Capturing the Kerrys: 15 Months

The funniest thing happened...I did our last post about our health and it jinxed us. I think I ended the post that I was going to knock on some wood and the Kerry's would be healthy. Not so much. Shortly after that post we entered into a more intense season of illness for Elise. It culminated with no diagnosis other than 6 viruses and pneumonia all in a row (it was a lot better than the things they tested her for...everything from cancer to things I cannot even pronounce to mono.)

Two weeks ago she was cleared to re-enter society to see what happens next. One week and five days ago she got a head cold that's till hanging around. I think this just may be the way of daycare. One day she'll have an amazing immune system! I now have her cold along with my mom who has been pitching in big time. Ryan has stayed relatively healthy this month (one trip to the doc for a weird virus in his bladder that's showing up all around town), as has Max, so we're grateful for that. And we're grateful for the amazing doctors at Devos Children's Hospital and our personal doc, Bill Bush. All are amazing, dedicated professionals and we are so blessed to live in a town with world-class medical care 10 minutes away.

We had a busy fall with the conclusion of football season, Max's 36th birthday and Halloween. There's a billion pics below to tell you the good stuff. It appears that days spent at home breed boredom for a mom with a camera:)

Love to one and all,

Court, Max, Ryan + Elise

ArtPrize wrapped up and we got a healthy day to enjoy it as a family.

Ryan on the Blue Bridge.

Ryan and Elise have been building a relationship as of late and actually playing pretty well together. Ryan is learning his boundaries of what is bullying / taunting as opposed to what is coxing her into play. She idolizes him and is really into copying what he does.

She's very into showing love by stroking everyone's faces and hair.

The kids on the lookout for our new caterpillar friend.

Sick, but still happy. We were amazed at how resilient she is.

Naked baby (+dog).

Elise is learning to stack and knock over.

The beads are a hot commodity at the house. From fashion to truck cargo, you'd think our babies had spent time in New Orleans for Mardi Gras!

Elise is starting to break her addiction with me and is becoming a Daddy's Girl!

Elise is starting to sit for reading (almost) an entire picture book.

Elise's first rainbow...on the floor!

So big...

...and so happy!

She likes to do whatever she see's mommy do...

or her brother do...

Here she is playing trucks like she's observed Ryan doing.

Ryan is looking so mature these days.

Here he is helping make cookies (notice the beads again...with his Northview jersey :) Don't get me started on his Star Wars pedicure. (His toes are like storm troopers, black and white.)

Ryan prefers wind pants and anything Northview to wear. Basically anything red, black or grey and he's convinced he's a NV football player.

Daddy and Ryan doing his homework "What do you like to do during fall?" You can guess what was on the list: football, candy, pumpkin carving and pizza.

His trucks are getting more and more sophisticated.

Papa, Ryan and Momma....Three generations of Northview fans.

Daddy and Ryan pre-gamming it on his way up to the press box.

Hopeful for a win!

Elise, not so happy to be on Forest Hills Easter's turf where Max started his West Michigan coaching legacy :) Akward!

I made Elise's this from the bottom of Ryan's jersey. People still called her a boy!

A date night for a friend's wedding at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. A great night away from the kids and a time to sleep at the JW!

Ryan carving his own pumpkin to look like a shark. His second one was Darth Vader.

Pumpkin picking and oil tin riding...In hindsight this was not a rationale parenting decision when you realize the ATV pictured below was cruising through a packed orchard at well over 15 mph...but he had so much fun that he almost puked (his words, not ours).