SOPA/PIPA Protest!

OMG!!  It's been almost a year since I've updated our family blog!!  WOW!!  I guess, all my intentions to be good over here have failed.  Well, if I manage to get another post up over here, I promise....It won't be tomorrow!  My FB and Twitter pages as well as my blogs will be inactive tomorrow in support of the protest of the SOPA and PIPA bills currently going through congress.  I'll be back online on Thursday but, in all honesty, it probably won't be on this blog.

Here's a link to my other blog where I have more information and links to resources to learn more.
Molly Pendlebury

A nutshell update

I've got a lot of catch up to do.  I'm feeling inspired to blog again so, I think I'll do a quick "nutshell" update on all of us.  Then, hopefully I'll keep up with more regular blog updates.

Ken ~ Working hard and traveling a lot more for his job.  His hobby is still Astrophotography but, sadly the weather hasn't been very cooperative this winter so, it's been nearly 5 months since he's been able to set up for imaging.  He stays current with following the community online and re-processing images from his library.  He also plays warcraft to have a little no-brainer fun and stress relief.  In the past 6 months or so, Ken's been having some health troubles.  We're still trying to get to the root of the problem(s) so, in the meantime, we are aggressively finding ways to help him cope with various symptoms.

Molly ~ Trying to keep the family productive, growing, learning and healthy.  Occasionally cleans the house and does laundry before we have to turn our clothes inside out to wear them again.  Miss spending time with my friends and try to make the most of it when I do see them.  I get to spend time with the family a little less but, there again, trying to make the most of it when we are able to see each other.  There's a long list of projects I want to get to but, they are always pushed to the back burner as I tend to my parental and wifely responsibilities.  Meanwhile, I'm studying hard and preparing for my Crossfit certification in mid March.  Aside from wonderful quality time with my family and friends, being in the Crossfit box and training brings me a lot of happiness.

Gwendolyn ~ Will be 5 next month and is full of spunk and intelligence to rival any Watson Jeopardy contestant.  It totally amazes us the kinds of things she says, does and knows.  I'm thankful she has so much intelligence.  Now, I'm just hoping she got her Dad's school skills and not mine.  Gwendolyn is also very "Type A" and thoroughly intends to control everyone and all situations around her.  This generally presents some challenging times.  In general though, she is still our very sweet girl who wants to cuddle and tell you how much she loves you.  Gwendolyn has been taking dance since the fall.  She seems to enjoy it even though sometimes, she doesn't really want to go to class.  Mostly she doesn't like that I can't go into class with her.  In December she performed a number at the towns "Christmas Stroll" on a big stage in front of many people.  She did fairly well but, is still warming up to performing.  She has a big recital in May where she performs both ballet and tap numbers.  She's most excited about the 2 costumes.  This recital will be at our local performing arts center where there's a giant stage, major theatre seating and awesome acoustics.  If she understood all that, I'm not sure she'd be very excited.  Next year we are going to try out gymnastics.

Link ~ Is 2 and a half.  He's only 2lbs shy of matching his sisters weight and not too far off from her height either.  Communication is still a challenge but, that's getting better.  He's a monkey and enjoys following his sister around and trying to do all the acrobatic things she does.  Link is crazy strong.  I'm totally amazed at the things he can not only pick up but, also carry.  He does pretty well with eating.  He doesn't care for veggies and limited fruits like his sister but, where he separates himself is that he loves protein.  When given a turkey sandwich, he always ditches the bread and eats the meat.  He also adores a cheese stick (so does his sister).  Another area they completely agree on is "Gummies".  Neither one of them can ever decline a chance to eat fruit gummies......if only those counted as eating fruit.

Both kiddos are enjoying their time at pre-school.  At the beginning of the year, they were going 3 days a week.  After the holiday's we decided to change to 2 days a week.  It was a good change for Gwendolyn because the Tue/Thur class had less children and was less chaotic in general.  There really was no change for Link.  He had the same small class and the same teacher.

That's the "nutshell" update.  We'll see if I can get on a regular blogging schedule......

A few from our summer travels (cont. again)

Below are some pics from our San Diego trip

Scott having fun with Rachel and Breea.  He totally digs at least a few kids, I don't care what he says ;o)

A nice lunch at Islands with my buddies.  Not a bad picture for hitting the self timer button and then leaping over the stroller (where Link was sleeping) and sliding in next to Patti :o)

We had a great trip to the San Diego Zoo.  There were lots of great photos especially since Paula was doing her thing with her nice camera.  This is seriously a small fraction of the photos.

Rachel, Breea and Gwendolyn with their "twinkie" shirts from Paula.  So Cute!!!  Thank you Po!!

Ok girls, where to next??

Gwendolyn was wherever Rachel was.  She really clung to her this trip.

Aside from her love affair with Rachel, this orangutang was a close second.  Gwendolyn is normally very cautious but, she didn't have any reservations at getting close to this guy.  Thank goodness for tall, thick glass.  I bet she might have been a bit more reserved had the glass not been there.

The kids really enjoyed the beach.  At first, I was a bit nervous but, it turned out awesome!

Here's Gwendolyn waiting for the Bride to arrive at Brian and Christina's wedding

Marc took us to Legoland.  First we went through the aquarium part and then into the main park.  Fun was had by all!!

The kids took some major convincing before they would try touching a starfish.  I have a cute photo of Link stretching as long as he can but, you can see straight down my shirt so, you won't be seeing that photo ;o) LOL

A giant Darth Vader and R2D2 made out of legos...very cool!

Yes, Link should be on the other side of that barricade.  Stinker!  Miniature land was rough as Marc and I were constantly taking Link off of the displays!

This was Gwendolyn's first face painting and she adored it!  There were MANY tears at the end of the day when it had to be washed off.

Oh yeah, totally awesome lego display of Hagrid and Harry Potter!  WOOHOO!!

This was our last night and we hung out at Wendy's

A few from our summer travels (cont.)

Below are a few photos from our TN trip

Gwendolyn LOVES the tube!  The best part is going for a tube ride with cousins!!  YAY!!

Every summer we always take a ride to a local lake ice cream spot.  

Link got his first boat driving lesson from Grandpa.  He loved it!

Below are wake surfing photos.  We all enjoy this relatively new sport.  We've been doing it now for 2 years now and everyone seems to have fun with it.

Duncan

Greyson

Ginger

Just some chick 

Ken

Chillin' on the dock

All the young ones pass out during boat rides

Duncan wake boards

Gwendolyn learned to saucer this year and she really enjoys it

Here, Aunt Ginger gets her started

Greyson got in some wake boarding this year.  However, his first love is definitely the sky ski.

The TN trip is our annual family trip.  We all look forward to it and have a great time.  I feel so lucky to be able to travel so much with the kiddos but, Ken can't.  That's one of the reasons why the TN trip is extra special because we are there as a whole family.