Loyals,
We’re still here, and still living our lives. Stuff happens. Other stuff happens.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
Riley recently had his first Duke of Edinburgh overnighter in the desert, culminating in a 7 km hike. Claims a good time was had by all. No small animals were tortured. The follow up is late January, when he’ll be dropped off somewhere in Oman with a GPS locator and coordinates for the campsite 20 km away. By himself. Nice knowing you, Riley.
Christopher (and Riley, assuming he makes it back from Oman) will soon be off to youth conference, this time in Abu Dhabi: an event to which Christopher is looking very much forward, not only because it is a significant milestone in his continued maturation, but also because it will afford him the chance to meet girls on whom he might develop both a legitimate and safe crush.
Jonah is the new Basquiat: exhibition coming soon (as soon, that is, as I can get my camera phone to work: faster than scanning).
Wendy is obsessed with her new iPod (Touch!), and more particularly with her favourite podcasts and solitaire, which she plays for hours on end on the panzy setting (1). Psh.
Jon is nursing a bursitical shoulder, maybe, but screaming through the workouts anyway. He has just finished the term, has loads of work to do, and has developed an alternate personality, who hopes to publish a stimulating and brilliantly lyrical book of children’s poems in the next few months. you’ll all get autographed copies, provided you buy one and you’re ever near him and he has a pen.
Reading: Jon to Jonah–Madeline l’Engle. We’d both grown tired of Roald Dahl, but only because The Great Glass Elevator is ridiculous, and not at all sublime. The l’Engle has brought back deep and metaphysical memories (for Jon, not Jonah), and has him wondering if he hasn’t lost touch with some important parts of himself.
Christopher: Bradbury’s The October Country.
Riley: Robert Jordan and some more Asimov.
Wendy: 16 Ways of Beating Solitaire without Cheating.
Jonah, by himself, verses of Matthew nightly, as part of a general thing. He is officially literate.
And now, spot the Jon:
Shout-out: nana. Welcome. Identify yourself.
Jonathon Penny
an update!
wendy …. check out the vinyl cafe on cbc podcast if you haven’t already. it’s my favourite.
and i’m definitely going to check out some of the books you’re reading once i get through my massive pile of books from christmas.
skype again soon?
Madeline L’Engle is one of my favorites. I’m purposely not commenting on the upcoming Duke of Edinburgh thing, but they do have back-up plan right?
PS I did see you in the photo.
Hey Jonah, Happy Birthday !! We’re sorry we missed it, but we hope that you had a great day anyway. We love you Jonah, xoxoxox Grandma and Grandpa Penny
Back row, 5th from left…you look photoshopped in.
I can’t believe Christopher is old enough to go to youth conference, and Riley to be left alone in the wilderness. Yikes.
Dear Jonathon,
Hello
…..I’m Nana . I live in a planet called the earth , but I came from a different one…hard to say the name in your language 
…In particular I look like a human female ( a young one) that’s mean between 25-30 years old i guess.
I’m not that good in english but i figure that i can speak arabic very well , i speak also french little bit. I found your page so interesting and intelligent. I love your activities you and your adorable family …..I love you all.
you are great and i feel happy to read about you and know all the thing you do in life ….I love to see people do their things….live…….it’s a joy for me to check your page everyday to see if there is any new adventures…..most interesting that i love your peom … me my self wrote some of peoms. I hope i can share it with you some day.
live happily as much as you can cause this world is full with sadness.
smile all the time cause it will put a smile on people around you.
laugh whenever there is a chance cause it tickle your heart and make any view more joyful….bye for now…..say hi to all your family …..i wish really to be a friend ….peace
note : JON is numer 4 from the left in the back row (tall men)
… i love that game …i can know you even if you are walking away……strong sense 
hahaha
Riley, you survivor man! And Christopher, going into a wilderness of another sort…not sure who I am more concerned for. Have fun both and careful not to get bitten by anything or anyone.