2009 Christmas Newsletter

This year we had the kids design the Christmas Card. Here are the four versions we sent out.

Christmas Card samples 2009

CityKids Christmas Program 2009

Yesterday was the big CityKids Christmas Program extravaganza!

Here is video of Emma's G2 dance group:

Teaching at Trinity

This past semester was my first teaching at Trinity (formally known as LBI) as an Affiliate Faculty member. A lot has changed since I was a student in the early '80's including the school moving to Everett and offering a number of Bachelor of Arts degrees. This semester I was teaching "COMM205 Digital Design Tools I" covering basic design principles coupled with fundamentals of digital design software programs (Photoshop & InDesign). This was a tremendous opportunity to give back merely a fraction of what I gained as a student.

Save the date. =)

Caleb: My new email/IM account, that I have now, has what I hope will be its permanent picture, (This one actually is centred around me.) And if I type this out, when somebody looks at my picture and ask's "When was that?" I'll say, "its on the blog!"

now

then

The WhaleTrail project

The recent news of a baby orca in J pod makes for an excellent opportunity to mention that there is also a baby non-profit organization focused on identifying locations to view orca’s from the shores of Puget Sound. It’s called the WhaleTrail and the brainchild of friend Donna Sandstrom. [Full disclosure: I’m a member of the WhaleTrail Board of Directors and helping to get things started] This is such a cool idea – there are so many places you can see whales all within a short distance of the Seattle metropolitan area. Look for more information about this exciting new project in the coming months - and in the meantime keep an eye out for that baby orca! 12/9/09: Here is a community blog article featuring Donna.
4/24/10: The City of Langley, WA declares that is it the official Whale Trail city on it's annual Welcome the Whales Day.

Cian's Jelly fish

Cian (5) drew a great looking jelly fish in art class. Watch out for those tentacles - they're dangerous!

Jelly fish 11.13.09

Colin Art

Colin's first try at Photoshop Elements comes out with what could be an award winning piece of self-portrait art. And he didn't even use the incredible self-portrait machine (though a Canon TX1 camera, Mom's Sony laptop, and Photoshop Elements 7 are definitely 'machines'). Here is Colin's work:

Colin (9) self-portrait
11.13.09

City church Small Groups

As the City Church started making Small Groups, also known as City Groups, Mom and Dad decided they wanted to be Small group leaders and started hosting their Small group every Sunday at 3:30.The Teaching they used was all about Winning in hard Financial times. They used Kenneth Copeland Ministries teaching and books while also printing out little papers that had stuff about the message.In fact, its pretty fun getting to host a Small group except for the fact that we have to clean the day before. But overall hosting the Small group is very fun. -Emma (10)

CityGroup Adults 11.8.09

Goodbeach October 2009

We took advantage of the Adobe shutdown this week and headed up to Whidbey Island to spend three days at Goodbeach. Here are the kid's video blogs taken on the ferry on the way home (including Cian who had no comment).

Christmas is coming!

It's already October and just two months away is Christmas! And so(I hope that this doesn't ruin my reputation of being patient) I've decided to bring out my Christmas list early, so here it is. (Not in order of how much I want it.) By Caleb B.

1. "The art of drawing people", I do not remember the Author but you can give me any book under this title.
2. Nintendo's "Metroid prime trilogy" for the Wii. See trailer.
   
3. Anything you think I'll like!
4. Orca trinkets.
   
   
   

The Dinghy

Here is a picture that Rilla drew of our Dinghy - a 2003 Zodiac Yachtline 480 (See the newest Yachtline models here). This was a part of a thank-you note we sent to the gentleman who sold us the boat (it took us a couple of months to get the title transfered and registration finalized). Rilla is in the front holding a stick and the boat's painter line - go figure!

Dinghy by Rilla (6)

Cinder-trailer

The pumpkin patch decided to envelope the dump trailer. This isn't a Cinderella story - how about a cinder-trailer story?

Colin & the Cinder-trailer

Sailing with the Smiths

Took the Brent & Joanne Smith Family out on the boat this afternoon after church. Put up staysail & main for a nice 3 knot sail in Port Gardner bay! Here is an image of Kate and Rilla on the boat.

Kate & Rilla 9.20.09

Barbie and the Diamond Castle

Just finished watching the animated DVD “Barbie and the Diamond Castle” with the kids for Friday movie night. Rilla (6) thought it was great! Not so sure about Caleb (13). Actually it had a fun musical theme.

Parent Sunday School Art Faux Pas

I know that Revelation 22:19 says to not take away from the words of the book…but this was unavoidable…well at least unconsciously. Numbers 20:5 through 21:20 (pages 177 and 178), while a very interesting passage including the death of Aaron, was subjugated to the classic parent faux pas of Sunday School art. Granted, our refrigerator is already full of masterpieces, but I dutifully collected Cian’s (4) paper plate magnum opus and without thinking tucked it into my Bible. Only later did I realize that they had used glue (real glue – not even a barely tacky glue stick) to affix the butchered magazine clippings! AND THE GLUE WAS STILL WET! Hence the words on that page were literally removed as I carefully separated the art work from the Word of God. By grace I have to believe that my salvation is still intact.

Boat Trip 2009

Freewinds 8.12.09

We had an awesome cruise - and after two years of working on the boat it was indeed a joyous occasion. The first real voyage was a ten-day excursion into Canada. We left Everett on Tuesday after a two-day turn-around. Here was our itinerary:

8/4/09 Goodbeach, Whidbey Island
8/5/09 Cornet Bay, Whidbey Island
8/6/09 Sucia Island
8/7/09 Montague Harbour, Galiano Island, BC
8/8/09 Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, BC
8/10/09 Maple Bay, Vancouver Island, BC
8/11/09 Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
8/12/09 Wescott Bay, San Juan Island
8/13/09 Goodbeach, Whidbey Island
8/14/09 Everett

Being former teachers and running a tight ship, we forced the crew to keep journals. Here are some picks from the kid's journals:
8/12/09 Caleb (13)
Today we set off again and this time I got to lift the anchor! The white button brings it up automatically and the black button brings it up manually.You have to make sure to not hit the figurehead. We did three things, we went through customs and are now in the U.S.A. again! Second Garrison (Wescott) bay, a place with hiking and forts from the pig war. This was where British and American's could not decide who owned the San June islands. A man shot a "trespassing" pig, the nations sent up there troops,but there was no fighting. Instead the troops got along very well and celebrated holidays like Christmas together.

Emma (10)
After all the preparation and some delays you could imagine our excitement when we finally started our 2 week boat trip.Well, actually, we didn't go for the 2 whole weeks like we'd planned. It was more like 10 days, it just took longer to get ready then we had expected. Papa Ray (our grandpa, Raymond) came to visit from his home in Florida and came with us on the boat trip.Having not sailed on the boat for almost 2 years (because it was in Seattle, being worked on) getting to be back on it was so much fun! and just in the hours to get to Whidbey Island, were our cousins, the Ostlings, were staying to paint the beach house for a week. After staying at Whidbey for a night we set off again. The only part I didn't like was that I didn't have a official place to sleep so I just slept wherever. After the days of waiting we finally got to our destination; Naniamo iland. Being there was my favorite besides zooming around in our new (ish) dinghy and getting to sail without the engine on. Leaving Naniamo was sad but we have fun doing stuff on land (like getting ice cream) just like we did on the way. Even though I had a great time on the boat I still am glad I'm home.

8/12/09 Colin (9)
We went to Roche Harbor. Then we went to Wescott bay. We visited the English camp. Then we went back to Roche Harbor in the dinghy. It was fun! Once we got there we had ice cream! And we went to a sculpture park.

Move to Everett

Moved the sailboat from Lake Union to Everett yesterday (two bridges and the locks to the sound). Just reinforced why sailing is so cool! Here is an image of the Mukilteo Lighthouse as we passed by. Here are some more shots from the 25 nm move at our Photobucket site.

Mukilteo Lighthouse 8.1.09

Freewinds Exterior Completed!

We took possession of the Freewinds today! CSR really did an awesome job! And with the forest green sailcovers from Gordon at Bob Picot we’ve had more folks comment on what a beautiful boat she is! In fact our neighbor at the Everett Marina asked if this was a new moorage for us and stated that the boat before us had been there a long time…Gail tried to persuade him that this was the same boat, but he didn't believe it. Finally his wife point out the masthead and he agreed that it was the same boat! Here is a shot of the CSR crew who worked on her. Thanks to all!

CSR Crew 7.31.09

Freewinds Update

Our boat, the Freewinds, is finishing up a multi-year renovation at the CSR Lake Union yard. Here is today's image (thanks to Emma!) - note the new dodger and initial sailcovers. We're hoping for the current projects to be wrapped up in the next two weeks for a two-week sail to Canada.

Freewinds 7.17.09

Gail's Flag Cake

Here is a shot of Gail's famous flag cake.

Fourth of July 2009

We had a great Fourth of July - with out-of-town relatives and friends from church joining us for the festivities. This included Gail's renown flag cake. Here is an image that Alec Brenchley took of the flag on our front porch.

Flag 7.4.09

Funny Ushers

Sometimes the ushers at church are really funny. By the time Gail and I get to the service after dropping kids off things have already started and the ushers are working to fill in the rows. So, for some reason, we were squeezed into the second row – thanks ushers! . During the greeting time folks were coming up and congratulating the people that I was sitting next to – even Pastor Wendell.

Come to find out the gal next to me was Lauren Greer from the UW Women’s Softball team that just that week took the NCAA Championship! Of course Pastor Judah, ever the sports fanatic, had to acknowledge this in front of everyone.

At the end of the service I told Lauren that I probably wouldn’t have sat here if I had known there would be such a commotion! Since I really didn't have a choice I’ll still blame it on the ushers!

Racoon Hiaku

After taking out three chickens in three days we finally caught the rascal. Gail could bear it no longer and wrote this 'coon Haiku to honor his relocation.

Coon roams, Goliath!
Kung Pao chicken in the coop
Cherry blossom bright

Racoon 6.5.09

Family Photo

Here is our yearly Family Photo...
Cian (4), Rilla (5), Colin (8), Emma (10), Caleb (13)

The Brenchleys' 5.31.09

Janet's Yard

We took on a multi-weekend project - helping 'Aunt' Janet with part of her yard. Here is an image of us after a hard days work.

At Janet's 5.16.09

Easter 2009

We had a great Easter! After Church we joined the Ostlings for dinner and then back down to our house for egg hunt and dessert. Here is a picture of Cian in the Easter egg hunt downpour.

Cian (4) Easter 2009

Sunny Sunday

Well, we've finally got A really sunny day this sunday! and with my camera handy I got some great shots. The day started by going to church.There we had a blast and headed home. As soon as we got home Colin started playing basketball. Here is the long video of him doing some hoops.

We also worked some, or at least mom & dad did. Here is a shot of Cian & dad flipping dirt. Colin, Caleb & I did play with squirt guns though. Unfortunately I only got a couple shots of us. In the end I did end up raking the leaves and got a pretty big pile. If you want to see the all the pictures here is my photobucket site.

Skagit Valley Daffodils

Here is an image of Colin and Emma at one of the daffodil fields in the Skagit Valley after their Trampoline meet. More images at our Photobucket site.

Skagit Valley Meet II

Today was the second meet at Skagit Valley and last meet of the regular season - now on to State. Here is video of Caleb on the Trampoline:

City Kids contest

At my church they give each grade a memory verse to learn each month and have decided to make a contest to see who can say all their verses by heart. The contest starts in June and I can already say the verses from July 2008 to March 2009. Whoever wins gets to go to City Kids camp for free! I am going to do the contest and also memorize Psalm 91!

Caleb's Fish Tank continued.

UP DATE.
As suggested I've turned off the light for three days, around the same time I reliesed two algae eaters/suckers. The algae has cleared away beautifully. Unfortunately the algae eaters died and a few tetras. (due to things that don't need to be explained.) So we bought two more (after doing some water tests.) and turned on the light so they get less then nine hours of light. (see "Caleb's fish tank".)







Current Status of Tank:

Skagit Valley meet

Last year, I started the trampoline & tumbling team. We had our second, and so far, my best meet on Valentine's day in Skagit Valley. All the things that I missed at the first meet I got at this meet. I got a gold, silver and a bronze medal. I was level 6 on tumbling and got a 45.9/60.0, level 7 on tramp and got a 20.0/30.0 and level 7 on double mini and got a 57.0/60.0. I had a great second meet!

-Emma

4 years ago I started the Northshore's trampoline & tumbling team. We had our second meet on Valentine's day. Here our my scores on tumbling: 48.3/60.0(just so you know I got a gold, another gold, and a silver medal!). On tramp, I got a 20.6/30.0. On double mini, I got a 57./.60.0! I had a great meet! -Colin

Valentine's Defense

Since Jack was good enough to blog his attempt at a romantic Friday the 13th, I must respond in my defense. I had obligated myself to deliver a dinner on the 14th to friends who recently had a baby. We knew our entire afternoon/evening would be spent in Mt. Vernon at a trampoline meet on Valentine's Day, so I kept debating whether to deliver the day before, or just the morning of the 14th. For various reasons, like forgetting to write a list for Costco and not having my new debit card yet (a long story), I was just not pulling things together in advance. I wasn't worried though, I had until Saturday morning. So....why was Jack insisting on trying to schedule my delivery? Any time I said I was going somewhere, he would ask if I was also going to deliver the meal as well. Now, I might give him a "honey do" list now and again, but I don't try to organize his schedule. It was as though he didn't trust me to meet my commitment. I finally told him via IM that I was going to bite his nose if he didn't stop it. Five minutes later I had a phone call from him, confessing to his ulterior motives. I felt a little sheepish, but not nearly as bad as when we got our first Christmas tree, 22 years ago!

Little Valentine Cookie Makers

Valentine's Day 2009

I wanted to surprise Gail with a night out and lined up a niece to watch the kids the day before Valentine's day. The only problem was that Gail is really hard to pin down and I couldn’t guarantee that she would be home. After numerous, subtle, attempts to figure out her schedule, she IM’d me that she would bite my nose if I asked again. Point taken…I had to show my hand and let her know. So much for a surprise! Next time I’ll just have to ‘kidnap’ her! Anyway we had a fun night out; had a bite to eat at Smashed Tomatoes, a new restaurant in Everett, and were back before the kid’s bedtime!

Colin's Report on Dad's Travels to San Francisco

My dad was in San Francisco Thursday and Friday this week. He stayed at the Serrano Hotel. He works for Adobe, and was too busy to see any sights. Here are some sights he could have seen: the Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli Square, the Fisherman's Wharf, and riding on the San Francisco Cable Cars.

Caleb's Fish Tank

I've had a fish tank for several months now , and just last month (last December) I finally filled it up, filtered and heated the water, bought six fish (3 neon tetra's and 3 zebra fishes). But then I got an algae bloom (from too much light) we know because mom found Aquarium pros. and now we know how to fix it.
Current Status of Tank:

Early Emma Video

Here is a early video clip of Emma when she was two - straight from the dusty archives (and now converted to Flash format). We put it together from stills of a photoshoot she had at Yuen Liu where she just started dancing around and the photographer just started taking shots.

High Water!

Well, the flood hasn't impacted us too much, although our main South-bound route to the Gym and Church is State Route 9 which is closed. Fortunately we can go West or East to still get around it - the additional time is the only inconvenience. Here is an aerial view of part of the closure taken by one of the Seattle news stations.

Flooded SR9 1.11.09

'flood water area' sign

Friday afternoon we toured the Snohomish River starting at the flooded Lincoln street (which leads into the Old Snohomish-Monroe road). Then we visited the boat ramp at Cady Park and walked the river walk in Snohomish - as far as we could. Here is the inundated 'flood water area' sign along Lincoln street with the railroad bridge in the background (Click here to see the Google Street view - wait for it to display). btw: Those dots are actually the tops of fence posts:

Flooded Snohomish warning sign 1.9.08

2009 Flooding

We had quite the change in weather over the past few days. Going from heaps of snow (even four additional inches only Monday morning) to a massive melt...then the resultant flooding. While this was only the third highest flood on record for the Snohomish River according to the National Weather Service's hydrograph data in Snohomish, it seemed to be much faster and much more wide spread. Even the Pilchuck River spilled it banks. Here is the view of the valley below our house (compare with a Summer shot). See more flood images here at our Photobucket site.

Snohomish River flooding 1.9.09