The KKrew Family Adventures: "Everybody in the Bathroom" Christmas 2012

At our house we have had a silly family saying for years... "EVERYBODY in the bathroom". It started when the kids were young and we often found multiples of us in the bathroom at the same time showering, brushing teeth, talking and doing what families do. It seemed like a common meeting place. This year everyone was home... all five kids, our first grandchild (Beck), 3 spouses, one wonderful girlfriend (Julia Joy) and one kid's brother-in-law (Erik) for the better part of one week. In a fashion it was classical "EVERYBODY in the bathroom." For one short week you could see our house pulse from the interstate with all the relatives breathing inside (13 of us in all). For one short week there were shoes, coats and boots at every door. For one short week the cook got the workout of her life, although she had lots of good help, the Christmas cookies now stand empty and the laughter and talking abundant. For one week, we watched our annual "White Christmas" movie and I resisted remarking how skinny Vera-Ellen was (first time), we frosted cut-outs, we played games, drank pots and pots of coffee, took some walks, lit the Advent candle at church, had extended Kirkbride Christmas at Aunt Dianne and Uncle Jon's with 32 of us, took three hours to open gifts and Beck had 6 Aunts and Uncles and two grandparents to hold and entertain him. Miracle of miracles only 2 small colds appeared but after Christmas. It was noisy, crazy, cozy, exhausting and gloriously wonderful....

With the exception of becoming a Grandmother, 2012 was a marked year of losses for me.... First Christmas without my Dad... found myself thinking of lot of him especially when we watched White Christmas... he kind of looked like Bing Crosby, served in the same war and could sing kind of like him too. So glad I got to be with Mom a bit before Christmas. Our wonderful friend Mark took us to see the gravestone in the Veteran's Cemetery. Brian hosted Mom for a few days both at Thanksgiving and Christmas which was such a delight for her. First Christmas without my dear friend Joy and no Festival of Trees (FOT) fundraiser because because our WBLN lost 50% of its funding in April and we had to shut all but a small portion of it down. Today marks the death of the girl's Mother Pam 21 years ago....So Christmas was sad and a bit bittersweet this year. Thankful for moments of "EVERYBODY in the bathroom"! The birth of a baby... (including Beck this year) Christ's lavish gift stands in spite of it all.... Ah, for the hope of the Savior!

I am posting a few picture highlights and the Haiku's (5, 7, 5) that Dan had us write during game night... they were a combination of serious and hilarious.... Leave it to Dan to come up with a clever way for us to interact.... (minus Hannah and Tom that night)

Soon it will be on to the new exciting new adventure of the legislature for Representative Kirkbride... Farewell 2012.

Family Haiku's 2012

The ranch can't be beat
At Christmas it's neat and cozy
and we love to eat.

Christmas time is here;
It feels good to be home now!
But not with you Chumps!
Mick

Jesus, gift divine.
Family circle sublime.
Memories priceless.
Lynn

Relaxing and nice
Secret dance parties at night
Watching Beck brings joy.
Tara

Eating Mom's lunch meat
Throwing out Dad's half drunk coke
Oldest son is home...
Jeremy

Beck points at pretties.
Charlie hosts his Lady Hawk
Six kids is a lot.
Dan

Thankful to see out
Changed my preference to blondes
Spa-day for your soul
Charlie

Much of life on pause
Where to start aft such neglect
Fun, faith, friends, home, hope?
Abby (last year of law school)

Gone the mane, Lion's slash
Puff of hair and Elvis bangs
My brother is Steve Nash
Erik (Ben's brother)

She hates to be held
Struggles with all life's stresses
Flan hides in the barn

Knows no pop culture
Can't make a joke for his life
Beck's not a talker

Soup, steaks and sprouts
Cookies, queso and brittle
Onesie getting tight

A haiku has five
Then seven syllables
Sometimes you must cheat
Ben