NYC Shows

Good evening everyone-

Well this week has been a lot of fun. Last week, through the USO, I was able to get 2 tickets (for free which makes it even better) to the NYC premier of the new Disney movie "The Princess and the Frog". On Monday, Erin-Kate and Mya journeyed up to the Ziegfeld theatre for the show followed by a Disney party. Mya got to meet ALL the Princesses. I have attached photos of her with the ones she didnt meet when we went to Florida. The girls had a wonderful time and it makes me proud to report that EK did the Staten Island Ferry to the Subway and then walked a few blocks to the theatre all by herself.

Then on Thursday, the whole family went to see the Radio City show. It was a blast. I remember being a kid and seeing the show...some of the acts have stayed the same (the toy soldiers), but many were new and GREAT. After the Radio City show, we walked around and saw the tree (which was lit Wed. night) and then we went to the M&M store in Times Square. Of course, the M&M store wasn't enough when Collin saw the Hershey store on the opposite corner...so we went there as well.

Anyhow, it has been busy, but a lot of fun and i really think the Radio City show hit it on the head in one of their songs...there is nothing like Christmas in New York.

MULAN

Little Mermaid

The newest Princess...Tiana

YANKEES

Hello-

Today Erin-Kate, Mya and I went into Manhattan for the parade. The nicest part of it was our transportation. I had a crew from my station take us and other folks from my station over to Manhattan and drop us off about a 5 min walk from the parade. It was great...

Anyhow, it was absolutely packed. We only got to see a little bit of the parade b/c of how far back we were, but the coolest thing was the "vibe". Everyone was just cheering and partying. It was pretty awesome.

Here are some pictures and Mya's video. She loved sharing her cookie with the NYC Pigeons.

Matsui!!

Mya was overwhelmed with excitementPizza after...My Yankee Princesses

Halloween

Hello-

Last night was Halloween and what a day we had. In the afternoon, my station held a family Halloween party. We had inflatables for the kids to jump on, facepainting, popcorn machine, and many other activities for the families. It was a great event and i was really proud of how it came together.

last night we did trick or treating in the neighborhood. The base has "policy" that everyone comes outside and hands out candy to all the kids. This way, they dont go in and out of all the buildings and up and down the stairs. it was really great. The CG Police dept were out patrolling and it was great. I am not exaggerating when i say hundreds of kids were out.

Collin was a bat for Halloween and Mya was Ariel. Here a few pictures of the evening.

Well, hope your Halloween was great and talk to you soon
Jason

Tiger Cubs

Hello all-

Just figured I would get a couple of photos up of Collin and his Tiger Cub den. He joined Pack 43 on Staten Island. It is made up of kids from the base, so he really likes it and he is getting to know more of the neighbors this way.

Anyhow, enjoy and talk to you soon

Jason

Change of Command

Good morning-

Just wanted to share some highlights from the Change of Command.

Yesterday, I assumed command of Coast Guard Station New York. I came up on Sunday the 4th. I then had a week to go thru the relief process. Erin-kate and the kids stayed back in VA for the week. The movers came Wed and packed the truck Thurs. EK and the kids then came to NY on Fri and the Change of command ceremony was Saturday...the 10th.

It was a great ceremony and i was fortunate to have most of mine and EK's immediate family in attendance.

Below are a bunch of pictures from the ceremony as well as some general station "shots".

We move into our house on Wed the 14th. It is 1.2 miles from our front door to the station, so i am very excited i dont have the commute like i did in DC.

Well, if you are on Staten Island, please let me know....we would love to have you to the house and/or station.

Love to all...
Jason

The basin

View from my office

The "relief"

Oh what a month!!!

Hello all-

Oh what a month, late September back in 09, what a very special time for us, 'cause i remember what a month...

well modifying Frankie Valli's lyrics a little summarizes this month.

To start with Collin started 1st grade. Kindergarten was 1/2 day, so this is his first year in full day school. Mya also started Pre-school. She is going 2 days a week for 1/2 a day. EK is also teaching at her school, so she started up as well. (she is teaching a different class, but same days and time, so it works great). Collin also started soccer and is playing on his first "team". It is a U7 league he is in and he really loves it.

Then on the 13th, i ran the nations triathlon. It was an olympic distance race and i had the best bike and run i have had in a tri yet. I was very happy and finished in 2 hr 39 min. (1500m swim, 40KM bike, 10KM run).

Then the week of the 14th...it started out with the message that i got selected for promotion. So within the next 6 months or so, i should pin on Lieutenant Commander. The best thing is by getting selected, i am basically "tenured". Retirement is guaranteed.

Then on Friday, the 18th, I got word that i was chosen to go and take command of CG Station NY. It is the largest station in the CG. it is also off-season, so i will be moving up the week of 5 October and then the change of command should be either the 14th or the 15th. I have been dreaming about an opportunity like this for 5 years. I can't express how excited/honored i am.

If you thought that was a good enough month, EK ran the North Face Endurance Challenge on the 19th. This was 50 mile trail run. She finished in 9 hrs 28 min. She was 37th overall, 5th female and 1st in her age group. She also got to meet Dean Karnazes (http://www.ultramarathonman.com). He is the legend in the Ultra Marathon Community and she has been reading his book over and over during her training. I think that made her 50 mile race all worth it. We are all so proud of her and what an accomplishment. Next big thing up for her is the Boston Marathon in Apr 2010.

Lastly, we adopted a puppy. She was at a rescue in S. Carolina. With the upcoming move, i know that we can't bring the cats. We are finding a good home for them, but to help the kids, we got them the puppy. They named her Bella. She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Dachsund mix.

So, enjoy the photos and videos and we will talk to you all soon.

Jason

EK and Dean

Finish Line

on the trail...about mile 44

Aide Station

Looking strong

The "new" haircut

First day of Pre-school

Soccer

He amazes himself

Waiting for gametime

The bus stop

Brushing the chompers

Swim, Bike, Run

Hello-

Here is the update on my tri. It was a beautiful course through the Shenandoah Valley. It was my first race that wetsuits weren't allowed...man is the buoyancy of the wetsuit an awesome advantage. (the water was 80 deg. and wetsuits aren't allowed in any water over 78). Anyhow, here are some pictures.

Jason

Luray Caverns

Hello all-

Wanted to share some photos of our trip to Luray Caverns today. We were down for a tri I am doing. We came down today (sat the 15th) and my tri is tomorrow morning. Since we had time to kill, we decided to visit Luray Caverns...What an incredible place. It is one of the largest caverns in the US and the largest on the East Coast. There was also a "Garden Maze". It was pretty expansive and the kids really enjoyed running around finding the different stamps. Anyhow, here are some photos and i will get an update on the tri results tomorrow. Enjoy

Jason

Luray Caverns Stalactites

The Family

This was the coolest, what you are seeing in the bottom of the picture is a reflection in water of the stalactites on the ceiling.

The Garden Maze