got over it, she was her normal, adorable self. She loves to kiss!!!!! So I got my fill of kisses. Becky and I went to the Salt Lake Temple one evening. It was her first time there. If you' ve been inside the SL Temple, you understand why it was so special. We went to dinner afterwards and a very handsome gentleman 'hit' on my beautiful dark haired daughter. She didn't even flirt with him - he just couldn't help himself. He gave each of us a $10 gift certificate to return for dinner. Becky will use it when she and her handsome husband go there next time. (Side note - I have these 4 beautiful, darling girls and it's so much fun to spend time with them. People always check them out!) I returned home early Saturday morning and went straight to bed, where I stayed until Sunday for Primary.

Gene and I are anxious to leave on our trip. Gene met with the Lauper's while I was gone and all of our side trips are ready to go. We have Museum passes for Paris (Paris!), and Kelly served as adviser for our tours in Portugal. He said to make sure we see castles and eat pastries. Gus added that we need to try the sausage. Checking prices, I've eliminated the purchase of a Prada purse while in Italy. Our dollar isn't worth much in Europe right now. Heck, it isn't worth much here right now. However, I hear that diamonds are very reasonable - but somehow I don't see my purchasing one for myself.

Preston, Taylor and Dallin all start school. Hunter and Kailee will be in pre-school again. It's hard to believe they will both be in kindergarten in a year. Our grandchildren have grown up so quickly. Preston will be baptized in October when his Dad gets home - I still remember his birth so clearly. Have 8 years really gone by? Kora will turn 2 while we're gone. She's half Mason's size but she holds her own. Small but mighty! Jodie said that Kora is the only child that makes Mason cry. I think it's because she's so little, he doesn't know what to do when she wants a toy he has. Instead of hitting her, he gives in. He pulls the best faces. I think Lisa said Bryson would start pre-school as soon as he's potty trained (which we all know they do when THEY want to and not when MOM wants them to - we've all been through it). Tylie and Mylie are still just little squirts with the most charming little smiles. I hope to see the Kelly Kerr family before we leave.

This has been one of the best summer's I've ever had. I've played, enjoyed my family, and just plain loved it!!!!!

More, please

We've had the best summer so far, except for the passing of Grandma Ruth. We've seen all of our kids and grandies at least once, which always makes for a grand time. The upcoming trip to Utah is much anticipated and the trip with the Lauper's is, too. Not a lot of time to write now but in a few days - look out. It will be a LLLLLOOOONNNNGGGG one!!!!!

Spouse Tag

1. His full name? Eugene Carl Kerr II (not junior!)
2. How long have you been together? Married for 36.5 years.
3. How long did you date? We dated for 15 months before we were engaged. We were engaged for 6 months. Add that to the years married - 38 years, 3 months.
4. How old is he? 57.
6. Who said "I Love You" first? Gene did. We were on the train at Knott's Berry Farm and he said, "My Mom asked me if I loved you and I told her 'I think so.'" Then he said, "I love you." And I told him right back!
10. Who does the laundry? Me. Gene can start the machines but when it comes to ironing, well, he wasn't a very good student. He has several pairs of underclothing and a dozen white shirts. So I can be away for about 14 days before his supply is depleted.
11. Who pays the bills? Gene.
12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? IF you look at it from the foot of the bed, I do. But when we're in it, Gene does.
13. Who mows the lawn? The gardener.
14. Who cooks dinner? Me, unless it's BBQ. Then the meat is up to him and I do the rest.
15. Who drives? Gene most of the time.
16. Who kissed whom first? He kissed me first - and I've never forgotten it!
17. Who's more stubborn? Me.
18. Who asked whom out first? He asked me.
19. Who proposed? He did. We were playing pool in the family room in my parent's home. He said, "If I asked you to marry me, when would you want your ring?" "Now." "Will you marry me?" (with ring in hand. I asked if it was real.)
20. Who has more friends? It's a tie. We both have 4, including each other.
21. Who is more sensitive? Me, hands down. Gene keeps his emotions in tack. I am a blubbering fool.
22. Who has more siblings? Me - 3 sisters. Gene is an only child.
23. Who wears the pants? Gene does, but he lets me make decisions with him.

He's one of those no-nonsense people. He says what he thinks. He has become more mellow as he's aged. He is crazy about his children and grandies and he makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the world to him. He's a keeper!!!

It's been quite a while since I've updated our blog. It's been a busy month. My sweet mom-in-law passed away from a sudden heart attack on June 3. She was 88. I'm one of the few women who could call her mom-in-law an angel. I miss her and I cry when I look at her pictures, think about her, when I see Grandpa without her or talk to him and not be able to talk to her. He's lonely without her. He called yesterday to talk. He said, "It was 3 weeks ago today that Ruth died." He's fortunate to have his family. His grandchildren call him to check up on him and he loves their phone visits.

After the funeral was over and all of our children and grandies returned home, I left to Colorado to spend some time with Jodie. She had a few projects that needed assistance, and as I love to be with my daughter, grandies, and to sew, it was a win win situation for me. Jodie got the basement put back together while I played and sewed. Taylor sat on my lap one afternoon for a sewing lesson. She is such a girly girl and I enjoyed the lesson.

Jodie, Taylor and Mason will be here in a week and stay for 3 weeks. We're looking forward to their visit. After they go home, I'll go to Becky's for a few days. When I get home, Gene and I will go on vacation for a couple of weeks. It isn't soon enough for him - politics just aren't his thing!

Thank you for your support of our family during the last few weeks. Your calls and prayers have been felt by all of us. I'm especially grateful for our children - they've been great!!!!! ~ Susie