Major Strong

On October 15, 2010, Cody was promoted to Major. A small ceremony was held at Prince William Forest Park (PWFP), VA to mark the occasion. Cody decided to hold it there for two reasons:

1. PWFP is one of our favorite places near our home. We typically go out there a couple times every month to walk on the trails and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

2. It was where the men and women of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) trained during WWII. The OSS was the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency. The first director of the OSS was a New York National Guardsmen. The building we are in was build by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930's and was used as a mess hall for the trainees by the OSS.

A great day!

Pokemon Birthday Party

As you all know, the theme for any five year old birthday party changes several times during the year (i.e. Power Rangers, Star Wars, etc.), but this year it was all about Pokemon. Thanks to Heidi, Eli had a birthday he won't forget!

With 14 kids in tow, he celebrated in grand style!

Five years old never looked so good!

Eli had this look on his face all day long. Happy birthday Eli!

Fall in Virginia

It's hard to beat fall in Northern Virginia. This is our home on September 22, 2010.

Eve: Kjersti, when I put these leaves on your face, you're going to want to hold your breath. Here, let me seal your nasal passage for you.

Eli: I can still see your face! That's how I know you're under there still.

Eve: Maybe we should mark where Kjersti is by putting a big log on top of her?

Kjersti: Go ahead and lay back and forget all of your worries. Eve, our professional leaf masseuse will cater to all of your fall colors. She likes to start things off with a whirlwind of leaves to the face.

Kjersti: Ok guys, we've got him right where we want him!

Eve: Dad just won't be satisfied with anything less than a rake of leaves to the face. Let me go get the garden rake!

Eli: I'll hold him down until you get back!

Attempted Hit and Run

Eli: This green machine was made for one thing and one thing only... pain! Watch out fellow motorists! Prepare to be clobbered!

Eli: When I turn too far to the left, I start going in reverse. What's wrong with this machine-o-chaos?!?

Eli: Still looking for someone to smoosh. This is taking much longer than I had hoped.

Eli: Is that a Power Ranger on the floor of my Car of Carnage? Oh, ah, no, that looks like a Red Vine. My bad.

Eli: Well, if I can't carve a path of destruction, at least I'll be the best looking driver look out here. Cheese!

The Scary Fish

Kjersti: This ride is so slow and lame I can't believe I'm on it!
Eli: That's what I'm talking about!


Kjersti: Water shooting up from both sides... wait a minute, this is suddenly pretty intense. I did not see that coming!
Eli: That's what I'm talking about!


Kjersti: Goodness gracious! I think we're going to die on the kiddy ride!
Eli: That's what I'm talking about!!!

Eli: Kjersti, we're still alive.
Kjersti: That's what I'm talking about!

Pilgrimage to Busch Gardens

Every year we've lived in Virginia, we've gone to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA with the Allphins. This year was no different, however, there were some new attractions to see, including some new characters like Cookie Monster. Despite the fact that Parker and Eve were within arms length of a life-sized Cookie Monster, clearly there was something much more interesting off to the left.


Elmo was a hit with Eve. I think she said his name about 200 times that day and hasn't stopped since... Seriously.

Momma and Daisy Queso. How did she get that name you ask? Daisy from the nickname of the bomb "Daisy Cutter" known for its mass destructive capability and Queso for her love of cheese. For the record, when squeezed tightly, Daisy Queso's tounge has been known to pop out.

Eve's favorite things about flowers are to smell them and to pick them. The picking part is not encouraged by Busch Gardens.

Things were going along quite well and then the water starting shooting over the top of them and Eve thought for sure this was a sign from her fish friends that she should join them. It took everything Heidi had to keep her in the boat.

Put on Your Helmet

For some strange reason in mid-September, Eve went through a stage where she just had to wear Kjersti's bicycle helmet. It made her kind of look special, in a not so appealing way. :)