Christmas Pictures

Ok, so I'm a little late doing this post. We spent an hour setting up pictures to take for the christmas card. (if you didn't get one...sorry...I ran out of cards)

Here are just a few of the shots done. Again - digital cameras are great! Some 95 shots and only about 5 saved. Two kids both smiling, looking at the lense, eyes open, and not killing each other. Quite a challenge. I don't know how those who have more kids do it?!

Fried Turkey and Fireplaces

Having friends over is a weekly tradition for our family. Fellowshipping with like minded people is a treasure we are truly gifted by God. [Christmas was wonderful, don't get me wrong. Our Family, I wouldn't trade for the world. We enjoy hanging out with them often. Previous posts prove that.] Last night though we had friends, who are quickly becoming like family, over. We were trained in the art of frying a turkey. Boy do they taste good when done right! Throw in a bunch of sliced potatoes and onions afterwards and you have some good eatin. After dinner we enjoyed a drowsy sit by the fire playing musical chairs since only 3 chairs fit in the room where the fireplace is. We definitely need a bigger fireplace in a bigger room when the house gets redone. Which by the way will begin in March.....Lord willing and weather permits.
Fire is definitely another gift from God. Last nights 30's temps were driving us to pyro behavior. Yes, call me a wimp, but I like warmth.
Sitting in front of the fire watching it dance and spit. It is soothing to watch, and allows your mind to wander to deeper thoughts. I marvel at the creativity God has in even something as the color of flames and the way it plays over a log. Growing up I would wonder if the gates to hell looked similar to when flames dance up both sides of a log. Small pieces of bark were those who had to enter through the terrible gates. Morbid I know, but it made me consider hell and desire never to see it in reality. God uses so much in our little lives while growing up.
Well rambling thoughts are done...I'm off to cook breakfast.

The life of a cold

Having a cold is not very much fun. A stuffed up nose, tiredness, and a scratchy throat are never a real favorite. It isn't a full blown cold...just the type that you can feel sitting in your head just waiting to strike when you aren't paying attention. You aren't dead to the world nor totally well and up leaping about. My family finds it amusing that I hum when I'm coming down with something. [O come all ye faithful has the most interesting ring to it] Hey, you must know the feeling when you can hear yourself and you sound really funny. It is something to do when you shouldn't be doing anything.
Dumb movies are another. Children's cartoon's and old movies that you have seen over and over again are a big distracter. Anne of Green Gables, Mickey Mouse, You've Got Mail......When you can sit, rest, and just turn off your brain. So far today we have watched a Barbie movie (Chandler was sitting with me.) and Beverly Hills Cop...it was free at the library. It's amazing what you find hilarious when you don't feel like yourself. Played on Neopets. Haven't been on there for months. The pets were dying. Nice thing about cyber pets...nothing really can happen to them.
Well, the brain is going fuzzy
Think I'll stop

Lots of Nothingness

Tom & I had a date night. Thoroughly enjoyable (but not the reason for the post). He catered to my whim and we walked the mall to observe people. I was hoping to see the rumored fights for clothes, but 'sadly' there were none.
What I did observe, at least at the Northridge Mall, was the total lack of class. There was very little Christmas decor up and what was up --completely hokey. I also noticed the stores have changed their fronts to cater to the young, disposable income, grunge style that make up the majority of our high school student body. Even Victoria Secret, who yes, used to have more classy clothing, now showcases a line that looks like it belongs among the cheap row of stores found along Sepulveda Blvd. that carry even cheaper fabric sewn to look like it can be worn more than once as long as it isn't washed.
And what was even sadder, (is that a word?) was the people walking the mall. Many looked like zombies from a 'B' movie. Aimlessly wandering, with no apparent place to go... But with a need to empty their meager savings into pointless trinkets that catch their fancy. So goes the way of those lost souls who can never have real joy without Christ. Yet one more contrast between those who have hope and those who don't. I came home praying more fervently for those who are not saved and thankful that my joy is in the Lord and the happiness of purchasing & wrapping gifts is not my end all.

Christmas Time

Yes, it has been a busy month. Like many of you have probably had too. We kicked off the Christmas season by getting our tree. (There is a wonderful tree lot in Thousand Oaks where you can cut your own for a realistic price.) The kids have a ball. We enjoy watching them run among the trees. Oh, the fragrance is purely from the Lord! It doesn't feel like it should be Christmas till I smell the pine. ....ok call me weird. The challenge is always to find one that is narrow but tall. I always underestimate the true size of the tree and the space it is to be placed. Two years ago the tree was so wide we only had about 2 feet of opening to walk between it and the wall. Tom has to remind me, yearly, just how narrow the tree really needs to be. But the large trees are so beautiful! ....but they also would take up the entire living area. I did have the pleasure of purchasing two trees this year. We were able to get a 14 foot tall -5 foot wide tree for the ISP Christmas Pageant 'Christmas Dinner'. The tree was beautiful and perfectly imperfect. It was decorated with white lights, paper chains, popcorn strands, and candy canes. Very simple, but had its own beauty none the less. Yes, the ISP had a pageant. I can proudly say that Tom put together the script. It was quite cute. He even played Mr. Edwards in the Little House scene. Quite good, if I can brag. Even with the hic-ups throughout the play it was quite quaint and everyone appeared to enjoy it. The tavern that was set up for the dads was a huge hit. Their own personal space complete with shavings on the floor, dart boards, peanuts, and Henry Weinhard root beer. They fellowshiped, hid, and had a ball. This may become a tradition for ISP events. Chandler was in the group that sang 'Merry, Merry Christmas'. Harrison was in the nativity skit playing a New Zealand shepherd (complete with boogy board), and also joined with the group that sang 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'. The culmination of the play was the discussion between a father and his family about how gift giving is an example of how Christ gave us the gift of His life to save us. A wonderful reminder of why we do all the celebrating in the first place.

The fall months have been filled with lots of activites.

Harrison & Chandler carved pumpkins. Chandler wanted hers to be 'standing on his head'...so of course we carved him upside down. We had a post haloween party where the kids had a few friends over. We played one game - mini powdered donuts hanging from string - the goal to eat it the fastest. It didn't go over really well because one kid got his braces stuck and therefore tied to the donut. Quite amusing for the parents - not so for the child. The children then spent the evening consuming large quantities of soda and candy while watching a movie. We then sent the children home.

In November we had the opportunity to make Christmas cards for the 'shut-in' (dear older saints who are no longer able to make it to church).

The 2nd weekend I coordinated another wedding for some friends. The wedding was beautiful. It is a bizare feeling helping do the wedding of someone you used to babysit. I don't feel that old. =>

Around Thanksgiving we spent 9 days in Seattle visiting family. Cold but fun. Took a fieldtrip opportunity and did the Seattle Underground tour. The adults enjoyed it - the kids, well lets just say they didn't appreciate the historical information that was given along the way. It didn't rain for most of the days we were up there. Snow fell lightly the night before we came home, but melted by the following morning. It was a relaxing trip with no goal other than visit with the family. Wonderful!

Harrison Takes a Closer Look

Well, it happened. The Roehr & Brown vision gene took effect. Harrison needed glasses for seeing distance. He had his appointment with Dr. Beeve then later that afternoon Auntie Shannon accompanied us to Lenscrafters to pick out a pair of glasses. We had fun trying on the various styles...from big ol' bug eyed



- to the Professor Trelaney look - to Harry Potter - to the College professor - to Geek. We had quite a bit of fun. The final hip n' trendy set that Harrison chose are a cool pair of DK's with protective scratch resistance. I am so glad they give kids glasses a discount of 50%.

The Final Choice

Ooh what fun!

This past weekend we had the fun of watching Jackson for the day. It was quite a hoot to watch his little mind work. He copied the kids in just about everything. If they were laying on the floor he did too. Eating a drumstick - he wanted a bone too. A big kid cup - of course he got one just with a lid on it.

Today Chandler got her cast off. She was so excited that the SAW was going to be used on her. No fear there. ...she still may not play on anything that she might fall off of, but she can work on gaining back her mobility. Her wrist is stiff. Auntie Gretchen is going to have to suggest some exercises.

Happy to Fear ??? God

The past couple of months our fellowship group has been going through a series on Ecclesiastes. It has been quite thought provoking and a wonderful reminder to me about the vanity of life without our God. The 'rabbit trail' our pastor has gone down for the past couple of weeks has been a great stimulator of discussions and personal contemplation about our fear of God leading to repentance and restoration with the Savior. Without Fear of God dealing out the consequences to those who are obstinate and disobedient we can not fall to our knees and truly honor and worship Him. Without fear each action and thought is based on embittered obligation rather than joyful submission to His perfect will.
Being reminded how much our Father wants to bless us if we obey and the curses that He will meet out if we are not His is so encouraging at this time. Friends and family are going through some major trials. Those who are saved are seeking comfort in Him and are blessed beyond measure....not with personal 'stuff' but with hearts that are at peace, with steadfast hope of His perfect timing, and are sharing their trials with us and comforting the rest of us in the Goodness of God through it all. Those that aren't redeemed are terrified, blaming God, trying to bargain with Him (as if He is a trader of goods), and asking questions of eternity.
I remember when someone in our family (who wasn't saved) was dying there were those that didn't want him to be 'scared into heaven', and yet that is just what needs to happen from a certain point of view. We need to fear the wrath of God, we need to fear the God of the Heaven so that we can then see our need for that same God to save us. I don't know if that family member truly ever got saved. It would be nice to delude ourselves into thinking he made a last minute decision, and yet he agreed with everything and yet didn't live it personally. He agreed because it was the "religious" thing to do, and yet he didn't repent. Each time the topic of salvation came up you felt more like you were receiving a pat on the head than a personal affirmation of agreement on the topic you just discussed. Personal sin was never seen within the life. Deals - yes, God as your neighbor - yes. But never the God of the Universe, Awesome and powerful. ...to see our own unworthiness before the Creator...and then repent of our sins leading to a heart devoted to God.
I am learning that mortality and frailty is a good thing. God teaches us great things through our own hurts and those around us. Learning to pray for God's goodness to be bestowed yet knowing that it may not mean healing is a hard "pill" to swallow. I watch those around us gaining strength from Him through the situations and sit in wonder at how our Great Father works!

School has been underway for the past month. Life is getting back into a routine. Yeah I know 1 month is a long time to be getting back. Sorry, but I must remind you that I am far from perfect. This year Harrison is taking writing, science, & PE through the ISP, swim thru the Y, and AWANA on Wed. nights. He loves it all. He even has the same leader in Awana as last year. Chandler is taking library, music, & PE at ISP and Awana. She was in Ballet & Swimming at the Y until the 16th....
While visiting family Chandler fell off her scooter and fractured her arm just above the wrist. We spent a glorious Sunday morning in the ER. Thankfully it wasn't on the growth plate. Her arm was splinted in a half-cast. For the next week she did her chores as if the left arm didn't exist. Quite a sight. A follow-up appointment with her dr. down here told us we needed to see an Orthopedic dr. to have it fully casted. We met the wonderful Dr. McKeever at SCOI and Chandler picked out her color of choice....you guessed it PINK. She even has signatures on it after we explained that part of the whole cast scenario is that people must write on it. It makes it a fun memory.
Back off the Rabbit Trail:
Chandler & Megan are also a part of the Keeper's club that our ISP is doing. We are with a group of K-1st grade girls who meet once a month and the girls learn different skills. The focus is on training them to be Keeper's at Home. The mindset is on serving others through practical skills and abilities. By using your gifts, you are able to serve the body of Christ and others may see your love of the Saviour.
Harrison may be joining the Contender's Club. Something similar to Keepers just with a more boy centered theme: Leadership, woodworking, archery, etc...
I am teaching Writing again this year. This time it is two classes. One for the 4-5th and the other is for 6-7th grade. It has been quite fun. A new challenge, but that is what makes it fun. Since last year's theme was Nautical, this year we decided to do Medieval. Both classes are titled The King's Court. The students move up in rank; from the lowly Cottar to the stately Baron. We even have the 'Gong Farmer' for those who receive behavior guidance forms. You can do the study into what a gong farmer is...lets just say it isn't pretty.

Family Beach & Camp Days

We spent a week in Carpenteria and another weekend in Balch Park (Sequoias). Both trips were fun. Spending time with family and friends is always a time of learning, patience, and fun. ...not in any particular order of course....but then that is the way it is anytime you spend long hours with people.

Walks to the beach, building sand castles, walks to the local eateries, a scaveger hunt, interesting servers and food = Beach trip.

Hikes on very dirty trails, fallen logs the size of your house, redwoods that were growing since the time of Christ, all those stars!, roasting marshmellows, setting up a new tent, hunting for frogs, getting filthy = Camping

Oh the Things you can do...

Summer is quickly coming to an end but there are still a few last hurrahs. We have been blessed to go swimming, hang out at the beach, pick peaches, and just hang out…most of the time doing it with friends both old and new. The kids had the opportunity to attend a first aid class taught by some of the ISP moms. It was a treat to end the class with a visit from the Fire dept. who answered questions and gave us an opportunity to see all the gear they wear to help fight fires and still stay safe.
Swim lessons have been going well. Harrison is enjoying them and improving his strokes. There is even a young friend in the class with him, so he has a buddy.

The peaches were delicious! We had lots of cobbler. Lots. They were super juicy and oh so sweet.

Movie seen

Tom & I had the chance to see the latest Harry Potter movie: The Order of the Phoenix. It is the first time in a long time I didn't sit thru the movies thinking oooh they missed this part, they should have stuck in that part, this was so important to the plot-why did they leave it out. While few movies stick completely to what the author has put to paper - I do expect the overall premise and main plots to be there. For the first time the location of the castle and Hagrid's hovel have been in the same location they were in the previous film. It was always a game of 'find the new location of Hagrids' with each film. While some things were changed to keep from introducing yet another non-essential character, the main thread woven was much the same as the book. The only part that would have been nice, although not necessary to the story, was more involvement with the twins and Umbridge.
While the H.P books are far from being considered GREAT literature on my list...I have found them wonderful for entertainment value, although I am beginning to wonder if Rowling is being paid, like Charles Dickens, by the word. Sadly, what is considered great lit by today's standards fails to come close to those from the past. I have read few current authors who have the ability to bring the reader into their world and teach invaluable life lessons in the process. I have yet to learn anything from the HP books that even gives me pause to think. Everyone is rebellious, breaking rules is fun, revenge isn't good - but it isn't bad in small doses either, and if authority doesn't give you a reason it is ok to do your own thing. While it is an amusing story for an adult to read, since we should have the ability to discern; the story line has been discussed whenever Harrison reads them about the folly of each character.

Summer Fun

Life is flying by for us. Summer has quickly filled with fun things that keep us movin and a shakin. Harrison was in a basketball camp for 2 weeks up at M's College. It was an intense 6 hours of daily practice Monday-Thursday. The coaches had them doing drills that I was amazed the kids were able to do. Granted I sat and watched on Thursday so Monday probably looked nothing like it. His skills improved by leaps & bounds...and he had fun in the process. The neat thing was that the coaches led the group of 60+ kids in devotions every morning and stressed how unimportant basketball was compared to living a life devoted Christ. It was wonderful to watch how kids who showed kindness towards others and perseverance were given notice (They were given an otter pop at the end of the day). Harrison was even recognized one day after the coach noticed that even after getting hit in the face with the ball, he continued to try hard. This was exciting news since we have been working on this. Now Harrison is up at the Jr's Summer camp till Tuesday. Chandler has been my little shadow throughout the last two weeks. She got very excited when Harrison would come home every evening. She did comment how much the car smelled like sweat after picking up Harrison and his friends. She is such a girly-girl. Chandler is having friends over today to swim. She is very excited and has great plans for all that they will do.

School Is DONE! Summer BEGINS!

We had our last day of school and the ISP commencement night on Thursday. It was an evening filled with year book signings, farewells, grades, food, and fun. The kids are now working on what they want to do this summer. So far it is filled with having over friends, days at the beach or park, a camping trip, hikes, ballet and swimming. That is just what they came up within 20 minutes....and it has been added to since. If all of it occurs I will be surprised. But hey, never a dull moment right?.....I think I may want a few of them though. The kids are signed up for Vacation Bible School at a local church, Harrison will be attending summer camp again this year. He will possibly go to basketball camp too pending the cost.

We kicked off the summer with Family Fun Night. Relay races and of course the expected injuries were a part of the evening fun. Dodge ball was a highlight. And of course our TEAM won!

Camping and Keeping busy

Memorial day weekend was spent apart...
Tom & the kids went 'camping' in the Sacramento area with a group of friends. I had a wedding to help with, so stayed here.
The gang had a blast. Good food and fun. Visited an old cemetary, swam in a stream, cooked over a BBQ, made cookies, hung out in a spa, and visited a historic mining town. You'll have to ask why there was a spa, among other things on a 'camping' trip. Harrison caught a fish. Chandler played with friends, Tom found a flake of gold.
I salvaged the wedding flowers that had become rotten before the ceremony began, spring cleaned the living room, dining room and kitchen (I know, you're all just clamoring to do that too.), finished a couple of gifts for people (no, sadly, they probably aren't for you), and got a lot of reading done. Since I was home alone I freaked myself out after watching a murder mystery Saturday night[Agatha Christie is a favorite] and stayed awake till 5 am. Fell asleep and didn't wake up till 11:30 am. Needless to say I missed church.
I know, I'm pathetic.
School is SOOOO close to being done. Two more big party flings and then summer begins. The kids are basicly done with all their books. Math will be the only subject that remains thru the summer. Something I was planning on anyway so that we don't loose our knowledge of math facts.

Races, Weddings & Year End stuff

Well life continues on. Sometimes just flying by without us...other times we are indeed on the band wagon. Harrison participated in the car races for AWANA. He and Tom made the car look like a green shark. It is quite impressive. The car did very well, placing 14th. They have plans for next years games already in the works.

The end of the school year is upon us. I am so ready to be done. I have more of a 'spring itch' than the kids do. I don't know why...I just do. The writing class is going smoothly. At least I think it is. None of the moms really give me feed back. I'll just have to wait and see. As one of the aids for the class says, "I'm so intimidating to talk to. Especially when I wear the bow in my hair." Next week I have to give a little 'talk' to the moms about what we will be teaching next year. I hope to give them some guidelines for next year too. That way if there is a concern, etc. they may actually come talk with me. I think I have also come up with next year's theme: The King's Court. Keep it centered around a medieval theme.
This last weekend I coordinated a wedding in Riverside. It was quite fun and turned out beautifully. It was an exhausting but very rewarding weekend. I was quite proud of the programs I designed. The only 'hiccup' was when 20 of them got wet, bled, and had to be reprinted the morning of. Kinko's didn't charge us for them since the paper I provided didn't get cut properly and had to be reprinted again. God protected the 3 days of work putting them all together. We were all so thankful that only 20 were ruined, not the whole 140 of them.

A Mini Vacation

We had a wonderful time in SanDiego. The weather was perfect and the places we visted were memorable.

We spent Tuesday at Sea World. The kids had never been. They enjoyed all the animals we got to see. The park has added two water rides. We survived the trip to Atlantis....although Chandler wasn't keen on the water drops. The second is a rapids ride. Harrison got 90% soaked - and loved it! The gals were quite happy to remain on dry land. The dolphin and Shamu shows haven't changed much. Some new tricks, but the same old sappy 'hug a whale - become one with them' stuff they have always had. We enjoyed the shows none the less. Harrison was thrilled to pet the 'rays' that were in a huge tank. That was his favorite. Another enjoyable part was the walrus that liked to play 'peek-a-boo' with the camera. A real ham!

Wednesday we spent at Balboa park's Air & Space Museum and The Science Center. All the docents for the Air museum were WWII vets. They had fun talking with the kids. The planes that were on display to show the history of aviation were really neat. There were many hands on areas too. The docents let Harrison try the flight simulator for free. He had a blast! Chandler enjoyed the 'pretty planes'.

The Science Center had many cool hands on exhibits. There was also an area devoted to 'Grossology', where you could find out why your nose runs, what skin blemishes look like when magnified to the size of a dinner plate, how you throw up, why you burp, among other topics not suitable for discussion at the dinner table.

Thursday's focus was Legoland. A fun place devoted to those little plastic building blocks. It was amazing to see what they have built out of all those little things. The rides were creative and fun for the kids ...and parents too. We ended the weekend with a visit to Grandma Marilee's house for dinner. Delicious food and a joy to see her again.

It is somewhat official - And an answer to prayer

Tom has been hired by Countrywide. He will be working in Westlake Village as a Sr. QC underwriter. We have come full circle. We only pray that this time the work environment is less stressful. We'll just wait and see. Since he doesn't start the position until April 30th we are taking a short vacation down to San Diego. We'll visit Sea World (the kids have never been), Legoland (Tom has never been), and possibly The San Diego Zoo (none of us have been).We are excited to get away for a short while.

What's New Here

We have survived the SAT testing! yipee. The kids seem to have done well and enjoyed coloring bubbles.
Tom is in the process of seeking further employment. The company he was working for ran out of money and closed its doors. Don't worry...we are doing just fine. The two weeks prior we were in the process of sending out his resume, etc. since we could see the proverbial axe about to drop. The foolish, emotionaly driven decisions being made and the dream world the CEO was living in was not going to keep the company afloat for long. There have been several interviews and now just have to wait on God's timing and the job He has instore for the next chapter in the Brown saga. We are looking at it as a 'forced' vacation time, which we are taking advantage of.
On to other news, we bought more chickens...yep, 4 months from now the fridge will be overflowing with eggs once more. I'll let you know when we will start to beg people to take them...that or sneak them into your bags when you come over. We have yet to name most of them. Our goal of naming them after literary characters has hit a wall for the moment. There are not many female characters that we all have a fancy for. Chandler did name the blonde one 'Lucy' from the Narnia books, another may be dubbed Mrs. Bennet if she turns out to be as nervous and flighty as the character from the book. The other 3, well please feel free to offer suggestions.

Since Tom has been home we have gotten several things done around the house that needed to be taken care of (a layoff blessing). He and Harrison worked at splitting logs. Several of Harrison's friends were over and they all had a go at it. Amusing to watch young boys try to use a sledge hammer that is almost as heavy as they are.
We have been helping the ISP take pictures for the yearbook. (Another fun reason to get a good camera) We had to collect pictures of the moms with their kids. The one of me and the kids didn't turn out, so we retook the shot at home. 50 shots later we had one where both kids were smiling and looking (for the most part) at the camera lense.

The kids have savored having Dad home for a time. They all went fishing , enjoy running around doing errands, going to fly kites, work on model airplanes, dig up more of the monsterous stump in the back yard, and other such fun 'Dad things'.

Field Trip

We had the opportunity to visit the California Science Center. Wow was it interesting. So many things to see and learn about. The area dedicated to the human body was amazing. All I can say is WOW the LORD has done some incredible things. It is true that you are 'blind' to not see God's hand in His creation. One room showed the growth steps of the human fetus (all of whom had died of natural causes). It is amazing to see the growth up close. Even as early as 4 weeks the toes and fingers were so evident, not to mention the skull and the little brain growing inside. How can anyone say it isn't really human?! It was neat to walk thru but also still kept in mind that these babies had died, and most likely had caused someone grief in loosing this precious life. The comfort was knowing that each one is with their creator even now. He is so aquainted with all our ways!

The IMAX theatre had a movie on the ocean...in 3-D. It was great. The kids were a hoot to watch because they kept trying to touch the things they saw on the screen. An amusing thing was the sound effects they added to the animals' movements. ie. Clams fleeing from a sun star sounded like those little chattering teeth you wind up.

After the movie we went up to the assortment of Star Wars props and models. It was fun to see everything up close. A must for any fan. The kids had a ball.

Someone has learned to read!

Yeah! after months of working on the alphabet and tricks, songs, and countless review Chandler has read her first book! 'The Apple'

We are so excited. Unlocking the mysteries of learning are beginning to occur. She may join her brother in his love of books - but we will have to wait and see.
The LORD knew it was the teacher that needed to learn patience and humility vs. the student learning her skills.

Look who is 6

Yes, we have a 6 year old in our midst.
The day began with breakfast at IHOP. Smiley face pancakes are a must for kids! We then proceeded home and finished our school day like good little children should. Upon completion we went to Toys R Us to visit Geoffrey's Birthday Club and purchase Chandler's gifts. The birthday club gave her a crown, a balloon, and was supposed to announce her name and age over the loud speaker (but that never happened). We then had her cover her eyes with her crown. Harrison & I then picked out the gifts. Upon making our purchases we stopped at Maggie Moos to pick up an ice cream cake. Chandler picked it...pink icing and all.
Dinner consisted of Thai food (one of her favorites). Opening family gifts was next on the agenda. She received her first jewlery from Daddy. Cake followed. Did I mention that SHE picked it out.
Following the typical festivities we watched an episode of Hogan's Heros (another of her favorites - her father's daughter), and played with the new gifts. Strawberry land was introduced to some new items and drama. Since there is a short supply of men in SL daddy needed a man to play with. A StarWars character was introduced, given a purple pony with yellow hair (they are all the rage these days), and a hairbrush (don't leave home without it). They then proceeded to fend off the advancing hoard of evil robotic somethings led by Captain Harrison. Mom watched the story unfold with great interest.
Stawberry Land was saved and preparations for bed quickly became the focus. Their beds were then occupied and 1st John was put on for their listening pleasure before dream state took over.
All in All a wonderful day.

Legos & Park days

Harrison (with a little help from dad) completed the Lego Super Star Destroyer. Yeah! [cheering can be heard in the background] Now it is on display in the entertainment room...tours held daily...

Yesterday evening we got out of the house and enjoyed the winter weather of 92. yep, it is such a bummer to live in LA. The kids rode their scooters around and then played on the playground

equipment. I had fun playing with the new camera. Since going digital it has been fun to play with the rapid shot option. 168 shots in a period of 5 minutes...14 actually saved.

Harrison honed his skill of jumping off swings. Chandler enjoyed leaping into the sand. Since the creek that runs thru the park has water in it the frogs were out and about croaking and lifting their voices to their creator. Tom & Harrison want to come back and catch a few one night. It should be fun.

Christmas season in Columbia, CA

Ok, everyone HAS to go to Columbia at least once during the Christmas season. It is well worth the trip...at least we think so.

We had the opportunity to visit Columbia (about 1 hour east of Stockton) with Shelley, Gretchen & Alan. It is a small town restored to its glory days during the gold rush period. During the Christmas season the town's folk are regaled in period dress and wander about the town spreading Christmas cheer. The candy store has multiple demonstrations on candy making including candy canes. We were blessed with the opportunity to watch up close how it is done and then were each given a piece to form for ourselves. (It is MUCH harder to do than it looks!) Tom made a cow pie, Gretchen a 'C', Alan a stick, Harrison a cobra, Chandler a heart, Shelley - her own modern art, and I made an 'M'. It was easier to play with it that in was to roll it properly and form the cane. Several of the old storefronts are on display including an apothecary and dentist office (I'm glad for the modern day thank you very much). The local 'bar' complete with bowling alley was availble for our pleasure. The original hotel is open and available to stay in. We tried but it was already booked.

Needless to say, go. The drive up was lovely and the living history was a lot of fun. We hope to make it a yearly trip for at least a little while.