The Kahls

Better Than the Band in Jabba's Palace

2008-09-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

My family, fully embracing how much of geek their husband and father is, bought me the brand new Star Wars videogame "The Force Unleashed" for my birthday.

I apologize if I don't answer the phone, or respond to emails, or.. you know.. bathe for the next few days.

But in honor of their awesome gift-giving skillz and keeping with the general theme - here's the next track from the Kahl Brother's Greatest Hits: My Lightsaber.

Hot Outta the Studio (aka the guest room)

2008-09-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The one-and-only Kahl Brothers, singing their smash break-out blues single...

"Grocery Store Blues".

We had a great time and it was super easy (thanks GarageBand!)... so there are likely more where this came from. We've already got a song about a lightsaber in the works, and I'm thinking it might be a good way to wrap-up the boys' research projects - so be on the lookout for "Homeschoolhouse Rock".

Oregon coast

2008-08-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Seattle

2008-08-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Summer Vacation

2008-08-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

Thursday August 7th the boys and I along with my friend Colleen and her 3 kids headed north. That makes 7 in a 2001 Honda mini van. There was not one moment of silence. We drove straight to Seattle and arrived at Colleen's friend Elizabeth's house at around 11:00 pm. Long drive. We stayed at Elizabeth's for a couple of days and the went to North Bend, Washington and stayed with some other friends for a few days. While in Washington we ate all sorts of food, went to a kids Cabaret show (it was hilarious), played at various parks, went to the Henry art museum, went swimming at Rattle snake Lake (there are no rattle snakes), and played in some strange swings our friends built. I also went to two knitting shops and 1 weaving shop.
On Wednesday the 13th we traveled south to Portland. This is Colleen's and the kids home town.We stayed at her grandmother's house. While there we played at the creek, fed the chickens and turkeys, read, and relaxed. Oh yes two knitting stores and a button store.
On Saturday we packed up and headed to Lincoln City beach. We stayed in a rental Colleen had found which had a hot tub. Our weather was not quite what we were hoping for. It was windy and rainy reaching a high of about 62 each day. The kids spent a lot of time in the hot tub. I spent a lot of time knitting. Our last day there was Friday and it finally cleared up and was a beautiful sunny day. We all stayed down at the beach most of the day. The kids even played in the freezing water. Mine especially didn't seem to care how cold it was. Oh! Colleen went to one knitting store, but I stayed at the house. Saturday we headed south very early and arrived home in time for dinner with the dads. It is good to be home. We really missed Andy.
Colleen, Sanjay and the kids are still boarding with us, but it looks like their house will be somewhat livable in the next couple of weeks. So we will have the place to our selves again. Boy scouts starts up in September. Gabe will be a tiger and Caleb will be a bear and Andy will be leading. I meet with our ES tomorrow for the charter home school. Not sure how that is going to go. I have tons of questions. I am close to having our fall trip plans finalized. Caleb, Gabe, and I will leave here on Monday September 29th. We will be to Nana and Papa Bob by October 2nd. We will be to Mamaw and Papaw by October 16th. We will be to the folks in Tallahassee on October 30th. Andy will fly in around the 5th of Novemeber. We will then all four head west on November 30th.

iPhone test post

2008-08-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

Daddy needs a new (giagantic) pair of shoes!

Starry night after good day light by Caleb

2008-06-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Cute kids

2008-06-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

Gabe loves to make kitchen master pieces. This one is Doritos and strawberries.
Caleb got this pirate set for his birthday. Both boys absolutely love it.
Caleb's den

More Legoland pics

2008-06-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

I found the other camera!

2008-06-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Before Legoland
Caleb 's new changeable mom

More changes

2008-06-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

So a lot has happened in the last month. Andy has taken a position at Yahoo in Sunnyvale, Ca. We have moved into a house in Cupertino, Ca. Sort of. Caleb graduated from Wolf in Cub Scouts and has moved on to Bear. Which Andy is now leader. Gabe will be starting Tiger. I am enrolling the boys in a charter home school come fall. They will still be at home with me, but we will check in with an ES who will keep our records for us and administer Ca state tests. We will also be able to use education tax money to pay for supplies and classes. Both boys will be getting $1800 a year and we can use it how ever we please off of the school vendor list. I am very excited. We have all liked the boys being home. They have really grown this year and are excited about planning what we want to learn as we move along.

Soooo the sort of comment above about the house. We ended up moving early because we found a place that suited us. We have been going back and forth between the new house and the apartment for two weeks. The house needs painting and we want to work on the yard and stuff, so we are there mostly. Our moving company said they could have everything from Tallahassee here by Tuesday the 17th. So we wait. They actually called Sunday and said they would be here Monday afternoon and then did not show. They were confused on where in California we were they said. So we wait. Jose, the driver says maybe Saturday. All of us will be very happy to have our things here and to get settled.

What does the summer hold?

1. Andy and I are going to Philadelphia the first week in July for our friends wedding celebration and will stay for Independence day. They boys will stay in their new house and our friends the Gadkari's will stay with them.

2. Painting and decorating.

3. Trying to get a garden started.

4. Pool parties, park days, hikes.

5. Camping at Mount Diablo in August.

6. Saving money for my trip east in the fall.

7. The boys and I are going to Portland and Seattle in August and spending a week at the beach in Oregon with the Gadkari's.

I guess that is about it. We are really having a good time out here. We love you all.

And now what I am sure is the real reason you check this thing. The pictures!
There will not be as many as intended, my other camera is at the apartment. Some of the boys and many of the new house. Enjoy

Pictures

2008-06-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Front of house
To the right down the street
To the left down the street
The dinning room
Master bathroom
The view out of my bedroom door
The boys room partly repainted
Caleb in his room staying out of my way
The back yard dying of thirst
The dinning room again (not sure why I did that) and the door on the right is the front door

The living room. That is the back yard and patio out the window
The kitchen
The guest / boys bathroom
So calm (HA HA HA)
True

So many freckles
Caleb is the one in the back with the extra long hair

Greetings

2008-04-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

So we have good and bad news. Yahoo has offered Andy a reasonable salary package to stay on here in Sunnyvale, Ca. We got together with the boys and made a pretty long pros and cons list and have decided to take the offer. Andy will have a new title, but will stay on with the department he is working with now. I will try and get him to post soon with more on that. As for the boys and I, we are very happy. We miss everyone very much, but we love California. We are going to continue homeschooling for a few years and therefore have a flexible schedule. We are still planning on making a trip south east in the fall. So we will see just about everyone before the year is out. As always we would love visitors. California is beautiful and there are lots of places we would like to share. Other news.... I can't think of anything right now. The boys seem to grow more everyday and are really starting to refine some of their interests. Caleb is very in to music, swimming, reading, and most of all socializing. Gabe is becoming very into nature. He has a large collection of rocks, seeds, sticks, etc.. He likes to try new things physically. Right now his favorites are walking on stilts, skateboarding, snorkeling and scootering.

Long Overdue Update

2008-04-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

Aren't they all?

Let's see -

1) Several weeks ago, the boys and I took a trip with Caleb's cub scout den to gold country. One of the families has a house in the mountains, not far from Deer Ridge ski resort. So the boys spent a day learning to snowboard, and I spent the day wishing I'd remembered the camera.

Everybody did fantastic, I was extremely impressed with the progress that all the kids made during the course of their lesson. Gabe, though, acted as if he'd been snowboarding all of his life. His instructor, upon realizing that Gabe was only 5 and had never snowboarded before, asked me "Did your wife snowboard while she was pregnant or something?"

Also of note is that all the boys went with only the dads, and no one returned dead, in a cast, emotionally scarred, or in any way corrupted... despite the lack of motherly influence.

2) Caleb's birthday was fantastic. We pretty much stretched out celebration for a week or so. On the actual actual day (yesterday, that is) we started by joining Savethebay.org at the Palo Alto Baylands. We planted native plants and rid the area of some non-native plants. It was hard work but the kids (this was another Cub scout endeavor) did great and most said they'd like to come back. We left there and drove up to San Francisco, where we watched the Giants blow a 5 run lead (after 7.1 innings of no-hit ball from Matt Cain) to lose to the Cardinals. It was a fantastic game despite the loss... extra innings, bloop hits, lots of pitchers pitching differently, really fun to watch. AT&T Park is gorgeous, can't wait to go see more games there, even if it means cheering for the Giants.

I was, yet again, without my camera.

3) Caleb was supposed to graduate from the Wolf path of Cub Scouts (there's a theme here, huh?) last Tuesday but there was some miscommunication and that'll wait until next month's meeting. If you ask me, certain adults who have agreed to oversee Cub Scouts machinations may need to earn their organization badge. But that's just if you ask me.

I had the camera for that one, but nothing terribly interesting happened. I'll be sure and take it for the real event.

We do have some pictures, and I'll pull them off the camera and post them soon. And by soon I mean the normal definition of "soon", not the definition evident by our posting record.

/ak

A day at the park

2008-03-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

So things are good here. I just thought I would ive you a story.
Gabe gave me a great scare yesterday. He and two other boys (both about eight and bigger) tried to do the zip line at the park as a group. From what I hear it was going well until Caleb came running, tripped and knocked into them. At this time they all tumbled about 6 feet. Still not to bad, right. Here is the problem Gabe landed at the bottom on his back with the two bigger boys on top of his chest and stomach. Now normally Gabe would hide out for about 5 - 10 min behind a tree or something so as not to let anyone see him hurt, then jump up and be right back at it. Not the case and this is what worried his mother. I had to pick him up, he wrapped his arms and legs around me and did not move or speak but a mumble or two for almost and hour. His head was turned toward my friend Annette and she kept a close eye on him. After that he said he was O.K. and went off to play. I started to relax a little and just keep an eye on him. Then I noticed he was playing alone, running slowly, and putting his arm across his chest every so often. My friends said to let it go for a little longer and just watch him. Over the next couple of hours he returned to normal and seems completely fine today.
That kid is going to age me! He has become quite a daredevil. Caleb is going to give lines all over my face caused by his DRAMA and Gabe is going to turn me gray with is flying off of things.

Update: Still No Earthquake...

2008-03-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

... but some decent pictures!

Fun with the Gadkaris (Arjun, Lilly, and Julian):

kickin' it old school, Sesame Street style

Too cool for school, so we're going to the zoo:

Lesson of the day:
this tiger will not eat you if you don't shoot slingshots at it

At the Sonora Celtic Faire:

Dad w/ Myth and Magic (he survived)

Caleb and Gabe learning to smith from the second coolest blacksmith at the faire

waiting on the jousting (our knight lost, despite our hearty boos at his competition)

Pack 426 monthly meeting:

Caleb's den was the color guard for the evening

One last shot for the road:

Still Gainfully Employed (but Now Wearing Sandals)

2008-02-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

Hullo all -

Apologies for the lack of updates, blah blah blah. Your blogs aren't any better. :)

For those of you who have been dialed into the tech news lately, I still work for Yahoo!, as we're not yet Microsoft and the layoffs didn't reach my desk. The logo on my business card won't change what I do from day to day, so I'm mostly indifferent about the whole process, except that I JUST GOT acquired and this gets a little old. Also, David and Jerry (the founders of Yahoo!) really really seem to care about the company's identity and longevity, and I admire that, so I hope we can work out doing our own thing and still making our shareholders some money.

Gabe is sitting across from me right now, having just finished a reading lesson, and practicing his writing. Caleb has just started Cub Scouts and loves it (we'll take some better pics when we relocate our actual camera and aren't relying on Megan's phone).

(yes, Gabe's is a file photo - cut our news department some slack)

We've made some good friends and are loving the weather, it's been in the high 60's/low 70's and sunny after several days of gray rain. We bought some additional hiking supplies and we've been hitting some trails close by, and now that the weather is cooperating we should be getting out even more often. We still love the area, the only thing that I'm bummed about is the lack of disc golf courses. I mean, isn't this supposed to be the home of trendy outdoor sports?! I'm on the Pacific coast for cryin' out loud.

The boys and I are about to settle in and watch some Mythbusters before bed - so we'll update again soon (and this time, I mean it)!

Much love to everybody,

/ak

Steve Martin in Training

2008-02-13T19:29:00.001-08:00

Caleb's made a running guy, the running guy's pet snake, and a headband of some sort (or possibly a unibrow).

Gabriel has made a lower intestine, I think.

Gabe the Paleontologist

2008-02-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

The glasses are the best part.

So, Their Parents Are SLOW

2008-02-13T19:21:00.001-08:00

...but Caleb and Gabe were really thankful for their Christmas gifts!

Blame blogger or my computer.

2008-01-25T14:09:00.001-08:00

I promise I am trying. There a bunch of pictures I am trying to upload, but I keep getting an error note. Andy is on his way back from New York as I write this. When he does return I shall turn the picture uploading over to him at which time you are sure to see a few cute photos. Love you

Christmas

2008-01-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Remote control cars, Heeleys, Dinosaur digging set, remote control pirate, drum sticks, magazine subscriptions, even a little snow.

January

2008-01-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

So I have decided to commit to update this blog every Friday. I ask all of you to please e-mail or call me or in any other way harass me if you do not wake up Saturday morning and read something about the Kahl's. On that note on with an update.

We are doing great! It was different spending Christmas out here away from everyone, but also nice and quiet. We went to Seattle, Washington for the week between Christmas and New Years. We crashed with some friends up there (Bill and Marla) and really enjoyed their company. We went to the Science center, Pike's Place, and some other spots popular with Bill and Marla. Not a one of us thought to take a picture so you will have to use your imagination.

"Aunt " Tanya came from January 9Th to 16Th. She needed a break from the east coast. We went to a few movies and parks, but mostly just relaxed around the house. Again she really needed some rest. We spent one day up in San Fransisco and checked out Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, The Bridge, Alcatraz, and Ghirardelli square. * Side note* In Tanya's and Megan's opinion the "world famous ice cream sundae" at the Ghirardelli chocolate store leaves much to be desired.

Homeschooling is going well. The boys started a science class on Friday the 18Th that runs ten weeks I think. Mr. Mac is awesome! He begins each class by telling a story using the white board. There is always some sort of problem and the story is left "to be continued..." while the children experiment in different ways in order to discover the solution. They are then able to go back and wrap up the story. The boys love it. Caleb will also be starting cub scouts on the 5Th of February. We are joining a den with other homeschooler's who have all sorts of adventures planed in the coming months. A few of Caleb's friend's from science are part of the group and he is very excited. Gabriel is working very hard on learning to get this reading and writing thing down and to drive his mother crazy with his constant bouncing.

That is about all can handle right now. I have got both boys working on stuff and asking questions. I need to be less distracted. So for now we love you and miss you.

California so far

2007-12-09T21:21:00.000-08:00

So after seven weeks the vote is unanimous. We love it. There is much to see and do. We have fallen into a pattern on the weekends. One day we stay home and rent movies, snuggle and play all kinds of games, the next we explore the malls, museums, restaurants and movie theaters. The next we can't seem to stay indoors for a moment. We are slowly exploring every county, city, and state park around. Favorites so far...
#1 We went to a recycle bookstore on the historic Alameda today. You should have seen us we like rats in a room full of cheese. We could have curled up there and never left. We decided on two books a piece and the boys did very well. I on the other hand could not stand to make a decision. I left with the scent of well loved books swirling around me, warm and happy. We have decide to go back another day and spend a few hours.
#2 Big Basin Redwood State Park This is the oldest state park in California. It is amazing here. It was our first time in a redwood forest and we were in awe. Caleb and Gabriel loved climbing on all the fall trees and stumps. It was hard to keep them moving. The really wanted to be set loose to run free like the little gnomes they seem to be. Andy wanted nothing more then a pipe and a chair and maybe Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. As for me I was just happy breathing in all the smells and laughter the forest had to offer.
#3 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Let's see... I guess that would be a totally of eight thumbs up. This movie is absolutely wonderful! Dustin Hoffman is perfect! Oh and the kid, Wow! Anyway, everyone who is reading this should see it. (Andy edit: Plus, it features Natalie Portman.)
#4 Las Palmas park in Sunnyvale, Ortega park in Sunnyvale, John D Morgan park in Campbell
The city parks here are great! They usually have a theme and there is something different at each one we have been to so far.
#5 Saratoga, Ca This is a small historical city we discovered on way to Big Basin Redwood State Park. The is a main street here cluttered with all sorts of small delis, antique shops, museums, and craft stores. We went to a little deli that has been around for like 50 years or something. Our sandwiches were fantastic!
#6 This one is for me alone. There are knitting stores here and I love them all. When we moved back to Tallahassee I was very sad to leave all my shops with walls lined with boxes of wool and silk and organic cotton. I am so happy to have those again here in California. So far I have only visited two, but the ladies there know me by name and the color of my bank card. Please send me pictures or descriptions of anything you would like. I am devouring my projects one after another. The boys and I are listening to books on CD in the afternoon as a sort of rest time. They spend the hour building with Knex or Zoob while I knit to my heart's content.
#7 The mind boggling choice of food. If you want it it is here. They have every kind of Asian, Mexican, Italian, Swedish... I am serious I have never seen so many kinds of restaurants in my life. Andy found curry at a place around the corner that he is in love with. I love the soup and sandwich shops. And the boys love all the Mexican.
#8 (Andy-specific) Football is on at like 9am. Not just analysis from the bandwagon by Herbstreet or Berman, but actual football. Suckers don't even know they're getting up early to play for me!

Is the anything we don't like?

#1 The chaotic driving. It is not that they drive so fast as much as everyone drives any speed and anyway they want.
#2 Pedestrians are also a bit confusing. At any given moment someone may cross right in front of you. They don't even look your way, they just cross. I cannot tell you how many people I have barely missed running over.
#3 Andy and I are not fans of our bed. The mattress is like a valley. You lay down on one side, but somehow always seem to end up in the middle.
#4 Family and our dear friends - We do miss you all. It would have been nice to share Thanksgiving laughing and eating with everyone. We missed the Festival of lights. I for one would have liked to see Kylie people watching. And we will miss all of our Christmas traditions like Tennessee, big parties with friends, sharing gifts, and telling stories. We are planning on exploring more of California and we might get to spend some time with our friends Bill and Marla who live in Seattle.

Andy sums up: It's a different world out here, but we're comfortable and we're doing our best to fit in. I'm putting in some really long hours at work, so the time is really flying by - but overall we're really very glad to have the opportunity.

We'll miss you all at Christmas - keep your feet warm and do a bit of wassailing for us!

Some of our school work

2007-12-09T21:19:00.000-08:00

On the Pacific coast for the first time

2007-12-09T21:18:00.001-08:00

Brother Bears

2007-12-09T21:17:00.002-08:00

Slow and Steady wins the race

2007-12-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

My lion cubs

2007-12-09T21:16:00.001-08:00

Gabe would have spent the entire day here with the goats.

2007-12-09T21:14:00.001-08:00

These birds of prey are only about two feet away from us.

2007-12-09T21:12:00.001-08:00

Favorite animals living at the San Francisco Zoo

2007-12-09T21:09:00.001-08:00

Scenic View on the way home from the State Park

2007-12-09T21:06:00.001-08:00

Big Basin Redwood State Park

2007-12-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

Big Basin Redwood State Park

2007-12-09T20:53:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving in California

2007-12-09T20:49:00.000-08:00

2007-11-16T14:44:00.001-08:00

My friend Chris does some really amazing flash work... here's the results of his latest project:

Our new digs!

2007-11-15T19:33:00.001-08:00

Lick Mill Park right next door to our new home.

2007-11-15T19:31:00.001-08:00

More in Walnut Canyon

2007-11-15T19:28:00.001-08:00

Indians lived in these caves.

Walnut canyon in Fairfax, AZ

2007-11-15T19:26:00.001-08:00

This is a rest stop in Arizona.

2007-11-15T19:23:00.001-08:00

There is a sing by these rocks that says watch out for rattle snack and scorpions!

Westward HO!

2007-11-15T19:19:00.001-08:00

Awesome tacos and pancakes!

These are at a park outside the history museum in Albuquerque, NM. Check out the mountains in the back ground.

More farm photos

2007-11-15T19:17:00.003-08:00

Having fall fun in Tennesse with cousin Cooper

2007-11-15T19:15:00.001-08:00

Gabe's fifth birthday

2007-11-15T19:13:00.001-08:00

Haloween at Disney

2007-11-15T19:12:00.001-08:00

Gabe's birthday cupcake in Disney

2007-11-15T19:10:00.001-08:00

Cupcakes for breakfast!!!

More Disney pictures

2007-11-15T19:08:00.001-08:00

Disney in October

2007-11-15T19:07:00.001-08:00

Gotta love Pooh.

2007-11-15T19:04:00.001-08:00

Rockin' Disney hair!