#1: GOPHER GLORY, GOPHER DORITOS

I really tried to make the most normal mainstream thing I've ever done with this one. Of course Pam still thought it was weird. sigh...

Oh, to watch them just hit the little play button at the lower right of the TV. It's the arrow that is pointing right.



If you have time please visit the following link to view it on the actual Dorito site...
GOPHER GLORY GOPHER DORITOS LINK

#2: THE DORITO BLUFF

This one's kind of normal but I guess kind of weird too. At least if you ask my mom. I guess it's the Pirates.



If you have time please visit the following link to view it on the actual Dorito site...
THE DORITO BLUFF LINK

#3: THE DORITO BLOWFISH

And the weirdest one of all...



If you have time please visit the following link to view it on the actual Dorito site...
THE DORITO BLOWFISH LINK

Happy 4th

Hello family,
No new news or dates on Matt's return- But today I do want to thank all of you for supporting Matt this past year. I want him home and you have all made this year better for me and mine and most importantly Matt!!!!!
Thank any on that you know served - today does remind us what those before us gave up so I can sit and type away on the internet while my son is so far form home!!!
Happy Fourth!!!!
Love mom

Man ran another 5K

Hi family,
Ok I sent the picture but could not figure out how to write on it. Matt did say the one right next to him will be a roomate and the one on the other end will also be a roomate. He had little else to say but I think he looks great and ready to come home!
For those of you who missed Jim's big day it was really nice. Jim spoke at the end and wanted to thank all the soldiers for what they have sacriiced and considering the holiday it was a very nice tribute. Jim said what they were doing was what was important. He put himself second and looked quite handsome while doing so!
love and God keep
aunt m

Matt called last night!!

Matt called last night!!!!
No news on dates but planning is in the works.
This planning is way to slow and I think I might have to take a trip over there to speed things up!
He said it has snuck over a 100 degrees a few times,but it is not as bad as it was when he got there!
Thanks again for keeping Matt involved through the blog and for all the packages sent.
Love
aunt m

hey

ok so sorry its been so long since i've made a posting here but internet connection is always iffy. so i was finally able to sneak away from the office for a little while tonight and see Toby Keith perform on a USO tour. I've always wanted to see him and even thought it wasn't a full out concert it was still pretty cool especially when he was signing his patriotic songs and needless to say "we'll put a boot in your a**" was sung pretty loud.

Really nothing new to report on here. Not nearly as exciting as my last deployment was but i guess that does make the mom happy. Things are slowly moving along and we have at least started planning the trip home but that makes it hard as well b/c we still have a while to go. I can't imagine if i had gotten over here on time and had to spend the full 15 months. i think the shoulder surgery was worth the pain for that sole reason.

Amanda you will be happy to know that we have both Bonefish Grill and Mellow Mushrooms down in Savannah and i'm a huge fan of both. i can't remember if i've mentioned before but it looks like i'm going to be living with 3 other guys in a house downtown when i get back. still not sure how i feel with going from living on my own for the last 5 yrs to 3 housemates but we are all leaving about 6months after we get back and all want a place downtown so it just works out. i don't think i'd be doing it for longer than 6 months but should be a good way to have a blast when i first get back. ok well thats all i have from here hope everyone is doing great and hopefully i'll see everyone at the weddings if i make it back in time.

news

Hi Everyone!

I want to let you know that I am moving back to MD. I was offered a job at William Hill Manor, it is a assisted living facility in Easton, it is also an EMA community. I will be working in the recreation dept and I start May 1st. I am really excited, they are also breaking ground for an additional 50 beds to open in about 16 months which will open the door to lots of other opportunities.
It was a really hard decision for me since Hannaford treated me so well and I do really love maine. However, I hated be so far from my family and friends, plus I knew I was not passionate about retail. I am leaving in good terms tho, my boss told me that I could always call her if I changed my mind. I just wanted to let you know what was going on!
I will be living at home and communiting at first, until i find someplace closer. That is if dad lets me move back!!



I miss you guys and cant wait to see you!!!!

Emily

Top Five Reasons to Visit Amanda and Kenny Down Yonder

5) Our cherry blossoms bloom before your cherry blossoms. Note: This picture was taken a week ago. I have since been informed that y'all have these now too.

4) Target has really cute colorful purses. My mom said these were listed in the Sun as one of the "must haves" for Spring.

3) BangBang Shrimp, huge scallops, Shrimp Diablo, and the best Pinot Grigiot ever are just five minutes away at Bonefish Grill.

2) You too can sing along to Breathe's "Hand's to Heaven" and other 80s tunes on Kenny's iPod. If you've never heard of that tune, you should download it. There aren't words...

1) Duh - you can play Rock Band

Not making the list (in no particular order):

- The word's best pizza at Mellow Mushrooom makes the perfect post-Pinot Grigiot lunch

- Kenny's kind of a big deal. We can Tivo him.

- You can stop and visit Bobby on your way down at Virginia Tech. And give Anna's alma mater a "holla"

- You can fly on Skybus for just $10. Oh wait....no you can't. But its just a six hour drive.

We heard form Matt

Hello to all,
Welcome back to Tim and Paula,I also expect pictures from the trip to show up on the blog.Paula,pam and even judy how could you believe anything, from John and his email. You should know better by now.
Matt did get to call on Easter. He had little to say,but does thank everyone for the packages that continue to come so often. Things remain the same is his favorite line. It is warmer, and we will not see any more pictures of the trip until he comes home. That was about it,he did get a kick out of the family members that are still willing to give John the benifit of the doubt!!!!!
Love and God keep
mary

Happy B-Day, Will!

I know we do not acknowledge all cousin birthdays on the blog, but given that today is a milestone b-day for Will, I thought I'd give him a shout out. Happy 21st B-Day, Will. You'll actually be able to toast your big brother at his wedding and join the "older cousins" at the Zippy Lewis lounge at the Dunes.

Happy Birthday!

In the spirit of blog participation...

Emily inspired me because I have not posted in a while either. The below is an email I sent last night to my friend Deb who lived with me in my ghetto apartment @ 333 Saunders Ave., in Philly. There were many notable experiences during my tenure there and one of the stand-out perponderances was the appearance of eaten chicken bones in the park across the street from us, seemingly every day. We always wondered how they got there as we couldn't believe many people would be walking along eating chicken wings. It seemed like this would be an activity that required sitting down. Our best theory was that birds would get them out of trash cans and then drop them as they were flying. Flimsy hypotheses I know. Well, the mystery was solved....read on...

MYSTERY SOLVED!

Just had to let you know that at approximately 10:12 pm this evening I spotted a young male walking towards me. Not an atypical occurrence as yet, but read on.... He was about a block away at the time of initial spotting. He was walking towards me and I towards him. As I got closer I noticed he was walking rather slow and was looking at something in his arm that appeared to be an open laptop. My thoughts at the timewere, "Seriously, you had check your email right this second? You need
a Blackberry. Is there Wifi out here?"

But, as we got closer yet, I realized he was eating something. Yes. That was it! In typical Philly fashion and in the spirit of remaining the "Fattest City in the US," he was walking and eating something out of a Styrofoam container (it was open; hence the laptop effect). I did not get a good look as he passed by of what exactly he was eating. But, a few steps, a leap, and a snorfle later, Chloe had sucked up something from the sidewalk. "Drop IT!" I say!! "Drop Iiiiit!!!!"
"Yeah right," thinks Chloe.
So, I stick my hand in her mouth to take out the offending object. And what is it, you ask??? A still warm, still saucy chicken bone remnant. Newly chewed and dropped on the sidewalk for all to enjoy. Tasty! I've washed my hands three times now and swear I can still smell the sauce. MmmMm.

I turned around to see if the offender noticed his offense and the trouble he had caused, only to witness him dropping another bone about 30 feet away. That's when I morphed into Super Jeanine and zapped with my laser beam eye vision. Did I tell you I got that? Yeah, they were selling super powers at Costco for $59.99. They might still have some, but when I got there the laser beams were the only good thing left.
Invisibility and flying were already sold out. You might try on-line though. But, I digress...

So, there you have it my friend. It actually does happen. People wander around Philly in the night time hours eating chicken wings and tossing the bones in a haphazard manner. With a sort of "devil may care" attitude if you will. At least I am no longer powerless to stop them. "Zzzzzzzzt" (sound of my laser beam eyes)

Mystery 19,765 of 333 Saunders Ave./park and its environs - Solved. Case Closed.

Oh and P.S, - and I am not making this up. Just as I was about to hit "send" on this email. Chloe puked up the rest of the chicken bone on the carpet. It just keeps giving and giving. Hand washing #4.

Hey Family,

I have not written in awhile, but nothing new is really going on up here in Maine. The weather is still pretty nasty. We have not had snow lately but we have had a couple days of freezing rain.
I am working on the front end for the next couple of weeks. I am at a store right near portland so there is a lot of culture and low income. I have to deal with a lot of food stamps and wic orders which are a little difficult. But again the people are really cool and the customers are nice. And it does make me count my blessings.
So i think i am going to become a member of MOAC - Maine Outdoor Adventure Club. I went on a walk on the beach with this group that consisted of four people over 50 who all were giving me a hard time becuase they had kids older then me. All in all tho it was a lot of fun. We went for an hour walk on the beach at night then went to this little bar where a band was playing and the GREAT thing about hanging out with older people is that they paid for my DRINKS!!!!

I love you guys and cant wait to see you all soon.
Rian congrats about the house!!!!!

Emily

Abby's Announcement

In order to increase to blog readership, Abby has decided to use this forum to make a very important announcement. See above. She shared the news with some at her first birthday party. (However, a little birdy told her that some of you may have already heard because her Great Grandmom Almon can't keep a secret for 6 hours!) For all those who were convinced that there wouldn't be another baby at The Dunes, think again.

Practicing for the Polar Bear Plunge . . .

I am not sure it was really necessary, but Kenny will do anything for a rating point or two. This photo was taken by his loving and devoted wife (who was there to start his heart again with CPR if necessary) this morning at 6:55 AM.
Note: The pool, located at our apartment complex, is maintained and touted as a "year round pool" but it is not heated. And it is about 35 degrees this morning.

Some snorkel...Others Rock!

Pictures from down under (I hope)

Heard form down under!!!!

Family,
A great bige huge thanks goes to all of you from John,Emily and I. Your generousity made this trip possible for Tom to see and spend time with Matt. (and to drink a lot of beer). We got a phone call from the boys last night and the words I heard often were amazing,and unreal. Thomas did tell me he had just picked Matt up from Jail. He said Matt liked this choice better then the one ahead of him. I almost wish the story was true. Matt enjoyed the scuba diving and snorkeling and promises many under water pictures. Thomas said they visited one place where the kangaroos came up to you like friendly dogs. Surfing was a high light for both. I know you will but the rest of matt's journey is only half over as he pinted out to me last night so keep you kind words,pictures and funny stories coming.
And please know both mom and dad had a wonderful time at the party, they were both surprised and enjoyed seeing everyone. I will set a date for June ASAP.
God Keep,
Love mom,aunt m

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying their day. They told me at Abby's daycare today (it is called "Lots of Love"--Mike calls it "Love, Weather Permitting") that Abby had a Valentine. This news came less than an hour after I told her that her father was to be her only Valentine until she turned 25. The boy's name is Colby and he was wearing a shirt today that said "Little Flirt." I am a little worried about all of this! I guess I should expect something like this from a place called "Lots of Love"!

wow,wow,woow

Dear family,
This past weekend I took 2 friends to see Emily in Maine.
We yes me went cross county skiing and snow shoeing and had a fantastic time.
We saw so much snow and traveled many miles on skies. I did fall but only once.We also conquered a hill that the workers had told us not to go near because they could not get down "Holstein Hill" without falling.Emily made us go anyway. I did scream most of the way but i did it with my daughter encourging me all the way. We walked for about an hour and a half with snow falling all around us.On the next day we went snow shoeing in 50 mile an hour winds and 12 below zero weather. It was totally terrifc. We stayed in the woods away from the wind. Without our snowshoes you would go down 4 feet in the snow. The drifts on the side of the road were 6-8 feet high.
We came back safe and sound. I would encorage all to go. Emily is also an excellent cook!
Love mom or aunt m

B party for the grandparents

Hello family,
Just a note to let everyone know the party is still on for Saturday 2-16-2008. To my knowledge the grandparents still do not know about the party in thier honor. I have told them to keep this day open. They think they are meeting Sharon's family in Easton and I will be driving them. John and I as the gift to them will supply the main dishes,ham chili, and chicken and we are counting on some delightfull side dishes from the rest of the crew. To those of you who can not make the trip give the party a call. I promise to keep my cell phone on my hip to answer it at all times!! I hope the weather is good but the party is on rain or shine. All looks good for Matt and Tom we do have a very generous and thoughtful family!!! Thankyou! Uncle Mike has remained in contact with mom and dad and seems to be holding his own. Uncle Bobby did make his first and long awaited visit to the eastern shore in quite some time- and helped rearrange mom and dads bedroom, he was able to find his way back home!! Uncle Terry (brother terry) and aunt carol made it down and took them out to lunch. I understand they will be looking for a new planter and bush that was taken right off their front porch. It was not me! And Uncle Tim (brother Tim) and Aunt Paula made it down to surprise them at breakfast Sunday morning.
Mom and dad do enjoy the visits and so do I so come one and all!!!!
God Keep
love aunt mary

OK, I can't figure out how to delete this post...

I was teaching somebody how to set up a blog and showing him how to upload pictures. This pic of Amanda and Kenny was the first one in my folder, so it got a chance to participate in my tutorial session. Anyway, I guess I'm not as savvy as I thought, because I can't seem to get rid of the post now. So, I thought, "Who wouldn't want to see a nice picture of Amanda and Kenny?" hence this post. Enjoy!
-Jeanine

Dear Tanner

Dear Tanner,

Be advised that you dumped (4) tires with a couple old chicks!!!!!!!

Now I am stuck with them!!!

It cost me $4.00 each to get rid of them.

Please send me your address, I can ship them to you for only $3.00 each.

Forget it Tanner a better idea just came to me!!!!!!!!

Your Mother's Birthday is coming & I have a great idea for some new yard decorations!!

Kitchen Collisions!

Morning ladies & gentlemen let me pose question: is there a room in your residence where accidents frequently happen? Is there a space in your dwelling when you enter alone things fall, break, shatter, splatter, crack or down right disintegrate with out reason or explanation? I have not had this phenomena occur in any room I occupy for an extended length of time, but after several instances of Jeanine being in the kitchen alone and I hear phrases such as “DAMN IT! OH MAN!” or expletives uttered at an exceptional velocity I’ve concluded this room does exist in our home and it is the kitchen. This morning’s incident was especially sweet.
I work at night now to accommodate my school schedule and don’t usually get home till around 11:00PM. I try to unwind by playing Halo 3 and killing as many beefcake looking alien creatures as possible. Helps me sleep at night. I wanted a snack, but the fridge and cupboards were rather bare so I made myself a bowl of cereal. After completing my mission of chomping on breakfast and defeating the invading alien armies of earth it was time for bed. The kitchen is rather close to our bedroom and since it was around 2AM I left some items I used out so I did not make a lot of noise putting them away. (Items left out: cereal, bowl, sugar).
Jeanine crawled out of bed around 8:00AM. A few moments later I heard “DAMN IT!” I did not awaken to investigate since Chloe sometimes leaves us a simmering pool of urine on the kitchen floor in the mornings. I figured I’d had enough of those delightful gestures for eight lifetimes. Not long after Jeanine requested my assistance. I walked to the kitchen door way and saw her on the floor not cleaning up urine but sugar, piles and piles and piles of sugar.
“What happened?” I inquired.
“You left the sugar out and I knocked over!”
I looked curiously at her and asked, “Are you somehow blaming me for you knocking over an entire vat of sugar?” (Seriously it was a vat of sugar! Now I’m wondering why on earth do we have so much sugar? We don’t use that much sugar in a year. I think that’s the same vat of sugar from our old apartment). I suppose perhaps some how it was my fault since I control the appendage, which smacked the vat of sugar sending it sprawling all over the kitchen like the snow we haven’t received in Philly this winter. Now that I think about it, it was a rather festive scene. Thus our weekend has gotten off to a “sweet” start and I’m looking forward to my feet getting stuck to the kitchen floor for the next few days. (Beats stepping in urine)


Calvin

Nice story from Iraq...

Looks like Matt, got to see a bit of home this morning. Click HERE for article.

Vacation October 10 - 13...Wanna Come???

Hi Almons,

Calvin and I have made our vacation plans for 2008. We are going here (see pic). This is called Havasu Falls, it is located on the Havasupi Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon, AZ. Of all the people who visit the Grand Canyon, only 2% visit Havasupai. The trip is a hiking camping trip (yes, you heard right) and it takes you to the village of Supai, inhabited by the Havasupai Indians, camping under the stars stars next to Havasu Creek, and to 3 water falls: Havasu, Mooney and Navajo. It is a 10 mile hike there and back and Calvin and I added an extra day in the canyon for exploring. It is rated a 3 level hike (in terms of intensity) on a scale of 1-5. The cost is $950 per person with all food, taxes, fees, transportation, all camping gear (including backpack, tents, sleeping bags, etc.) and a guide included. Basicially everything is included except airfare. And they will pick you up from Flagstaff or Pheonix so a rental car is not needed. The company is called JustRoughinit, and they were featured in US News and World Report as one of the top hiking companies operating in and around the canyon. Their hike from the North to South Rim of the canyon was voted one of the best in the country.
Anyway, all of this is to try and convince any of you, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins to come with us. The more the merrier. And if we get a group together, 10% is deducted from the cost.

I am sure some of you are wondering where the heck I heard of this place and why I want to go. The answer is, I heard about it on the Travel Channel, and I want to go because everything I have heard/read about it since says it is one of the most amazing places in the world and it's supposed to be a once in a lifetime experience.

Calvin and I are super excited, and we would be even more so if one or more of you were coming along. Matt you will be home by then, so I think you should give it some serious consideration. :0)

Quarters

Hey Family,

I have a small obsession with quarters, no not the fun game you played in college involving drinking lots of water, but collecting state quarters. I say small obsession but I think actually it is really big and could be borderline on the unhealthily side. I never give exact change in hopes that I will get a new state quarter!!!! I have severe disappointment when I get no new ones, this is where I think the obsession is unhealthy.

Well my mom being the great mom she is, got me a really cool fold out map that has a place for all the state quarters and even the year they come out. I pulled my faithful map out last night to insure I was updated (which I do often, another unhealthy side)and to my HORROR, I am missing two 2007 quarters and I dont know if you all know this but it is 2008!!!!

So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE family I need you to also not give exact change, search your purses, pockets and change jars for the following state quarters:

Wyoming
Utah

I am unsure of what they look like but they will have the 2007 date, also it is 2008 so please keep your eye out for any 2008 ones, I DONT HAVE ANY!!! But they probably wont come out for another month or two. I need my sanity saved here, I am worried I may never find them and my collection will never be complete. I could be losing sleep even!

I love you all,

Emily

ps Grandmom and Pop got a cell phone !!!! How cool are they!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We heard by phone from Matt on Christmas Day and his birthday (12-30). He did get to open a lot of packages but he had to work on both Christmas and his birthday. He and Bridget did get to see some sites in Baghdad while wearing a gun on their hips. I have tried to send them out to the email addresses. I am not sure if i can put them on the blog. I am very happy that Bridget takes the time to send me pictures and i will pass them on when I can. I asked him if he got to celabrate New Years eve and he just laughed. Things remain very busy for him. I am still planning the road trip if he is unable to come home for the weddings. Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year Everybody

Top 3 things to look forward to in 2008 (in no particular order):

1. Matt's return to the states
2. Ben and Meredith's wedding
3. Rian and Mike's wedding

So far it looks like it's going to be a great year!!!! Also, if we are going to keep to Tom's prediction for 5 babies in 5 years. Someone is going to have to turn up pregnant in 2008. Get to work people! Errr...get to work married people!