- A.P. Penner -

singing to baby Jesus

2008-12-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what is more funny, their random and disconnected songs or that Toby is using the baby as a footrest.

Our first tree!

2008-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

she's walking!

2008-11-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

Halloween and friends

2008-11-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

sorry for the 2 month haitus... we're back.

silly kids and tiny dogs

2008-09-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Penner family reunion

2008-09-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

We had a Penner family reunion at the farm in SW Kansas. It was awesome to see our CA family (we miss you all!) and just to have fun back home with the kids.

...

2008-08-25T09:27:00.001-07:00

pretty funny marketing spoof on scientology

soda pop

2008-08-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

I was born and raised blue, but after only 3 1/2 years, I am yellow... and I can tell you right now I'll never be red. Soda anyone?

Fun at Gram's

2008-07-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

Fun at Gram's!

THE gokart

2008-06-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

There is a joke in our family. Whenever we talk about the good 'ol days, my brother Marc and I reminisce about our days building and driving our gokarts all over the country. This is usually when my mean old brother-in-law Chris claims that our gokarts are mythical figments of our imagination and that he has never once seen them in working/riding condition. Well, in an effort to bring the family together, Marc and I (with, well... alot of help from Dad) have ventured out to set things right... to prove our manhood by building the greatest gokart ever (or at least one that runs)! It was actually Chris' idea, but that is beside the point. Marc and I set out on a perilous adventure, tasked with this great goal!!! And now, BEHOLD, the hour draweth nigh... it is almost complete. I, with bravery beyond compare, have ridden the monster of a gokart... armed with only an outstretched arm to awaken the beast and not one disk break to ease her rage.

Farm livin'

2008-06-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to hang out with Papa on the farm! It was awesome... there were tons of rocks and random metal objects to play with. The kids loved being on the farm and I was reminded of why I loved growing up there. We got to ride the tractor, play with cats and dogs, ride the gokart, jump on the trampoline, see Great Grandma and Grandpa, pick fresh mulberries, and take in the big Kansas sky.

family pics

2008-06-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

On father's day weekend, we went to Baldwin City, KS and took a ride on the REAL Thomas Train Engine... all the way from Sodor Island!

house tour

2008-06-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here's our first house ever! We bought it from my sister and we are so blessed to inherit such a great house. After doing alot of painting and refinishing the wood floors, we are excited to be settling in... although the mowing has been crazy with all the rain. Enjoy... and then come visit!

- Adam & Becky

the floor

2008-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

they say it can't be done... lowes.com calls it an "advanced" job. I am not afraid.

Okay, for some backound: Becky and I agonized over color and stain vs natural for about a week, then tested a few things: natural with the poly coat, dark stain and light (actually white) stain. We didn't like the yellowing effect on the natural, so we almost broke out the white stain when we realized that it is "not recommended on floors". So, we tried the dark stuff and liked it. It was initially not our first choice, but now that I have finished staining, I love it. All that's left is the polyurethane finish!

Step 1: sanding the floors - I rented a big nasty floor sander which was awesome.

Step 2: stain floor with "Jacobean" oil based wood finish by Minwax (it's dark!).

Note how the natural grain and variation of the wood is enhanced.

more updates to come....

We're moving!

2008-05-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we have bought my sister's house and are moving soon! So far, Becky has been staying up late at the house painting while I have been sanding and staining the wood floors. We are already exhausted and we haven't even moved yet. We are blessed and excited to have our own home and look forward to creating our own memories there. I will be posting pictures soon, but if you'd like a sneak peak, you can check out my sister's blog -> Julie

watch out American Idol

2008-04-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

I love this girl.

Dr Tobias

2008-04-09T18:29:00.001-07:00

a few more...

2008-04-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

family pics

2008-04-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

YES

2008-04-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

wet and wild

2008-02-24T11:56:00.001-08:00

we're going swimming in February!

2008-02-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

We're going to the Great Wolf Lodge in KC today. It has an indoor water park. Needless to say, Toby is excited.

sniffle...sniffle

2008-01-27T18:14:00.000-08:00

Cambria

2008-01-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

friends

2008-01-27T17:59:00.001-08:00

Amanda and Micah came to visit. We had fun... where were you, Paul?

big girls got belly

2008-01-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

proliferation

2008-01-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

buba and sissy

2008-01-09T17:47:00.001-08:00

fun in the snow

2008-01-09T17:43:00.001-08:00

Cambria Jane is growing...

2007-11-30T11:31:00.001-08:00

happy belated halloween

2007-11-30T11:24:00.001-08:00

KS = Snow!

2007-11-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

One of the many reasons we are excited to be in KS! The kids loved playing in the snow (especially when I told them they could eat it too).

Cambria's first smiles

2007-10-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

We're Moving!

2007-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

So I have taken a job in Wichita at Tabor College and we are busy packing for the move! We'll be in Wichita in a week. The kids have been having fun 'helping' with the boxes.

REI grand opening

2007-09-17T13:15:00.001-07:00

Friday I got in line (I was 4th) at 5:15 am at the new REI store. Now that's what I call dedication.

toys

2007-09-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Despite her lack of enthusiasm for toys, Toby and Mia have been practicing their sharing with Cambria.

Cambria Jane - 8.17.07

2007-08-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Son

2007-08-13T14:35:00.001-07:00

I love you Toby, more than I ever could have imagined.

just pics

2007-08-09T10:28:00.001-07:00

Pismo

2007-08-09T10:17:00.001-07:00

a haircut for Becky

2007-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

before...and after...

...not that she could possibly become any more beautiful

Best score EVER

2007-07-06T14:51:00.001-07:00

So, my beautiful wife and I have recently taken up a new hobby... Yahtzee! You may think we are pathetic and boring but we don't care what you think. We love each other and that is all that matters. Well, she used to love me... until I rolled 4 Yahtzee's in one game.

Mia's first haircut

2007-07-06T14:39:00.001-07:00

before... and after...

Half Dome video

2007-06-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Half Dome

2007-06-11T09:39:00.001-07:00

Here we are at the beginning of the 16 mile trek with our headlamps (we began at 1:30 am) The hike was quite steep, especially approaching the huge rock dome - here Rick is coming up the zig-zag steps that are carved into the granite.
There it is... right at sunrise.

You can see a lone climber half-way up the cables where the sun hits.

Beautiful sunrise

There it is... a big stinkin rock. Again, you can see the cables and the climber.

Rick coming up the steep cables

Wow... what a view.

There I am sitting on the "diving board"...

don't worry, its only about 5,000 vertical feet to the valley floor
A beautiful waterfall with a rainbow. We could barely see it on the way up.

just some recent pics

2007-06-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Water babies - they love to 'swim'

Here's Mia and sweet baby Isabella

Cool hair Micah...

It's Bono!

She's becoming a big little girl.

she's nice... sometimes

2007-05-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Its a...

2007-04-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Girl! This is her profile. Her behind is sticking up on the left.

our first family baseball game

2007-04-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

The other night we went to a Fresno Grizzlies baseball game!

The kids were a little underwhelmed by the actual game, but Toby got to high five the mascot bear and Mia enjoyed the popcorn. So we had fun.

Easter

2007-04-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Did she lay those eggs?

Nan and Uncle Alec

2007-04-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Toby and Mia had a great time with Nan and Uncle Alec. We'll miss you, but hope to see you again soon.

the kids

2007-03-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

He's growing up

2007-03-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

I went into his room when he was supposed to be napping and snuggled up beside him. After grabbing daddy's big nose he says, "Adam"

I smiled and said, what is your name?

"Toby"

I said "Toby Paul Penner". Did you know that my name is "Adam Paul Penner?"

He said after a short pause... "Mommy Paul Penner?"
-----------------------------------------------------------
He was out helping Becky shop and when she was looking at one rack, he said

"Mommy, you so pretty" Becky smiled and said "thank you, Toby"

He then, proudly turned to an older lady beside him looking at another rack of clothes
and said, "I just tell mommy she pretty"

guilty girl

2007-03-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Bob the Builder

2007-03-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

sigh

2007-03-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhh... so, I'm done. Well, kindof. Yesterday I presented/defended my senior paper. It was interesting... I learned that I have a tendency to be long-winded in my public speaking. Reeaaallllllyy long-winded. But people were mostly gracious and strangely agreeable considering my paper topic. So, anyway, I'll try to get some more pics and videos up soon. Thanks to everyone who was praying for me. Please keep Becky in your prayers. Her vertigo is really taking its toll and she see's another specialist next week.

cars

2007-03-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Toby loves his cars, especially his "Cars" cars.

sweet kids

2007-02-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

holdin' hands
cuddlin' daddy

B-ballin

2007-01-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

Snowboarding!

2007-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so dad is visiting us and we went skiing Saturday! It was awesome. It was the first time in 3 years that I had been able to go snowboarding which is sad since we live 2 hours from the resort. Now my body hurts, but it was worth it.

Christmas pics

2007-01-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

Farm boys

She looks just like her mom

Playing in the park!

The kids playing with their new kitchen

Mia in her new princess garb

Toby has an announcement

2006-12-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

We will miss all of you this Christmas!

Hope to see you soon.

I'm done! ...for now

2006-12-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

As of 11:00 last night... i am done with my semester. I have never worked so hard in my life and am glad it is over. Unfortunately, I still have another semester. But, it will be much more manageable than this one. For all of my family and friends... expect a call. I have neglected many relationships for the past month or two (not least my wife).

dying gracefully

2006-12-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

There are some things I will miss about living here. Horseback riding through the orchards is one of them. (I took this picture two years ago when we lived with Rick, Laura, Kelley and Rhianna)

Hide and Seek

2006-11-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

my beautiful family

2006-11-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

some fall pics

2006-11-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

ABC's...kindof

2006-10-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

i love my family

2006-10-31T15:11:00.001-08:00

KJ 52

2006-10-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

Here's Rich, a good friend and bassist for KJ52. Thanks Rich, we had fun.

what blog?

2006-10-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone... if you are wondering why there have been no posts to the blog for over a month, let me explain. School has started again and for reasons beyond my control, I need to take 9 units this fall, which is too many. So, i'm in way over my head with homework. Also, as some of you know, my computer was stolen in Kansas City and only recently has been found and is being sent to me. So, the usual pictures and updates which come from that computer are on hold for a while. As a quick debrief, Kansas City was great. We really feel like there is a huge need for (evangelical) churches in the areas that we visited. We love the city and look forward to see how God opens doors in that direction.

God Bless,

Birthday Party

2006-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Toby and Mia had a fun birthday party this weekend. We had dougnuts and milk and lots of friends. Toby had lots of fun with his friends Kyle, Jack and Nairi. Thanks everyone for the gifts!

Soul 2 Soul concert

2006-08-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Monday night we went to a Faith Hill/Tim McGraw Concert. We were given tickets for our anniversary and as you can tell by the picture, we basically had the best tickets ever- we were about 5 feet from the stage catwalk. This was the best picture my cell phone could take. It was a good concert. We had fun... it reminded us of Nashville.

Weekend on the beach

2006-08-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend at a beach house in Aptos (Santa Cruz) with Paul, Amanda and Micah. It was a great time to get away from the Fresno heat and air. Toby wasn't a huge fan of the crashing waves, but had fun in the sand.

3 Years!

2006-08-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

August 1 was our three year anniversary! We celebrated by going to our favorite restaurant, Jonathans. As of yet, our marriage has been characterized by "adventure". Here are some hightlights:

a 5 month honeymoon in Nashville!
Moving to California... pregnant, with no jobs (no money).
Tobias born two weeks after our 1 year anniversary!
Church planting with the Grove.
Mia born one month after our 2 year anniversary!

Watch out, she bites

2006-07-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

Mia got her first teeth a few weeks back, so I thought I'd use the excuse to show off how darn cute she is (just like her mom).

Summer with Kids

2006-07-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

Family=Fun

2006-06-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ryan's wedding

2006-06-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Ryan and Ali Kliewer! I got to be a best man at the wedding. I had alot of fun seeing old friends and family. Soon, a second generation of Windego will be complete.

Marc & Katy

2006-05-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... here are some pics from when Marc and Katy came to visit! Yosemite was amazing.

CCE 3

2006-05-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

we visited a gay, lesbian, transexual, bisexual, queer, intersexual (lgbtqi) church. We (the Church) have alot to do in order to break down the fear and hatred of the church to homosexuals.
went to a Buddhist temple; it was interesting.
met a Harvard grad who is "wasting" his life for Christ living in a crazy neigborhood in L.A. We are too bent on "successful ministry" in the Church. He reminded me of Jesus.
Witnessed a drive-by shooting today where we were serving in the projects in Watts... scared the crap out of me.

CCE 2

2006-05-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

Since it is impossible for me to unpack all of my reflections on my experiences so far, I'll give a few highlights.

We visited an amazing African-American church on Sunday that was absolutely energizing. We struggled as a group with how the Church can overcome cultural divides, yet still value the cultural distinctives. Should there be cultural homogenous churches? Can true, authentic community be found in a culturally diverse setting?
Today we spent much of the day in the USC/L.A. county hospital. This hospital is one of the nations largest, and it is very different (worse) than hospitals I have visited. It was incredible to be surrounded with so much pain and death. We visited the ICU, the burn unit, the morgue and the crematorium. Seeing God use people that are face to face with death everyday is amazing.
The Union Rescue Mission on "skid row" in dountown L.A. was incredible. Here, thousands upon thousands are given shelter, counseling, grace, Jesus. Some people accept and are changed, some do not. But the Mission continues to live out the love of Christ to people who are completely without hope.

CCE 1

2006-05-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hello from Pasadena everyone! I am on a Cross-Cultural Experience course for seminary. Over the next 9 days, I will be traveling throughout the L.A. area visiting various churches and other urban organizations. I'll keep you posted as I get a chance. Today we served in Fresno and traveled here to Pasadena, where we will stay. Tomorrow I am heading to two well known black churches in the morning, and will go to Mosaic (Irwin McManus' church) in the evening. I already miss my wife and kids, but I think I'll survive. Pray that God will open my heart to what He is doing in the lives of his people here in L.A.

The Woman that I Love

2006-05-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Becky, you are the most beautiful, funny, caring person in my life.

I can't wait to grow old with you. Happy Birthday!

Its my party and I'll cone if I want to

2006-04-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

For my birthday party Paul and Amanda brought ear candles (cones) and we had a sweet ear-candling party. It was the coolest thing ever! The results were mildly disgusting so I won't include that picture. If you have never done this, you don't know what you are missing.

a few new pics

2006-04-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else see a resemblance?

A great start

2006-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the Grove Community church has launched. It was a wonderful day. Over 300 people were there; some friends, family, and many visitors. Thank you all for your prayers and celebrate with us as three people began a relationship with Christ! The real work begins now as we continue to reach out into the area.

The Grove

2006-04-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61: 1-3

The Kingdom of God will expand on April 9. Pray that people will come and find Christ.

Mennonites and Vegetable oil

2006-03-31T15:00:00.000-08:00

Check out how we Mennonites plan to save the environment.

veggie-powered car

Help me Help you....help me.

2006-03-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, its almost April, and that means its almost my birthday. That's right. I'm letting you know exactly what i want/need for my induction into the quarter century club:

Bluetooth headset for the cell phone
Powerball gyroscope
Books on my Amazon wishlist

I will also accept any visitors to California (see you soon Marc, Katy and Melissa).

Still laughing

2006-02-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

Here she is laughing again at her big brother.

Click to watch the video!

Random site of February

2006-02-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

In commemoration of living in California and being able to eat an unending supply of free oranges, here it is.

my daughter, she's sweet

2006-01-26T16:07:00.000-08:00

click to watch video!

I'm working on making the videos load faster, so bear with me.

bet you don't have a pool table in your office

2006-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Click to watch video!

Hide and Seek

2006-01-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Click to watch the video!

I'm so glad I figured out to host videos on the blog (now vlog). If anyone wants tips on how to do it let me know.

Good parents trick babies

2006-01-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

Click to watch the video!

the appointed time has come

2006-01-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

So, over the Christmas break, Windego united. After years of separation, the forces have only become stronger. With the second generation of Windego at hand, the world must prepare for a Windego that is quite possibly not even comprehensible at this point. Congrats Ryan and Ali! You know what to do next.

Tobias & Mia

2005-12-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

give thanks

2005-11-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is here. I have learned a hard, but good lesson this year. So often it seems when we go through difficult times, some innate part of us gets left behind. When we are hurt, our belief in people dissapears and becomes doubt. When we are told a lie, our trust becomes even more difficult to earn. When something falls apart, we doubt that it ever really existed. Our innocence is lost, and our graciousness follows. But all of this only leads to cynicism and disparagement, and cynicism leads to unthankfulness.

Christ changes everything. Cynicism and unthankfulness are ungratefulness to God. I encourage you to take a look back into your life, and to be thankful to God for the moments and blessings that He has given to you. The blessings were real and we ought not forget that. Take back your doubt, give back your trust, and give this world the graciousness our Lord has given us.

Colossians 2:6-8 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.