The New Californians

Hello family!
Haven't been on here in FOREVER! I just wanted to give you an update since um... the beginning of summer.
Well as most of you know, Daniel and I got orders to Travis AFB, CA in March. It is about an hour northeast of San Fran and about 40 minutes southwest of Sacramento. So in June I quit my job a week early than expected because we decided to go on a last minute trip to Germany to visit our good friends from McChord who are now stationed there. It was an amazing trip including many places in Germany and a road trip to PARIS! We were actually there until the Eiffel Tower for our third wedding anniversary. :o) It was bliss!
After we got back from Europe, we started our journey down to California about two or three weeks later. It was really hard to leave Washington for both of us since most of our families and friends are there but we needed to spread our wings and fly. :o) We made it down here in one piece (one very exhausted family) and within ten days I had a job (same thing I was doing at McChord.. HR Assistant) and Daniel found out he made the next rank. Staff Sergeant in the Air Force. So he had to go to a five week class for this rank. He now is back to his normal flying loadmastering job flying about 10 days out of the month. He was gone for Thanksgiving which was hard being all by myself but just kept myself busy making a pumpkin pie for him when he gets home in a few days! :o) I appreciate talking to all of you who were at Aunt Cheri's and Uncle Ric's on Thanksgiving. That was fun! Anyway, we are really enjoy ourselves here in California and hope all of you are doing well. :o) Happy Holidays!

Mi Casa es su Casa!

Hola from Mexico! Here are a few photos of mi casa en Chapala. I'm renting a 2 bedroom 2 bath casa in Vista Del Lago, about 5 miles east of the town of Chapala, which is located on the largest lake in Mexico, Lago de Chapala, and about 30 miles south of Guadalajara, Mexico's 2nd largest city.





and here are some of the interior shots...plenty of room for guests, if you know what I mean.

My Discovery in Hot Springs

Well, it's been awhile since I posted anything on this Blog so here goes. As you may know, I have been on a somewhat extended vacation, since... oh about a year and a half ago actually. Anyway, for the last 2 months, I've been staying with the Drews of Columbus, Ohio, where I enjoyed my time with one Frederick E Drew and his sister Matilda too. Now, as my stay is at an end, I'm heading south to Mexico for awhile.

On my way down, however, I took a slight detour to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas, where after some searching around I was quite excited to find evidence of the original Frederick E Drew. (I really was excited!) This was, of course Frederick Elias Drew, Dad's grandfather, but I shall not bore you with the details...anymore than I already have, that is. I hope to post more pictures in the near future, maybe some you'll even find exciting.

PieFace

Just wanted to share . Lori works at an Assisted Living facility in Lacey and they were having a fun-filled day, which included allowing the clients to throw pies (or something) at the manager. Larry donated the background.

Summer.

Maddy relaxing on a stump. July 09.

Maddy walking Rex. July 09.

Most everyone who attended.

Adorable cake that my boss and I made.

Maddy turns 2! Party. :) May 09.

More Gunner Pictures

Gunner's 2 month picture.

LIL' MAN ISN'T SO LITTLE ANYMORE

For those of you who didn't hear, I got a call from my boss two days before I came back from maternity leave to tell me that I was getting bumped out of my position by a more senior employee whose position had been eliminated. I prayed and searched hard and was offered a new position as Regional Business Manager for DSHS Home & Community Services. I began my job job on July 16th and so far I LOVE IT. I think my getting bumped was a blessing in disguise.

So now that I am employeed and able to afford it :-) we went and got Gunner's pictures and our first family pictures done this last Saturday.

So...since I'm behind in my picture posting here is a few to catch everyone up. He is 4 1/2 months.