Dangerous Casino Indians!

Margie Inducted into ACORN

Our new and dear friend Margie, who comes to us via the clever Phill, has paid us an amazing compliment by memorializing the venerable ACORN organization in ceramic. This is beautiful pottery. Thank you Margie. Welcome to ACORN and good luck with that!

Spirit Rock CDL Graduation 2008

CDL Graduation

Last Sunday I finished my 2.5 year course at Spiritrock.org and am now a certified Community Dharma Leader (CDL) and can teach meditation classes, lead sitting groups and hold day long retreats.
much Metta, Bonnie

Afghanistan Winter Weather

This is the second big snow storm we've had this winter. We got about 6-8 inches this time. Most of it's gone now. The building in the background is my "B-hut" where I sleep, read and watch movies during the 8-10 hrs a day I'm not in the office.

Hope you all are well. I can't wait for the spring where the weather's warmer and best of all, I'll be home.

Genealogy Tidbit of the month

This is a picture of John Abdalla. He was Henry's grandfather. He came to Louisiana from Lebanon in the 1880's as a young man. He and Philomena Simien were Old Mom's parents.

More Holiday Photos from Uncle Pat

Reese was enjoying the waves as Peter, Leo and Isaiah got wet...
	Christmas Day 07....
Amy and Jada with Mother Theresa, or is that Ruth?... :)

Happy Second Birthday Nate!!
Grt Auntie B

Happy 2nd Birthday Dear Nathan

Dearest Nate, your family wishes you all the wonderful things that come with being 2. Somehow that terrible 2 profile just does not fit you... Stay positive and don't let the potty training get you down....

Leo, Isaiah, Reese, Max, Jada Meet in SF

Thanks to Uncle Pat for hosting a lovely holiday celebration at his house in San Francisco. Max and Leo were so happy to meet their cousins Isaiah, Reese and Jada and to see Nicko of course. We had a very fun brunch on Christmas Day at Carmen and Sal's house and we got to see super gorgeous Tina and her charming beau. Thanks Carmen, Sal, Nathan and Cheyanne. There are a few people who would like to borrow Nathan's new battery powered jeep.
Can we do that again next year?
I need more photos for this post.... anyone?????

Happy Belated Birthday Amy

To our dearest Amy, have a wonderful birthday and whole year. It was delightful to see you for Christmas.... Your kids are the sweetest.

Happy New Year! What is YOUR new years resolution?

My resolution is to pay more attention!

Merry Christmas 07

Merry Christmas from Seattle everyone! We're missing you up here. Much love,
Bonnie & Marcos

Merry Christmas!

Other fun things we do here...

This was taken at one of our dining facilities. My friends got the chance to wear the antlers too.

Christmas day was cold here but sunny. Hope yours was better. Sure do miss the family back home.

God bless you all.

Love, JR

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

To all of us, from all of us. Dear Family and Friends -
All the best this Christmas. May 2008 bring us peace, harmony and a few laughs.

Happy Birthday Dear Mark Sr.

To our dear big brother, We wish you a happy birthday from long long ago.... As a gift, we put a goofy picture of ourselves instead of you. Remember, you aren't old... you're just.... wait a minute, you ARE old!
No but really, we love you and hope you have a great birthday.

Cousins Tony and Celeste do Toys 4 Tots

Our cousins are model citizens all year, but especially at Christmas. They have taken on the Toys 4 Tots program in their town of Grants Pass Oregon. They are making a difference in the lives of lots of kids. Way to go cousins. You make us proud.

Click here for the whole story of Tony and Celeste and the Toys 4 Tots program.

Happy 17th Birthday Dear Ashley

Have a wonderful year you lovely woman child.....

US Navy Personnel of the Joint Logistics Command

This is a recent photo taken November 23, 2007, the day after Thanksgiving. We met at the airfield here in Bagram, Afghanistan. The aircraft is a US Navy EA-6B Prowler. We had fun seeing all the other aircraft there too. Despite being located in a land locked nation like Afghanistan, the US Navy is doing some good things here. We have doctors, lawyers (not too late to sign up ACORN #2), chaplains, logisticians, and former sea-going Sailors such as myself keeping track of ground operations. I hope you enjoy the picture.

Bonus points for the one who can point out the handsome ACORN rep located 4th from the right.

Best Family Rumors.....

1. Which mother and son pair have daydreamed about moving to a large pacific northwest city to attend school and maybe to get a job?

2. What sib (1,2,3,4 or 5) is using the blowing up hip hop geriatric family member to meet babes in the city by the bay.... (ok, maybe the choice is between 2 & 3)...???

Some photos from New Zealand and one of the folks....

New Zealand is a cross between Hawaii and Ireland. Its very green, there are a lot of sheep. 

Geothermal Activity: Old Faithful's got nothing on this place.

This is a geyser which is hot steam and water shooting out of the earth.

To see the website for this place www.nzmaori.co.nz

Scenes from New Zealand: October 2007

This is the Haka, a traditional Maori dance that is done during an introduction to intimidate potential enemies and to entertain friends...

Thanksgiving Day in Seattle: Some Photos

Cheyanne and Nathan Enjoy Their Turkey!

The cuteness of Nathan and Cheyanne. It looks like they had a delicious Thanksgiving!

Nick, Max and Leo Crank Dat

Welcome to the New ACORN Blog

Welcome to the New ACORN Blog

Hi All

This blog is for us to post pictures and keep each other up to date on all family happenings. Feel free to use this as your daily check-in, or if not daily then as often as you can. Lot's of pictures please.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.....

Happy Belated Birthday Dan

Our Dan, all around cool guy
Has turned 14 on November 19th.....
The boy is a veritable man!
Good luck Dear Dan, have a great year.

Brendan's Film "Putting the G in Grandma"

Mark and Pat