The Blanding Bugle

Volume 18 Issue 2

February 2009

New Job

Steve started his new job with RealNetworks this month.  He loves going to the city to work, doesn't like the length of the commute, but riding the bus and being able to catch up on reading, podcast and other stuff isn't so bad.  He loves the pulse of downtown Seattle and enjoys the challenges of his new job.  He is quickly adjusting to a new work environment. 

It was very hard to say goodbye to Microsoft after nearly 19 years with the company, but it was time to move on. He's now working on the Real Player which is a program for playing music and video on your PC (kind of like iTunes).  Leaving Microsoft was difficult but his new job is more in line with his interests and it pays a little better too.

School and Stuff

January was a very slow month or "boring" if you are under 20. 

Kray started a new term at BCC taking a geography, history and economics class.  So far he is loving all of his class--especially the geography class.   Makes Doreen proud as she loves geography and maps.  She remembers pulling out the road maps and charting out trips to take during the summer.  A trip to Disneyland (never done), a trip to Atlanta to see the King family (never done by her), a trip to Denver to see the King family after they moved (never done by her), a trip to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Washington DC, Orlando, Dallas, etc. (never done). For some reason her family trips were always to BYU or the MTC. Kray has now found the joy of geography and all that goes with it.  It has even sparked a real interest in him so much so that he is considering making so form of geography his career. Right now he is looking at climatology.  Who knows if in 10 years he won't be working at a local TV station near you as your go to weatherman. Not a bad fit for him. 

The rest of the family is studying Ancient Greek mythology and loving it! We are also continuing our study of Chemistry and for the most part understanding it all.  Those numbers times 10 to the negative power are getting a bit much, but we are making our way through so we can get to the fun stuff: experiments!

Jason is one of two teens who are heading up a homeschool youth group that meets at our house once a month. This month he planned a birthday party for everyone. It was well planned out and went off without a hitch! He did a great job. 

Mike is growing like a weed. It seems like every other week he is coming to Doreen asking for new jeans.  He still keeps his hair short and tries really hard not to do too much work in typical teen fashion.

Matt, still short, isn't growing out of his jeans. In fact he is making new knee holes in the hand-me-down jeans he gets from Mike.  His favorite pass-time is playing DS and not doing his homework.

Chris has grown his hair out for the past year.  He turned 10 and loves WEBELOS.  Because of scheduling conflicts he doesn't attend den meeting, but with his mom for a one-cub pack and loves it.  They get to do whatever they want, whenever they want and however they want.  He is quickly passing off requirements and earning activity pins. 

Jessie loves the phone! The rule in the house is no phone calls until after 12 and then only to her homeschool pals.  After 3:30 she can call her public school friends and boy does she ever.  We are training her to put the phones back so we can find them.  She has finally come to grips with the fact that Matt and Chris will not play dolls or anything else "girl" with her.  She is learning to love "boy" video games, "boy" outdoor games and "boy" indoor games.  She loves to play with her brothers and calls them her buddies.

Science Center

It had been a long, long time since the Blanding family ventured into downtown Seattle.  With a holiday we decided to head to the Science Center to see a IMAX movie to end our unit on Egypt as well as see the model railroad displays. 

The movie was excellent and every one enjoyed it (except for the motion sickness we felt while "flying" over the Nile). The train show brought back many happy memories of when Steve was doing his trains.  It was a fun afternoon. 

We even drove by where Steve works to show the kids. 

Mike, Steve, Jason & Kray
(when did they get so tall?)

Waiting in line
Jason, Kray, Matt, Jessie, Mike & Chris

Kray & his angry face

Matt can't help but smile with a coonskin cap on!

Steve

Jessie