Award-winning Halloween Costumes

We racked our brains, scoured the internet, asked all our friends and families, went to three different stores and we finally settled on making our own costumes (okay, we had to buy the lips and wig). Turned out to be a crowd favorite.
Click on picture to see more Halloween pics.

Halloween Party Oct 2009

Memorial Day at the Shore

Once again we were able to spend the Memorial Day weekend kicking off the beach season by going to the NJ Shore. This time we decided to visit places we haven't been in a while, such as Seaside Heights boardwalk and Island Beach State Park. Inside the park we were able to enjoy pristine beaches and see the what the peninsula looks like in it's natural state. There are some points where the bay and ocean are very close. At one such spot we found a little gathering point on the bay side where there was a house boat selling hotdogs and drinks to those gathered. They even offered to bring some to us on the pier, but we had just eaten, but we liked the idea.

We rode cousin CJ's new scooter, fired up the grill and rode some bikes. It was a great weekend and look forward to many more in Point Pleasant Beach (the PPB).

Memorial Day - May 09

Mother's Day in Atlanta

In May we decided to drive down to Atalanta and surprise my Mom and Dad for Mother's Day. They were there visiting my aunt and grandmother so we decided we'd make the most of it and join them. We went on a garden tour of some amazing homes where we admired the creativity of the home owners and took some notes for our future garden.


We also had very enjoyable visits with Grandmother Brown and aunt Carpie.

Visit from Cousin Andy

In April my cousin Andy and his family came to DC for a visit. We were able to enjoy some great weather while we walked around old town Alexandria. We had a great visit and hope to see them again soon.

Welcome baby Katie

Allison's brother, Matt, and his wife, Noelle, had their second child March 3. Thanks for not making it the 4th because that is already taken for our anniversary. 3 years and counting; I know it still amazes me that she said yes.




So, baby Katie arrived healthy and Noelle is doing fine. Little Sophia loves having a baby sister around (and little Sophia isn't so little anymore). Being surrounded with all these kids does get me thinking about having one of my own, but all in good time. I'll keep practicing with the nieces and nephews until I've got it down.

My Family - updated photos

While Allison and I were in Utah in February we had the chance to get together with everyone except Cezar and Rose, who are far away in Guam. I know what you're thinking, "they have all aged so well, how do they do it?" and the short answer is, we play lots of board games.

Elaine and Lynn

Allison and Tyler

Darin, Jennifer and Gavin Ross.

Rachael and Alex (boyfriend)

The Last Days

I mean the last days of my employment with the Bush administration at the Department of Agriculture, although to many it did seem like the end of the world. Since many of you never got to visit me at work, I thought I would share with you some pictures of my office and my fellow co-workers. It doesn't seem like 3 years but I guess when you enjoy what you do the time flies by.

Here I am at my desk.

Here I am with some colleagues.Tyler, Tammy, Lindsay and Beau.

Office mates: Beau, Mike and Tyler.

The brain trust: Beau, Curtis and Tyler.

I had a great time working there and for the president. I will really miss the many wonderful people I got to be with on a daily basis.

2008 Year End Recap

Since we missed the last couple of months I wanted to catch you up on some things we did but never had the chance to write about.

First, the last few months were a whirlwind with a lot going on.

In September my dad and I took a golf trip to Ireland. We took a couple extra days to tour around London.

London Sep 08

We spent a week playing some great links courses in the north of Ireland and next door in Northern Ireland. Some days were perfect and some we had to endure blistering wind and rain. It was a great bonding experience and something we'll be talking about for a long time.

Ireland Golf Trip Sep 08

In November after only a few months on the job, Allison was a victim of the world-wide credit crunch when her firm downsized and gave her have an early retirement. So, she took advantage of her time off and went to Arizona to escape, I mean, spend time with her sister. Two weeks in the desert with her niece and nephews helped rejuvenate her soul.

Al's AZ trip Nov 08

Now she's back in the game and ready for the next big thing. We'll keep you posted on whatever that may be.

In addition to that great bit of news the November elections didn't go quite as well as hoped and come January I'll be looking for a new job too. Thanks "Change we can all believe in".

Next, Allison's brother Kevin took a big step in his life and received his mission call to Carlsbad California. It was fun to see him prepare and get excited about it. He left in December for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, and will be in California by the second week of January. Things just won't be the same without you Kev, or should I say, Elder Toskovich. We'll miss you.

Kevin

Thanksgiving brought family into town and we were able to have a great time with the Toskovichs in VA. The food was great and there was plenty of it. It was nice not to have to travel during this crazy time of year.

Thanksgiving 2008

Another tradition around Halloween is going downtown DC to the Drag Races, or High Heel Race, or whatever it's called, but the idea is to watch guys in drag run a couple blocks and then strut for pictures afterward. This year I had some friends dress up, but although I will show the pics I can't release the names. Needless to say I was very impressed.

From Drag Races 10/28/08

Another tradition is to visit and orchard and pumpkin patch outside DC. This year we went our friends Eric and Kristy.

Pumpkin Patch

Allison and I love concerts and one that I really wanted to see was Coldplay. So when they came to DC in December we joined our friends Dayne and Myhoa for a night of good food and music. They put on a great show and didn't disappoint.

Coldplay Concert

Finally, my parents came into town to spend Christmas with us and Allison's parents. We met in Charlottesville and spent the night at a place we like just outside the city. We had a great dinner and enjoyed the time together. The next day we toured Jefferson's home of Monticello. Needless to say it was a little cold. The next night, Christmas eve, we went to the Washington DC temple to see the lights. It was amazing and really helped us get into the spirit of the season.

Christmas visit