Another Kevin Update...

Although he didn't write to me, he wrote to my parents.  Whatever...lol.  He is doing really well, I guess he moved up to recruit level two and is one week away from moving up to recruit level three.  He didn't say whether he named his gun, but I did give him everyone's suggestions, so hopefully he picks one of them because they were all pretty funny.  He also had his PFT's last week or two weeks ago.  He did really well; he did 20 pull ups (the max), he did 104 sit ups in 2 minutes (the highest level) and he did 3 miles in 20 minutes.  He wasn't to happy with the last time because he got stuck behind some fat people (in his words).  So he thinks he will do better when it comes to the real one... he scored a 284 out of 300.  So pretty good!!! He needs to get a 290 if he wants to qualify for recon, but he thinks he will do it no problem!! He now weighs 143 lbs, which I didn't think he could get skinnier, but apparently he can!! He seems to be doing really well, but is very excited to come home.... thank you for all the well wishes!! He will graduate on May 7th, so its just over a month away!!! YAY!! Here are some pictures from his last night here, just in case you forgot what he looks like ;0)

Oh the brother and sister love... I am very very proud of him!!!

Here is the cute picture of proud Aunt Jeannie and Tutu... and of course Andy!!

Oh and of course the proud brother-n-law!! Which I never realized, Mike is a lot taller than Kevin, or he may be standing on the fireplace, I don't know.  If you would like to write to him just ask me for his address.  He says his favorite time of the week is when he gets to read everyone's letters.

What's Missing?

My big fat red beautiful strawberry!!!! A freakin squirrel ate it one day before I was ready to pick it!!! So pissed!!! Any suggestions on keeping the squirrels away? I told Mike we should get a dog...

Flea Market Treasures

Recently, Matt, Kim, Mike, my Dad, and I all went to the flea market off of capital in San Jose.  The day started out as kind of a bust, but at least entertaining.  We wondered for about an hour and finally got to the good stuff... Matt and Kim got a framed poster and a giant spoon.  Random but good stuff.  My dad got a mop, so that was how we found him the entire trip (and is now called mop man).  I discovered two hidden treasures, one was a Run TMC framed and matted cards (Run TMC are guys from the Warriors when I was like 6) and a gardening table... AMAZING!!! Gotta love the flea market!!!

  And it was only $25.00!!! Granted it took a while to get in the car, and we could barely fit... but it was definitely worth it!!! I couldn't be happier!!! Now I have a place to put all of my potted plants!!

Gabby's Welcome Home Dinner

In true welcoming home fashoin we went to sushi and frozen yogurt!! The sushi place we went to is Kane in downtown Danville, its soooo good!! The rolls are freakin huge, with the greatest names... like the Skank roll...lol.  Everyone came to welcome Gabby home, well for the week that she will be visiting.  The people who came were Molly, Alfredo, Kenny, Blaise (no Z), Chris, Dusty, Nate, Kim, Matt, Mike, and I.  So it was quite a big group.  After we walked over to the yogurt shack... the best place on earth to get yogurt cause they charge you based on how much your bowl weighs.  Molly and Alfredo took the cake on that one ;0). In fact I don't think I have every seen Alfredo eat so much in my life!! I swear we put anything in front of him and he just ate it... lol!! But I think he started getting mad once wfigured it out and played tricks on him. Here are some pictures to enjoy from that night... 

It was nice to see everyone... we hadn't seen each other in a long time.  Also everyone got so dressed up, so it was kinda weird to see people without their soccer stuff on!!

Team BurkWood

Let the Madness begin!!! As in March Madness... Last night we had the draft party, and it was my rookie year!! Dayton and I are on a team, I am the only girl, which I think made a few people mad, but oh-well.  So for the next month every weekend will be devoted to college basketball and hopefully a little bit to our garden... lol.
I guess this our team photo... a little awkward but it makes me laugh!! Hopefully this season we will be in the money (top 3) and I can just shove it in Mike's face!! I think our house is gonna be a little crazy for the next few weeks.
Mike and Dayton are in two other drafts and I am in one other.  So hopefully between all of us we can make some money... cause we need it!!
This month is awesome... according to mike... "March madness is way better than Christmas!" I won't take it that far, but thats how serious our family gets about it.

My Green Thumb

Since I have a lot of time on my hands... I have decided to take up gardening.  Out backyward is huge!!! And divided into two parts.  I have only worked on the front backyard because the back backyard is way more than a one person job... but that will get started this weekend (hopefully).  Anyways I have been planting, digging, plowing, and prooning (sorry don't really know how to spell that word).  Anyways I have been pretty much done something everyday for the last week.  There is still a lot to go, but this is the progress so far...

In those pots we have strawberries, fuisha, and two other kinds of flowers that I can't remember.  In the pots behind them we have our herbs... rosemary, cilantro, and parsley.

I plowed this whole area... it took 3 days!!! But it looks way better!!! It will look even better when the seeds start to grow!! Can't wait!!

To the left is our berries... we have rasberries and blackberries.  This year we probably won't get any, but next year they will hopefully just take over and we can make everyone jam!!! Apparently unemployment has turned me into Suzie Homemaker!! lol

Kevin Update

So most of you know that Kevin is in the Marines and right now he is at bootcamp.  I got another letter from him yesterday.  It said that he was doing much better than the first couple of weeks and that they are leaving for another training camp up north (whatever that means) to shoot their rifles.  He wanted me to ask people what he should name his rifle... it has to be a girls name apparently.  I didn't know that and Mike had to correct me.  Guns and cars have to be named after girls... go figure!! So if you wanted to help him out... I would love to hear suggestions!!  Also he has his first PFT (Physical Fitness Test) on Sunday which he has to run 3 miles, max sit ups in 2 minutes, and max pull ups in 2 minutes.  Depending on how he does in that depends on where he will be placed... so keep your fingers crossed for him!!
He is going to graduate May 7th!!! So anyone who wants to come we will take a road trip down to San Diego and cheer him on can come!!! I can't wait!!!

I Think I'm in Love...

with a dog.  Yes Gabby, another post about a dog. I saw this dog at Petsmart on one of the adoption days and fell for her instantly.  She is four years old and she is part border collie and either Corgi (Emerson) or a basset hound!!! She is a little funny looking, but to me she is adorable. Its not for sure that we will get her, but we are still discussing it... keep your fingers crossed!!

Look at her stubby little legs!!! Oh she is so cute!!!

Also she is super calm and cuddly!! And does great on a leash!! Thats my mom petting her... notice the shoes Kimmy!! Thats where your boots ended up!! lol

Emerson the Wonder Pooch!!

Don't fall out of your chair blog readers (or Gabby), I am actually posting something to the blog. The reason for the post is that there is a new member in the Wood family! Meet Emerson the Wonder Pooch! Matt and I had been looking to adopt a corgi since we moved to our new house in Livermore. We choose the corgi breed because the dog had to be under 20 pounds and we of course drew inspiration from Mikey's love of corgis. Matt was the one who found Emerson on petfinder.com. We went to see him that night at the Oakland Animal Shelter and feel in love with his funny little furry sausage body and fox like face. He is such a little love bug but has A LOT A LOT of energy. The pound thought he was 2 years old but we learned from the vet he's more like 1 to 1 1/2 years old. Which makes sense because his energy is ENDLESS. This week we start dog training classes so all that energy can be channeled into tricks. I really want to teach him the "bang bang you're dead" trick so hopefully that's something he can learn. We have had him for almost a month and we couldn't be happier. Sadly we will turn into one of those annoying dog people who have endless pics and videos of their pet. Get ready for more photos of our little friend.

Lucas Allen Burkholder

Lucas Allen Burkholder, 7lbs 2oz., 19 3/4 inches long

So Matt and Heather's baby finally came on Sunday (2 weeks early).  She went into labor at 2 am and had the baby at 5:43 pm... so not too bad.  Mike and I went to visit them in the hospital that night... he is super cute!! He looks exactly like Matt.  He even has the same lip quiver that Matt has... hilarious!! Anyways she will be in the hospital until tomorrow, then they are on their own!! Enjoy the pictures!!

Happy Daddy... he was very, very proud!! Plus the baby has huge hands so I believe the direct quote was "He will be able to palm a basketball by age three!"

Mikey was a little nervous to hold him because this was his first time ever holding a baby.  But he relaxed after the first 15 minutes... lol!! He looks like a natural!!! ;0)

The Daddy and the future coach!!! Yes of course we were whispering Granada into the baby's ear... lol!! They all look so cute!!! 

White Elephant Shopping

Today Tori took Matt, Mike, Kim, Sam, and I to the White Elephant Sale.  As confusing as the title is, we were even more confused walking up to the place.  Apparently it is a fundraiser for the Oakland Museum (which no one has ever heard of or been too, but thats okay).  It is this HUGE wearhouse filled with donations... from what looked like the 1940's.  It was like traveling back into time... when things were fifty cents or a dollar!! It was a magical place filled with doodads, thingamajiggers, whatchamacallits, and even more random stuff!! We had quite a lot of fun and didn't buy very much... we got a old fashioned Coca-Cola tray from the fifties and a doornob, so now we can open our closet door.  Its been a while since we have been in there, so I am pretty excited!!  It was a good day of time traveling...

Avatar

So yes, we finally went to see the movie Avatar last night.  Honestly I never had the desire to go see the movie, but everyone told me how good it was, so I gave in.  Tori, Mike , and I went to the movie last night.    The night didn't start off too well because apparently the prices at the theater sky rocketed!!! I couldn't believe it!!! It was $15.50 each person to see the movie last night!! That is unreal... I remember when it was $3.50!! Once the previews started I got really excited, but then another let down... the worst previews in the world!!! There are no good movies coming out soon, well besides Harry Potter ;0) So once the movie started, it took a while to get used to the glasses, but it was really cool 3D.  The story line was good too, even though it was exactly like Dances With Wolves, but whatever.  Overall, I really liked the movie and so did Tori.  Mike on the other hand... well he had to leave for a while and go to the bathroom because he got sick.  He got super motion sickness from the 3D... I really thought before the movie he was gonna be fine, but when we got home he threw up a couple of times and slept in our guest bedroom! So, I couldn't tell you if Mike liked the movie...lol.
One more movie review... the girls and I went to see Valentines Day the movie on Sunday... it was not very good.  I really thought it was gonna be like Love Actually, but it really fell short.  And it was like 2 1/2 hours long...way too long!! Anyways, thats all I got... if you haven't seen Avatar go and see it... its worth it on the big screen!!