Adventures With All of Us

Fall fun on the trampolene

2008-10-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

2008-10-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Batman
Rocker

Happy 3rd Birthday Jason

Sea World and Fires

2008-10-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

The fires over the ridge during day
At night, you can really see them burn
Two massive superscoopers that sucked water up from the ocean and dumped in on the fire. These planes use to hunt submarines in the ocean. Pretty nice retirement plan, heh?
Anna and I sitting in the soak zone. Boy did we get soaked. And folks the water is freezing and very salty.
Jason and me on the Sesame Street Rides

So, as usual this family takes advantages of all of the free stuff for military families. This Monday we made our 3rd trip to SeaWorld, still free. While in the park we got a call from a friend asking if we were okay, with the fires burning on Camp Pendleton. It wasn't until will got home that we realized how close it was. Check out the photos, that is two ridges away from us. Pretty freaky!

2008-10-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to my video from Iraq and all of the photos I took.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx5ko0iSpDo

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Anna made a sign to send me off. . .

This welcomed me home!

Seven months ago the buses took us away.

Here are the buses bringing us back.
I had to find them, but the effect was the same. Notice the bag of goodies from the Shannon Airport. I had a marvelous layover in the Emerald Isle. Had a pint of Guinness, landed in the green, and spent some time with some of the most wonderful people . . .the Irish.
Jason and Mommy
Walking away . . .heading home to indoor plumbing

UUHG I keep forgetting about this thing called a blog

2008-06-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Anna is hanging backstage awaiting her performance at this year's ballet recital.
Can you believe, even after being expelled from one preschool, Anna has graduated onto Kindergarten....Even Jason is amazed, actually Jason just wants to get to the potluck dinner.

So I keep forgetting to type up a new message. Sorry for all of you who check it everyday to find out I forgot again to post something new. Well, if you checked it today, you are lucky for here is a new post.

So, I put the kids on an airplane today with Autumn's folks. They are taking the kids for about 5 weeks. So you might think I came home, bought a keg and tore the house up. Nope...

I hung out with our neighbor who is moving tomorrow, feeding his 5 and 2 year old leftover watermelon. I know how to let it all hang out don't I....

Anyway here are some recent photos of the kiddos and their various activities.... If anyone is in the SoCal area and wants to hang give me a call or just come to the beach on Pendleton and look for the guy floating on his boogie board awaiting the perfect wave...

Until next time

Gar

Didn't know a month had past.

2008-05-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I best to keeping this thing updated. Sheesh, I looked and it has been several weeks since I posted anything here.

I believe we are now at 2 months and 1 week into deployment. The kids and I keep busy with school, birthday parties, and hanging with friends.

Here are some pictures of recent times.

Anna is riding at her school's trike-a-thon. Not to brag but notice, no training wheels, though I fear she is too fast for her own good
Another one of Anna crusing around the school parking lot
Jason had quite the time strawberry picking. He didn't even bother with getting a basket. He just took his bowl right out into the field and started having lunch. He don't care 'bout no pesticides.
Jason loves those strawberries. Not sure how many he ate, but we definitely got our monies worth on this trip.

Until next time....Gar

A day in the life post mommy leaving for Iraq.

2008-03-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

So after being on our own for one week. Everything is going according to plan. The kids have taken over and they have me tied up in a chair. I typed this out with a pencil...

Jason is showing off his future WWE moves.....
Grandad helping out Anna after Jason jumped.
Jason needed some fixing up as well. It's hard to be a professional wrestler.

Check back for more updates. Maybe they will let me go soon.

2008-03-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

Well, Autumn went to Iraq and here are 3 of the 4 goodbye pictures I got before the camera battery went dead. I know there are some others and as soon as I get them I will post them.

Here is the bus that Autumn rode to the Air Force base where they would fly out of.

A tearful goodbye from Anna

And of course, Jason as well. Though he thinks mommy is still riding around in the bus....

Just the other night Jason crawled up in my lap as we were getting ready to rock in the chair before bed and he stated "mommy been on bus a long time, mommy need come home".....

Well one week down, a few more to go...

Softball Girl!

2008-02-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

Anna started to play softball this week. Her team is the rookies of the rookies, the youngest team in the league. However, great fun was had by all, including the parents who watched through eyes clouded by tears. It was that funny! Notice that all of the girls' gloves are pink. Their team name is the unicorns and last game they played the all-star princesses.

Our new digs

2008-02-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

Here is our new house on Camp Pendleton. Smaller, yes, but on the brighter side . . . less to clean.

Our new view from our backyard. Yes, that is snow on Palomar Mountain!
Jason dreams of being Superman!

So, we moved into our new house on a Friday and the movers did not come with our stuff until Monday. No toys, no TV and two parents who were going crazy. The solution? Couch cushion diving!

Say hello to the 5 Year Old.

2008-01-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

2008-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

Jason has learned a new phrase. One Sunday he was all dressed up and Gar looked at him and said "Do you have a hot date?" Well, Jason's favorite phrase now is hot date. And in case you were wondering "Quinn" is who Jason wants a "hot date" with, Quinn is a guy from his preschool that plays with him.

There is no place like home

2008-01-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

The couch photo. Hmm . . we may need a bigger couch
" "It is a California fashion"

A brother is useful . . . sometimes
BFF Anna and Amber
BFF Jason and cake
Jason and Joshua and their loves . . .trains
Dude, I love your shoes
Airplane . . .Airplane
Pensive

Welcome Lucy and Happy 5th Anna!

2008-01-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome Lucy, furry baby of Amy Eubanks!
Happy 5th Anna! We celebrated as a family at Baskin Robbins.

The party will come later!!!

Here is Anna's birthday gift, a three story dollhouse, with an Attic (which has become a Gramma suite)

Jason goes for the gusto with his ice cream.

Christmas Morning

2007-12-30T17:31:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning . . . chaos! Santa brought Anna Bitty Baby (American Girl). And all of her relatives made sure that Bitty Baby had a bed, changing table, stroller, diaper bag and a bath tub. Jason got a Thomas the Train Toddler Bed and I think the smile on his face as he took his nap says it all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2007-12-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

From our house to yours . . .all the best. We thought we would show you what Jason looks like all cleaned up! It doesn't happen very often, but he sure is cute!

Grandparents arrive!

2007-12-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

My parents arrived from SC a few days ago. Most Grands fly, mine drive cross country (see the truck in the background) to bring presents. Anna and Jason will wake up Christmas morning to a swing set in the backyard, courtesy of Grammie (Anna's new name for my mom) and Granddad. Here are just a few of the priceless moments unloading the pickup truck.

Jason struggles to carry a box as big as him
Anna is a pro!
"Hey, train paper. Does this say my name" Jason
Anna dressed for her Christmas play at church
The halo just doesn't fit. I wonder what that means?

Mojave Viper Desert Training

2007-12-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

I just finished the Desert training for deployment, in the beautiful Mojave Desert, 29 Palms CA. Here are some of the highlights

While we were there, it rained (in the desert), which flooded the chapel. I woke up to water in my room. This is a photo of the two 1st Class Petty Officers digging a trench to drain the water. God bless them, not only do they put up with Chaplains, but they get to do FUN stuff like this! RP1 McCormick (left) is the RP the I am deploying with.

Here is how the Marine Corps would protect the Holy Family. Angels We have Heard on High . . .more like Howitsers over Head.

Sunrise on the desert from the back of an uparmored humvee.

Don't ask what time it was!

Lighting the Advent wreath at the Chapel of the Desert.
The Sandstorms . . .are just like this in Iraq
Chaplain? Is that you?
Santa made a visit to 29 Palms!

Dance Recital Winter 2007

2007-12-15T13:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from Anna's recent ballet recital. Her class and the dance they did were awesome, and as you can probably guess I think theirs was one of the highlights of the show. Anna wouldn't let me see any of her dance (she would practice in her room with her door closed) so it was neat to see her do so well.

This girl was born for the stage.
The moves were more complicated this time but they pulled it off incredibly.
The two buddies (her friend that she went to Disneyland with) after the dance with their flowers.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

2007-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

So, what did I have to lose. Decorating Christmas cookies with the kids couldn't make that big of a mess could it? Three days later and I am still finding sprinkles but Jason had a blast decorating and redecorating his cookie over and over again....enjoy...

As Jason decorated he repeated the word shake, shake, shake....and promptly through a tantrum when the decorating was over.
Anna was quite the artist and took her time decorating. Maybe some of you remember the first time she decorated and just ate frosting the whole time.
The geniuses are at work on their creations. The dogs are under the table getting a sugar rush from all the dropped sprinkles....

Anna Meets The Princesses

2007-12-07T22:39:00.001-08:00

Anna got to meet some real life princesses and she loved it. Her favorite, Ariel wasn't available today but Cinderella was and Anna couldn't believe it.

Snow White told the girls a story. Then it was off to meet the others
First was Belle.
Then Mulan
And finally Cinderella. Anna gave her a huge hug and talked to her like there was no tomorrow.

Jason, on the other hand could have cared less. He didn't want anything to do with the princesses. There was a train across the street and that was all he cared about.

Disneyland Part 1

2007-12-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

The two boys are ready for action
Meet the two princesses as they embark on their journey

So here are some pictures from Anna and Jason's first visit to Disneyland. They both had a great time, (and I did to). The kids and I went with Paige and Matthew and their parents.

Jason and trains

2007-11-24T18:16:00.001-08:00

Since Jason is so into trains I bought him one that runs around under the Christmas tree. As expected he could sit there and watch it for hours.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

2007-11-24T13:44:00.001-08:00

Well, first things first. We have a new camera. The old one gave up the ghost, so to speak. Of course it really hadn't been working for about a year now but at least it took pictures. Now that doesn't even happen. Thank goodness for the good Christmas sales....

So now at least new pictures should be up at an increased pace.

General news at right now is Autumn is up at 29 Palms training for her Iraq deployment. She will be gone on and off for the next 30 days. Definitely a good test run for me as next February it will be seven months.

So today, we went to a Christmas festival here in Oceanside where the kids actually got to play in some snow and see Santa skydive (only in California) into the parking lot.

Knotts Berry Farm Part Deux

2007-11-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

We made a second trip to Knott's Berry Farm. This year Jason could ride. It was a great time. We brought a Bosenberry Pie home. MMMM!

Jason's fav. ride, Snoopy's motortrack. As we would go around the corner, he would hold up a finger and say "One more, One more"
The train robbers. Look at the concern on Anna's face!
All smile on the Carousel. Mom is riding behind him!
Mom and Anna on ride.
Four and full of Sass!
Here we all are on the log ride. It was always my favorite ride. If you look really closely you can see that Jason had his "baa baa" (paci) in his mouth on the way down the slide!

Fall 2007

2007-11-14T19:56:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago we took the kids to the Bates Nut Farm to pick out pumpkins. There were pony and wagon ride, along with a special ride in a the Dad powered wheelie!

232nd Navy and Marine Corp Ball

2007-11-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well, this proves it . . . They will let any one buy Mess Dress.
Anna took the photo. . . if you are wondering.

1st Medical Battalion's SgtMaj Knox. He is neat (Don't tell him I said so!)

Our guest of honor SgtMajor Kasal. Navy Cross and Purple Heart winner.

Checkout his story at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Kasal

The Chaplain's favorite Marines. SSgt Berry and LCpl Kitch from the Marksmen Training Unit.

They taught the RP how to shoot. He shot expert!

This was the last of three balls I attended. Gave the invocation at two, but had the most fun at this one. Got to meet a Medal of Honor winner from the Navy.

Halloween

2007-11-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

Jason the dinosaur with the pacifer. Anna was Tinkerbell. Yeah!

Pink and baby brothers

2007-10-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

Yes, it is hard being a big sister. But, Anna refuses to give an inch to the uncouth brother. She relishes her pink room and trips to the "haircut place", unlike her brother who throws a holy fit. Here they are walking out of the salon, you notice that it took a bag of popcorn and a balloon for Jason to get his hair cut.

And if you are wondering about the cut and bruise on Jason, goodness knows where it came from. We stopped keeping track of all of his scraps months ago.

In this last photo, notice that Anna is trying to dress like Mommy with a USMC digital green shirt on, but notice the pink flip flops. Not very tactical! Hmm I wonder if I could talk the USMC into . . . nawh . . . It would never work.

News from Autumn's world

2007-10-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Two very exciting things happened in the past few months to my circle of oldest friends. Amy Murray, my friend from Mrs. Page's 5th Grade homeroom class got married this summer to John Holcomb.

And most recently Diane Bourne, a friend from 7th grade gave birth to a baby boy Charles.

Yes, it is that time of year again!

2007-09-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Truthfully, 2 years and 4 months ago when we saw a baby boy through the ultrasound, Gar thought two things:

1. Boy = football
2. Boy = Love of Trains

Well, it is football season again. How does that always come around every year? This year we have DirectTV NFL Sunday ticket, so football is lived in our upstairs toy room!

Today Jason was decked out in Packers gear, playing with trains. Gar was thrilled!

And no, he did not have on shorts, but you pick your battles!

Strong the force is in this one!

2007-09-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

While Jason struggled to understand the pinata, Anna used her Jedi mind tricks to trick the pinata into giving up its secrets.

"Mmm . . .Release the candy, you will"

Jason's 2nd Birthday

2007-09-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Jason's 2nd Birthday party was (surprise!) a train theme. There were about 20 people at the party. Cake, ice cream and a SoCal necessary . . . a pinata, Thomas the Train. You can see how big it was in the third photo. Really, the kids could have climbed on top and rode it around in the yard. Jason took a little while, a points from Mom to warm up. But, in the end he did his best.

Iraq questions abound.

2007-09-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

To answer all of you who asked . . .yes, I am still going to deploy for 7 months to Iraq, sometime in late winter (that is all of the detail I can give you right now). The recent "draw down" doesn't effect the 130,000 regular people already there!

I will not be deploying with my 1st Medical Battalion Corpsmen (mostly Navy), but instead with a large Battalion of Devil Dogs (ie Marines). I will be one of the few Navy people and the only Naval Officer in the Battalion.

Got to love the Marines. YUT YUT (That is Marine speak for "done".)

Autumn

Anyway, I will let you know !

Week at the beach with Amber

2007-08-24T21:29:00.001-07:00

A week at the beach with Amber and Sienna Cherry, our friends from Nashville. Jason has a new haircut, which makes him look like a boy, rather than a baby.

Another day, another dollar

2007-08-24T21:17:00.001-07:00

It is another day and another dollar. Here are photos from one of the "humps" that we do in Medical Battalion. The first is of all of us formed up at 6:00 am ready to "step off". The second is of us at the 3 mile half way point. The Marines are setting up water cans for us. Then down the final hill, with a great view of the hills of Southern Cali. Just in case you are wondering, that dot at the bottom of the hill is one of the massive 7-ton transport trucks, that is how high we are in the hills.

Finally, at the end of the hump, red face and sweat soaked! Go Navy!

The Harry Potter Experience

2007-07-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't a spoiler blog that will tell you the ending of the book. I am only at page 500 and won't talk about it until I have finished it.

But, our church First Lutheran of Vista CA, had their vacation bible experience this past week and used the Harry Potter movies and books as the basis of the VBE.

Anyway, one picture to share. Anna played an owl (Hedgewig) on a couple of the nights delivering cards and prizes to all the students.

Talk to you all soon again.

Gar

News from the left coast

2007-07-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

As you probably noticed, not much in terms of updates on this site. That should change by the end of the week. I have not been able to connect the camera to the computer in some time. Basically no pictures. Those are the things that get me to write in.

Also, been slammed with school. Starting the process of nursing school. Doing basic anatomy (learning the names of all of these wonderful body parts). You need to know the name of your arteries and veins, I can tell you (well at least by the end of this week maybe, it's what we are studying)

I ordere a cf card reader that I can put in the computer in place of the floppy drive. At least that way we can plug the card in and get the pictures off of it.

Hope you are all doing well....

Dance, Dance, Dance

2007-07-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

Anna's Dance Recital was a few weeks ago and she had a blast. She was thinking about not doing dance, but I think she has changed her mind. At least for now. Things are busy for us here, eventhough it is the middle of the summer. Gar is studying and the kids are having a great time at the beach, park, and pool. Come out for a visit sometime.

2007-05-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been over a month since I typed anything in here. I guess it probably has more to do with the fact I can't connect the camera to the computer anymore and not sure why.

So what's happening here in our world.

Well, Anna is still quite active and keeping us all hopping. She is really excelling in karate and her teacher thinks that she could have a good future in martial arts. Should I feel good about that? Or, should I learn as well?

Funny thing is, Jason is sort of picking it up as Anna learns. I guess sitting in his stroller and watching is working.

Jason is full speed ahead as well. Really trying to use words. Getting pretty good at imitating sounds we make. He certainly knows what is going on in this world.

I will be going back to school. So for those of you who didn't figure I would give it a go for nursing school HHHAAAA. I will start here in June at MiraCosta College. It's a community college here in Oceanside that is a fraction of the cost of the UC system and it seems to have exactly what I need.

Music that is moving me this week. Well, I'm kind of going back a bit and listening to some older stuff. Police, Peter Gabriel, U2, Pretenders, Patti Smith, Beck. Not that there isn't any good new releases out there, it's just nice to visit the comfortable classics....

Hope you are all doing well out there in the world. Until next time...
Gar

2007-03-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Doodlebops were here in Anaheim on February 28th so Gar and Anna headed on up to see the show. Unfortunately the digital camera was in Nashville with Autumn and Jason, and the disposable I bought failed miserably. Well, we have these 2 photos to remember the show. Anna had a blast and has a lot of Doodle-merchandise that she will be happy to show you when you visit. And needless to say Anna danced the night away to all her favorite songs.

Also, a thank you to Paige, who let Anna borrow her DeeDee costume for the show.

A Rainy Afternoon

2007-02-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Today we had a very gentle warm rain. Because it was an inside day, Anna and I were going through her old shoes and getting rid of those that don't fit any more. We found her "puddle boots". From that moment on she had one thing in mind, to find some well deserving puddles and splash around a bit! We went for a walk around the block and had a wonderful time! The puddles were fun and the neighbors thought it was cute.

We've been busy!

2007-02-10T22:22:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since the last post, several of you have said! So, here is a bone. We are all fine, but busy. Anna has karate, ballet and gymnastics. More later!

By the way, Nashville we will see you all in a few weeks. Feb 28-March 11, we will be home! Mark it on your calender!

For Fans Of Joni Mitchell

2007-01-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

An interesting tribute album is in the works for Joni Mitchell.

Many of my favorite artists are tackling her songs. I always feel strange about these tribute records so I am keeping my fingers crossed

A Tribute To Joni Mitchell tracklist
1. Free Man in Paris - Sufjan Stevens
2. Boho Dance – Björk
3. Dreamland - Caetano Veloso
4. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow - Brad Mehldau
5. For The Roses - Cassandra Wilson
6. A Case Of U – Prince
7. Blue - Sarah McLachlan
8. Ladies Of The Canyon - Annie Lennox
9. Magdalena Laundries - Emmylou Harris
10. Edith And The Kingpin - Elvis Costello
11. Help Me - k.d. Lang
12. River - James Taylor

Dave Dark, you should really enjoy track 12......

Anna's Birthday Party

2007-01-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

Anna's fourth birthday party was today. It was a princess party, complete with cake, games, a pinata, and a princess bouncer. She was overwhelmed with gifts. I had to upload two sets of photos in this blog, see the other photos in pt2. We all had a good time, including Jason, who held his own in a bouncer with kids older than him!

Anna's Fourth Birthday part 2

2007-01-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

Here are the second set of photos. The pinata photo is amazing, she looks like she is up to something. Giving her a bat, was a great idea!!! That poor pinata never had a chance. See the photo at the bottom of her swinging. The other photos are of Anna's princess bouncer, and of course Jason (whose shirt says it all).

2007-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Top 40 Records Of The Year are as follows...

1. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
2. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
3. M. Ward – Post War
4. Johnny Cash – American V
5. Gomez – How We Operate
6.Band Of Horses – All The Time
7. Beck – The Information
8. Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat
9. Kris Kristofferson – This Old Road
10. Pernice Brothers – Live A Little
11. Danielson – Ships
12. Mountain Goats – Get Lonely
13. Calexico – Garden Ruin
14. Alejandro Escovedo – Boxing Mirror
15. Roman Candle – The Wee Hours Review
16. Los Lobos – The Town And The City
17. Joseph Arthur – Nuclear Daydream
18. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
19. Handsome Family – Last Days Of Wonder
20. Elected – Sun Sun Sun
21. Wood Brothers – Ways Not To Lose
22. Ben Harper – Both Sides Of The Gun
23. Long Winters – Putting The Days To Bed
24. Beirut – Gulag Orchestra
25. Essex Green – Cannibal Sea
26. The Hold Steady – Boys And Girls In America
27. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out Of This Country
28. Ray Lamontagne – Till The Sun Turns Black
29. Beth Orton – The Comfort Of Strangers
30. Birdmonster – No Midnight
31. Mindy Smith – Long Island Shores
32. TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain
33. Scott Miller – Citation
34. Swearing At Motorists – Last Night Becomes This Morning
35. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
36. Decemberists – The Crane Wife
37. Amy Millan – Honey From The Tombs
38. Todd Snider – The Devil You Know
39. Midlake – The Trials Of Van Occupanther
40. Muse – Black Holes And Revelations

Check 'em all out. I am trying to get a mix together to send out to folks so if you want one send me an email with your address....

thanks

Wild Hair Girl

2006-12-30T01:33:00.000-08:00

Everyone say hello to Wild Hair Girl and her sidekick Candy Cane Baby!

Scenes of our CA Christmas

2006-12-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Here are the images from our family Christmas. Anna and Jason had a ball with Granddad and Gramma. Gramma bought her a brand new nightgown for Christmas morning. Anna was also in her first Christmas program at her school. Jason had a great Christmas. He got a push car and spent most of Christmas morning sitting in it and having Granddad push him around. Anna receieved from Santa (by way of South Carolina) a new baby and double stroller, which is her favorite present. Nothing can even touch it, it is the best gift she had!

The chaos afterwards is the most fun! I can't say enough about my parents, every grandchild should have grandparents like this, they spent the day with them at Chucky Cheese. It is like my parents are little children too. Anna says "I'm Gramma's girl and Granddad's baby". How fun!

Wishing you all a blessed New Year

2006-12-28T16:55:00.000-08:00

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did. Granddad and Gramma were here (and still are) in CA to spend Christmas with the kids. THEY DROVE from Charleston to CA. But, said the trip wasn't bad. Hmm!Our house was filled with joy and presents!
Anna will be marking her wonderful fourth year among us in a few days with a Princess party. Pictures will follow. Thank you to everyone who send us a card this year. We hope you received ours before Christmas day (we tried). Blessings and peace!

Dance party!

2006-12-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

Anna had her first dance recital on Sunday. If you every come to CA ask to see the video. It was the cutest thing ever! I was a stage mom. That was work, but really fun. Anna is sitting in the center on floor. In case you were wondering, they danced to "Somewere Out There" CUTE, CUTE, CUTE

Return from Nashville

2006-12-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Here the are photos from the Nashville trip. First is the "couch" photo. It is a sort of tradition. We line the kids up on a couch and take a photo. This couch is BIG, but it is full, and next year there will be another Cherry, Hauser, and Becker baby on the couch! The second is of our neighbor Chris from Nashville. Anna use to steal tomatos from their yard.

And, well the third is Anna & Eilah hanging upside down. Fun was had by all, enough said?

Adventures With Gar, Autumn, Anna & Jason

2006-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Doodlebops update. I have received notice from Autumn that the tickets to the Doodlebops concert have arrived. I guess after seeing Tom Waits, U2, REM, Vigilantes of Love, Elvis Costello, Bruce Cockburn, I can take one for the team. I remember as a young little guy my dad taking me to see my first musical hero Glen Campbell. Well, now it is my turn to take my daughter to here first musical crush. The Doodlebops. Go their website and check out the fine tunes awaiting me.......woohoo....Now I just need to figure out a way to not dress up as Moe Doodle. Anna wants to dress up as DeeDee Doodle and she wants me to dress up like Moe Doodle....Dad, did I make you dress up like Glen Campbell????

Adventures With Gar, Autumn, Anna & Jason

2006-11-30T13:33:00.000-08:00

So me and the kids leave San Diego yesterday and the temperature was 45 degrees. We land 3 1/2 hours later in Nashville and it is 75 degrees. Same today. I talked to Autumn and they are calling for frost warnings in SoCal. A strange and backwards deal, though they are calling for possible snow here in Nashville on Friday. Yes folks, I am here in Nashvegas. If you want to see me give me a call. The wonderful Josh, Sandy, and Amber are housing us for a week. The big party is Saturday night. Call us at for details. Glad to be here. Ate at Baja Burrito last night so I can check that off my 25 favorite things to do while here in the Muzak City.... Gar

The Christmas Season has begun!

2006-11-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, the tree is up and the angel is high atop, the lawn is lit! Here is Anna's creation. I was the sous pastry chef, putting things where she wanted them.

Oooh, all of you music fans . . . see Gar's latest music purchase . . . The Doodlebops. They are Anna's favorite band. Want to here what we listen to on every car ride check it out at www.doodlebops.com. Everyone laugh with me, because it is just too funny.

Pumpkin Pie anyone?

2006-11-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

Jason's first real Thanksgiving dinner, and the pumpkin pie was his favorite. We have begun Christmas decorating, pictures will follow. Anna and I decorated a gingerbread house. The tree is up and the postage stamp lawn is about finished.

It seems funny. Today Anna was wearing a halter top on a walk around. And as I was thinking "It is the end of November and she is still wearing summer clothes", I met another parent coming back from THE POOL with their little girl. It is Southern California!

Knotts Berry Farms

2006-11-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was the 231 Marine Corp Birthday Ball. I got to say a prayer for 1800 Marines and their families in Anahiem, CA. It is an awesome thing to say "Let us pray" and hear a room formally filled with loud noise go totally silent!

While we were there we visited the Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park. Free, due to my active duty service. Got to love the Navy! Those of you Nashville folks who remember Opryland, this park is just like that!

Here are some of the photos. Anna rode every ride she could. The Red Baron Ride, Lucy's School Bus, the Ferris Wheel, and Snoopy's Air Mail. Jason chilled out in his stroller. We meant to only spend a few hours, but we didn't leave until well after dark.

If you are ever in Anahiem, skip past Disneyland and go straight to Knott's Berry Farms.

Cali Sunsets

2006-11-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

Just a follow up to what Autumn was describing.... A bit of warm front came through and it was in the mid 80's last week. And as for Halloween, I took the kids out in shorts and a t-shirt. Sometimes it is quite surreal out here. I keep waiting for a cold blast but nope........

Looking forward to seeing all you fine folks in Nashville. Me and the kids will be there Nov. 29 through Dec 6th. Hope to see as many of you as possible. You can always find me at either Josh & Sandy's house (where we are residing) or Grimey's, Baja Burrito, or on some disc golf course in the middle Tennessee area.

David- in response to Beck. I am starting to fall into agreement with you regarding "The Information". I am starting to think it is Beck's finest work maybe since "Odelay". Favorite track so far "Strange Apparition". The opening line just gets it all going for me:

Lord, please don't forsake me
In my, Mercedes Benz
All the riches and the ruins
Now we all know, how that story ends

until later Gar

yes it is in my best of this year..........

Cali Sunsets

2006-11-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

Really how much more can we brag about Southern CA. The people are really nice and at times wierd. But, you know my (Autumn) accent throws them quite a bit. There is just so much to do here. Anna and her friend Maddie went to the beach to go through the tidal pool and as you can see it was just beautiful!

We have a guest room, anytime you would like to see it for yourself!

Halloween and such

2006-11-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

This is the first halloween that the kids did not have to wear coats. It was amazing. Anna and Gar carved the pumpkin the night before. In Southern CA everyone carves the night before. It is so warm here that the pumpkins rot in two days. Amazing! Anna was Strawberry Shortcake and Jason was a Giraffe!

Jason is also "walking" for a couple of feet now. It is fun to watch. Stay tuned for photos!

So. Cal Wildfires

2006-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

So, as I have ecpressed before, the weather here is near perfect. The occasional cloudy day has happened, and yes it has rained once, but everyday is sunny and wonderful. Now there is a wildfire about 100 miles from us but the winds brought all the smoke and ash down here to us. So yesterday it smelled like a campfire gone crazy and the sky was a smokey fog all day.

Anna had to play inside at her school and finally we had to close up the house. We were outside with our neighbor for a little while last night but the smoke would cause your eyes to water and almost choke on it. It seems to have cleared up a bit today but you can still smell it in the air, and I imagine that when the winds kick up again we might get some more of it.

Gar

Granddad arrives

2006-10-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Granddad spent a glorious weekend with his grandkids. Here they are at the airport on his way home. Anna was so excited to see him, that the whole airport heard her calling "Granddad". Granddad said he heard her, BEFORE he saw her!

The rainy season has begun

2006-10-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well something happened yesterday. It rained. It doesn't do that much in So Cal. But, it did yesterday, and last night, and this morning. We watched all of these folks act like they had never seen rain. This wasn't even those spring storms like we get in TN, it was nice. However it did manage to knock the power out for about 3 hours last night.

Anna is enjoying having Granddad here and Jason just chills out too. Here are some new photos of Anna and her friend Maddie after they got into Mommy's makeup.

2006-10-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some new photos to look at....

Jason is learning how to escape from gates

Anna is a fearless gymnastics tumbler.

Anna's first day at her new school...

Anna visits mommy at work and sees her new office.

Anna visits the Wild Animal Park with her new best friend Madeliene

Don't steal my pacifier!!!!!!!!!

Anna and her new friend Maddie...

Anna takes Jason for a walk in the wagon

Marine Corps OORAH

2006-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Here is my 2 cents to living in CA. I love my work with the Marines. Although, my battalion is mostly Navy Corpmen (Medics). Everyday is something different. I finally have a computer so you can drop me an email at ButlerSaegerAE@1fssg.usmc.mil. My RPSN (Religious Programing Specailist) Seaman Alexander Hoffman from Texas is aboard and getting things together on his end. He is my Admin person in garrison and my bodyguard in field. He is 20 years old and carries a large M-16 in the field to provide protection for his chaplain, since the Navy will not let me have a weapon. Probably, a good idea!
My day is filled with meetings, briefs, personal counseling and the random fun event. My office is in the shadow of the Marine Air Group and the live fire weapons range, which means it is never quiet at my office. Next week we will be doing a NBC (nuero-bio-chemical) confidence excerise. In Marine Corp terms that means that they are going to Gas us. Oh goody, and before 7:00 am.

Keeping it going

2006-09-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Uuugh. Things are just way to busy being the soccer dad that I have become, though I am enjoying it tremendously. Now for updated news. Anna has a school. It seems like there are more children out here than school space so waiting lists are huge and long. However, Autumn met a Lutheran minister while she was waiting for husband's return from Iraq and they struck up a conversation that led to an opening at their school. Only about a 15 minute drive but on Tuesday and Thursday she will be in school. Other news.....Jason has an ear infection. For those who remember, Anna was the queen of the ear infection, however this is Jason's first one, at least, that we caught. The boy doesn't complain about much, that is unless his sister is laying on top of him. Otherwise things are good. We are off to the zoo tomorrow with Madeleine (one of Anna's new friends). This will be the second adventure for us to the zoo. I don't think we saw more than half of it the first time.

Hope all are doing well out there.........Enjoy the pictures of Jason's first birthday (one reading Grandpa and Grandma Saeger's card and his first taste of cake) and of Anna at ballet.....

Gar

Music questions abound

2006-09-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

So, it was bound to happen.....What music am I listening to these days??? Let's see... Some new stuff that I have been spinning on the Ipod include the new Ani Difranco, Golden Smog, World Party, Jason Collett, Neko Case, and The Long Winters. Older stuff includes The Frames (thank you LB for continuing to remind me of their genius), the first two Bjork solo records, as always Bob Dylan (Oh Mercy is spinning right now), Talking Heads, and Merle Haggard reissues....

I just ordered a couple of the Pogues re-issues and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I am just learning about the genius and tragedy of Shane MacGowan.......

Here are some lyrics to Ani's song 78% H2O.........

when the joy had left your body
and you were locked in to your own thoughts
you used to love to sit by the water
and watch it lapping on the rocks
and every time you put your feet in
you'd cry out and you would pray
but it's all downhill from here baby
so naturally, i can't stay

first you'll roll your eyes to heaven
say you never had love so divine
but it will go from
more than ever
to not enough
in no time
you will push and
you will push until
you push me away
i hear you cry out for your water
and i know you'll curse it someday

i guess for me
there's been a few
who've walked up smiling
and drawn a line
between so far
and from now on
yes a big glowing
line in time
and i've been disappointed
i've been heartbroken
yes i too have
loved from afar
but we are 78% water
even our pumping hearts

Still looking for my camera to post some more pictures.

Welcome To Our World

2006-09-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Hi, to whoever is checking in on us. Here we will post pictures and random thoughts of our lives as we adventure around. Hope this helps all you fine folks keep up with us. Feel free to send us notes as well.
First I will introduce Jason. He just turned 1 year old on Thursday and he loved his cake. I will get some pictures posted as soon as I can get them loaded in. He is trying to walk and loves trucks and blocks. The attached photo was taken at Sea World and it involved Jason's favorite activity there.....LUNCH!!!!! Signing off until tomorrow.