Hey everybody! Thanks for the birthday wishes! I had a great time this weekend. My birthday was really fun. Now back to reality. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Hello All,
I'm guesing by the number of posts that all of our lives are just so exciting that we don't want to post and make everyone else jealous. Unfortunately that wouldn't be the case here in Santa Clarita but I thought I'd do my part to keep the blog going. Brent and I are both keeping busy with work and school. Brent unfortunately has to fire a manager tomorrow for unprofessional interraction with employees among other things. Hopefully he'll be able to get another manager to cover for him so he can still visit the Georgia Stinchfields (Brent's not worried). I have just survived another round of midterms only to cram for more in two weeks (really I do like this whole grad school thing).
Halloween is fast approaching and I can't wait to have our party. By the way Marnie, you are still invited. And I am really hoping that we can all post Halloween pics of the trick-or-treaters cuz I'd love to see them!
Brent and I really miss everyone and can't wait till the time we can be together again. By the way, I'm so excited for Dave, Adina, and the kids to move back and settle in WA. It seems so far away, but in 2 years Brent and I should definately be up there as well. With all of the family (both sides) that have moved up to WA, we couldn't concieve of settling anywhere else!
Buffy

We didn't get a card off so we just wanted you to know that we hope you have a fun birthday. I am sure you will with all of your friends down there, but we wish we could have a family shin-dig too. That'll be tough though. You are 24, right? Wow, hang in there! We love you!
Dave, Adina, Isaac, Taylor, Parker, and Morgan

Well I am graduating my 3rd class of soldiers on Friday. One more full cycle before I change command. After graduation, we will head up to Nauvoo for Jane's baptism. It will be good to see many of you there. I think Kim is having a good time here. She is atleast bearing with us. I have not been around much (like usual) but she has had a lot of quality time with the girls. I get a new group of soldiers on the 22nd of October, at least I can look forward to the 2 week break for Christmas this year. We are not planning on going anywhere this time. It will be our first Christmas in our own home, isn't that crazy? My girls are awesome, I love all their little characters, just wish I had more time to spend with them. Getting home at 2000 every night just does not cut it for family life. Jane is getting so dang old.
I have a recommendation for a good movie, best one I have seen in a long time and well worth multiple viewings. Beware, it is a mind bender by the same people that did Being John Malkovich. It is called Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
As far as any game time I get, late at night, I find myself playing Rome: Total War, Tiger Woods, Full Spectrum Warrior and Burnout 3. Would like some more football game time against the brothers but they are as busy as I am it seems. Brent and I played some Tiger Woods last night and that was very fun. Well I better get to writing my speech for tomorrow's ceremony. I love you all. Write when you can, the updates are great and I know we do all read them

Yeah Mom, I was just thinking that this blog was bogging down. I have been so busy and haven't had anything exciting happening in our lives. Well, let's see, maybe there is something that has happened.....
Morgan is resisting potty training. Any tips for girls? We got some 'pretty' underwear, but it is not enough of an incentive, plus, Parker just wants to wear them. Just kidding of course.
Speaking of Parker, he got his cast off. Only now we are dealing with the phantom cast. Still holds his arm at the same angle and plops it on the table while he eats. He also continues to refer to it as his "broken arm". I think it will be forever broken in his mind.
Taylor lost his other front tooth, so he looks toothless now. He is doing well in first grade. Thinks he is a big kid now. His is tall and skinny. It seems to be the way all of our children will go. Even Parker is headed that way, but at least he has a bottom to hold his pants up.
Isaac is an active 9 year old. Never stops moving, loves to stay up late doing whatever. His is in 4th grade now and has the same teacher that Taylor had for Kindergarten, so at least there is some continuity there, for us.
Adina is very busy as Primary Pres. and PTO treasurer (with an inept Pres. and Vice Pres. in my mind). So she is really busy with fundraising, meetings, activities, etc.. Plus, of course, maintaining the house, helping the kids with homework, running, reading, and trying to have some fun. Busy lady that I don't know what I would do without.
I am continually busy with soccer coaching, church, and work. We are going through a big integration with medical and dental in the Navy. Really a headache that I can't wait to rid myself of. Dad had it good. Tom, hope it all smooths out by the time you get in here. Again, we will be in the states the 28 Jan - 18 Feb. The whole family will be at Mom and Dad's the first week and a half at least. After that we may be in and out to Fremont. I will be job searching, so during most of the days I hope to be somewhat busy. There are constant opportunities that I see in the Wash. St. Dental Soc. listings, so that looks good. I really am not worried though, because there is always a need for dentists. We hope to get there, stay with mom and dad next August, then start looking for a home. Exciting times and we can't wait until everyone else (whoever can or wants to) gets up there. I think it'll be so fun.
Well, hope to hear from you all. Tom? Are you there? Kim?
Dave

Dad and I just flew in from CA this morning. It's nice to be at home...even if Mt St Helens may blow up. I doubt if we will get more than a little ash so I am not too concerned.

We had a great week with Carol and Pepi...they really are good friends and so fun to do things with. I have decided, however, that it is good we don't live closer to one another since we would each weigh 300 lbs or more!! They are in the enviable situation of having Mike and Kinney living in the house to the right of theirs and Katie and Chris to the left. I'd love that but don't see it in the near future. Just be nice to have any of you just in the vicinity.

Gramma enjoyed all the cards she received from you for her birthday...for those who haven't it isn't too late...she counts her cards and is delighted with the high number!! Anne and Peter have the distinction of being the first card that she received. She's been wined and dined for the past week and a half with a few more surprises this week. When you are in your nineties, birthdays get attention. In 2010....if she is still around...plan on attending a really big shindig. At the surprise party last Sunday (the 26th), she got her wish of having all her four children together. As I get older, I can appreciate the joy of that.

This afternoon we are going over to Terry and Ron's house for a barbeque (they live on the Washougal river...for any who may be confused, Terry is Buffy's mom).

This blog is bogging down....I admit I have not been writing very often...I think most of us check it regularly and are disappointed when there is nothing new...but we have to be adding ourselves to keep it going. I am going to be working on getting a newsletter together with some other things added that I have found...old family stories etc. Getting that done by the end of October is a goal of mine!!

Love to all...

Mom

I agree Marnie, that those 2 pictures are great so I submitted them. I hope that's ok with moms and dads. But boy would it be a great excuse to go to Disneyland to find pictures of our family there! Hope you all have a great week!
Buffy

Hey guys I know that you all have been to Disneyland on multiple occasions and have taken some pretty cool pictures. You may not know but May 2005 is the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland. For this they are collecting photos and making collages for really cool posters. If you go to www.disneyland.com/photos you can submit your own photos for the collage. Last time I heard not that many people had submitted photos so there is a good chance that you could get your pictures on there. I was thinking of the picture with Jane and Belle, and the one with Isaac and Captain Hook. Those would be awesome. Anyway, FYI, check it out. Looks like it will be cool.

Your Disneyland obsessed sister/daughter,
Marnie

San Diego is good. It is cooling down a bit which is a nice relief. It is making be like living here a whole lot better anyways. It was actually cool enough to wear a sweater the other day! Amazing!

School is going well. My creative class is starting to have some kind of a format. We have textbooks now and are starting to have tests. Too bad the tests have to start at the same time I have tests in all my other classes. I have a test everyday next week and I am working inventory on Monday night from 9:30pm-2:30am. Should be a rough week. Wish me luck!

All else is good. I am busy planning the logistics of my birthday celebrations with my different friends. I say "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" on Saturday. It was very entertaining, a fun movie. And Jude Law was in it so of course I was going to like it!! The Star Wars Trilogy came out on DVD yesterday but I am patiently waiting until after my exams to buy it because there is no way I will be able to resist delving into it. I also saw Garden State, again, last week. It is one of my favorites now. Really applies to my point in life now. Friends are good, Church is good. I am really enjoying my D&C institute class that I have right now. It is fun to learn new insights that I haven't thought of before. I am also trying to keep up with a Book of Mormon read that my relief society is doing. I decided against the bike for my birthday, too many logistical problems. I am getting a camera instead.

Today in class my communication theory professor came wearing full mens formal Japanese wear (this is a skinny, military looking white guy) and started the class with video of a sumo wrestling match and then lectured in Japanese for about 5 minutes. It was an object lesson for the lecture but all the same it reminded me of Japan and Dave and Adina. I guess he went to Tokyo over the weekend and he was drinking Pocari Sweat and giving out Japanese candy. He specializes in Japanese culture and communication I think. Anyway that was a fun little experience.

In my creative development class we are doing a campaign right now for Penta bottled water. So you all should go get some and try it and let me know what you think. They sell it at Ralphs and health food stores. The website is pentawater.com. Let me know if you have any ideas for advertising! :)

Well I need to study now for those tests!

love, Marnie

Thank you, Brooke, for keeping us up to date on your goings on...It sounds like things are close to what they were when I was there...except for the progress on the outdoor stuff. Your mom is a dynamo...you're fortunate to have her there...or rather Mike is very fortunate!

We had a great weekend of volleyball with Anne this weekend. It was fun to see her play again. When she got married and Kim decided not to continue in volleyball, I thought that our volleyball days were all over. It's nice to have them back. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot of weekend games since they are new in Division 1 and not yet in a conference. If any of you have any in's with volleyball, put in a good word for them so they will get invited soon! Depending on what happens with my work, I may try to get down there for some games in early November.

We also had a great time visiting with Peter. He is definitely fitting into the Stinchfield mold since Dad and he stayed up until 2:30 on Friday night playing Xbox!
The team came over Friday night for a BBQ. Dad had to barbeque in the garage since it was pouring rain outside. Our concept of a relaxing outdoor barbeque in our backyard was kind of squashed by the weather.

I have joined "Curves" and work out three times a week. It's a good program for people such as me that have a short attention span. You switch activities every 30 seconds! Dad, Kim and I are on a health...let's lose weight...kick. Let's hope that it can produce the results.

Kim is heading out to Tom's on Thursday...and Dad and I are on our way to Sacramento on Saturday. This house will be lonely for awhile.

I just got back from Enrichment Night...not as exhausted as I normally get as I have a really good Enrichment leader now. What a relief!

Love you all,

Mom

Frankly, I don't know why I'm writing. There is really not much to tell. Sadie has one more week in her cast. I've looked up the bottom of it and I think it is going to be one scary sight when that baby comes off. Jane is dealing with the extreme drama of 8 year old girls. I know it is just going to get worse and I know I am only on my first. This kind of makes me want to run away. Mike starts on his culmination exercise on Thursday so he is a stress case, when he is home, with just cause. My mom is here until Saturday so we have been working on projects that I can't do by myself- the yard, basement, porch etc... I think this is a relief for Mike because these were all "honey do's" with no time to "do." I have started walking 2 miles a day. I'm not allowed to push the stroller so mom does that. Okay Sadie is having a melt down. Bye

Well Everyone,

I type this while I lay on our couch resting from a outrageous weekend of volleyball and fun. We had a huge volleyball tourney in Portland, OR this weekend and play 4 matches in 3 days. We went 2-2 and took 2nd place in the tourney. It was tons of fun and we had a blast. We wish we could have done alot better but we did well and we are showing people what type of team UVSC really is and that they can't think that we are just going to give them an easy win. Mom and Dad and Kim were able to come and watch and it was exciting to have them there watching. Peter drove up and stayed at mom and dad's and was a very supportive loving husband while I had to spend sooo much time away from him with my team. All is going great and now it is time to get back to the real world and back to studying and tests and classes. We head to Idaho State on Tuesday to play that night then to Las Vegas on Friday to play Saturday night. I am going out of my mind trying to fit my 48 hour schedule into 24 hours a day but I guess I am doing well. So far I have received A's and high B's on all of my quizzes, I just have to wait and see my results from the tests from this last week.

Anyways, Peter and I are doing well and having so much fun. Peter flies in tonite so I have to make my way back up to the airport to pick him up. Until then...it is time for me to rest. I didn't get too much sleep last night because my roommate was on the phone with her boyfriend until like 3am and we had to wake up at 4:30 to go to the aiport at 5. I need my sleep. We love you all and are thinking of you always.

Love, Anne and Peter

Well, after almost 6 years of marriage and five years of dating before that, I finally got Brent to go to a swing dance class with me. Actually it was at our ward's mutual (my first ever mutual). Our upstairs neighbors and friends were teaching the awkward teens to swing dance so we came along to support them and finally learn a few things about couples dancing.
Brent did a great job and I only laughed out loud if I looked down at his feet... our friends have promised us private lessons later.
No big news from over here. I have my first midterms next week (3 of them!) so I guess that means I have to buckle down and study these next few days. I'm taking fun classes like cardiopulmonary rehab, orthopedic assessment and treatment (Brent is my practice patient and I get to tug on his joints alot), patient education, stats, and neurological development.
I think I'm scaring Brent because there are already Halloween decorations up in our place but what's wrong with being prepared right? I'm planning a really big Halloween party with my neighbor and can't wait... I've loved this holiday since I was a kid! I think it will get a little more fun when we have little trick-or-treaters of our own but we'll have fun anyway. I hope that everyone posts pictures of their tick-or treaters this year!
Have a good weekend!

Kumamoto 
Well, the funny story has little to do with Kumamoto Castle, but it is one of the largest castles in Japan and has been there since 1400. Amazing to think that it was standing well before the United States was even an idea. Anyway, really fun trip.
So we were done checking out the castle and we were getting ready to load up into the car. Isaac, being the curious one of the group, found something quite interesting in the bushes about 20 feet from the van. So, logic states that you must then poke it with a stick (at least Isaac logic says so). It was a beehive of course. So, all of a sudden Parker lets out this shriek. It happened when Isaac had a stick next to his leg, so we figured he had poked him. But, after a few seconds, we realized that his screams were rather shrill and more than a stick-poke. Just when we came to that conclusion...BAM!.....BAM! Isaac grabs his arm and Taylor grabs his ear, again blood curdling screams, arms flailing in the air, running in circles and Japanese tourists taking it all in. Luckily each one of them just got one sting, but they seemed quite painful. Maybe they were Japanese Kamikaze Bees or something, but we never actually saw the bees, they stung and disappeared. It was quite funny actually, and we are kicking ourselves that we didn't have the camera going, because we had it right there.
But, once again, poor Taylor and Parker suffer from Isaac's curiosity. And, Isaac suffers too.

Dave

At the top! 

One of the stations on the mountain 

Isaac totally spent