Christmas in Alexandria

This last week has begun to feel more and more like Christmas should. The weather dipped into the 30's (that was the high on most days) and we brought the decorations out of storage. We attended our first holiday party of the year on Thursday night at the firm of Quinn Gillespsie and Associates. One of the associates happens to be a good friend and I've had the opportunity to work with many of the people there over the years. We had a great time and enjoyed catching up with people over mini hotdogs and hamburgers. The National Christmas tree was also lit that night but it was too cold for us to walk down and see it. Friday night we went to a movie and afterwards decorated our tree. It didn't take long to find the right one since it's only 2 feet tall and was in our attic. Maybe next year we'll try the real thing (doubt it). So, 15 mins later we had it unpacked, decorated, and set on one of our end tables. We left the music on a little longer just to get through the rest of the playlist we had going. All in all, we had a good time and we are now ready for Santa to visit (look for our placemark on Google Earth).

Caribbean vacation

November 27-29, 2006
Somehow I got lucky, or maybe I'm just living right (patience has it's virtues), because i was able to accompany Allison's uncle Chris and his son, CJ, to St. Thomas, USVI, for three days. CJ moved down there to work for 6 months as a crew member of a parasailling business, and asked for someone to go with him as he moved down there and got things set up. It just so happened that my good friends, Dave and Lynlee Boyd, had just moved down there this last summer as Dave was stationed there by the FBI. It also just worked out that CJ would be living in the same part of the island as the Boyds. Being the good cousin-in-law that I am, I went down there to make sure they could meet - and also to help CJ get settled. Everything seemed to work out perfectly. We got to spend some time with the Boyd's (they live 1.5 miles from eachother). We got CJ settled in and supplied. Uncle Chris and I even had time to take the ferry to St. John and spend the morning before heading back to the continent (local terminology for those of us in the states). I can't wait to take Allison back.

Thanksgiving in Dixie

November 21-26, 2006
This year we spent our first Thanksgiving together with some of my family in Alabama. My dad surprised my Mom and sister, Jen, by flying her in early for the holiday. Jen's husband, Darin, and her almost two year old son, Gavin, came the same day we arrived. We flew into Atlanta, rented a car, and drove into town. The weather was beautiful during the day and cooled off at night. We had some great games of pictionary, a family favorite and holiday must-play-game, that saw match-ups of couples and then men v. women. Al and I got a little lucky and won the couples game and a couple days later I happened to champion the men to victory as well. I'm sure there will be a rematch sometime soon. As for now, the men hold a two match winning streak.


Thanksgiving was amazing. We ejoyed great food and shared a lot of stories. Lil Gavin was the center of everyone's attention as he was into everything. We also got to spend Friday with Grandma Brown and Carpie, my mom's sister, in Atlanta. Everyone had a nice visit and Grandma looked really well.

Saturday saw the long awaited golf match between Tyler and his arch foe, Dad. Darin participated in the action but was never really in contention for the coveted prize, the Golden Putter, but still enjoyed the round. Dad played well, even pulling one stroke ahead on the first nine, but he couldn't stop the train from coming down the tracks and gave up that stroke, plus a few extra, as he lost the match AND the putter. I had to get it specially wrapped at the airport to bring it home. Allison just rolled her eyes.

Mid-Term Elections . . . ouch.

November 3-8, 2006
The mid-term elections are never really that big of a deal because not much ever happens. Except this time. As a faithful appointee I saved up annual leave, signed with the RNC to be deployed, and left my new wife for 5 days to go support the cause. It's kind of a fun time because it can be exciting to see where you get sent. I wanted to go somewhere I had not spent much time before but I also wanted to be with people I knew and enjoyed being around. A friend of mine who helped me find a role during the 2004 convention in NYC introduced me to a great group of people. Much of this group ended up going to Wisconsin a couple months later. After that we became part of what was to be called Team Lampkin. We ended up staying in touch the last couple of years and when the chance to go to Ohio with Team Lampkin came along, I couldn't say no. We were sent to Columbus to help the state wide and local candidates turn back the Democrat tide. It turned out to be a tsunami. I can't say the GOTV/72hr program was all that great this time but, regardless, we got spanked pretty bad. Not only in Ohio, but nation-wide. I feel bad for my brethren on the Hill who are now looking for work, but it's not like there won't be another big election in two years where everything could change again. I was just glad to come home to my lovely bride.

We've been busy!

These last three weeks have just flown by. Allison has been busy with school and with helping her sister, Amanda Coleman et al, move to Arizona. Allison even flew out to Mesa for four day to help unpack and organize the new house. It was hard to say goodbye but we are able to video chat with them often.

I have been assisting Al in her studying and have been busy with work too. I spent 4 days in St. Louis, MO, helping my bosses at USDA organize and run the Advancing Renewable Fuels conference. I had a great time and learned a lot. There is a picture of me at the St. Louis Arch.

While we were in town, Al and I have been to museums and parks and have really enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. Here is a picture of us in front of the Smithsonian on our way to observe ancient Egyptian artifacts for one of her classes. Here is another picture of her at the Building Museum where we observed how to make your house "Green", or more energy efficeint. It was really interesting and we left insipired.

This last weekend we were able to pick up some pumpkins with Al's family, the Toskovich's, just down the road from where they live. We carved them Sunday night and as always, it turned into a competition of who could carve the most elaborate pumpkin. Showing good form, I let her dad win.

Yellowcard Concert

This week Allison and I decided to go to a concert at the 930 Club in downtown DC. We grabbed dinner, drove to a metro stop and hopped on a train to the U St station. We got there in time to secure a great spot on the second floor on a side very close to the stage and watch one of the bands opening for Yellowcard called Anberlin. The music was great and we had a good time. I even wore my earplugs without Allison being too embarrassed to be seen with me. We had such a good time and are planning on going to more concerts in the future.

Labor Day at the Beach

So, we decided to spend Labor Day weekend up in NJ at the beach with the Toskovich clan. The first couple of days was spent waiting out the remnants of tropical storm Ernesto to blow through. Beside a lot of wind and rain, nothing bad happened. Friday was spent lounging around the house. We caught up on some TV shows and enjoyed relaxing. Saturday we decided to head down the coast to Atlantic City with Matt and Noelle Toskovich, to walk the boardwalk and see the sights. It was the first time to that great and historic city for everyone (except me) so it was fun to see everyone's impression of the place. We met up for dinner with Allison's Aunt Randy and Uncle Chris who were there for a show. We ended up at Pickles, which I think is part of Harrah's, right on the boardwalk. After a good meal and a quick walk through the new mall on the pier, we headed back to quiet Point Pleasant.

The day after a storm is usually really nice and Sunday was no exception. After church Al and I took our niece and nephew down for a walk on the beach. We had a great time and even got to watch the bodyboarding competition that was going on that day. Later that evening we had a big BBQ with some other extended family members and friends. The night ended after multiple games of mafia and psychiatrist around the fire pit. Monday was also a beautiful day and we managed to soak up some rays at the beach. We also found our way to the pool in the backyard where we relaxed before the long drive back to VA. Oh, did I mention the two games of monopoly that went down? Well, despite tough competition, I finished first and second. I think we'll be playing many more times in the years to come - if Kevin can handle losing to me every time.

All in all, we had a great time with the family over the holiday weekend and look forward to many more memories from the shore.

Tyler Celebrates his Birthday all week long!

Tyler celebrated 33 event filled years on this earth August 9th, well August 6th - 13th really. We started the week off with a wonderful dinner with the Toskovich household, including an amazing golf ball cake made by Bryan T. Next we had a small gathering at our place on Wednesday where Allison made some great cookies and another cake. Fun was had by all. Then, Thursday night we drove up to the beach house in Point Pleasant, NJ, where we spent the whole day Friday being beach bums. Saturday we took the train into the city, New York City that is for all the non-East Coasters out there. We had lunch at the ultra swank Soho House (thanks Christopher B.) and then attended a session at the Manhattan Temple. After that we walked to Times Square where Allison surprised me with tickets to the hillarious Broadway show, Spamalot. We had a lovely dinner across from the W hotel on 39th where we stayed (only the best here folks). Sunday we had brunch at the Noho Star Cafe and then walked around parts of the city we hadn't seen before. There's always something new to see there and it never ceases to amaze me at how much is always going on there. It was a great time and my birthday week was very memorable. My lovely wife really made me feel like a superstar.

Day at Lake Anna

This last week Allison finished up her last summer class and begun her three week summer break so we began the vacation with day trip to Lake Anna. A friend of ours, Jason and Aleshia Bassett, daughter of the Walkers, invited us down for the day to their house there. Allison's brother and his wife, Matt and Noelle Toskovich, went with us and we met up with some other friends the Bassetts had invited. We waterskiied, wake boarded, rode the jet ski, and jumped off the boat house roof. We had a great time, and felt it all the next day with our sore back and arms.

Jersey Shore

This last weekend we went to Point Pleasant on the Jersey Shore for a little Rest and Relaxation with the whole Toskovich clan. We had beautiful weather and got lots of sun. Most of the time was spent pool side. We had a perfect sunset for the family portrait, which is where this photo was taken. It was our last weekend together before Aaron and Amanda Coleman, Allison's sister's family, moves to Arizona. We'll miss all of them and can't wait to see them again soon. As always, Tyler Oborn.

We're online

Tyler Oborn and Allison Toskovich were married March 4th, 2006, and well, as newlyweds life has been very hectic. We've been busy cleaning out Tyler's old stuff and making way for the new things Allison has bought to update the place. Tyler is working at the Department of Agriculture while Allison is busy taking summer classes at Marymount University. There have been some adjustments, but that was expected, and all in all we are very happy and content with life in Alexandria, VA.