Some of y’all might have noticed a lot of media coverage about two proposed bills called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act). A lot of people are upset about this for a variety of reasons and have voiced their unhappiness in a few different ways, up to and including a “blackout” of entire websites. I came across a great video that explains what SOPA/PIPA is and why we should all care so I thought I would share it. There are a variety of reasons I think everyone should be worried about this, but to make it simple… if SOPA/PIPA were to pass this website (as well as Facebook, YouTube, etc) will no longer exist. So learn what it is, and act accordingly by contacting your representatives and letting them know how you feel.
Fun, Fun, Fun!
This week is typically a slow time for Erin’s work with people taking vacation, and their factory being closed for the holidays. As such she hasn’t had to go into the office much at all so we decided to use the time to do some exploring around Houston and do some fun stuff with Caden. So far we have gone to the Children’s Museum where Caden got to run around an play with all sorts of cool stuff. Then we went and checked out the Houston Zoo, thanks to Adam, Sarah, and the kids who gave us a zoo pass for Christmas! Kay and Dick even met us there and hung out for a while. Then today we took a drive to Galveston to go to the beach and see the gulf. All and all it has been an awesome week, and the best part is we still have a few more days to have fun!
I uploaded most of the pictures to Facebook. But if you missed them you can see the Houston Zoo ones HERE and the ones from the beach HERE.
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from Houston Texas! Erin, Caden, and I had our first Christmas here this weekend. It was also the first Christmas that Caden figured out what all this present business was about. Last year he was still a little young to fully get it, but this year he was able to enjoy the holiday much more. He loved the tree. Every time Erin plugged it in he would stand in front of it and say “Wow“, which just happens to be his new favorite word. He got lots of presents this year and thanks to the wonders of the internet and a little program called Skype all the family got to watch him open his presents.
Erin and I had a good time as well, though just like Thanksgiving Erin was pretty homesick and missed her family. Not that I didn’t miss them or my family back in Minnesota, I’m am just a little more used to not 
being home for holidays since I haven’t lived “at home” since 1998. But as my buddy Jon (Bon Jovi) said once, We got each other and that’s a lot… Plus Erin made a kickin turkey dinner, so that helped.
I took some pictures as you might expect. Most are of Caden opening his presents. But if you like that sort of thing you can find them on the Greatlandings Photo site under the Holidays category in the Christmas 2011 album.
Hello Santa!
Erin and I took Caden to the mall today to see Santa. We were a little worried about if he would freak out or not be willing to even consider sitting on Santa’s lap. We got to the mall about 30 minutes before Santa starting seeing kids and since it was pushing lunch time Caden started to get a little fussy. But after a few minutes he settled down and actually started to look like he might fall asleep in his stroller. The way the line went Caden wasn’t able to see Santa before it was his turn. So all in a mater of seconds I took him out of his stroller, rounded the corner to revival Santa, plopped him down in Santa’s lap, and Erin and I started clapping and yelling for him to smile. All the while there was an “elf” ringing a bell and trying to get him to look at the camera.
In the end he wasn’t really scared of Santa, but he also wasn’t all that sure what the heck was going on. He did in fact smile for s quick second, but the camera lady didn’t catch it. I am cool with the picture we got, even if he isn’t smiling. He looks so much older then he is it is crazy. My little buddy…
Dickens on the Strand
Erin, Caden, Kathy, and I took a trip to Galveston this weekend for the Dickens on the Strand festival. It is a great little festival where they dress up like Dickens era characters and walk around performing. There was jugglers, singing, and all sorts of vendors there and even an entire section dedicated to Steampunk! It was a picture taking buffet! The weather was amazing for us as well, 78 and sunny!
You can check out some of the photos I took on the Greatlandings Photo Site under the Events category in an album named Dickens on the Strand 2011.
