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

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!

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

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

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

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).

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

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

Scenes of our CA Christmas

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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?

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

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

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

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

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!