Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. Things are wet but good in San Diego. It has been raining all day but I had the day off so I am just chillin'. I went and bought Napoleon Dynamite and Garden State today so I have been watching those. I still have 3 other movies from Christmas that I haven't watched yet either. I guess I need to get on that. Matt and I are just hanging out tonight playing Playstation 2 and watching movies probably. We were going to go to Disneyland but we didn't want to drive in the rain all the way up there on New Year's Eve, a little too dangerous.

I am having fun just relaxing and getting stuff done around the apartment. I need to get my resume put together so I can start searching for the perfect job that is just waiting for me! Mom and Dad are coming down in a couple weeks so I am looking forward to that and I start school the next week. The vacation is filling up fast with things to do.

It was fun to go home and see Mom and Dad and the girls and their boys. Christmas was entertaining and there was a lot of laughter. I hope everyone else had fun at their respective Christmases. Happy New Year everyone! I hope you are doing fun things this last day of 2004. I will talk to you all next year! haha!

Marnie

I thought I would add this for Dad. This is a house in Battleground...You thought that your electric bill was high! 

Looking out onto the Freeway in Seattle 

Seattle Skyline 

On the Ferry to Seattle 

Yes, Today we are celebrating our 1st wedding aniversary. It is insane how fast this last year has gone by. It has been hard at times but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Peter is a great husband and I am so glad I made the choice to marry him. We are heading up to SLC to stay at a Marriott for two nights. Tomorrow night (New Year's Eve) we will be heading to the Utah Jazz game against the Sacramento Kings. Our first ever NBA game experience and we can't wait. It should be a fun few days and then we are able to have Mom and Dad and Kim stay at our apartment this weekend.

Christmas was great and we were very happy to be able to relax and enjoy being in Washington with the family. We were able to meet Treven and he seems to be a pretty great guy. We got to go to Seattle like Mom has already mentioned. Peter was glad to be able to go see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Galloping Gertie). We got pictures of it but I accidently erased them all while trying to do stuff with my camera on the Ferry over to Seattle. We got our XBox finally and are very excited to be able to hook up to Live to play with all of you guys.

Before and after going to Washington, we were able to spend some time with Tom and Tracey and Hayden. He is the cutest little guy but is definitly spoiled like Tom and Tracey say he is. We were able to go to Brick Oven and go bowling with them. We also killed them in a dart game 212 to 0. It is nice to have family here to hang out with.

School starts up next week and in some ways I am very excited to because I won't be taking such a grueling schedule as I did last semester. Also it means that volleyball will be starting up again, and I most definitly need to get back into it. Peter is finally a BYU alumni and it very proud of the license plate frame we have on our car now. He will be starting up his Masters at BYU this next semester and will be finishing in the Fall of next year.

Well I should get going, I need to get ready and pack for the next couple days. We love you all and miss you. Hope to see you all soon!

Love, Anne and Peter

We had a great Christmas with Marnie, Peter and Anne and Kim and Treven. It was a lot livelier here than normal. Today is my first day with Dad at work and noone but Kim home. Kim, however, got up, took a shower and disappeared over to Treven's house so it is pretty quiet here. I have spent my morning getting the Christmas decorations put away (you know how we are!!!) and now I am getting ready to clean up my desk and work on the business plan for the practice. We are still moving that direction but have not proceeded so far that we couldn't change our mind. Our broker is negotiating with the owner of the building that we would like to go into ..if that fell through, it might give us pause for further thought...

Well, what about this last week of Christmas...Peter and Anne arrived on the 18th. That evening we went to a Christmas program at the symphony and then down to Brian's to see Martha and Dick who were up for just that day. We then stopped to eat on our way home which made a long day!! Monday, Anne, Peter, Kim and Treven went up to Seattle for the day while Dad and I met with various people regarding the practice. Wednesday, Anne, Peter and I went to the temple. Marnie came in on Wednesday night. Then I was fully inundated with three girls critiqueing my every move! Actually it wasn't that bad. They had a lot of fun together...lots of games and puzzles and movies going. On Christmas Eve afternoon, we went to see Lemony Snicket... which we really enjoyed and then came home for our usual Christmas eve festivities. Christmas morning was slightly delayed since Kim went over to the Perry's (Treven's family) for gifts at 7 am. She was back before 8, however, and none of the others were awake yet so it didn't cramp our style too much.

We appreciated all the gifts....Adina and David...we really did need the closet organizers. That is one of my projects for these next few weeks. Buffy...I am very impressed by the scarf. It is so soft and I can't believe you just started crocheting and got so much done. I love the puzzle caddy...it has really smoothed out my puzzle making. And I am digging into the Lemony Snicket books also! The puzzle that Tom and Tracy and Mike and Brooke gave me was a real doozy to do. It had multiple pieces that looked like they would fit and then later you would find that they should be somewhere else. Marnie got me a pedicure kit...which will save me a bit of money!! And we have a new BYU ornament from Anne and Peter.....All together a thoroughly satisfactory Christmas!

Of course, the best part of Christmas is not the gifts but the enjoyment of family and reflection on the significance of Christ's gift to us. This Christmas has been wonderful with more excess time to just enjoy being home and listening to Christmas music etc. Very peaceful! We are taking off on Friday after Dad gets done with work to take Kim to BYU Idaho. Then it will really be quiet!

With Dad's plan of going on his own, I really do need employment and I have one promising lead. I just was called back for a second round of interviews for a job at Northwest Evaluation Association. It is a Research Coordinator for their research department. It's a new position and sounds very interesting....in addition, the job starts with 6 weeks of vacation/sick time. Pretty attractive. My interviews are not until next week so I'll let you know how they go. The only drawback is that it is all the way down by the temple so that it would be a long commute:~(.

I just finished reading " The Kite Runner" It is really a great book---makes you understand better all that has happened in Afganistan.

Well, I'd better get to that business plan.

We love all of you! (If you haven't written to the blog for a while....do it!)
Mom

They LOOK like they get along, don't they?! 

Parker with a few of Christmas spoils 

Morgan watching one of her new "Princess" DVDs 

Christmas has come and gone for the third and final year for us here in Japan. It is official. The tree is bare again, the presents are scattered throughout the house - and I do mean throughout - and we are eating Christmas dinner leftovers. It feels great!
First of all - thanks to all of you for your wonderful gifts! Tom & Tracey - the kids loved their stuff! Parker wore his BYU jersey all day and wanted to sleep in it! He had such a great day - he kept saying, "This is so excited!"
In the news...Morgan is potty-trained! Hip, Hip, Hooray! This is the first time in 9 years that we haven't had a child in diapers! She just caught on this last week and has run with it. She even stays dry at night. It's fabulous. In other news, we are planning our trip home in a few weeks. Our plan is to fly to Seattle on the 21st of January. The kids and I will recover from jet lag, then drive down to Fremont til the 2nd. Dave has a "working interview" that week at a practice in Vancouver that the dentist wants him to purchase. He will join us in Fremont after that and drive back to Vancouver with us, where we will be until the 10th or so of February. The main reason for the trip is to secure employment, but we sure are anxious to see family! We are really excited to come home for a while!
The kids are all doing well and growing fast. They are really enjoying Christmas vacation - and so am I. I spend so much time at that school, I should probably teach there. Isaac is a good student, has a lot of friends in the "neighborhood", and is always on the move. Taylor, on the other hand, is content to do a puzzle, play a game, or create a piece of art. Both doing well in school. Parker is a crack up - I think he will be some form of brute when he is older. He breathes like a bull - you can hear him across the room (which is ironic, because when he was born, they couldn't get him to breathe). And he reminds me of that kid on Charlie Brown that always has a whirlwind of mess right behind him - that's Parker. Morgan is very much into Dora the Explorer and is Parker's shadow. I'll say, let's go upstairs and get a book, and she'll say, "Is Parker coming?".
Dave is obviously preoccupied with separating from the Navy and getting into private practice. We are really trying to be smart about everything, without it consuming our thoughts, but that is proving difficult. I know he will make the right decision, so I don't stress so much. Other than that, life continues on. The New Year promises to be interesting, to say the least, and we are ready for the challenge. We sure have loved Japan - an experience we wouldn't trade for the world. Hope all is well with all of you and hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
Adina

Writing to you all on a wet Georgia day. As Jane says, "the Christmas eve of christmas eve" I guess this will have to count as our family letter. Pictures to follow from Christmas Eve and Christmas...
We are very much enjoying all being at home together except that the last 4 days, everyone but Brooke has been hit by the flu bug. Luckily, I think my FluMist vaccination kept mine to a low-level fever but Jane and Sadie were puking their guts out for a while there. Ellyn faired OK. I have been working half days Tuesday through Thursday so I wouldn't have to charge my leave. But, 4 hours a day compared to 14 seems like quite a day off.
Most of our days at home we are spending finally putting our room together. Also trying to get the Ford Probe I own ready for sale, which I had a blow out in the other day, luckily at 25 mph and not freeway speeds. So now getting it ready means buying 2 new tires since the other one is also showing radial wires. I guess the half full glass here would be full of happiness that I didn't die on I-185 with a blowout? Oh and then the spare tire got a flat, I can only laugh.
Recently a friend of ours was baptized who we had referred to the missionaries. We are having her and the kids over for Christmas Eve and Christmas. It has been a great experience for the family. I was just called as the Gospel Essentials teacher, which I love, so I also get to teach her more about the gospel there.
On a side note, it is official, many Mormon people are stupid. What?! you say? Here is the latest. Well, she actually lives in a different Ward boundary but the mssionaries from our Ward were about 20 times better than the missionaries in the other Ward. Also, we were there as someone that knew her well. So the mission president for ATL, GA said to go ahead and bring her up in this Ward, and our Bishop agreed. Well now the Ward Mission Leader (from the Ward she is technically supposed to be in) comes to her house with the loser missionaries a week after the baptism and tells her she is being disobedient and that she needs to either move or attend a different Ward and essentially paints her as a rebel sinner. So she tears up and asks them to leave and calls us. So I really fell like giving this "Bro. Griffin" a piece of my mind. But, instead I will just have a talk with our Bishop and see what he can do to prevent this aberrant behavior. Luckily, she truly was converted by the Spirit and I don't think this will affect her. Just a rant, but the point is the Church is true, some of its members continue to be Morons. Also, as I think about this situation, I believe one of the biggest challenges to the Church in the next century as it grows larger and larger is the encroaching bureaucracy that is inherent in controlling large numbers of people.
I am approaching the end of my time in command. I think the change of command will be some time in mid-February. From there I will attend the Captains' Career Course here at Fort Benning from March through July. Then we will most likely be moving if I do not get assigned to a local unit. I am requesting Fort Lewis's 2nd Infantry Division or 25th Infantry Division. But, the list is 20 requests long so I may get my 5th, 6th or even 20th choice. It is really all needs of the Army right now for obvious reasons.
A friend of mine from Ranger School that was in my squad was killed last week in Baghdad by small arms fire. Captain Mark Stubenhofer. This hit too close to home, please put his family in your prayers.
Now for some positive thoughts! Ellyn is an incredible baby, always happy. She burnt her finger the other day on the stove and was crying but when she looked at me she was smiling through her tears. Typical Ellyn, a true sweet spirit.
Sadie is hysterical. Very much her own personality. She reminds me of Tom in that now, when she gets tired, she will just say she is going to bed and take off and go tuck herself in and fall asleep. We recently purchased the new Disney "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" DVD, which is fantastic. The computer animation is on the same level as Pixar stuff. Sadie will watch it with a smile on throughout the entire show. Highly recommended to Dave and Tom.
Jane is the sweet girl she always has been. She has many friends which is great. Our neighbor Savannah and Jane ("Best Friends") are spending a lot of time at the house playing or going to hockey games. We have been reading the Lemony Snickets books (which are the best kids books out there) and we recently saw the movie. Jim Carrey was excellent, the movie was excellent standing on its own, but we felt a little let down after reading the books that so much had been left out.
The rest of this vacation we will spend playing games, reading and basically having some good family time. Brooke's back is feeling much better, and she has started going on walks at night with her friend Emily. I'm very glad to see it.
Our Golden Retriever Bailey has turned out to be a great addition to the family. She is a very sweet and gentle dog.
As far as my entertainment recommendations go:
Book: The Devil in the White City - Brooke read it all, I am in the middle of it, Mom you would love it
Movie: Man on Fire - best thriller I have seen in a long time

We wish all you a Merry Christmas. We miss you all. Wish we were all together for the holidays.

Mike

Hey Everyone,

Mike --- Brent
Brooke -- Tom
Dave --- Anne
Adina --- Buffy
Brent --- Marnie
Buffy --- Peter
Tom --- Kim
Tracey -- Brooke
Marnie -- Tracey
Anne --- Mike
Peter --- Adina
Kim --- Dave

Just thought I would post the list again so everyone knew again who they have.

-Anne

Beautiful, I know.

Well hello everyone. I just thought I would put up a picture of me and Kim from her trip to San Diego. Crazy how much we look alike huh? My friends all call her my twin now. Things are good. I am roaring into finals week tomorrow so I must go study. Just thought I would drop a line.

Marnie

Parker and Morgan after a long day at church 

Fogettaboudit.......... 

North Korea over the shoulder 

That is a train track that continues into North Korea but is not used. Notice the sign to my right that says "no pictures". I sacrificed the bottom part of my right ear lobe to take this one (sniper fire). What a man will do for THE BLOG. The hills behind me are all North Korea.

Third Tunnel
This is a tunnel that the S. Koreans dug to intercept a infiltration tunnel that the N. Koreans had dug. I went 80 yards deep to go walk in a portion of the tunnel. Very cool. There are 4 others that they have intercepted and there are apparently 20 others that they have not found.

Hello from Japan. Just wanted to give everyone an update on my trip that apparently nobody knew I was on. I guess I didn't publish it for fear that North Korea might try to kidnap the Navy dentist.
I went up there for the 38th Parallel Dental Society conference at the Dragon Hill Lodge at Yongsan Garrison Army base there in Seoul, Korea. I was there from Monday to Saturday. A very good conference, good presenters and one of the best I have been to.
Did some shopping and a tour to the DMZ. Very interesting place. Very interesting situation. I wish you all could have come. I did meet a couple of Army dentists that graduated from the same dental school Tom and I are going to. One poor fella is in Korea for 1 year unaccompanied. He was in good spirits though.
Still don't like Korean food.
I had a few 05/06 people tell me I was doing the right thing by getting out right now. That is comforting. And, I am currently looking at a practice opportunity right there in the heart of Vancouver. Still have a long process of making sure it is what I want, but so far it looks somewhat promising.
Hey Dad, are we part of the family anymore? or are you coming to see us before January?
We miss you all and wish we could be there for the holidays, but it'll just have to wait one more year.

Dave
(btw, please leave your name after your post so that we can tell who is talking.)

OK, I still don't know how to do photos on this spot. However, I believe I can write something of our visit. It has been a great time visiting Tom, Tracey, Hayden, Mike, Brooke, Jane, Sadie and Ellie for the past week. Every night has involved some type of sport on TV or some combat-related event on X-Box. Hayden still believes he is running the program with the controller; Jane cooks wonderful snickerdoodles, Ellie just keeps smilin', Sadie....with her "to the core" smile...a real cutie, Mom...another year older and caught up to me; Mike...just getting ancient like me.......and get this: Brooke and Tracey climed a rock climb at the local sporting goods store...like up 50 feet to the bell...amazing! I should not have doubted their ability to do it. They are tough women. We made numerous trips out to the local malls, drooled over the Apple IPOD stuff...but, hey, came out with empty bags. We resisted the temptations...and the cost.

We had a nice trip to BA and Geoff's new condo in Troy, Mich. Another nice trip to have Thanksgiving at Dennis and Lexi's home. You can see by the pictures from ofoto that it was a big event...35 people. Hey, Brent...clear you inbox so you can receive my OFOTO inputs. I keep getting error codes that your machine won't accept the ofoto sharing feature.

We are going to Kirtland tonight for a lighting ceremony and nativity showing. We then to to Lexi's for the night as Dennis is taking us to the airport tomorrow morning. Mike and Brooke and family leave tonight for Ft Benning. They changed their travel plans from Monday to Sunday so the trip won't be so rigorous on all of them.

Mom and I wish we could see all of you at once. We will have made the goal of seeing all of you by the end of January. I believe we are headed down to San Diego in January (mid) to visit Marnie, Brent and Buffy. We look forward to the next time we can all get together and enjoy the family all at once. There is a Duker reunion in 2006 in Eden, Utah. We are dropping the 2005 summer Florida Schick-Stinch reunion. Mom and I are rallying to put a business plan together and if we go into private practice, this coming summer will be a very busy time for us.

More to follow in future blogs. We miss all of you. We both realize that there are only so many times in life when you can have all of your descendants together in one spot at a given time. The last time usually involves Zippa Dee Doo Dah. Love, Dad

Well Kim, it seems like Treven is a great guy and I'm glad to hear you are doing so well. You forgot to mention (or you weren't aware) that Brent and I will also be up next month.
I'm flying up the day after Christmas and Brent will come up on our anniversary on the 2nd of January. We will be in town till the 8th. Did I mention I can't wait?
But before that, I have to survive finals in which I have spent the entire day studying for the first of many exams. Brent has survived the dreaded day after Thanksgiving in retail and is having great success with his store thus far.
Brent and I had a good thanksgiving in which we had my dad and cousin Julie (who lives in San Diego) stay at our home. I actually prepared an entire meal and it turned out great. I only had to make my pumkin cake recipe three times untill I got it right... silly recipe, what's the difference between 1/2 cube and 1/2 a cup of butter anyway? But it did turn out delicious (the third time).
To the Stinchfiled nieces/nephews... Brent and I miss you and hope we can see you soon. We loved seeing all of your Halloween costumes!
Marnie, can I get an estimation of the # of times you've been to Disneyland? Just wondering! I wish I could go as much as you do.
Anyways, take care everybody!

Treven  

Treven and Kim 

Hello all!
I know I haven't said anything lately... I have been busy!! What can I say? So it all started with a boy named Treven Perry. HAHA anyway! I met him in our family ward. He came home from his mission in July so I met him after I got home from my two week trip to see you guys. He went on his mission to Brazil so he speaks Portuguese. He does love playing Xbox... for the brothers. He is planning on being a Chiropractor... Dad is liking that idea! He is the youngest of 5 children. 3 older brothers and 1 sister. He has 10 nieces and nephews... He does love Napoleon Dynamite. He is a dork but in a great way. haha I am a pretty lucky girl though!
Marnie and Anne and Peter will meet him at Christmas... and the time will come for the rest of you guys. We can't think of more because we don't know what you all want to know. But Mom is having me do this... haha so Ask questions if anybody wants to know more!
Old Navy is an interesting place to work at... kinda dumb at times. I won't get in to that though. I am heading down to San Diego to visit Marnie, Brent and Buffy next weekend which is pretty exciting. I head back to BYU Idaho December 31st. I just registered for classes for the Winter. So That's really all the is going on with me! Have any questions? just ask!

PS August 2005 sounds good to everybody right?? HAHA

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your feasts in your own respective places. I am just getting ready to go to mine. As I am sure you all have heard I am dating someone. His name is Matt Butler and he is really cool. You would all like him a lot. I am having Thanksgiving with his family in San Diego because I have to work tomorrow and I needed to stay in San Diego. It should be fun, I am excited.

Anyway I just wanted you all to know that I am well. I only have two weeks of classes left before the semester is over. Kinda stressful but it will be nice to have a break. Only one semester more. I am taking an independent study course with my professor who owns his own advertising agency next semester. That should be a good experience. Networking is always fun. Work is starting to get hectic because of the holidays but it should go by quickly. I went to Disneyland yesterday. It is so beautiful there when it is decorated for Christmas. I will have to send you all pictures of the revamped castle and the decorations and such.

I also wanted to tell you all how thankful I am for all of you. For your love and support in all that I do. I really appreciate it. I know I am sort of taking a different road that the rest of you have taken but it is what I need to do and what is right for me. Thank you so much for your wonderful examples and lives. I am sad that I don't get to see you all this Thanksgiving but hopefully I will see you all soon. I love you all and miss you very much! Have a great Thanksgiving and give everyone kisses for me!!

Best Friends 

Whoa! What a hit! 

Hayden's Halloween costume 

Well since we are so behind I haven't gotten around to even posting about Halloween but I suppose late is better than never! Hayden dressed as an Indian's baseball player and we wore our Indian's gear to be his fans. He loved every minute of it! He is completely obsessed with baseball and if he sees anything that even says Indians the way their logo is written he gets really excited. We went trick-or- treating with Lexi and crew. Hayden even learned to say "rick reat" and thank you at each house. He was so excited that he wouldn't even let me help him carry his heavy treat bucket for fear that I might take his candy from him!!
Kenn and Barb are here with us this week and we are having a great time. Hayden warmed up to Papa really quickly and just loves having them around. The Georgia Stinch's will be joining us Wednesday and we are having Thanksgiving at the Debaltzo's. I'm excited to have everyone here and really excited that I don't have to do Thanksgiving dinner at my house! We only own 4 chairs so we would really be pushing it!
Hayden is doing fantanstic, he's getting so much older it's unbelievable! My current favorite habit he's picked up is that he says "no thank you" when he doesn't want something. Now of course, I still frequently get the typical "NOOO!" while he's throwing something but the sweet little smile he gives when he says "no thank you" makes up for those other times. Oh, and he likes to use napkins when he eats which always reminds me of Taylor. He's also learned to say "Halo," should I be proud of him? :)
It's so much fun to hear about how grown up the Japan Stinch's are getting, we can't wait to see you all again.
Buffy your new hobby sounds really good, hopefully you'll have my name for Christmas next year and I can get a new hat and scarf, I really need those things around here and yours looks so cute!
Peter and Anne we really want to come and visit when we are in Utah so we need to get in touch.
Marnie your pictures are great, it looks like you're having a great time! Keep posting the fun pics they are so much fun to see!
It's late and I'm going to try to add a picture but I don't even know where do start so I need to go back and figure things out! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! Talk to you later!

Well, Mom and Dad were here last weekend to visit during my end of the year tournament and Mom kept pestering me about needing to post something about us for once. Well now that I actually have the time I can say that I am able to do it now. Life has been incredibly busy with tests and volleyball; hoever, volleyball has ended and that leaves me to more and more time to sleep and do homework...basically be a normal college student. Anyways, for all of those who thought I was crazy for taking biology, chemistry, physics and cell biology at the same time were very much correct. I have had a difficult time juggling all of those classes along with volleyball and being a wife. I had quite the stressful week last week and was close to switching my major. But now that I am able to have more time and can see myself passing all of these classes with a C or better, I think I will ride this biology train for at least one more semester to see how I really do feel about it. Scool is ending this semester in about a month and I cannot wait for the end of my cell biology class...never take it, it sucks. Peter however is doing very well in his last semester as an undergraduate and spends alot of his time consoling me and letting me know it will all turn out just fine. Thanksgiving should be a great break from actual school however I get to study for three tests that take place the next week throughout the whole vacation. We are heading to good old Newport Beach for the weekend and I am very excited to get back to california.. I have missed it along with In-N-Out!

Peter has now decided to finish his masters by next December which means we are moving after next fall semester. We are looking at many different places however we are pushing for some place up near the Wshington/Oregon area. It is excited to know that he will be working and earning money in the "real world" instead of these side jobs like running front door ads. I will not be finished with schooling by then but I will finish wherever we end up. I can't wait to be out of school and have the ability to be a normal person. Believe me, being a college athlete is great but you will never be able to be a normal college student.

It was fun having mom and dad here for the two days that they were here and I really wish others would come and visit too. I experienced my first round of migraines on Monday and at midnight that night it got to be so bad that we headed to the ER to check out if something else was causing them to happen. Turns out it was just migraines and we were sent on our way with a prescription for migraine medicine at around 3 in the morning. Lets just say my body wants to crap out on me right now in all directions. I am just glad this is all happening while I have not been in volleyball. Anyways, Buffy I now know how you feel when you get your migraines.

I probably should get back to work, so I hope to hear from you all. Adina, Peter and I will be at my parents for Christmas so feel free to send the gift there.
We love you all and wish we could visit but our budget and time just won't allow it. e to see you all sometime soon.

Love, Anne and Peter

The picture was taken at the Saga Balloon Festival...hot air balloons, that is. We went down there a couple of Saturdays ago - kids really enjoyed seeing the balloons come in and land, but I think they were really hoping one would crash into something. Kids will be kids...
All is well in Sasebo. Had parent-teacher conferences this last week. We heard pretty much what we expected to hear: Isaac is very smart, but does things too quickly and is not very organized. He did make honor roll and is working hard to do his best. That's all we ask. Taylor is being considered for the gifted education program at his school - upon recommendation from his teacher, who claims that his reading, writing, spelling, etc is way beyond that of his classmates. The kid is a sponge... and always asking questions. If you ever get stuck with him in the car, get ready for the barrage: What is that? What does it do? Why did they put it there? How does it work? And they go on and on! Parker and Morgan continue to be peas in a pod - not wanting to do anything without the other. They could care less about Isaac and Taylor - the world is theirs alone. Not sure how Morgan will react when Parker goes to school next year.
Dave and I remain busy - wrapping up our time here in Japan and actively searching out the possibilites in the good ol' US of A. We have a lot of work to do, but it's exciting. I went to my first Karaoke room the other night. A good friend of mine is leaving next week, so we went out to dinner and then "karaoke-ing". We found a karaoke palace without a bar - it's like a hotel where you rent a room by the half hour and you karaoke - or if you're me - you mostly watch those around you make complete and utter fools of themselves. It was fun.
Anyway - would love to hear more updates from all of you - and would love to see more pictures! Brooke, Tracey, & Barb - if I can figure out how to post pictures, then anyone can - so get to it! Also need to know where to mail Anne and Buffy's Christmas gifts this year - not sure if you want them sent to your home address or somewhere else - let us know.
Lots of love...Adina

Can YOU find the Americans? 

Hello,
Yes, that would be a picture of me that Brent posted. Brent wanted to see if Grandma would get a kick out of seeing that someone else has taken up her hobby. I learned this week how to crochet a hat to send to children going through chemotherapy. Five years ago I would have laughed at the thought of me doing anything domestic. Apparently now I'm hooked and am working on a scarf... don't count on me learning to cook anytime soon though (sorry Brent).

Check it out Grandma 

Well it was 86 degrees here for Halloween. Does anyone else see anything wrong with that? I know it is a little late to fill you in on our Halloween but I'm going to anyway. It was hot. Mike had to work all day of course so the girls and I went to two parties- our old ward's and our new ward's. Our post decided to keep Trick-or-Treat on Sunday, Oh the drama! Jane made a good choice and decided we should stay home so we went to the two parties instead. Way too much candy and stickiness. The girls were darling, someday you might be able to see and not just take my word for it. Jane was the new modern Strawberry Shortcake, Sadie was a fairy princess, and Ellyn was going to be a Lady bug but it was too dang hot so we took a Sharpee to a onesie and made her a little ghost. Baths and bedtime were never quite so sweet.

Everything here is going well. Mike was able to return to his human form for two weeks during cycle break and we all realized how stressful this is on our family. I know you aren't supposed to wish time away but I am anxious for February. He is now in the middle of total control and has more than the average amount of "winners" in this class. Jane is playing soccer again. This year it has become pretty competative and much more structured than past seasons- good and bad (I think the refs really enjoy the power trip). We are getting used to it. She has started piano and the upper grade choir at school. She is very busy and I feel like I've become one of "those moms." She still has plenty of play time and has a great time with all the little girls in the neighborhood. Sadie had her 6 week check up for her leg. The Dr. said it looks great and she doesn't limp at all anymore. What a relief. He wants to check her again in 6 mos. All of the sudden Sadie is becoming more of a helper than a chaos causer. We went to three Dr. appts. last week and she sat quietly through all of them. I was amazed and grateful. Ellyn spent last week teething and had a rough time of it. Poor baby. She is such a sweet and happy little soul normally it just breaks your heart when she is so sad. We had alot of bonding time- mostly from 12am-3. Good times, good times. I am fine. Just doing my best not to kill MY dog. She basically takes up more of my time and patience than all of my children combined.

Sadie just ran in with no diaper on and told me she needs to go potty cuz she tooted. No, she has not once actually gone potty in the toilet but she strips out of her diaper about 5 times a day. Dave and Adina, Jane got a UTI when she was two and a half. I gave her the medicine and told her she would feel better if she wore underwear (manipulative, I know). She was trained in two days. I think Sadie will be a different story so I have no advice except to lie. Terrible, I know.

Hello everyone. A sad tale is about to be told. It is a story about a girl named Marnie, who is usually very responsible and keeps her valuables with her at all times. This young girl works at Sport Chalet and on one pleasant and calm Thursday night she went to work. Alas, it was 5pm when all of the hustle and bustle of young professionals are rushing to the gym that is situated next to Sport Chalet. Because of this she had to park to the right of the store where it is somewhat dark and shadowy. Marnie went to work and had a grand ole time. Upon leaving the store at 10pm she arrived at her car, only to find that the front passenger window was shattered in pieces all over the inside of the car and the surrounding parking lot. Like a good little girl she called her parents to find out what to do next. Soon into the conversation she found that she did not have her Dell mp3 player in her purse. Alas, she had left it in the car! What a foolish girl! So now this poor girl is tonight without a dellpod but has a brand new window and a cleaned out car with only an emotional scar. Poor Bonnie! She was so sad! I am sorry to say but this tale is true and it happened to your sister Marnie yesterday. I am dealing with the pain and will hopefully soon be reunited with a proper replacement for Belle (my dellpod). I hope you are all well and keeping safe. I am fine and now I know that I will NEVER leave such valuables in my car again.

Hello everyone! Georgey did it again! Yeah! Thanks for sending your halloween pictures. Very cute, as usual. San Diego is good. It is cooling down so that is nice. I am making it through school and having fun in the process. My classes are getting pretty interesting so that is good. Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend. I love you all and miss you a lot!

love, Marnie

Poor Morgan. Her body got ahead of her feet and she took it on the cheek. But, she's still smilin'!

I went to my first Japanese onsen (public bath/hotsprings) yesterday. Now that was interesting! Pretty cool actually. Very relaxing! Sorry, don't have any pictures to share with you. Trust me, you wouldn't want 'em.

We have officially begun the flag football season. I am coaching Taylors team. It's going to be a lot of fun. Isaac is in the older league and loves it. That season will go through mid-December.

Would love to hear from some of you. . . are y'all still there?

Dave

The Scooter 

Wanna see Monstas? 

Very Silly Girl