I am so glad this thing is working. I haven't felt this "in tune" with everyone's lives in quite some time. It is amazing that I can sit here in Japan and read about and see pictures about what is happening in all of your lives. Really is amazing. I love technology. Just had to get that out.
Tom, relax, I am not trying to say you are being frivolous or anything. Sorry, I meant ONE xbox. I was typing fast and didn't put much thought into what I was saying.
Dave

So I just got home from work and was catching up on all of the blogs and very much enjoying reading about how everyone elses life are going and realizing how plan mine is. But then I thought, I am a GM of my own store in Beverly Hills. How freaking great is that. Today I helped out Natalie Portman (Star Wars and other movies) with rash guards. Buffy is jealous but she was BEAUTIFUL!! I told Buffy it would be like her seeing Matt Damon and she agreed. Other celebes I have help are Tracy Morgan from SNL, and the blonde girl from MAD TV(very funny).There have been others but I can't remember right know. But todays tops the list. I had to let one of my department heads go today because he shoved a customer on Friday. He has a REAL bad temper (Yes worse then Tom). It was the straw that broke the camels back and unfortunately I had to let him go.
Buffy has create a workout program for us and I am going to do my best to do it. Maybe I can lose 40 lbs and get to 200. We love our new place even though it is hot as he@#. It is midnight and it is 90 outside. Buffy is in her last week of her internship then has one week off and starts school for her second of three year. Mike, I am going to see what kind of good deals we can get on plane ticket and I want to come out maybe in October to maybe go to a Georgia or FSU game. We will see what the cost is. Probably three or four days. Anyhow I should probably go to bed, but we are stoked that this is doing well and I think it is just the idea Mom had with the hard copy but this is easier. Love you ALL, Brent

Worker's painting and repairing the whole family room and the upstairs landing areas up to the bedroom doors.

I smell the smell of white paint. Now, that could have been purple or green or red paint, but, I am reasonably assured that it is white. Why, because the Hansen Construction guys have a double high scaffolding in our family room painting and repairing the mess created by the Legacy Hospital going up behind our complex. They started around 10am this morning and have been going ever since. I set the ac at 65 degrees as the outside temp is at least 100 today. I did the usual calls to DFAS, Tricare, Willamette, and made a trip to Beaverton (for camera parts...2x teleconverter and tube for my Fuji 7000). Trying to figure out why the Navy sent me a notice that I have been awarded a bill for 89000 dollars for who knows what. They said that the Denver DFAS crowd does a verification on the mess and if it is in error, they will correct my W2 that just came out. What I believe happened is that in Feb 04 when we filed our taxes and got the W2 from the Navy for 2003, they still showed me receiving income from the Navy and on active duty. They corrected the w2 back to just the one month of income in Jan 2003, but somehow, some yahoo noted the 'unseparated member still getting paid ?????? about 82000 more than I really got. So, we'll play wait and see what happens and hopefully, the error will be found. Oh boy, another crisis to inform mom about. Oh well, it'll work out in the end. Got my Black Arrow Clancy game going. It is pretty good. Running around a train station in London. Well, I have to go check on my family room and stairway status. I'll send a photo later if I can figure out, again, how to make it work.

r/ Dad

I have burned through 1 xBox and the only reason that that happened is because the hard drive went bad. Let us all remember that I was the first one with the xbox so mine had the longest time, so, watch out.

Good ol' Japanese Dentistry 
Hey, thought I'd put a picture to catch your eye. If you look close, yep, that's right, there is a root canal in every tooth, and yep, half of them are failing, and yep, that is one bridge on the top and one bridge on the bottom. Yikes!
So we are wondering, Brooke, about the back thing. What happened and what is the diagnosis/treatment/prognosis? Adina is dying to know...and so am I, for that matter.
Tom, scary to think that you have burned through two xbox's. By the way, when does the new one come out? And, you are jumping back into school, eh? Probably anxious to get back so that you can get closer to the end. It should start really speeding up now. Hold on!
Good to see that everyone else is adding to the posts. Love to hear all the news. By the way, if anyone is looking for a retarded female cat with a hook for a tail, let me know....I'll mail her to you. I am sick of her. Can't wait to get back to the states, get my own house and get a dog.
Isaac has a tennis clinic for the next three days. He is excited about it. He certainly has the body and energy for it. Can't keep his shoes on his feet for more than 5 months before he grows out of them. Both he and Taylor.
Parker is a brute, but I love it. He'll take on anyone. He plays shy initially, but watch out when he gets used to you...hmmm....sounds familiar doesn't it?
Morgan is Morgan. Spoiled and sucking her fingers still. Even through the Tobasco sauce. Don't know what to do about that one. Hopefully it'll wear off before she is 4 years old. Hope sooner. And she isn't interested in potty training at all right now. She is just content with the diaper.
Adina is very busy all the time. She is the primary president now (which accounts for half of our branch), PTO Treasurer, and busy mom. Luckily she has a friend here that has 4 boys. They trade days to go running and workout. Although she almost killed herself running the other day with the horrible heat index (humidity/temp) here. Although, running outside here is fun because you have alot of hills and we are kind of out in the country. Alot of rice patties, trails, and inlets from the ocean. It really makes for a beautiful area. Very traditional japan-ish. I'll have to take a picture of where we run.
Well, I am rambling, I will catch up with you all later.
Dave

I forgot to mention, that I, of course, think buying land in Utah is a fantastic idea!!!
-- Tracey

Well for the Mike and Brooke fam this has been an eventful week. Let's see...movers took an extra day so my limited time to help the family move was more limited, broke my monitor, broke my printer, air conditioner went totally out and needs a 1600 dollar replacement on the Oklahoma house, broke my lawn mower so I borrowed my new neighbors and that broke while I was using it, and today when Brooke took the girls over to the house to grab something off the kitchen counter she left Jane in the car (the driver's seat) and she started playing with the electric seat and proceeded to back it up over Sadie's leg behind her which severely hyperextended it and Sadie can't walk right now. Run on sentence I know, how about a run on week..ENOUGH ALREADY!! So we might need to take sadie in to the Doc if she is not walking by tomorrow night. Poor girl and of course Jane feels terrible. Lesson learned: Don't let your kid in the driver's seat, ever.
The good news. We are in our new house. It is for the most part set up and it is wonderful. By next week we should be golden. It can only go up from here. The A's are now up 1.5 games on Texas after an 18th inning single by Jermaine Dye and the Giants just won a great game. Doom 3 came out this week which is a big deal for my hobby, computer games. Doom 3 is significant because the programmer, John Carmack is an absolute genius and constantly is pushing the envelope on what computers can do with graphics. After not being able to hook up with Brent and Tom in the new ESPN football game over XBOX live for a couple of weeks, we finally got in a game each. I beat Brent but Tom layed the scunion down on me. I now have a 'Den" that everyone can be jealous of and well worth a visit by any one of you.
The week ahead: I have a 8 mile road march tomorrow at 0430. We are at the machine gun ranges this week (the ones you visited Tom). Brooke will continue to knock out as much of the house as possible with her bum back. I'll have to get the two lawn mowers repaired and I am trying to get the Probe ready to put out on the lot for sale now that I have the new truck. The name, haven't decided yet but I really like "Bobby Brown':) Much to Dave's chagrin. Like I said, hopefully this week will go better. Madden 2005 comes out this week, first time it will be playable over XBOX live so Tom and Brent we will have to get it, at least rent it and see if it is better than ESPN. ESPN is pretty dang good. I'll have to sell some games on ebay to get it but I think it will be worth it.
That is about all the excitement in our life. We love you all and good to see you using the blog. I sure like checking it out every morning.

Mike

So it has been a long time since we posted something here. Sorry about the delay, I am sure you have all been dying to know what is going on in Cleveland since it is so exciting here! Well, our life is fun, eventful. Hayden makes most things fun and some things completly impossible. He is really starting to talk and says all sorts of things including "thank you," "cheese," "baseball," "more," "snack," "teeth" and he even says "I love you" although you have to be listening close to know that is what he said. Tom is most proud of the fact that everytime we enter the living room he runs for the the X-box controllers and says "box." I tried putting him to bed last night while Tom was playing X-box and he just kept crying and pointing at his bedroom door saying "daddy box." Incidentally Tom is on X-box number 2 since he wore out the first one and it broke.
Hayden is learning how to say his prayers at night but he only lasts about 8 seconds before he gets up and runs around. He has apparently taken a liking to the show "Dora the Explorer" because he runs around singing "back pack, back pack, yea!" He has learned how to swing a baseball bat and he throws incredibly well so he is always impressing everyone at Tom's softball games.
Tom starts school again tomorrow, he's anxious to get started so he can get it over with. It's been a lot of fun having him home for the last month. We got season passes to the local amusement park and we have spent a lot of time there. We have been to the zoo and the pool a few times as well as several Indians games. It's been a very full summer. We had a great new couple move in upstairs from us, they have a 7 month old and she stays home during the day which is great for me. In addition, we had a new LDS couple move in across the street and we are fast becoming to friends. To make things even better some of our friends from our ward in Provo just moved out here for him to attend medical school and they live nearby us, it's great to have them here. I am excited to think that this year will be even better than last year because of all our new friends. This website is a great idea, it's so fun to hear about everyone. We'll talk to you all later!

Hello all! Just thought I would send out a little update on me. Not much is different but school is rapidly approaching so I am trying to get ready for that. I am a little nervous for this semester because it will be the majority of my advertising curriculum for my major. I want to actually retain the information I learn and not just try to get a good grade. I will have to take a whole different approach to school! I register on Friday so hopefully I will get all of the classes that I want. It is difficult now at SDSU because of all of the cut funding for education in California. There aren't as many classes available so it is hard to get what you need.

The Olympics also start on Friday. I am very excited about that. I really love the Olympics and it will be fun to see them in Athens. The opening ceremonies are on NBC at 8pm on Friday, don't miss it!!

Still really warm in San Diego. I wish it would get cooler. I have decided that I really am a Northwest girl at heart. I like the style of clothes for that climate so much better. I can't wait to be able to wear even a thin sweater or a long sleeved shirt again! The sun is nice though, as long as it isn't sweltering hot weather.

Well I best be off to bed. I will catch up more with you all later.

Marnie

ps: truck name: Rover

Sadie and her bud at the old house

2nd attempt to do photo with caption

I was recently asked when I was going to use Blogspot to post something. I thought I had but, since you asked, here goes. It is early Saturday a.m. and I am up, and have been up most of the night due to some antibiotic ear drops for my right ear. The sloshing of the fluid in my right ear keeps waking me up. I decided to get up about 45 mins ago and take a look at the "spot". I noted Dave and Adina's blog and made my comment. I figure if I can get 4-5 nipponese over here for a few days at 25000 yen/night...I can quit work and start a nippon bed and breakfast.

I'd love to post you some photos but find ofoto easier to manipulate without going to "insert to URL in place of bladeebladeebla......"?????????? Could it be easier to just insert a photo directly in to the posting and forget about the multiple keystr0kes required to get a simple photo online?

I have the same problem with the 350Zforum.com site. I still don't know how they post photos.

We are going to Ron and Teri's (sp) this morning as soon as they call, to help with their move-in. Ron sounded a little disappointed with the way his real estate agent is handling the acquistion of their new home..and the condition the home was left in by the previous owners. We had the same problem with our previous owners who took lock, stock and barrel when they left the home.

Well, I settled for 4500 measly (sp) dollars from Farmer's Insurance. That is all they would give up toward my diminished value. Very very short of the 20000 that I calculated in my loss to the Z accident caused by one of their clients. In any case, it bought us a new BBQ stainless steel which I have been eyeing for some time. It didn't cost 4500 by the way. There is a really nice one for tailgating and just plain family tripping at www.freedomgrill.com. I would like to have that for future church, work and family events. Nice.

I extracted a tooth for Jason Paoli, live-in at Bennett's home, two nights ago. Bennett's DDS invited me to come to her office to do the deed. It was really nice to see an active practice and how non-institutionalized it was; more like a home. It was an easily delivery/shuck and of course, I thought of having my own business again. There is nothing quite like owning your own business......as long as it goes well. You just have to go about it differently from my last misadventure.

For those of you who may be wondering, yes, I am voting for BUSH/CHENEY in the upcoming. I will comment no futher on political issues concerning Hanoi John and the ambulance chasing companion of his. Okay, enough.

Upcoming events in our local family: Aug is education week at BYU; Sept-Oct is AAOMS meeting in San Francisco; November is Thanksgiving in Cleveland; December is December-no plans except home; January is visit from Japan Stinchy's and Kim back to school; February is a week in the Caribbean; March is home; April is BYU graduation; May is San Diego graduation; June is home; July is home; August is Stinchy/Schick reunion in Florida and the Japan Stinchy's return home...and I stop there. There may have been things left out and things to be added later, but remember, this is 3:49 am. Give me a break. Here is the photo I promised:

____________________________________________________________

Oh, sorry, couldn't figure out the URL/insert/JPG/[application]/{ABCXYZ} or whatever.

Later, Dad hehe

So we had kids come over to stay the night. I don't know what it is....quite a bit of trust I guess. These japanese parents want so badly to send their kids into an american home that they pay 2500 yen ($25) per child to spend the night at an americans' home on the american navy base. They come over at 5pm and leave at 12pm the next day. They speak very little english, but the kids don't need to speak the same language to have fun. These three are 8/9 years old. Last night we had 4 of them. We don't even seek these out, they just fall in our lap. And, the strange thing is, the parents have never met us. They have never seen our house or how we live. But, we take good care of them. We took them to the pool last night and they loved that.

Things are going well here. We have been going on short, several hour, hikes to get us ready for the Mt. Fuji climb on the 27 August. We go hike at the Nagasaki Prefectural Forest. It is kind of like a National Forest. Very nice, a lot of paths, waterfalls, swimming holes, shade and snakes! The kids have really loved that. We are going to be driving up to Camp Fuji (a US Marine base) at the base of Mt. Fuji. We will stay there in the lodge. We are taking a babysitter with us who will stay with Taylor, Parker and Morgan while Adina, Isaac and I hike the mountain. It is a long drive up there though. Luckily, when you rent a van from MWR, they pay for all the tolls (which would likely be $600-800). The driving trip will take 14-16 hrs each way. Which is crazy when you think that it is about the distance from San Diego to Sacramento! And Mike, we will be driving through Nagoya on the way. Should be fun!

Jane, I know you have a birthday coming up. Happy Birthday! We have something on the way for you. Isaac is having a birthday party here next week for his 9th birthday. It is going to be a magic birthday and I am supposed to do some magic. I guess I better start practicing again! 9 years old....can't believe driving is only 7 years away.

So, the plan for us in the coming year. Adina's brother, Ray Jr., is getting home from his mission in Ecuador this week. Then on 08 September-22 September, he will be coming to visit us for 2 weeks before he has to get down an dirty with school, etc.. In the end of November, I go to Seoul, Korea for 1 week for the 38th Parallel Dental Conference. In the end of January (not sure on the exact dates yet), we will be flying space-a again as a family back to the states. We will be there for several weeks. The primary purpose of the visit is to find a place to work when we come back for good in July/August 2005. We will go visit the Archuletas for part of that time. Then Mom/Dad will come out here to visit us in the April/May timeframe. And hopefully whoever else wants to come. There is some great Japanese food, culture and sights to see! Just think, this is your only chance to come and see it with free lodging and minimal food costs! All you have to pay for is your plane ticket, and that is usually not as much as you think. Hope to see some more of you!

Then we will be leaving Japan in July/August, coming back to the Vancouver area. I know the next few years will be 'establishing' years and will involve a lot of hard work, but I am extremely excited and pumped up to take on the challenge.

I am going to get on with our Saturday here. We love you all and miss you! Keep the posts coming!

Dave (and family)

The 1979 F100 Ranger

Well here is the infamous "Truck". I would like everyone to submit a name since it a vehicle that demands a name. $1550 with 100, 000 miles. Took it out on the freeway and it runs great. Big V-8 that I am sure will suck the gas though.

Truck Interior in Great Shape

Jane and her new Golden Retriever Puppy "Bailey"

Well, I guess as I see your mother run off away from me when I start talking about buying land, that I should take the hint that it isn't what she had in mind. I have always looked at homes and land just about wherever I've visited, vacationed or just driven by and have this urge to purchase land for some future use. This Eden valley is beautiful. Dick and Martha were corrrect when they first announced what a beautiful place it was...way back when they first looked at lots around here.

I couldn't even begin to believe that I'd be able to own a home here and one in Washington at the same time. However, I can own land and use it as an investment for the future.

Now, not to panic my youngin's and their families who are planning a move to Washington, I need to let you know that my first goal is land. I'm certain there are areas like this close to Vancouver that would excite me as much as this. I like the country and I like nice mountain views. What I need to do is just drive around my own home land more and see what there is to offer.

I don't want to move away from my "incoming family". We are thrilled that you would consider even moving our way. Keep in mind, however, that this land here could turn in to winter season housing by way of a lodge type of home. Then too, we could check out the possibilities in our own community.

Mike has already stated that I should keep to my own back yard and not get into things out this Utah way. Well, I can take that as valid advice.

Anyway, you will only have to suffer through the last ofoto of pictures I took of a $115,000 dollar lot above Dick and Martha's. I like the view and the location. Not a place to settle, but investment and/or skiing housing.

That's about it. Your input is welcomed. L/ Dad

And the other part of the nightmare, "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream" Karma is death.

Hi all,

On a quiet Sunday afternoon we were all getting a good laugh out of our wacko 2nd child. She won't take the hair off, it is hilarious. Especially funny as the hair reaches her diaper in back. We move tomorrow to the new house. I also get my 79 Ford F100 truck tomorrow. That should already help with moving stuff. I will go take a picture later today so everyone can see how cool it is.
Brent and Tom, we need to play some football now that it is working. I saw the Village and did not like it very much, false advertising. I am very jealous of marnie and her trip to the Comicon. That is too cool, well maybe nerdy, but I think it is cool. Nothing really else to say. We will have more after the move.

Mike

Sadie's new hair thing. Greaaat!!