Life has been (FUN) crazy busy and I've neglected to post anything new on the blog and for that I apologize. So, as I sit her the week after Christmas enjoying some time with my kiddos (and, yes, we're still in our jammies!) while poor Erik is at work, I'm going to play "catch up" with pictures. Pictures of first days at school, Texas Rangers World Series (you heard that right!) and a few cute miscellaneous ones as well.

There's one other thing I need to communicate. This is the first year in MANY that we haven't sent out a family Christmas card. Although it makes me a little crazy to think I wasn't able to check that off my list this year family time took priority. So to all that didn't receive the precious (ha!) E. Berry Christmas card this year, stay tuned as there's a little video treat in this post that will more than make up for the card. And...don't take us off your lists...we enjoy receiving all of your precious cards and will be more "on the ball" next year and back in the card sending business.

So here it goes...enjoy!

Christmas Video:

May each of you have a blessed 2011!

Peyton's Many Characters....

"The Dental Patient"

"The Christmas Tree Decorator"

"Snow White for Halloween"

"The School Girl"

"The Future Hunter"

"The Bass Pro Shopper"

"The Baylor Bear Fan"

Sic'em Bears!

Texas Rangers in the World Series - October 2010

Chuck Greenburg (Ranger's Owner) signing Tate's baseball hat.

9U Flag Football - Go Longhorns!

First Day of School - September 2010

Tate's Modeling Debut

A couple of months ago Tate was asked to model for a clothing magazine. The photographer contracted to put together the magazine has taken his picture before and thinks he's extremely photogenic and called him up. So, here's his modeling debut picture. He was instructed to act cool and serious - what a "ham"! The part he was most excited about was the fact he got to keep the shirt.

I wish they would have published the back of his head as well. You would have been able to get a good view of his summer mohawk!

The Summer of 2010

As summer (vacation wise...not heat wise -argh!) is drawing to a close here in Texas I thought I'd post a few pictures from the kids activities.

Tate began the summer by learning that he made the 8U Flower Mound All-star baseball team. He had a great time, the team played exceptionally well and he made some great, new friends. As a family, although it was extremely hot, we had fun spending entire weekends together watching game after game (and, yes, i'm being serious here!). Thank you Nannie, PawPaw, Kiki, and Popi for supporting him through those hot tournament games. And, Peyton, well...she was a trooper too! In fact, when the month of June was over she woke up that first weekend and wanted to go to the the ballpark. What a great little sister!

Congratulations Flower Mound 8U All-stars!

Peyton continues to entertain us all. She spent time with both of her grandparents and enjoyed being a part of her school's fourth of July parade. I'm not sure she didn't think the parade was for her! She's doing exceptionally well in her preschool and will be moving on to a new teacher beginning with the school year. Watch out Ms. Jackson - here comes the P.

Happy 4th of July!

This girl loves her daddy....

Tate's Summer Trip to Iowa

Tate took his traditional trip to Iowa this summer with my parents to watch his cousins play baseball. Amazingly, this trip is always a highlight of his summer. Wonder if that says something about any of our other family trips? :>) I think his Nannie and PawPaw start taking a little "calming medicine" weeks prior to loading up. The kid just gets so excited he doesn't sleep for weeks prior and talks all the way from Texas to Iowa and back.

Thank you Nannie and PawPaw for spending this quality time with him. He loves it and I know lifelong memories are developing.

Now, guess who gets to road trip next year? That's right....SISTER'S bags will be packed come June of 2011. Let's start praying for Nannie and PawPaw now.

Congrats Kody and Jared on your successes at each tournament! Here's a couple of pics to remember the moment.

First Day of Preschool

Here's another "catch up" post. Peyton started at her preschool in March of this year. Here's her picture with the program director from that day.

The Storm - 8U Flower Mound City Champs

What an exciting baseball season this has been for Tate – ok, and his family as well. His team, the Storm, not only finished the regular season undefeated but won the 8U city tournament. They played the #2 team in the division, the Cardinals, in the final game and won 16 - 12. Go Storm!

This has been one of my favorite seasons so far not only due to the wins (yes - I admit it - I'm extremely competitive.) but also because I didn't realize that 8 year olds could play great baseball. Hang on ...I know what you are saying...You are a mom of one of those 8 year olds what else would you say. That is a very true statement, but as our coach indicated at the beginning of this season - 8U baseball is great because the kids have gotten the hang of the rules, understand the game somewhat and have begun to show the skills of real players. (Oh, and did I mention, 8U is still coach pitch which helps.) No more "pickin daisy" moments for these boys! Ok, that was a mom statement because we did have some "blooper" worthy moments where we had to remind ourselves that they are still 8 years old.

It was great though to see the hours the boys and their coaches dedicated to this team pay off. We have a great group of dedicated dads that are awesome (and love to win too!) - thanks Coach Steve and crew! Here's another amazing fact, a lot of these kids have been playing together since they were 4 years old. Nice lesson for the boys to begin learning...hard work and dedication does pay off.

Congrats to the Storm players and parents! Parents...we made it through another successful season. I don't know about you but my blood pressure needs a break and my hair dresser has some work before her to get rid of many, newly acquired gray hairs.

I now understand why my parents always told me it was more nerve racking to watch your kids activities then to actually participate yourself. Mom, I only wish baseball parks had rafter seating. You’d be proud though, I have mastered the skill of pacing. :>)

Quick note: Thanks to Wendy Kall for the photos I "borrowed" from her blog.

Keiser Family Vacation

I know...I know... The blog hasn't been updated in a long time! But, who am I kidding - no one but me really cares - right? :>) So here comes the list of my excuses... Nah, I'm not going to bore you with that mess, I'm just going to get straight to the most recent updates.

In March, the Keisers (all of us) decided to take a family vacation. I can laugh now as I imagine what everyone was thinking when I suggested that we really should get the kids together for a vacation and especially now since the boys Spring Breaks aligned this year. Here were my thoughts…. Mom and Dad, although eager at any opportunity for us all to be in one place weren't going to be able to get away from us. Ha! We would be able to hold them hostage and they couldn't return to their (quiet) house after spending just one evening away. And Steve, the one who loves his family but often seeks solace in "needing to get back to work" wasn't going to be able to escape being all together in one condo. And then there was Tammy... well, I think she was praying all during the planning phase that maybe, just maybe, the trip would get diverted to the beach. No such luck! The boys and the "princess" …they were just all excited to be together. So, that left Erik and I who quite frankly (mentally) had our bags packed from the time that the idea hit my head. We love Utah and, of course, spending time with the family!

And, yes, you read that correctly. We ALL stayed in one condo - a three bedroom condo - together in Park Cities, Utah! That's 6 adults and 4 very loud kids. I told you...no escaping for anyone. Let me just say - bless the invention of wine!!!

We (hmmm...wonder if I'm only speaking for myself) had the best time. Tate, Erik, Steve and I were the only ones that had previous ski experience so as you can imagine the Keiser attitudes, frustrations, and "I don't need help from anyone else" personalities were running high. Tammy, although upon arrival was still hoping the plane would land on a tropical island, was a trooper and skiing in no time. We even had the three year old - Princess P - up on skis and heading down the mountain like a champ. Have I told you yet how much fun "we" had?!?! How about the fact that I love skiing in Utah. I now realize it gets even better when you bring your family along.

I'm not going to bore you with any of the stories from the trip but let me just add this one last piece of information. Along with the skiing and snow related activities, we visited the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics - Salt Lake City Olympic Park (pictures in a separate blog post) and shopped a little - ok, Mom, Dad and Tammy. We even had a moose sighting while we were there – a vacation thrill especially for Erik. Have I said this yet? What a beautiful area!

Enjoy the photos … I know they make me smile every time and look forward to the next family trip. Guess we owe Tammy a trip to someplace warm. Maybe we'll board a big ship.....stay tuned!

Daddy Daughter Dance

There are no words to express how these pictures make me feel other than they make my heart happy.

More twirling and practice dancing was going on in our house prior to Peyton and Erik's departure than I have ever seen. Her signature dance moves are the robot and "shake your booty". Don't ask.... just remember that she is all Berry!

This little girl has already stolen many hearts! Watch out boys though...her daddy reports that she was the most high maintenance date he's ever had!

A glimpse into the dance before we left them on their date. ========>