Rambo & His Brother, a Truck Driver......

.....were at my house yesterday!!

Oh my gosh, these boys are so funny and I just love them both so very much!!

Kevin ordered Jack more "rounds" for his Nerf blaster (now he can shoot 100 at a time) and I told him that he looks like Rambo. And then there is Nicky -- sitting on his "Mac Truck" because "I drive him myself"!!!

These two little boys are my entire world and make me smile and laugh everyday!!!

Until next time....................

love from San Diego

DIY -- Weekend Warriors and a Little Wii Fun

Last weekend Kevin and Nick could have filmed an episode for HGTV or the DIY network right here at our house because they were truly "do it yourselfers" and my "weekend warriors." As I have said many times that if you come to my house and come in our front door, you would think that we are completely moved in, however, if you walk out to our garage you would know that that is simply not true. When we were unpacking and didn't know what to do with something we simply "threw it in the garage!" And oh my gosh what a mess our garage was! Now, a little more background -- our house here in PB is tiny and we just don't have the space that we have had in our last three homes. There is really no room for a "playroom" here and the boys have so many toys, that it just didn't all fit in the house. So Kevin and I came up with the plan to make part of the garage "a playroom for the boys." After all we live in San Diego and the weather is nice enough that they can be outside all year round so a playroom in the garage made sense to us. However, you can't walk through our garage. See our problem?!?!? I have to admit, we have a ton of stuff (or crap as Kevin calls it) that we have been moving around this world for years now that we have not used and or looked at for that matter in over 9 years. WHY??? I don't know -- so when we moved here we cleaned out a TON of stuff and it has been great! But, we still have lots of things in the garage. So, we thought that the main issue in the garage that needed to be taken care of was the "empty boxes." Empty boxes, you ask? Well, being a military family that moves a lot we keep the "original boxes" for most of our "big items" -- ie...the tv, computer, microwave, you get the idea! That way when it is time to pack up again, we can put our things in the boxes made just for them and hopefully have them arrive at our new home safely! Gosh, we have a lot of boxes. So, we came up with the plan to "build a shelf in the garage for the boxes." PERFECT!!! If we could get the boxes up, we would have a ton of more space and could finally start to work on that playroom for the boys.

Nick came down this weekend to help with this massive project and what a help he was. All of my boys spent the day in the garage, building, and as Jack put it to me "doing manly things." The only thing that I had to do was make sure they had snacks, drinks, dinner at the end of the night and of course take a few pictures!!! :) So, here is how our garage transformed this past weekend -- and let me just tell you it is AWESOME!!!

The garage before the work started..............as you can see we had started to work on the playroom but there were too many things in the way and you couldn't get in there. (This picture was taken after the "stuff" had been taken out. I just can't bring myself to share the entire mess with you.)

The boys "laying out the shelf" and working on the measurements!

Measuring and finding the studs!!

Its coming together -- the middle support bracket is in!!

This was Jack's favorite part of the day -- getting to use the SAW!!!
It is looking so good!!! Almost done!!!

It's done and the boys get to go up on the shelf and check things out. They thought that was great!! Neither one of them wanted to come down.

Time to start moving things back into the garage, but now, up on our wonderful new shelf!!

Jack helped all day! Here he is helping to hand things up to Nick to put on the shelf!

All done and WONDERFUL!!!! And now you can see what the playroom will look like when it is all done! I can't wait to get it finished. The toys all have a space now, and the boys have space to play. To make it more like a room, we are going to put carpet on the floor and I have some posters to hang on the wall for the boys and it will be perfect!

I just can't tell you how much I love the shelf in the garage and what a difference it has made out there. The boys are really excited to get the space done and have a playroom that they can play in. Thank you Kevin and Nick for all your hard work -- you guys did a great job!!!

Now, this weekend was not filled with all work and no play!!! We enjoyed some Wii fun too!!! Nick bought "the boys" Guitar Hero for the Wii and I'm not sure who had more fun, the little boys or the big boys!! :) It is a really fun game to play but it is really hard -- especially for us non musicians!!! But, oh my gosh, the laughs and fun is all worth making a fool of yourself!! :)

My littlest Guitar Hero -- Nick!!!

Look at that face -- so funny!!! What a character!!

Jack with his best "Rock Star Face!"

He loves this game!!!

Two of my favorite rock stars -- Jack and Nick!

Nick is really good at this (he is a musician) and was helping Jack learn how to play!

Before the work started on the garage.....a little boxing in the morning!

Jack is so funny when he plays!

Notice the table in front of him. We had to put it there to keep him back off the tv.

I was afraid he was going to box right through the darn thing.

So funny!!

Jack boxing Nick!

There are more pictures here: www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily

Until next time...................

love from San Diego

Just Had to Share This One.............

There is really nothing new going on here, but yesterday when I took this picture of my little monster reading a book I just knew I had to share it! Nick has really found a love for books here in the last few months and loves bedtime stories but also likes to "read" by himself. Yesterday he came out of his room, climbed up onto the sofa and started to read a favorite The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That is when I took this shot!
This picture just makes me smile and warms my heart that my little Nick likes to read (just like his big brother!)!!

Until next time............
love from San Diego

My Cool Riders

Bike riding has become a favorite activity in our family. And the boys especially like to get out and ride! Yesterday was Jack's early day home from school so after lunch, homework and Nick's nap we went out on our street so the boys could do some cruisin'!

Oh my gosh did they have a good time. Jack has mastered his two wheeler now, and is moving on to standing up while riding, and jumping the curbs. Nick is on his German balance bike and loving it! He can really get that little bike moving and loves to coast along. I love being outside with my boys watching them have such a good time together. Check out all of our pictures at www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily. There is video of Nick riding his bike that is just so cute!!!

Jack "flying" past me!!

Nick on his balance bike!

Until next time.............

love from San Diego

A Warm, Wonderful, Sunny, Southern California Family Weekend

A holiday weekend, three days off from work and school, beautiful, warm, sunny days in Southern California -- the only thing that those things could all mean would be more family time together out and about exploring our new city! Yes, San Diego was beautiful this weekend and we took total advantage of it and got out and had a wonderful weekend.

For Christmas Aunt Steph and Uncle Tony gave us a family membership to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. How fun! So, Sunday with our new passes in hand we headed to Balboa Park to visit the San Diego Zoo! It was a wonderful day! We enjoyed seeing all the animals and had a great time being together as a family. Thanks Aunt Steph and Uncle Tony we had a great time and are looking forward to many visits back to the zoo and to the Wild Animal Park!

Here are some of our pictures from our weekend.

If you want to see more of our weekend pictures please visit us as www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily

A family photo at the entrance of the zoo!

All my boys watching the animals!

Another family photo with Sydney the Koala!


Monday proved to be another beautiful day so we took advantage of the sun and warm temps and headed over to Mission Bay Park for a bike ride again this weekend. Our ride this weekend was about 5 miles and it was wonderful. We even stopped at one of the many playgrounds in the park for the boys to play. It was great fun and the boys had a great time (Nick even fell asleep in his seat).
The boys at the end of our ride and yes, Nick is asleep there in his seat!

Jack and Nick at Mission Bay Park!


We hope that you all had a wonderful weekend too!
Until next time..............
love from San Diego

What Do Little Boys Love?? Dinosaurs, Race Cars and Soccer -- of Course!!

Yesterday was a perfect day, the sun was shinning and it was 75 degrees outside. (I feel bad saying that out loud since almost everybody we know is living through the coldest winter in a long time! I can't say that I wish I were there with you - because I don't. But, I do think about you all the time and hope that you are finding ways to stay warm.) Anyway moving on, it was perfect for two little boys, named Jack and Nick, to be outside enjoying the nice weather and playing with their favorite things in this world.

Dinosaurs, Race Cars and Soccer!!!

Jack got this huge dino for Christmas! His name is Spike and he is remote control. He walks, he roars, stands up on his hind legs and has scared poor Nick to death. Nick is looking very brave in this picture -- I think because Spike is not coming after him. But, not long after I took this picture, Jack had Spike turn around and start walking towards Nick and well, Nick went running to find protection!

After Spike went to sleep (yes, if he does not move for a period of time he goes to sleep or as Nick puts it "dinosaur take a nap"!) Jack and Nick got out their race cars! This is a fun toy that they got for Christmas from "Big" Nick and it is something that they can easily share. They had a great time racing on our back patio!!

I went inside after the races, to start dinner to come back out and find a game of soccer going on in our back yard! We all know that Jack loves to play and has turned into a good little player, but Nick could be my little soccer star. He is really good with the ball! They had a great game and at the end Jack said to me "Mom, I let Nick win because he is little, but I could have creamed him!" Oh my gosh Jack -- you are just so funny!!!


If you would like to see more pictures of the boys with their dino, race cars and soccer game check out our other website. www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily

Now, the weekend is here and we are excited to be able to have three days at home together! We have lots of fun things planned for the weekend so make sure to check back with us! We hope you all have great plans for the long weekend too!


Until next time.......................
love from San Diego

Biking the Bay and a Christmas Present!

Kevin and I decided to make a news years resolution together this year. We decided to be more active together as a family. So, the other day when we found a great deal on bikes at the px we decided this would be our new years resolution. Jack has just mastered riding his bike and loves to ride up and down our street and though Nick loves to ride his balance bike here at home we thought a family ride would be too much for him. So, he got a seat on the back of Daddy's bike and loves it! Yesterday was our first day taking the bikes out (more then up and down the street) and we had a blast. We went out to Mission Bay and "biked the bay". The weather was perfect and we went about 3 miles total and we all enjoyed it very much!!

My boys getting ready to "Bike the Bay!!"

After our ride we came home, took showers, had some lunch and then it was back out again. Back out to the bay but this time to go see this guy: Yes, we went to Sea World to see Shamu for the afternoon. Grammy and Pops gave us season passes to Sea World for Christmas and we decided to go for a few hours! It was so nice, we played at the Sesame Street Bay of Play, we watched the Dolphin Show, went to Rocky Point Preserve to pet the dolphins and of course saw the Shamu Show!! It was the perfect ending to our day.

My boys at the Shamu Show!

You can see more of our pictures from our Sunday at www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily

We hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

Until next time...................

love from San Diego

Full Moon Rising

The Biggest, Brightest Full Moon of 2009 as seen here in California!

A Wonderful Wednesday!!!

Yesterday, was a perfect day for our family. It started off at 11:15 at Kate Sessions Elementary School when Jack received an IB award! He was recognized at an assembly for "using cooperation to enhance his learning." We are just so proud of him. He is really doing well in 1st grade and loves his school and is a great student!

Jack receiving his award from his principal!

Jack with his teacher Mrs. Barker!


After school was done -- Wednesday is Jack's short day so he finishes at 12:00 noon -- we went home and had some lunch and waited for Daddy to get there. We were all heading up to Camp Pendleton to go to the promotion of Nick Virus. Some of you already know this, but Nick was one of our Marines in Berlin and we just love and adore this guy. He was selected for SSgt last fall but his number finally came up and he was promoted yesterday! It was great to be there and see him get promoted and be a part of his special day. Nick asked Kevin to pin on his SSgt chevrons which really meant a lot to Kevin! This was the first promotion that the boys have been to (Jack was at Kevin's last promotion but was too young to remember it) and at the end Jack said "that was just the coolest thing!"
Kevin pinning on Nick's SSgt chevrons! So AWESOME!!!

The boys with Nick after his promotion!

Congratulations Nick -- you are so deserving of this promotion! We are so proud of you and honored that you asked us to be a part of your special day!


After the promotion we headed to the beach at Camp Pendleton while we waited for Nick to finish up some work before we went out to dinner to celebrate. The weather was perfect and the sunset amazing! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!
My new favorite picture of my boys at the beach at sunset!


If you would like to see more pictures from our day please visit our other site at www.dropshots.com/theandersonfamily

Until next time.................
love from San Diego

Our Year in Review

I wanted to write this on New Years Day, but time got away from me. So, here we are 1 week into the new year but I still wanted to look back on 2008! It was the most amazing year and when I look at all our adventures, achievements and experiences I know how truly blessed we are. So, as a final good bye to 2008 here is a look back on our year! (Hope you can make it to the end!)

The Anderson Family Year in Review!!

January:

We greeted 2008 with a New Years Day snow. It was so beautiful and we spent the entire day outside playing, shoveling, sledding, and visiting with friends. It was the perfect start to the new year and the boys loved it!!

The boys on our street as Daddy pulled them in the sled!

February:

We took the most amazing trip on Jack's Winter Break from school. It was our holiday in Garmisch, Germany. We visited 5 countries in 8 days and had the time of our lives. We even had two of our Marines join us for the second half of the trip -- and I think I can speak for all of us that it was a holiday of a life time!!!
Us at the highest point of the German Alps -- The Zugspitze!

At the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany

March:

We celebrated Easter in Berlin. It was cold, and we hunted Easter eggs while it snowed, but the city was beautiful and we loved seeing the giant Easter eggs at Potsdamer Platz!

April:

Grammy and Pops came to Germany!! It was the most wonderful surprise for Jack and we had a great time showing them the city we called home! We traveled all over Germany and even took day trips to Austria and Poland!

All of us in Salzburg, Austria

Grammy and Pops with their two favorite boys on the streets of Berlin!

May:

Springtime came to Berlin and it was beautiful! Jack played t-ball and loved being on the field every Saturday morning with his team the Tigers! Kevin and his Marines also had the honor of opening our new embassy in Berlin and it was a thrill for all of us to watch our flag be raised at such a historical site!

Jack on the T-Ball field!

The raising of the flag at our new Embassy in Berlin!

June:

Jack had a great time at his school's Sports Day. The weather was perfect, and it was a great day for all of us. Jack enjoyed competing for his house -- Go EMERALD!! -- and we enjoyed watching him!

Jack at Sports Day!

July:

Summer had come to Berlin and we were in the mood to celebrate! We had the honor of meeting Col Gail Halvorsen "The Candy Bomber!". What an awesome experience it was. The boys got a book about Col Halvorsen and his mission in Berlin signed and got to talk to this wonderful man who played a roll in not only America's history but Berlin's as well!!! Also, in July we got to attend "Billy No Buzz!", the school play put on by the kids at Lower School. Jack was a narrator and did the most fantastic job. The kids were wonderful and all enjoyed the production very much!!! We also celebrated our countries birthday and our sweet Nick turned 2 with a party with all his little friends!

My boys with Col Gail Halvorsen on the 4th of July in Berlin!

"Billy No Buzz!"

August:

A sad month, because it was time to leave our home in Berlin and move back to the USA. Saying good bye to our European home, our wonderful friends, and life in Germany was very hard for all of us! We all miss Berlin very much and think about our friends everyday!

The boys at the Volksfest in Berlin!

Our family at the Bradenburg Gate!

September:

Back in the USA and now living in California it was time to get back to normal after a summer of fun, travels and visiting family. The biggest event was the start of school. Our Jack started 1st grade in September at Sessions Elementary School. He loves it and is doing great!

Jack's first day in 1st grade!

October:

Gosh, so much happened in October! We celebrated Jack's 6th birthday and went to Sea World for his special day. We also were finally offered a house and got the keys in October! We took the boys to the Miramar Air Show and oh my gosh, did they ever love that. They are still talking about the "Blue Angels"!!!

Our California home!

My boys coming off a CH-46 at the Miramar Air Show!

November:

We spent our Saturdays on the soccer field with Jack's soccer team, the Sharks! He loved playing the game and we all loved watching and supporting his team. We celebrated Kevin's birthday with a trip to the Wild Animal Park -- a day of fun for all of us!

Jack on the soccer field at Miramar!

The boys at the Wild Animal Park on Kevin's birthday!

December:

We celebrated Christmas in our new home with our boys. The perfect way to spend Christmas! The boys had a wonderful day and we enjoyed the season and time together as a family!

The boys on Christmas morning!

Finally, the end of 2008!! (Thank you to all of you that made it to the end with me, bet you never thought we would get here.) I had a great time looking back on 2008 and it was hard to pick out the highlights. There were so many wonderful things about last year for us. So, many visitors came to Berlin to see us, we made the most wonderful friends in the world, we got to travel and make some lifetime dreams come true!! Simply put, it was amazing!! Now here we are -- 2009 -- and we look forward to what the new year will bring! We hope that you all had a wonderful and happy new year!!!

One more thing before I go! I want to say a big "thank you" to my sister for her shout out to my new blog on her site. http://www.crazymarbles.blogspot.com/. And a very warm welcome to all of her friends that have "stopped by" and said hello!! It means a lot -- thanks!

Until next time..............

love from San Diego