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Feb 08, 2010 at 06:47 PM
McAlpin Baby Poll
What would you call Baby Ashtyn Grace?
  
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8 Years in California

Welcome one and all to Christmas 2008. It has been 8 great years in California. The "let's move there for a year and get it out of our sysem" has turned into the place where we want to raise our children and stay forever. We mostly feel we live on vacation. Beaches, Pools, Disneyland, Hollywood are all within easy reach. But we have found a small beach community where it is still "small-town USA", even if in "the OC".  

Alex is our 8 year old starring in the musical "Mama Mia" in January as the lead. She loves to sing and act. Volleyball, dance, and piano have consumed her non-academic life. Her grades are always good and she makes friends easily. She qualified for GATE this year (the advanced path for the gifted... Also where social illiteracy is taught) She is great now so we are hoping she can stay balanced, surrounded by slide rulers and protractors.

Gavin is a 6 year old in kindergarden doing 2nd grade work at home after spending all day in school learning the letter "B". He really loves school and spends his day helping the teacher as a T.A. This year he has found "the force" and spends a lot of time contemplating how to save Anakin from turning to the dark side.   He is writing a letter now to George Lucus to see if he can get a re-shooting of the last 30 minutes of Episode III. Gavin is also getting into taekwondo, baseball, and basketball and has a good time hanging out with the boys.He is also a self proclaimed "Master of legos" without any hint of doubt in his words.

Blake is the resident wild-man. He always has something to say and is determined not to miss anything in life. He loves play group and learning, can't wait to play organized sports, and is a sensitive soul. If you get mad at him, he will cry uncontrollaby, but if he falls down the stairs he will get up and laugh it off. Physically he can not be hurt (poor Gavin has learned this the hard way) but his feelings are more vulnerable.  He does not like to sleep and talks constantly so Autumn most of the time wants to hide under the bed for a few minutes of peace. Last night, she was ignoring his "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,Mommy"... Until finally he said " Answer me! If you don't answer me, Santa won't bring you any presents!"

Gracie is the size of many of our friends' three year olds and only six pounds away from Blake. Her dark hair is now a sandy brown and getting lighter. Her size and frequent appointments with her carseat have delayed her walking, but she just took her first steps last week! But she is still using crawling as her primary transportation for her 14 month old self. She is like her mother and very independent. She will only feed herself and likes her space but still cuddles and smiles for attention which she gets plenty of from her doting brothers and sister. 

Autumn is still writing for the newspapaer and her column has a large local following. You can read her stuff by searching her name on the OCRegister.com. Her screenplay is still in early development and has fallen a bit on the priority list with 4 active children. She is as beautiful as ever and enjoys killing herself with projects and fillng her day with more things than could possibly be done...  But she is loved for it.

Michael is me and what can a self-loving audience-craving narcissist possibly say about himself... a lot! Well it all started... Just kidding. While positive self image is not lacking over here, I get bored easily and so unfortunately, you will not be graced with quotes and pontification from my inner monologue. I'm still at Altec, trying not to turn into Michael Scott, and I've also got my feet, hands, and any other appendage someone can beg from me in about 14 other financially lucrative (hopefully) projects. But I mostly like to watch Alex sing, play Legos with Gavin, play sports with Blake, and carry our heavy Gracie around. 

 

 If you have a minute check out the latest PICTURES 



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Autumn Updates:

Besides being a full-time mother of four, PTA and TMC Board member, and weekly columnist for the Orange County Register's local San Clemente paper, The Sun Post, Autumn has undertaken another little project to further complicate her life. Inspired by the legions of humorous house guest anecdotes we've picked up over the years, Autumn's screenplay Guests of Guests May Not Bring Guests has already generated some interest from Hollywood production companies. And if she can continue to burn the midnight oil, she hopes to have the script sent to those who have requested it by late January.

Follow the "Autumn Screenwriting" link to go to her web site, where you can read more about her writing career. This site also includes links to all of her Sun Post articles. 

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The Kids....

Alex, Gavin, Blake, & Gracie

The kids are doing new things and excited about the newest addition to the family... Alex is in Second grade, in the play Annie and a great violinist and tennis player. Gavin is in his second year of pre-school and has already passed the KIndergarden exit exam. He is great at t-Ball and golf and likes any sport with a stick, batt, club, or poll. Blake has a full set of teeth, big curls, and dribbles a soccer ball better than his older siblings. Gracie is a very new addition and we are sure she is gifted... :) These precious monkeys keep us busy, but happy!

  

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Michael Updates
Michael has been collecting cans at the beach. It is just his little way of giving back. He has found that if he collects about 150,000 cans a month, we can pay the mortgage and still have enough to keep up his monthly addiction to blue Jello... While staying tied into the IT industry he has found that the "Hokie Pokie" really is what it is all about. So he turns himself around all day and has found Nirvana.

If you are still reading this, you have a great sense of humor... That is my kinda person. If you really want to know more about me, I try to stay updated at LinkedIn.com CLICK HERE

Thanks for reading... if you want more check back...

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