How does he do it?

Malachi: the comedian. The position of Kercher Comedian is always being competed for--by Mark--by Miriam--even Maggie, at times. But Malachi has long held this title, basically since he started talking.

Malachi: "Maggie, here! Grink some of mine Hot Tea Chocolate."
Maggie: "I can't, Malachi. I'm allergic."
Malachi: "Oh."
Maggie: "Are you allergic?"
Malachi: (indignantly) "NO! I'm a boy."
Later....
Maggie and Malachi are playing dolls---
Madalyne: "Oh, are you being babies?"
Malachi: "No, I'm a boy, those are babies, and Maggie is a 'lergic.'"

I guess I should change my gender registration in the State of Oregon from "Female" to "Lergic."

Malachi: the Policeman--

Miriam: "Oh man, I just watched a stupid movie...."
Malachi: "Miriam, don't say dat word! Dat's a bad word 'a say!"

In church the one giving the sermon used the forbidden word....

Preacher: "It is stupid for us to not be seeking the Lord...."
Malachi: (quite loudly) "Ah! Mom! He said a bad word!"

I guess someone told him not to use that kind of language. Recently Mom took all the kids to Bend to see Melody's new baby, leaving Dad and I home alone. Soon after they left I called mom to gloat that I'd be able to say "stupid" as much as I wanted in the next few days. The simple pleasures in life.....

The Feel Good Cooking Show

My good friend Bethany and I had a free evening, a kitchen, a camera, and an appetite--this is what ensued.

Many thanks to Zach who made the publishing of this video possible.

The Best Spanish Christmas Pageant Ever

My Spanish class put on a Christmas Play this year.
They wrote the script themselves!

Everyone agrees that in our Spanish Class we have more fun than should be allowed in a learning establishment. To establish some semblance of order, I demand my 11 students to call me "Mrs. Maggie". It works well.

They are learning very well. The class is conversational in style, meaning I teach the class entirely in Spanish, and the students learn by listening and participating in various activities such as playing games, role playing, and creating stories together. And of course, putting on Christmas Pageants.

Malachi Grows Up

I finally convinced him to stop being jealous of Madalyne's dolls and be thankful for his spacious crib upstairs. I guess he knows how I felt at 7 when I grew out of my favorite "jellies"(plastic sparkly sandals, in case anyone doesn't remember that delightful footwear....).

Family Bowling in Molalla

So, we went bowling. In Molalla. I can't say that the facilites were the classiest around, but the service was, shall we say, very personal. :) We had a great time. Malachi had never been to a bowling alley before and was fascinated by the ball chute.

A little protective...

Papa K, starting us off

Miriam and Madalyne.....such form.....

Mark's great form....

And, Mark's not-so-great form....

This ISN'T the time she fell onto the lane.

Happy about his strike....Good lookin' fam.....Yeah.......

And more yeah......

I don't think anyone ever contemplates their facial expressions when they're forcefully rolling a heavy ball down a polished lane in hopes of causing a few plastic pins to teeter....it's priceless.

I just thought this would be a great way to end.

Malachi's First Christmas Party

After putting up decorations on Friday, we couldn't seem to shake our festive mood, and thereupon decided to have a spur-of-the-moment Christmas party. It was Malachi's first and he did great, dressing up as a gift-wrapped present.



The White Elephant gift exchange was monumental for Malachi, who simple unwrapped one of his own toys. He loved it!

Mark, the snowman.

Big Amy came over for the festivities, as well as our two neighbor friends, Adam and Little Amy (Note: Adjectives that Malachi uses to distinguish our friends have nothing to do with size, just age. ;)

It was a blast! We played games, ate snacks, and watched the ancient Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer video.

Crossing the Red Sea

In case anyone was unsure, the Red Sea may be found in Hubbard, OR. In my bedroom, in fact.

One of Mark, Madalyne and my favorite pasttimes is to have themed slumber parties. What better people to have slumber parties with than ones who reside in the same house and can choose to sleep in the comfort of their own beds?......We alone know the TRUE meaning of "slumber" parties. ;)

This is the Red Sea. You'll notice Egypt is on one side..... And Canaan is on the other side....
Watch out for the natives....
Benefits of the Promised Land.... Some of the sea life you might be a spectator to as you cross the parted sea....

Dressed as we were in our usual Egyptian apparel....

Malachi was invited to join in the festivites....Shocked to see the Sea parted!

The Beginning of My Bird Collection

I arrived home the other day to find that some poor fowl specimen had unluckily flown in the path of my oncoming car, and probably never lived to realize that it's place of resting is now in the plastic, teal grate of my Chevy Cavalier.

My problem now is how to get it out. I'm plagued with a fear of birds, and that means I especially don't like extracting them --dead-- from odd places. If anyone reading this knows of a bird extraction service around.....well, I'd appreciate a referral. Until then, I'm heading to the nearest Fred Meyer to invest in an extremely potent air freshener.

Family Vacay - Yaquina Bay