Annual Muldoon Christmas Party

We celebrate Christmas!

Muldoon Family Christmas 12/24/07

May 17 -- Susan & Jason's Wedding

That's right, we finally have a location... and a date!

After a lot of searching, we've found a great location and plan for our wedding. We're going to have the ceremony at a little chapel in the Presidio in San Francisco. The reception will follow on the other side of the Golden Gate bridge in Sausalito.

The tentative plan:

Wedding Ceremony
2:30 @ the Presidio Chapel

Reception @ Casa Madrona
4:00 - Happy hour on the ceremony deck - hors d’oeuvres & cocktails
5:30 - Dinner in the Mikayla room (above the deck) - steak & wine
7:00 - Cake cutting & Champaign toast
7:30 - Bar opens back up... DJ & dancing

11:00... done?

purrcast

Go ahead... click the play button.

Give one, get one

How would you like to get something cool and give something wonderful to a needy kid at the same time?

The XO laptop was designed for children in developing nations. It's an awesome little machine, "rugged, durable, and child-friendly, inside and out."

And OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) is a wonderful project. Here's a excerpt from their mission page:

OLPC’s mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education. While children are by nature eager for knowledge, many countries have insufficient resources to devote to education—sometimes less than $20 per year per child (compared to an average of $7,500 in the United States). By giving children their very own connected XO laptop, we are giving them a window to the outside world, access to vast amounts of information, a way to connect with each other, and a springboard into their future. And we’re also helping these countries develop an essential resource—educated, empowered children.

And now (through December 31st), you can buy an XO, and a second one will be donated to a child in a developing nation.

This is the first time the revolutionary XO laptop has been made available to the general public. For a donation of $399, one XO laptop will be sent to empower a child in a developing nation and one will be sent to the child in your life in recognition of your contribution.

Okay... so $400 isn't exactly pocket change. But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could afford to buy an XO for each of the little ones and provide five needy kids with a potentially life-changing gift?!

A guy can dream, can't he?

25 Photographs Taken at the Exact Right Time

Notice that the cat is still dry (not for long)!

Here are 24 more.

NOOOOOOOO!!!! boo hoo :(

ABC Sticks With 'Lost' Plans

Is an unresolved half-season of "Lost" better than no "Lost" at all?

ABC apparently thinks so. The network is -- for the moment, anyway -- holding to its plan to introduce the fourth season of "Lost" in February, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The decision stands in contrast to FOX's strategy for "24" -- rather than airing episodes produced prior to the writers' strike, FOX has put the show on hold until production starts again and it can air a full, unbroken season.

"Lost" has finished shooting eight of its 16 episodes this season, and executive producer Damon Lindelof has been quoted as saying that the eighth hour ends in a cliffhanger. How long fans of the show would have to wait to see the resolution is an open question. Both Lindelof and fellow showrunner Carlton Cuse are walking picket lines with the Writers Guild and, like others in their position, have pledged not to work at least until negotiations restart.

Neither the guild nor the media companies on the other side of the table have expressed any desire to resume talks in the four days of the strike.

ABC has a few other scripted series on tap for midseason: the comedy "Miss/Guided" and dramas "Eli Stone" and "Cashmere Mafia," all of which have at least a few episodes in the can. The network also has a bundle of unscripted shows on tap, ranging from another cycle of "Dancing with the Stars" to the ballyhooed do-gooding series "Oprah's Big Give."

There's no official word yet on a specific premiere date for "Lost," or which timeslot it will occupy on ABC's schedule.

2 Halloween Cuties!

Ailia loved being Dora the Mermaid. She even wore turquoise eye shadow and nail polish. Kian was a mean street fighter as a Red Skull Ninja. Both had a great time at St. Ann's Trunk of Treats and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. See more great photos here.

Have a Spooky Halloween!

Happy Birthday Papooh!

2 birthday wishes for you!

Brandon's Graduation

Congratulations Brandon!

See more here.

Mom's notes:

The first picture is his company - Echo Co 2-13; the second is when they were marching in front of the grandstand; the rest are self-explanatory, I think - maybe the first ones were, too. Can you tell which one is Brandon in the second picture?

It's Susan's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Susan! May you always be as cool as you are now.

The Recycled Flowers

This beautiful bouquet of pink-tipped roses was lovingly given to Phyllis on her birthday. Then, 9 of the roses were used for Jonah and Elisha's 9th anniversary bouquet. Ailia arranged 3 of the roses and a few sprigs of Baby's Breath to make a quaint centerpiece not unlike Martha Stewart's designs. Thanks everyone for sharing these gorgeous blossoms!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple. I am sure you two must be the luckiest people in the world!

Happy Birthday to Phyllis!

Have a wonderful birthday! We love you dearly!

Britney Spears flops at VMA 2007!

The Wii

we played Nintendo Wii (pronounced "we") with Aaron and Dawn recently. It is so much fun!

For those of you who don't know, the Wii was designed as a gaming system for non-gamers. The controllers are shaped like TV remotes with only two main buttons: 'A' and 'B'. The effect is that just about anyone can jump into a game and be 'good' without any training or tutorials.

For example, there is a tennis game that Susan and I played. To make your character hit the ball, you have to swing the remote like a tennis racquet when the ball is close to your player. Seriously, it's that easy -- no buttons, no joystick.

I think Mom and Dad should buy one.

Happy Birthday to hmmm. . . .

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Cool Upcoming Movies

Here are some trailers for new movies coming soon (or not so soon) to a theater near you...

Beowulf
The trailer looks good, and, with Robert Zemeckis directing, it sounds promising.
(release date: 11/16/2007)

Hitman
I really liked this game, and it looks like it has the potential to be a great movie.
(release date: 11/21/2007)

Iron Man
I was kind of dubious when I first heard about this, but it actually looks pretty cool.
(release date: 5/2/2008)

The Dark Knight
There's not much to this trailer (pretty much just audio), but I'm still excited that the movie is coming out.
(release date: 7/18/2008)

Unfortunately, neither Iron Man nor The Dark Knight are coming until Summer of next year. :P

Polar Bear Playing with Sled Dogs

This is awesome...
Animals at Play
(found it here)

Maui Slideshow

Scoping out Maui

Susan and I are officially scoping out wedding sites on Maui this weekend. So far, the results are not good. Everything is either too expensive or too cheap. :)

We loaded a Google Map with our top wedding locations. The Grand Wailea was definitely our favorite. Although, I don't think we're willing to spend that kind of money on a wedding + reception.

Otherwise, we're having a great time in Maui. We went to a luau last night, and snorkeling off Molokini this morning. Tomorrow we're driving the road to Hana, then heading home on Monday. That said, I fear Hawaii may have officially fallen off of our wedding location shortlist.

Who wants to come to California next Spring?

Cast Your Votes!

My vote for Jason and Susan's wedding:

Las Vegas! Weddings can be tastefully done just like this young couples'. Note the not-at-all-tacky and not-at-all-too-skimpy wedding gown.

Kian and Ailia

Kian started 1st grade and soccer! Ailia is the water-girl. They make a good team.

This is your life.

Click on the mini-slideshow to see larger photos and descriptions in Picasa.

Happy Birthday, Kristi!

Have a wonderfully ominous birthday!
We love you!

P.S. I think this sketch looks like Kristi with light-colored hair.

boys with mohawks

Happy Birthday to Kym!

Here's a little birthday wish for you from all of us!

The big Three-Oh

Wow! 7 posts since I've been gone?! Impressive.

The 30th birthday celebration was a complex equation that Susan managed to solve. We needed the right balance of fun and excitement -- exciting enough for a 30 year old yet accessible for a 1 & 3 year old (Madeira & Evan). Hmmm...

(10 adults + 2 kids) / 5 inflatable canoes + 47 beers * (8 miles of river + 2 rope swings) / 6 hours = fun * excitement

It's true!

The appropriate threshold of fun & excitement was surpassed with great fervor. We had a good turn-out and lots of fun.

Inflatable canoes?
http://www.soar1.com/rradventures/welcome.htm



Afterwards a smaller group went back to Santa Rosa to stay @ Motel 6 and drink more beer by the pool. The pool and beer were great. Although, to our surprise, the management at Motel 6 left something to be desired. I think we'll upgrade to Days Inn next time.

The next day I woke up feeling achy and tired. Is this what it feels like to be 30? As the day went on I started to get a fever and sore throat. Maybe it's just a bug.

Happy 30th Jason!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! You look like a monkey, and you smell like one too. P.U.!

Hair is everywhere!

Well, I did it! I actually gave the boys the same haircut. And they like it!! I guess the dog is next......

Katie Holmes Denies Anal Bleaching. Tom Cruise Turns The Other Cheek.

By Ed Druckman

Courtney Cox, Lara Flynn Boyle and now Katie Holmes? Yesterday, Defamer.com posted a picture of a bleached anus, captioned: "Katie Holmes". The matter would have pooped out there if a Star reporter hadn't snapped a picture of Katie Holmes coming out of Pink Cheeks, a Sherman Oaks boutique that offers the service of making "your winkie as white as your smile." Now in the words of Holmes/Cruise publicist Arnold Robinson, "It's a sh*t storm."

Robinson went on to say, "to conclude, if it was in fact Ms. Holmes coming out of Pink Cheeks, that she bleached her winkie is absurd. May I remind you that Pink Cheeks also offers a range of services, like Brazilians, to which Ms. Holmes, being somewhat hirsute, may have wanted to avail herself." The owner of Pink Cheeks, Cindy Esser-Thorin, when interviewed by the Associate Press, would not confirm or deny Holmes' visit. "Sweetie," said Esser-Thorin, "I'm like a doctor, not a GP but a proctologist. I don't divulge my patients."

However, The Associate Press did track down a nurse who was present during the birth of Suri Cruise. The AP would not divulge her name, but the nurse said, "I won't say if it was black or white. But I will say that if this was Alabama in 1954 that ass would have no problem plunking itself down on a white's only toilet."

And the matter is threatening to transcend cosmetics. Activist Reverend Al Sharpton today released this statement, "We hear all of this talk out of Hollywood of racial equality. When it comes down to it, it's the white ass that's most prized not the black ass. Of course, we still have Halle Berry, but how long before she takes the bleach!" George Clooney also weighed in. "All the work we did to raise consciousness here about Darfur done in by Katie Holmes' winkie, it's very disturbing, not to mention disgusting. Who would want to do that job?" Sharpton is also planing a nation wide boycott of Cruise's Mission Impossible III, which opens this Friday.

Cruise was asked about the escalating incident during the Mexican promotion tour of Mission Impossible III. "This isn't a matter of race," said Cruise. "It's a matter of bleach. And I think we should all remember it's "turn" the other cheek, not "spread".

Link to original story

Okay, Susan and Jason, we are still waiting for your July 4th Anal Bleaching Party photos!

Avast!

Our little superstars!

OK, OK!! I'll post something....

We had a fun day at the cabin on June 30. The boys fished until they couldn't fish anymore. Ryan brought home a trophy for smallest fish. Ethan enjoied hanging out under the dock sneaking up on other kids. At one point I noticed he was pushing a couple kids off the dock. To my surprise, the kids would climb back up onto the dock and let him push them off over and over! This lasted for a long, long time. Kyle threw his cast nest 10,539 times to be exact. I have not seen another kid so focused on a goal than Kyle when it comes to this cast net.

It was a good day made better with good food! As usual the food was spread from end to end of the porch. Fried mullet, fried chicken, seafood casserole, boiled shrimp, baked beans, numerous salads, other fried things, and of course a dozen desserts to choose from made eating an easy thing to do when you got tired of the sun.

As far as how many actual "Muldoon's" were there, I haven't the faintest idea. That will have to be answered by another Muldoon.

We did find out who the mysterious unusually tall person was in a Christmas photo taken at the cabin last year. If you remember the photo, he was standing behind Ritchie, Shannon's hubby. He is one of Ritchie's best friends. Can't remember his name, though. Anyways, mystery solved!
There! Are you happy now?? So dish out all the goods, tell us about you 30th bday. Goats and monkeys, too! :)

Kian and Ailia muggin' for the camera!

Blogging

Why are the last 3 blog posts mine? Oh wait, now it's the last 4?!?!

I see Elisha posted more pictures on Picasa. Hmmm... no reference on the blog?

Surely Mom will post something about going to "The Cabin" last weekend. How big was it this year? How many Muldoon's were there?

How come Bill hasn't posted any links for the on-going climate debate?

I'm going to refrain from posting any comments about my 30th birthday celebration until I see some more activity on this blog.

Goats and monkeys!

Jason

Add "The Muldoons" to your Google homepage

Did you know that you can add The Muldoons blog to your Google homepage?

Just click the link below:
Add "The Muldoons" to your Google homepage »

Tip: once it has been added, you can change the number of posts that are displayed by clicking on edit settings.

Jason & Susan's Picasa Gallery

We finially had a chance to upload a few pictures to Picasa. We posted about 43 from Beach Week. Yay!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jason.muldoon

Where's Waldo?

Susan and Jason are in Orange County this weekend visiting with Susan's Mom and brother. Interestingly enough, Mrs. Kim and Jason share the same birthday, July 8th. They celebrated Susan's Mom's birthday with dinner and cake last night (2 weeks early). Afterwards they went for a long walk on Seal Beach to burn off some of the extra calories.

Shared Calendar

I renamed our Beach Week calendar to "The Muldoons." I'm not going to delete it, so we can continue to use it to schedule shared events (like Jason and Susan's wedding, hint, hint, hint). There's a mini version on the bottom right of this page, or you can see a big version by clicking on this button:

New Photo Galleries Posted

It looks like Elisha has posted beach week pictures dating as far back as 2001. You can see them all here.

Mother has Beach Week, Easter and Christmas pictures posted here.

[update] Ashley has posted a few of her pictures from Beach Week here

Anyone else posted their pictures online yet?

Here's how to make a new post:

1. Open the blog page in your browser: http://muldoonblog.blogspot.com.
   (aren't you already here? Skip this step)


2. Look in the upper right hand corner of the screen. It will either say:


1. "Create Blog | Sign In"


1. This means you are not signed in. Click "Sign In."


2. It might automatically sign you in, or it might bring you to a screen that says "Sign in to use Blogger with your Google Account." Enter the same user name and password you use for Gmail (it's the same account), and click "Sign In."


3. Now you are at a screen that has "Dashboard" in big letters at the top. Underneath that, it says "Manage Your Blogs." Underneath that it says "The Muldoons." Underneath that it says "New Post". Click on "New Post."

OR


2. "[your username] | New Post | Customize | Sign Out"


1. This means you are already signed in. Click "New Post"


2. Go to step 3


3. Skip this step.


3. Now just fill in the title field (anything you want), and write your post in the big text box. It works a lot like Word. When you're done, click the "Publish Post" button.


4. You're done.


5. There is no step 5. You were done at Step 3.


6. Why are you still reading? You're done.


7. Okay, okay. Go back to step 1 and make another post.

There are more complicated ways to do it (you can add pictures, you can post from Picasa, you can post a link from another blog). I'll outline those steps in a later post.

Furry Lobster discovered last year!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4785482.stm

Paddy O'Leary Couples!

Baby hermits are too cute!

Look at these little babies!

Hermit Crabs

Apparently there aren't any hermit crabs that grow their own shells. They borrow them from snails. It is still a mystery to me how all those hermit crabs found all those shells that looked exactly the same. I guess that is just what hermit crabs do. The wonders of nature!!

Hermit Crab True Stories from the Sea Shell Shop

1981

At one time one of our stores was below a condo where many elderly lived during the winter and many visited us daily. One particular 88 year old hated even the site of hermit crabs and would walk by them with her head turned. One day her great grandchild who lived several states away begged her to bring him a hermit crab. So she marched in and purchased not one but three of these little lively critters. She asked many questions, got all the necessary paraphernalia and carried them out FAR away from her body. She was not happy about the situation but willing to do anything for her grandchild. The very next day, before we opened, she stood excitedly by our door. She could not wait to tell us about her night with her newly named friends. She loved them. They kept her awake, active and talking all night. She said they talked to her and yes, they do make a chirping noise. She said she couldn't get over their different personalities. She then purchased three more for her great grandson and kept those three for herself.

The hermits became her project, her true pets. She took them for walks on the beach, bathed them and fed them special food. Cost was no object when it came to her hermits. She then purchased three more making a family of six. Over the rest of the summer and throughout the next winter I guess she spent a great deal of time with her hermits.

Well spring arrived and she came to visit. She referred to them all by name and she had each marked accordingly. She told us she had trained them to come when called. She said they wandered loose in her apartment and slept in a special bed. Now who would believe that? After all, I'd been selling hermits since I was a tot in 1953, and I never heard of such a thing.

She ran up to get them and came back, all six in hand. She showed me their names on the backs of their initialed shells and then set them at the end of our then 50 foot store. She called them one by one by name and YES, they did come and ONLY when she called them. Believe it or not, I saw it with my own eyes.

Her hermits knew her well and were lovingly trained by her. So anything is possible.

Many tell us that their hermits start scratching at their bowls just at the time the kids are expected home from school, knowing it will be play time. I guess you'd have to say, Hermits do make perfect pets.

Muldoon family summer vacation

We enjoyed yet another fun-filled beach week at Pensacola Beach this year. The kids caught fish, hermit crabs, crab-crabs, and crabs. We fed swans some delicious military rations. Some played Texas Hold-em and discussed the ins and outs of anal bleaching. The guys played X-Box. The girls tried on clothes. The parents took naps. We even went to Range Point by boat and caught more fish, hermit crabs, crab-crabs, and crabs. What a great vacation!!

More Fishin' Stories.

Gone Fishin'

Dad takes a dip!

mumbling: Florida Panhandle Vacation Rentals

mumbling: Florida Panhandle Vacation Rentals

Muldoon Beach Week 2007

Muldoon Beach Week 2007

Happy 3rd Ethan!

We celebrated Ethan's 3rd birthday with a pool party!