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.