The Night Santa Came To Town

We moved to our new home in 2005, when our streets were unpaved and muddy, and MapQuest had no idea we existed as a little community, called Old Trail #9, in the hilly farmlands south of Pittsburgh. It was common to find delivery trucks wandering up and down our streets looking for a particular family, repair men knocking on doors asking for directions, and folks who knew each other by lot number instead of street address. As Christmas 2005 loomed before us, the kids in the 'hood were deeply troubled. How would Santa find us if FedEx can't? Mothers sent emails to the North Pole, with specific travel directions, but the absence of street signs to guide Santa's way was a persistent topic of conversation and concern. As children of all ages pondered this dilemma, an idea began to take hold: what if there was a Santa Sighting in the distant hills and fields, demonstrating Santa's commitment to make sure he knew where everyone lived? And who better to play this part than Chip Stevers? No kids in the house to bust his cover, and since we were all still getting to know one another, the kids in the 'hood would surely not recognize him from afar! In December of 2005, the first Santa Sighting in Old Trail #9 was born.

Our plans were great, on paper. Santa would tromp around in the snow, a safe distance from the houses, and the kids would be alerted by the sound of sleigh bells (with the added protection of cell phones ringing). Santa was so hugely effective that the completely unexpected occurred: little people in bare feet and pajamas were running out their front doors, following Santa as he tried to make an escape. The Pied Piper in Red. Sounds of clapping, shouting, running and laughing filled the air. Mothers and fathers scurrying behind, snatching up the littlest and slowest. Poor Santa slipping and sliding down the back hills, trying to get away without losing his pants or his beard.

We had to make some changes in subsequent years. Now parents are on-guard for escapees, but Santa actually knocks on front doors. He's accompanied by Rudolph, who helps him remember kid's names and distribute chocolate-covered pretzel rods made by Mrs. Claus. The 4th Annual Santa Visit occurred on December 22, 2008, and was a huge success: what started as a visit to less than 25 children for not more than 30 minutes has expanded to visiting close to 100 children in a period of about 2.5 hours. The shouts of glee and absolute delight on little faces is truly a sight to behold, creating a feeling of Christmas in the air that can practically be touched with your fingers.

Deployed

Hey Herberts!

I just wanted to write you all a quick note now that I'm at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. I've been here just under a day, and will be staying the next 4 months, thru the middle of May '09. Fortunately, I was able to get back to Covina and the family for Christmas, and spend the New Year with good friends in Seattle before I left.

While I'm out here I'll be working in the Combined Air Operations Center, which controls all allied airspace/planes for both wars...so, a pretty important thing if you ask me ;) My contribution will be as part of a 2-man team coordinating the diplomatic clearances of US mobility (cargo) aircraft as they overfly other countries enroute to/from Iraq and Afghanistan. It shouldn't be too difficult as many countries have already pre-approved most overflights, but there will certainly be some short-notice taskings that aren't quite as vanilla. Good-times for sure. The biggest bummer is that I won't get to fly at all while I'm out here.

Anyway, I hope you all had a great holiday season...though we still have one day left of Christmas, so make the 12th day great...get those 12 drummers to drum! haha. I plan on enjoying the relatively chilly weather since it's going to get really hot and humid here in a few months. I miss you all and hope to hear from you soon. I'll post my mailing address here as soon as I get it, and feel free to send me an email or post some great stuff here to the blog to let me (and everyone else) know what you're up to.

Take care!

Aaron

Post-Reinforcement Pause

It's Sunday afternoon and all is quiet at 105 Golden Eagle. The farmlands that surround us are covered with beautiful white snow, and there are kids sledding down the hill behind us, shouting and laughing with glee as they compete to see who can go the farthest. We have a fire glowing, and the cats are stretched out contentedly at the hearth. Our lives have been in such a whirlwind these past few weeks, we've declared today a day of true rest. No matter that there are still cards to write, gifts to buy and wrap and cookies to bake; today is a day to pause, reflect and replenish. Last night we went to a neighbor's Christmas party and ate and drank and laughed and talked with new friends and old. Last week we hosted an Open House of our own for about 75 friends and neighbors, complete with heavy hors d'ouevres and a pianist at our baby grand, while the kids made Christmas ornaments in the basement, watched Christmas movies and admired their own smiling faces on last year's Christmas cards that decorate the basement tree. And no party could be complete without a Steeler's game, with men gathered 'round the wide screen to jump and shout in those last few moments of yet another turn-around in Steeler City. The piano player didn't mind; he's a native of Pittsburgh, and wonders about the score while he plays sing-a-long carols.

I love this time of year. People smile and hug and strangers say nice things to one another. Houses are filled with wonderful smells and the streets are shiny with pretty lights. I remember a Christmas song my mom used to play on the piano, about how the things we do and say at Christmas are so special, and if we could only capture those feelings for the whole year through, what a wonderful world it would be. I'll have to find that music, and learn to play it myself.

Love,
Diana

We are Pilots

Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well this holiday season. I know that keeping warm is more difficult for some than others, but with Seattle on the brink of our first big storm of the season, I have managed a hiatus to Florida and California for a couple weeks.

Anyway, I've been up to the usual over the past few months: no good. I flew my final mission of the year back in early October with a fairly young crew, making things a little more exciting than normal. We spent a couple nights in Germany before heading to Manas via Afghanistan. Manas isn't actually too bad a place: you can actually drink beer and they have washers/dryers we can use. In fact, here is the AF link to Manas. However, it actually looks more like this photo below.

Looks AND feels like a concentration camp!

Besides Manas (which I admit did not have snow at the time, but instead has little annoying rocks that we have to walk over) we also ended up in Plovdiv, Bulgaria for a night. It was a bit rainy and we only spent about 3 hours in the downtown area (aircrew has to sleep and preflight the aircraft at some point), but they had a very well preserved Roman theater and the remains of an old Thracian settlement. Other than that, it felt like Eastern Europe/Turkey/Mexico, which I highly recommend!

Anyway, I spent about 12 days doing that before heading out to Oklahoma for Instructor School. Can you believe it? I'm actually certified to teach people stuff now! Though at times it is difficult to remember what that stuff is...hmmm...oh well. But seriously, I learned a lot and got some good flying in, which was especially nice since I won't be flying from January thru May (more on that below). Altus hasn't changed much since my last trip there a year ago, but it is close to some of the Texas Grangers and I was able to make a trip down to Austin to see Philip, Tammi, Logan, and Lacie, plus catch a Horns game. I also made a few weekend trips to Dallas with some friends - basically I left Oklahoma at every possisble opportunity! I love Texas, btw. People are friendly and there are things to do, good food to eat. yay. Oh, and plenty of Tito's to drink.

Phil, Aaron, Tim, and Raph drinking Tito's BEFORE the tailgate

So, I finally graduated from Altus for the 3rd time on Nov 20th, and on my way home, who do I stumble upon at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, but Angela! So we took a pic. You may recognize her from the hit series on NBC, "The Office" on Thursdays.

She's actually very nice in person...and REALLY short!

I wasn't back in Seattle very long before heading to Covina for Thanksgiving which was a nice break from all the hard work I've clearly been up to. Megan and Becca weren't around, but Jonathan and I made the most of things with our parents for the big day, with Sarah, Josh, and Will even joining in the fun. We played a stupid board game as well. If you have more than 6 people, I do NOT recommend this game. Trying to play with more than the MAX limit, when combined with alcohol, may induce brothers to say mean things to each other. Just sayin'.

Anyway, we followed up Turkey day with a little get together on Saturday night and had a nice turnout. Katie drove down from SB, the Bruner boys made it back, and then add some friends and mix it up with parents, a hyper-active golden retriever, some snacks from Trader Joe's and a jaunt to BevMo. G2G...noob. I don't know if there are any pics, but we had fun....but not too much ;)

Anyway, I've been back here in Seattle for the past 2 weeks getting ready for a 120-day deployment to Qatar. I leave at the very end of the month and will be back in mid-May, hence the no-flying comment earlier. Al Udied AB isn't so bad these days, with wi-fi in some places and a brand-new gym complete with 4-lane (indoor) swimming pool. I'll probably be working 12-hour shifts, everyday, for 120+ straight days...but I won't have much else to do but eat, sleep, and workout, so that will be fine. The goal is to be in triathlon shape by the time I get back, so no excuses. In fact, I just bought a new pair of speedos that I conveniently left in Covina, so I'll be sure to collect them when I go home for Christmas.

Next week I'll be in Florida for a little training, and then Vegas/Covina the week after that. So, if I don't see you before I leave, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh yeah...don't forget about the Armed Forces Bowl on New Year's Eve; Air Force v. Houston...go Falcons!!

Love,
Aaron


By the way, my post title is a song by Shiny Toy Guns. Check them out, and make sure you listen to "Rainy Monday" too! Sehr gut, danke!

Bedtime at Betz's

Did you ever lay on the floor and look at the lights on your Christmas tree? Maybe you still do. This is the view at our house this December; Celia & Colby are relaxing together in front of the tree at the end of a long day... (although niether of them are really looking at the tree?)
Hoping all you Herberts can enjoy some twinkling lights and are feeling richly blessed this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Photo credit goes to Cherie Tolliver, who captured Jenni, Andy, Grandma Rosie, Kate, Maggie & Celia, Katie, Abby, John David and Grandpa Rod all together on Thanksgiving. And by phone we visited with lots more family... would love to see more pictures posted here! Hope your holiday was stuffed with good food and good times.

A grateful thought turned toward heaven is a complete prayer... Amen!

The Highway 1

It turns out that northern California is as beautiful as the southern parts. I went camping and hiking with the girls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park last weekend, and other than all the "Yes on 8" signs [in support of the proposed ban on gay marriage], I thought the northerners were quite lovely.

I'm still training for the Pasadena Half Marathon on Nov. 16th, and then will be homeward bound for Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see everyone!! And I think I may even be able to make it to the Granger Post Thanksgiving Bash when I get back to Cali.

GO VOTE TOMORROW!
xoxo
Kate