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Snow, Snow, Snow
Feb 14th
It snowed last Friday here in Atlanta. We received 3 inches of snow which is probably the most we have experienced since the first year we were here. It was great fun as you can see from the video below. 
I’m off to LA in the morning for 2 weeks. Which is much better than the 4 weeks my work was initially proposing. Pen will do a fantastic job as Super Mum. Meanwhile while I’m over there, I will get a chance to check out the LA church plant C3 Studio City.
Super Bowl weekend
Feb 7th
This weekend we had our friends Trevor and Amy Garrett come and visit from Toronto. Trevor and Amy pastor the Toronto C3 Church, they are fantastic people and we love to see them whenever they come into town. The kids love having Trevor and Amy come and visit too as they always bring them books by one of their favorite authors Robert Munsch. This time they received the books Stephanie’s Ponytail (Annikins) and The Fire Station (Classic Munsch).
In addition to this Daniel came down with a fever this weekend which put an immediate hold on our Super Bowl plans. Instead of catching up with a bunch of friends, we are now spending the night at home as a family, hoping that Daniel will be well enough to go to school tomorrow. So far so good!
Earlier this week there were layoffs at work. It was a real shame to see people who you have worked with over the past 9 years let go. At least they are being given a package of sorts. Still it’s not a great thing.
In other news it looks like I will be traveling for work again. I have been asked to be involved in a new project which requires Flex programming experience. I will be working in LA for a period of time. Not too sure on the dates or how long (that is still to be decided) but it will happen. I’m sure when it happens Pen will do a fantastic job as “Super Mom” again.
It’s time for the Super Bowl so I will sign off now. Here’s hoping the Saints win this one.
Various Ramblings
Jan 29th
So my work travel is done. Two weeks away from the family is enough I think, especially when your weekend flies. Getting home on Friday night and leaving by 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon does that. Still it was a good experience with everything seemingly going as well as you could expect.
While in Orlando and Miami I met some nice people in the office, and was even able to catch up with our friends Dale and Bob Woodbridge while I was in Miami. It was great to see them again and to hear what had been going on in their lives.
The strange part about the travel was that I spent my birthday in Orlando. So I celebrated my birthday in my hotel room, by myself. Penni and the kids did send me a video though wishing me a happy birthday which made it all better.
In other news it turns out that that this weekend is going to make the 11th weekend in a row that Atlanta has had either a wet or cold weekend. I’m glad I got a bit of warmth by going to Miami. Here’s hoping that Atlanta’s groundhog General Beau Lee doesn’t see his shadow and our winter is soon coming to an end.
It’s also strange this year because we don’t really have any vacations planned yet. Last year we basically had the whole year planned out before it had even started. My Parents were coming in April, so we were going to go to Disney with them. Then in September we were all heading off to Australia for a couple of weeks. This year beyond a vague Penni and I are going somewhere to celebrate 10 years of marriage (probably Paris) we don’t have a clue. Any suggestions? Disney again? The beach?????
Traveling for work
Jan 10th
For the next two weeks I will be working in Florida. Finally after a couple of years the old BellSouth Data is being merged into the AT&T database and systems. Subsequently I am traveling to Orlando FL this week and Miami FL next week to hold the users hands as they get used to using a new system. I get to come home and see everyone for the weekend but fly out on the Sunday night.
Meanwhile back on the ranch Pen will be “Super Mom” looking after the two kids by herself. So far things look good as our neighbors Jason and Julie have invited Pen and the kids over for dinner tonight, and Pen’s friend Annie will be dropping by tomorrow night.
Last night Pen and I went out for dinner with our friends Brian and Jessica for my birthday. We went to Outback Steakhouse, where you can buy real Australian beer. James Boags Premium larger was my favorite beer in Australia and it is offered at Outback Steakhouse. We had a fantastic time hanging out with Brian and Jessica and wish we could do it more often. A big thanks to Annie who came over to babysit the kids.
A Week at Home
Jan 1st
Christmas was lots of fun with Santa delivering a Wii, Maxus Bakugan’s, Baby Dolls, books, DVD’s and electronic photo albums. A delicious Lamb Roast for lunch followed by a day of just hanging out and playing, made it a perfect day.
To add to the Christmas fun, Pen and I both took the week after Christmas off to be with the kids.
On the Monday we took the kids to the Georgia Aquarium. As you can see from Stephie’s expression, it was a day of amazement for her. As for Daniel, you can see it was a day of map reading.
Tuesday was quite simple, we asked the kids what they wanted to do, and they requested McDonalds for lunch. So that was it. Pen also took Daniel to see Alvin and the Chipmunks at the cinema.
Wednesday we headed off to Ink which is not as some people have suggested a Tattoo parlor, but instead an “Interactive Neighborhood for kids”. We followed this up with Pizza for lunch. Another big hit with the kids.
Thursday morning we took the kids to Monkey Joes where they got to play with their friends Caden and Caelan McMullen. It was awesome to see Daniel and Caden running around together and Stephanie and Caelan playing together. Stephanie was addicted to speed (not the drug) as she kept climbing the biggest jumping castle and zooming down the slide as fast as she could go.
Friday looks to be a play date day, with either us visiting or people coming to visit us. Either way it will be good and the kids will have a blast. Daniel can’t wait to show anyone who comes through the door how to play the Wii.
With the year 2009 coming to an end and 2010 approaching fast, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year, and pray abundance and blessing upon you in 2010.
Happy New Year everyone!
The Weekend Before Christmas
Dec 19th
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the house, two kids were running about much noisier than a mouse.
There was Daniel counting every present under the tree, and Stephanie banging on every gift she could see.
Santa letters have been written and toy wishes been made, if only Mummy and Daddy knew how Bakugan is played.
Amazon is our friend, with presents galore, allowing Grandparents to send gifts that arrive at the door.
Computer Games, Bakugans, Baby Dolls and toys, these bring much joy to little girls and boys.
Mum and Dad will be home so we can all play, but how will we cope when it is 24 hours a day?
Aquariums, Museums, Zoos and Kidz-jump, these are the things to do when heads bump!
This upcoming year will be bigger and better, (lets hope Stephie’s pull-ups are drier not wetter!) 
And so with kids fast asleep ’tis time to say adieu, which is very hard to say with good friends like you.
But we’ll leave you with this because it just seems so right:
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
New Computer
Dec 8th
Pen and I had decided a while ago that our Gateway computer we had been using for 3+ years was nearing the end of it’s lifespan. Slowness of the system, which was causing frustration was the main culprit. We had decided that even though we wanted a new computer we would probably wait until the new year, just to get Christmas and everything out of the way.
That was until Cyber Monday came along, and Newegg.com offered a deal I couldn’t refuse. (The going price at the time of writing this article is $799, on Cyber Monday the computer system was offered for $650)
Two days later we had a new computer. This has lead to a week of setting up and trying to work out the new system etc. Finally though it seems we are back on line and running smoothly.
Everyone says that Windows 7 has great driver support. That is true, except for two of the devices we have. Our old Canoscan N1220U and our Intel Webcam didn’t have drivers. A quick search online showed that the last drivers made for both of these devices was for Windows XP. Since a whole operating system has been and gone since then, I guess I can’t complain too much.
The lack of drivers did however, lead us to purchase a new webcam. Really when you have spent $650 for a new computer, what is another $35 for a new webcam?
Now that the setup and extra purchases are done, we can finally get down to just enjoying having a lightening fast system again.
Thanksgiving 2009
Nov 24th
This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with our good friends Collin and Sarah McMullen. We were really honored to be asked to celebrate with their family, as we love hanging out with them. As an added bonus our kids are great friends too. A funny fact about our two families is when we were doing face recognition through Google Picasa, Picasa keeps getting our kids faces confused.
Last Thursday Daniel did his Thanksgiving performance at school. Once again he got to be the Pilgrim Minister and once again he had the loudest voice of all.
You can view the performance below.
Internet makes the world smaller
Nov 15th
In the 8 years we have been here in the states, we have been really lucky that it has been in the internet age. Before the internet people would either make long distance phone calls which cost a fortune or send a letter which would take a week to get to Australia. Once it made it you would then have to wait for the person to respond and then wait a week after that for it to get back to the US.
Now all that is required is to send an email. Or if that takes too long, send a SMS message to your family overseas (instant communication). Or if you want to see them, have a video conference via Skype or www.tinychat.com (if you want to see multiple people).
All of these things have really reduced the need to make international phone calls to family. It was great when Penni’s family came over to help us when Stephanie was born. I collected Gran and Granddad from the airport and then we went to get Daniel from daycare. When Daniel saw Penni’s mum he immediately said “Hi Gran”. It also helped greatly when we went Australia earlier this year. The kids were already familiar with their grandparents so the amount of time it took them to warm up to them was much smaller.
With data enabled phones becoming more common place, I can only see the internet becoming more and more necessary. Maybe one day the internet will be treated like a utility?
Pumpkin Carving
Oct 25th
Next weekend is Halloween and Penni’s birthday. Over this past week Daniel went to a Bert’s Pumpkin Farm with the kindergarten class. He had a great time and while there bought a little pumpkin for carving. As such when we went shopping at Kroger on Saturday we bought a few more pumpkins (larger size) and then sat down to carve them after lunch.
This meant that Daniel either selected the stencils from a book or told me what he wanted carved in the pumpkins. In the end Daniel’s little pumpkin had a “Mad Face” on it, while the two other larger pumpkins had a ghost and a bat carved into them.
So for the last two nights we have had jack-o-lanterns at our front doorstep. Really it is quite amazing how proficient I have become at carving pumpkins in the 8 years we have been here.
Next Sunday is Penni’s birthday, it’s a surprise what we’re doing but hopefully she likes/enjoys it.
