The Munhollands: 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Zoe turned 6 on 12/10. She's never had a party before, this was the year. She invited her 6 closest friend to a children's hair salon where they made bracelets, got their hair & nails done, and sang karaoke - which was the big driving point of the party. The girls had a great time and were really, really cute. Jim, Kellan & Dexter came and joined us at the end for cake and ice cream.

Zoe's been begging me to wear a dress to her party, luckily a friend at work recently gave me one.

Zoe's wanted a pair of boots like mine, got a pair for her b-day

Last kid's quote:

I colored my hair about a month ago (red-ish). Tucking Kellan into bed...

Kellan: "Mom stand under my light"

(me, moving under the light )

Kellan: "Do you know your hair is pink?"

Me: "It's red, and it's been like this for a few weeks. Are you just noticing?"

Kellan: "Yes, because I am always staring at your beautiful face."

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Happy 40th Birthday!

There's no trip to New Orleans, no big surprise party, no extravagant gift(s) - Instead you get this post...which was going to be much more than this, but I failed miserably at that too...hey as long as Jason Giambi is still playing MLB, all things are good. Right?

Random stuff from 11/30/1971:

Click here for "On this day in 1971"
http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/november-30-1971
http://www.tv.com/shows/the-glen-campbell-goodtime-hour/november-30-1971-168269/
On November 30, 1971 The TV movie "Brian's Song," airs for 1st time on ABC-TV.

"Celebrities" born on November 30th...not sure why this list only goes to 1990, also in 1874 Winston Churchill was born....
November 30, 1904 - Clyfford Still, U.S painter (d. 1980)
November 30, 1906 - Andres Henestrosa, Mexican writer (d. 2008)
November 30, 1907 - Jacques Barzun, French-born historian and author
November 30, 1909 - Robert Nighthawk, U.S musician (d. 1967)
November 30, 1911 - Jorge Negrete, Mexican singer and actor (d. 1953)
November 30, 1912 - Gordon Parks, U.S photographer and film director (d. 2006)
November 30, 1915 - Brownie McGhee, U.S blues musician (d.1996)
November 30, 1915 - Henry Taube, Canadian-born chemist, Nobel laureate (d. 2005)
November 30, 1918 - Efrem Zimbalist Jr., U.S actor
November 30, 1920 - Virginia Mayo, U.S actress (d. 2005)
November 30, 1924 - Allan Sherman, U.S comedian (d. 1973)
November 30, 1924 - Elliott Blackstone, U.S gay and lesbian rights activist (d. 2006)
November 30, 1926 - Richard Crenna, U.S actor (d. 2003)
November 30, 1927 - Robert Guillaume, U.S actor
November 30, 1928 - Joe B. Hall, U.S basketball coach
November 30, 1929 - Dick Clark, U.S television host
November 30, 1929 - Joan Ganz Cooney, U.S children’s television pioneer
November 30, 1930 - G. Gordon Liddy, U.S Watergate operative and talk radio host
November 30, 1931 - Jack Ging, U.S actor
November 30, 1931 - Bill Walsh, U.S football coach (d. 2007)
November 30, 1932 - Bob Moore, U.S bassist and orchestra leader
November 30, 1932 - Cho Namchul, South Korean professional Go player (d. 2006)
November 30, 1933 - Norman Deeley, English footballer (d. 2007)
November 30, 1936 - Abbie Hoffman, U.S activist (d. 1989)
November 30, 1936 - Dmitri Victorovich Anosov, Russian mathematician
November 30, 1937 - Ridley Scott, British film director
November 30, 1937 - Adeline Yen Mah, Chinese Writer
November 30, 1937 - Frank Ifield, Australian/British singer
November 30, 1937 - Tom Simpson, British cyclist (d. 1967)
November 30, 1938 - Jean Eustache, French filmmaker
November 30, 1943 - Terrence Malick, U.S director and screenwriter.
November 30, 1945 - Roger Glover, British bassist (Deep Purple)
November 30, 1945 - Radu Lupu, Romanian concert pianist
November 30, 1947 - David Mamet, U.S playwright
November 30, 1947 - Sergio Badilla Castillo, Chilean poet
November 30, 1950 - Chris Claremont, British comic book writer
November 30, 1951 - Christian Bernard, mystic
November 30, 1951 - June Chadwick, British actress
November 30, 1952 - Keith Giffen, U.S comic book writer and artist
November 30, 1952 - Mandy Patinkin, U.S actor and singer
November 30, 1953 - June Pointer, U.S singer (Pointer Sisters)
November 30, 1954 - Simonetta Stefanelli, Italian Actress (The Godfather)
November 30, 1955 - Kevin Conroy, U.S Actor (Batman in the DC animated universe)
November 30, 1955 - Billy Idol, British musician
November 30, 1955 - Gordon Liu, Chinese actor
November 30, 1957 - John Ashton, English guitarist (Psychedelic Furs)
November 30, 1957 - Richard Barbieri, British keyboardist (Porcupine Tree)
November 30, 1957 - Andrew Calhoun, U.S musician
November 30, 1957 - Joel Champetier, French Canadian author
November 30, 1957 - Colin Mochrie, Scottish-born Canadian comedian
November 30, 1958 - Juliette Bergmann, Dutch bodybuilder
November 30, 1958 - Stacey Q, U.S singer
November 30, 1959 - Lorraine Kelly, British presenter and journalist
November 30, 1960 - Gary Lineker, English footballer
November 30, 1960 - Rich Fields, U.S television personality
November 30, 1962 - Bo Jackson, U.S football and baseball player
November 30, 1962 - Daniel Keys Moran, U.S writer
November 30, 1964 - Jushin Liger, Japanese professional wrestler
November 30, 1965 - Ben Stiller, U.S actor
November 30, 1965 - Lee Klein, U.S Writer
November 30, 1965 - Aldair, Brazilian footballer
November 30, 1965 - Prince Akishino of Japan
November 30, 1966 - Ed Kemper, U.S serial killer
November 30, 1966 - Wil Mara, U.S author
November 30, 1966 - David Nicholls, English novelist and screenwriter
November 30, 1966 - Mika Salo, Finnish Formula 1 Driver
November 30, 1968 - Des’ree, English singer
November 30, 1968 - Laurent Jalabert, French cyclist
November 30, 1969 - Marc Goossens, Belgian racing driver
November 30, 1969 - Amy Ryan, U.S actress
November 30, 1970 - Robert Griffith, former National Football League player
November 30, 1971 - Ivan Rodriguez, Puerto Rican baseball player
November 30, 1971 - Ray Durham, U.S baseball player
November 30, 1972 - Christopher Fitzgerald, U.S stage actor
November 30, 1972 - Abel Xavier, Portuguese footballer
November 30, 1973 - John Moyer, U.S bassist (Disturbed)
November 30, 1973 - Jason Reso (aka “Christian Cage”), Canadian professional wrestler
November 30, 1975 - Mindy McCready, U.S musician
November 30, 1975 - Ben Thatcher, Welsh footballer
November 30, 1976 - Josh Lewsey, English rugby union footballer
November 30, 1977 - Ivan Guerrero, Honduran footballer
November 30, 1977 - Kazumi Saitoh, Japanese baseball player
November 30, 1977 - Olivier Schoenfelder, French ice dancer
November 30, 1978 - Clay Aiken, U.S singer
November 30, 1978 - Gael Garcia Bernal, Mexican actor
November 30, 1978 - Emil Steiner, U.S writer
November 30, 1979 - Chris Atkinson, Australian rally driver
November 30, 1979 - Andres Nocioni, Argentine basketball player
November 30, 1979 - Dania Ramirez, Dominican actress
November 30, 1980 - Jamie Ashdown, English footballer
November 30, 1981 - Rich Harden, Canadian baseball player
November 30, 1982 - Elisha Cuthbert, Canadian actress
November 30, 1982 - Tony Giarratano, U.S baseball player
November 30, 1982 - Clemence Poesy, French actress
November 30, 1982 - Jason Pominville, Canadian ice hockey player
November 30, 1983 - Adrian Cristea, Romanian footballer
November 30, 1984 - Nigel de Jong, Dutch footballer
November 30, 1984 - Alan Hutton, Scottish footballer
November 30, 1985 - Kaley Cuoco, U.S actress and model
November 30, 1986 - Jordan Farmar, National Basketball Association player
November 30, 1987 - Dougie Poynter, British singer and bassist (McFly)
November 30, 1987 - Vasilisa Bardina, Russian tennis player
November 30, 1987 - Ian Hecox, Part of the U.S Online comedy duo Smosh
November 30, 1989 - Chanel Iman, U.S supermodel
November 30, 1989 - Margaret Nales Wilson, Filipino model
November 30, 1990 - Kara Crane, Actress
November 30, 1990 - Magnus Carlsen, Norwegian chess Grandmaster

And since you are so into Astrology:

You have the ability to light up a room when you enter it. Others gravitate to you naturally because you are very easy to like. Your charm is multi-layered. One of its main ingredients is your versatility. You love people and can easily imitate others, and your many faces appeal to many! As multi-talented and multi-faceted as you are, you are also very shrewd and determined. While you may seem to have a finger in many pies, you are not scattered in focus. Bored easily, you need movement and activity in your life in order to keep stimulated. The good news is you are capable of creating it, and don't rely on others to entertain you. Famous people born today: Ben Stiller, Clay Aiken, Bo Jackson, Billy Idol, Dick Clark, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The Sun in harmonious aspect to the Moon in your Solar Return chart is a pleasant aspect, suggesting that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another this year. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!

Your energy levels run high this year, but you should watch for hasty or impetuous behavior. Remember that haste makes waste. This year is likely to be especially busy. You could be rather wilful and impassioned, and it would be best to channel excess energy into healthy physical outlets. Others might find you temperamental. If you suffer from frequent headaches, it is likely that you are not dealing with your own anger or desire to take the lead appropriately. You feel a great need for action, but if you don't know where you're headed, you might take the wrong turn. As long as you channel the excess energy constructively, instead of wasting your time arguing or getting yourself into conflicts with others, you can accomplish much.

Uranus transits in harmony to your Sun from June 2012 forward. Exciting changes and new interests characterize the period ahead. It's easier than ever to express your unique individuality, and if this involves changing careers or jobs, a new love affair, or an entirely new hobby, it's something that takes you forward into unexplored territory. You are more willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations this year. It's a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events. You are able to find creative solutions to problems now. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence. Your personality is sparkling this year, which is sure to attract new circumstances and people into your life.

You might find that you become more goal-oriented this year, as superficial goals no longer satisfy you. You want your objectives to reflect what you're really about, and you are likely to rid yourself of unsatisfying goals this year. You benefit from being more decisive than usual, and your ability to concentrate and focus helps you to achieve what you set out to do. A new project or goal begun this year has a good chance of being successful and long-lasting. Your sexual and physical activities tend to be more intense, passionate, and focused. It's an excellent year in which to make a lifestyle change, as your ability to concentrate on what really matters to you is enhanced.

The opportunity to grow through your love and social connections this year is especially strong. You are seeking intensity in love, and are especially aware of the importance of intimacy. You could renew and deepen love commitments or social connections. Strong and stimulating--even motivating--attractions to others are likely. Secret loves or attractions may develop. Romantic relationships and attractions have a fated quality to them this year. This could be a year when you fall in love, and this could be with a person, an activity, or a cause! Meeting someone who transforms your life, and more specifically your values and attitude towards love, is possible. You might receive financial backing or special gifts in the period ahead. You seek a little more from your love life and you are likely to receive it. Adventure-seeking is a theme. You are certainly more imaginative and attuned to the world of beauty and romance. Benefits come through paying attention to your dreams and intuitions, as well as through creativity. Nevertheless, you can experience off-and-on relationship patterns, and/or financial ups and downs. The element of surprise is strong when it comes to these areas of your life this year.

Your personality has extra sparkle and spunk this year, and you are expressing your more unique qualities more pronouncedly. You are open to new experiences. Relationships are lively and stimulating. You can approach new projects with determination and passion. Eliminating bad habits can be especially successful this year.

2012 will be a Number One year for you. Ruled by the Sun. This is a year of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Still, you are outgoing and your initiative is stronger than ever. Advice - Stand alone, take action, start fresh, express independence.

From the kids...

Happy Birthday dad. I love you dad. I miss you when you go to work.

Love, me, Zoe

Happy daddy.

Love you daddy.

Dexter

Happy b-day dad.

I love you, Kellan

Quote from Zoe last night on being 40:

Mom: "Zoe, don't forget tomorrow is dad's birthday" (she's made him tons of stuff)

Zoe: "Mom, are you sad that daddy is getting old?"

Quote from Kellan the other day on being 40:

Mom: "Kellan you and dad are dressed like twins" (they had the same pants and color shirts on)

Kellan: "Yeah, but there's a big difference - I'm 8 and he's 40"

So I'll end it on a song, I know cheesy...we are the ones fortunate we have you on another birthday...You need to sing it as Olvia Newton John instead of Bob Dylan.

"If Not For You"

If not for you, babe, I couldn't find the door

Couldn't even see the floor

I'd be sad and blue if not for you.

If not for you, baby, I'd lay awake all night

Wait for the morning light

To shine in through

But it will not be new if not for you.

If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too

Without your love I'd be nowhere at all

I'd be lost if not for you

And you know it's true.

If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too

Without your love I'd be nowhere at all

Oh what would I do if not for you ?

If not for you, winter would have no spring

I couldn't hear the robins sing

I just wouldn't have a clue

Anyway it wouldn't ring true if not for you

If not for you, if not for you.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Happy Holidays Part I

Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving as well. We made a trip to the zoo and Zoe and I made a quick trip to WA.

Dexter decided he did not want to dress up for Halloween this year. Zoe stayed true to her cheer leading / Minnie Mouse passion and went as Cheerleader Minnie. Kellan still doesn't have the scary in him and went as a not-too scary skeleton.

Jim made a Thanksgiving feast as usual. Kellan told us, after it was made, he doesn't like Thanksgiving dinner. Next year we'll try something original. Kellan decided to say Grace - yes, we were as shocked as everyone else. It's not as shocking once you watch the video, we gave him props for creativity (no, he did not read from The Bible, but from The Peanuts). I am super excited to not have gotten made-up, or even dressed for that matter and Jim filming me about a foot away. These days that's frightening enough even if I have make-up on. We asked the kids what they were thankful for - one original answer on the video, granted I should be happy - family, friends, food and "shelter" came to the top of the list...I'm Ok with that.

Click for Thanksgiving video

For me it was nice to have two, four day weekends in a row. Zoe and I made it to WA for a visit the weekend before. Zoe of course had a bronchial thing going on and an ear infection. Always makes for good traveling. For the first time in my flying career, we sat on the runway for close to two hours, then had to de-plane for another hour while the airline did some "troubleshooting." I think of troubleshooting when it comes to my job, not when it comes to a plane I'm going to be flying on. If anything, I figured it made for a well inspected plane. We saw grandma, family and friends - it was tough as usual to leave. We did miss our boys though.

I still don't understand most things Dexter says; Kellan & Zoe continue to be my translator. Yet he talks non-stop. He knows the chorus to so many songs, even when he hears one for the first time he'll start singing. I'd video it, but I can't seem to do him justice. I did video him (couldn't figure out how to rotate the video) the other day saying "meatball" - he said it for a few minutes before I got it on video, so enthusiasm was waning a bit. For some reason it cracked him up.

Dexter meatballs and computer video

Dexter has made the move from watching the kids on the computer to doing his own thing. He navigates from one page to the next, goes back, uses the mouse and keyboard. "My turn, my turn." So I'm not too worried about not understanding him - and ultimately maybe that's my problem, not his....

School parade

A day at the zoo. Kellan is getting too old to do most of the things we suggest these days, so it was good that he was excited to go - in fact he was the most excited.

Patience

and even more patience

and finally his turn

He spends up to a good hour on the computer. I'm sure there will be a study soon about this....

Someone is not too into taking pictures anymore, Zoe makes up for it

Happy Willow on a sunny day in WA with her new chair

I went to put the kids to bed and Dexter passed out before it was his turn. He was going to bed before them - finally, but we're back to him waiting up - afraid to miss something.

Jim's pumpkin tribute to Duke.

Last kid's quote:

Me trying to explain daylight saving's time to Kellan...

Kellan: "Never mind. I'll figure it out when I get older."

Zoe: "Lame."

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Autumn sets and winter rises

It's been awhile and my brain is full of scattered thoughts from this past month. It's gone from summer, to fall, to winter in a week. Baseball has ended - Kellan's season and MLB. Dexter got sick, got better, and got sick again. Zoe cheered at her first high school game. I'm still on the project at work that was supposed to be complete in January 2011, then April, then July, then Oct. - we're shooting for Dec. 5th now. Halloween has come and gone - I'll save that for another post. Jim and I spent our 12th anniversary with the Foo Fighters. I went on Facebook for the first time in years - oh, I owe lots of emails! I should probably just retire from trying to keep up with more than one online form of social networking.

Zoe is still taking cheer leading/gymnastic classes. We signed her up for a fund raiser at the high school - one practice followed by cheering at half time for the high school football team. Her and every little girl in her kindergarten class participated, though she enjoyed spending most of the time with the high school girls. Video is of practice at the high school, then game day. She's the one in all pink, two pig tails in her hair (see below with the pictures for video).

Kellan finished another baseball season. Speaking for Zoe and Dexter, we're all glad to have Sundays back. They finished the season 4 and 6, which is pretty impressive since it was a more competitive league. Kellan's been wanting to pitch all season. Finally with lots of practice leading up to the playoffs, Coach Jim put him in. He walked a couple, but made all three outs the inning he pitched - two strikeouts and one ball hit back to him for an out. He's told us he's not interested in any other sports, so Jim's signed him up for a once a week "practice" of fielding, hitting at a place called the Sandlot. Currently, the 3rd base coach for the Rockies is teaching a small group of them to field.

Until next time...

Most kids his age are watching The Wiggles, Sesame Street, etc. Dexter has been drawn to the force. We're really not that bad - he does watch 2 yr. appropriate shows too.

Click link for Chewy