Happy New Year

The clouds part to let the new year in. Looks like we will have a break in the rain, should be dry on Sunday.

A Blast from the Past

Jay went to visit his brother in Idaho. They went to church on Christmas, when Jay spotted someone he thought he recognized. He went up to her and it was "Mom" Nevins the former GTY doughnut queen.

When she retired from GTY we gave her, the then modern gift, a VCR. She used to help mail the reciepts and thank yous.

She sends greetings to those at GTY.

Beautiful Day at the Beach

We had a great day at the beach. Huge waves, sun, and sand; the perfect day.

Beware the Roaring Basilisk

Campbell loves K'nex, and this is his new favorite. It has glowing eyes and tongue and has moving arms. Plus a missile-firing tail! It is too fierce.

Merry Christmas

Christmas on Sunday at GCC. For those who do not attend GCC, the choir loft holds 125, and the wreaths are 15 feet tall, that should give some size perspective. And yes, on the stage is a concert grand piano and a harp. There is always discussion how many the room will hold; I'm told if people keep their Bibles and purses off the pews, it will seat 3,500.

Merry Christmas

This year for Christmas we gave our family a nice new van. The boys love it.

Our credit union did all the haggling for us, so we got a great deal. It is our first new car in 13 years, ahh the smell.

It all makes sense now

If you wear over 100 eagle feathers you feel special. Several people wanted me to sign a treaty others asked where the casino was.

I just wanted to cry about the trash on the road.

Chillin' at the IceStation

Just what the underprivileged of Valencia need - free ice skating, free lessons, free snacks, free ice bumper cars, and free pictures with the Christmas Gnome. We had a great evening enjoying the freeness.

The event was sponsored by Power Automotive. We are looking to buy a car soon, maybe they'll give us a deal.

DDS Fun

C1 and C2 wait calmly while Kerry gets her teeth cleaned. After 32 years I've had to change to a new dentist. Dr Hunt (in Burbank) finally retired. The new dentist in the office was not nearly as good, so we decided to look for a new one. My assistant liked her new dentist, so we decided to give him a try.

He is very good. The boys like him and I found him to be very good.

His front office is kid friendly, good books and coloring sheets, and an open space to play. Plus a staff that understands children.

Sunday Performance

Today we had our SFC Matt and his brother and sister play some Christmas music for our class.

Upside Down at Metella's

Campbell does a one-handed headstand trying to impress grandpa. We stopped byfor a short visit after a full day of Christmas shopping.

Cooper takes a break

Cooper always finds a place to rest when we are out shopping. He found a place to perch while we were at EB under a rack.

Nothing says 'Christmas' like a volcano

We did our annual drive through the LA DWP Christmas light show. The boys loved it. This year they had improved the sound, there were speakers everywhere. They played genuine Christmas Hymns (The ACLU was not consulted).

Kerry's favorite show

We stopped by the Golden Horseshoe Review to see Kerry's favorite show. They added a few gags just for Christmas.

The day begins

Today is our staff party. It is also our last time at Disneyland for perhaps a year; we are not renewing our passes this year. Breakfast at Carnation is one of our favorite things to do. As always, Oscar, DL's longest serving cast member - 50 years, came by our table to make sure that everything was fine.

GCC primary Christmas Party

128 children came for a party. We had games, a craft, music, a message, & lunch.

Party at Starbucks

We stopped by our local Starbucks (well one of our 12 local SBUX), and they were having a party. Free tall holiday drinks, a coffee tasting class, and lots of free samples of their baked goods. Plus as an added feature live Christmas music by a member of our church. A caffinated time was had by all.

They take care of their staff

We went to lunch for Jay M's birthday. As we walked from the car, we discovered their special employee lounge. Please note the comfortable couch, and the ambience the dumpster adds. Free reading material. Must be a great place to work.

We have much to be thankful for

My mom made an unusual dessert this year: Hot Chipotle Apple Cake. It had a spicy glaze, spiced pecans, and chipotle chili. Kerry made an organic pumpkin pie just in case. Both desserts were good.

As to our thanksgiving. Kerry and I are thankful that my brain is fine - according to my most recent tests! We are thankful for a very generous and unexpected gift, we will put towards a van. Cooper is thankful we have a house to keep us safe. Campbell is thankful that we could all be together for the feast.

A joyful sound

Room F221 at GCC was really in a singing mood today. They were singing with all their hearts. A blessing to hear.

Be amazed

I was out at our local book store with Kerry. I always check to see if they have any John MacArthur books on the shelves; and there within a few inches of the repulsive biblezines was one forlorn copy of the MacArthur Study Bible. It must have been planted on the shelf by a GTY employee or shipped by mistake. Or perhaps the publisher thought a bookstore in John's hometown might be able to sell one. So I wonder who at GTY planted it?

A first

Cooper usually does not finish his burger at In-N-Out, but today he did. All without complaining. The secret is he likes them Morrissette style - bun and meat only. Perhaps In-N-Out will add Morrissette style to their secret menu.

With 6 you get Dr Pepper

At today's lunch they put 3 straws in my drink. I combined them for artistic reasons.

Drink Pink

Two brothers and their pink drinks. Do they serve these in Montana?

Geeks at Rest

A row of geeks resting from their walk around the show floor.

Faithfulness

Ellis and Irene have been married 54 years! They have served at GTY as volunteers and employees for more that 9 years. Now they are moving to the East Coast to be with family.

I will miss his humorous ways. I pray God's best as they move on to new ministry oportunities.

PyroManiac

I saw this PyroManiac sticker in the wild! Well, not so much in the wild as in the GTY parking lot.

I've got mine, but I'm not sure where I'd like put it.

Time with friends

Kerry's friend Mary was in town to visit with friends. She and her family came out for a Disneyland vacation. Her friends arranged a private plane, hotel accomodations, park addmission, and more.

They enjoyed their time at Disneyland.

Steve said that they were going to "hold court" for their friends who wanted to say good-bye. Their trust in God during these last years has been an example to all those around.

It was a hard time for Kerry.

Awana go home

Last night we took the boys to Awana. We dropped them off, but when we started to leave, the car would not start. It would almost, but not quite turn over. Ted, and Rodney both gave us a push to see if we could jump it, but that too failed. We coasted down hill and pulled into one of the last parking spaces before the driveway spills on the the street.

AAA came, and Rodney loaned us his car so we could follow the driver to the repair shop. We were very thankful that we were where we were when we (I like the way all those "W" words look) broke down.

Reformation Day

We spent Reformation Day afternoon at Montasia (a local fun fair) playing laser tag, riding bumper boats, and climbing rock walls. All free because they we celebrating 10 years in Santa Clarita. We expected to find crowds, but we had very short waits. We played one game of laser tag with just our family -- the four of us running around in the laser dome.

After a quick supper we met our neighbors and friends, to go on our annual Reformation Day Walk -- in costumes. Campbell was Willy Wonka, Cooper went as Harpo Marx, Kerry and I were jail birds, and Madeline went as a flower.

The neighborhood was all decorated. The treats over the top; one house gave out glow sticks, another had candy for the kids and Chapangne for the adults -- only in Valencia.

Happy Birthday Ikvar

We went to Ikea today to pick up some lamps for GTY, a semi-reglar thing to do. Today was not semi-regular. We did not know till we got there that it was their 20th birthday, and they were having a party.

Huge crowds came to save 15%. Ikea gave away party hats, party bags, free Swedish massages, face painting, and cake for everyone. We spent over 2 hours wandering around and waiting in lines. We never did find Ikvar.

First Blood

Jonathan decided to give the GTY in-house barber another try. The last time he ended up with a virtual bald cap.

This time he asked for a longer style. All was going well till the electric razor raged out of control and cut Jonathan's neck, drawing first blood. Jonathan suffered only a minor injury. He is still willing to give it another go when his hair grows, and his neck heals. You get what you pay for.

The barber is an octagenarian who has been cutting hair at GTY for many years. He is a faithful volunteer, and a clever wit.

Cheese Steak

We went to lunch after church. We stopped a new place in our valley, Philly's Best. A Philly steak shop. We picked the perfect day: Eagles game on, place filled with fans. Lunch for 4 for about 20. We will put this place on our lunch list, but not too often. We do not want to become average Americans (20+ pounds over weight).

Craft Time

Kerry went to play bunco, so we had craft time with dad in the den. The boys made paper masks.

My Friend the Hippie

A friend of mine was recently at a demonstration in the UK. Here are his thoughts:

Last Tuesday, my wife and I attended our first ever political demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament. I felt a bit of a hippie, as its normally hippies that do the 'demo thing' but we both felt so strongly about the proposed Incitement to Religious Hatred Bill, that our government is trying to push through, that we didn't feel we had any other choice but to go.

We had a smashing day singing and praying with thousands of other Christians outside parliament. Indeed it was quite an emotional experience as we sang some of the great Hymns and Christian songs proclaiming the Lordship of Christ right at the seat of government. Anyway, I thought you might like to see a picture of the rebel in your midst and a couple of shots of the demo itself. Did our prayers and witness make any difference? Who can tell, but we did hear that our singing could be heard in the chamber of the house itself, so we certainly made our presence felt. That day, of the 47 speeches made on the bill in the House of Lords only nine were in favour of the Bill and thirty eight against. It looks as though the bill we be rejected by the House of Lords with something like an 80% majority.Yet still the government wants to push it through into law - so much for our democracy..

Enjoy the pictures and do pray that the government will accept the will of the majority over this issue. Our freedom to preach the gospel depends upon it.

Westfield Shopping Frown

I am not a big fan of Westfield Shopping Towns. They come in and junk up the mall. At the Valencia Town Center (now Westfield Shopping Town Valencia Town Center) when they took over managment, they filled the first floor with rolling kiosks. Before there were a few in the mall, now they are end to end, you cannot pass from the left to the right side without tripping over a candle vendor. Such quality. Plus they replaced the community center (a place on the second floor with soft chairs and a great view) with a bright plasic children's play area. They have also added vending machines to the food court. Also added to the food court was a photo booth - just the thing you want when eating mall food.

Perhaps worst of all is all the ads for Westfield and others that now cover every available surface. And in a final life-sucking move they turn the fountains off during peak hours to conserve power. If they'd get rid of all the vending machines they could keep the fountains running.

Chamber of Commerce Sky

A beautiful cloudless sky in Valencia.

Maize Maze or Children of the Corn

After church and lunch at grandma's we went and got lost in a corn maze. We did not think that there was one near us this year, but I spotted this one from the plane coming into Burbank last week. It took us 40 min to find our way out. Kerry looked especially beautiful in the maze.

Only in Valencia

The electric Barcalounger. This chair can go 12 MPH and has a range of 10 miles. Just what you need to cruise the paseos.

My birthday

This is how I found my office when I arrived at work on my birthday. There were balloons at the door, and my desk was covered in candy.

Home at last

I'm back from my road trip to Montana. My mom picked me up at the airport and Kerry and the boys met me at her house. After lunch and a brief rest we went to the SCV Art Festival to hear Zydekats. Kerry heard them on KCSN this morning, so she googled them and found out that they were playing at the art festival. So here we are. Much of what used to happen at Town Center has been pushed out to other venues by Westfield Shopping (insert disparaging phrase here) Town. The community parade was evicted along with the food tasting, the art festival, and the chalk artists. Westfield does not seem to want to be a part of our community.

Where's the sun?

This is the murky view out the window on approach to SEA. Even with all the clouds it has been a fairly calm flight.

On board the Q400

Here we go again. 2 hours till SEA, then 1 hour wait, the 2.5 till BUR. Let the fun begin

Leaving Montana

This was the view as we were leaving for the airport. Beautiful skys and perfect weather. The security at the 4 gate airport took longer than a busy day at BUR. To add to the fun they do not X-ray the checked bags. They play a French Connection game, where they take everything out swab a few spots then stuff it all back in - just in view. People of Bozeman I hope you liked my laundry. It is sad to leave the Kahl's. I pray that they will seek God's best for them in this beautiful land. We will return next summer.

Montana Fun

I'm with the Kahl's in a local hay maze.

Old Faithful

I made it to the park's interior. Very few people. Waited about 20 min for Old Faithful. Great view. Had a sit down lunch with silver, for less than 8 dollars, view included!

Wildlife as Fickett sees it

Wow. A beautiful sight. Yellowstone in the off season is full of animals.

McFlix

Inside the Golden Arches is a DVD rental machine. The sign indicates that new movies are available on Tuesdays - just like BlockBuster. When you think fast food think DVD rentals. Sure.

World's Worst

This is the world's worst rest stop. The bathroom was so stinky I had to hold me breath. The darkness in the image is what you think it is, the walls and floors were covered in a similar material. I guess no one read the 'keep Idaho clean' signs

Welcome to Idaho

Stopping in Idaho. They want you to take pictures of their sign, the have a pull off area.