Happy Easter!

We wish everyone a very Happy Easter. He is Risen Indeed!!
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Our Easter traditions include an annual visit from Grammie, who arrived yesterday and wasted no time before providing a heartwarming photo-op with the grandkids.

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Then it was time to color eggs...

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It takes SO LONG to make a two-toned egg!!

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Just ask Daddy.

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Eggcellent.

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For now, we'll sign off from Burbank... check back soon for a report from our remote headquarters in Sacramento!

Technical Difficulties

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Please feel free to enjoy our archives as the main AFB computer gets a well-deserved tune-up!

Caption Contest Winner!!

"There's a raging inferno behind me, but I still have time to destroy your career... are you listening to me... you're finished... YOU'RE DEAD!!"
-Tom
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Honorable Mention:
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"Yes, Terri... Toluca Lake Center had your Diet Pepsi... I'm fine, by the way..."
-Tom

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"Hello, Smoke House? Can I place an order for some garlic bread before we get evacuated?... Hey, I guess you really are a 'smoke house" now, ha ha... hello?"

-Matt

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"Dad, dad, I assure you, the air quality in Los Angeles is nothing to be concerned about. We're fine. In fact, I'm outside right now and I've got to admit, it's GREATLY IMPROVED!"

-Matt
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“Forget the raging inferno, a giant hand is attacking me.”

-Brent

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"'Tis a fair photographic record, but would look far better with motion applied."

-Eadweard Muybridge

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"Drastic times call for drastic measures, so I'm going to climb that water tower in back of me and turn on the spigot------uh, do water towers have spigots?"

-Grammie
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"...no, I will not hold. I've been on hold for almost four minutes already... Yeah, so?... Well it's gonna get even hotter when I report you to the Better Business Bureau. Don't you dare hang up on me!!! Oh, so that's how it is?! The Toluca Lake Center has not heard the last of Derek N. Alff!"
-Derek
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THANK YOU everyone for your participation in our Caption Contest, and congratulations Tom!

This Day In History - and CAPTION CONTEST

Derek on March 30, 2007

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Please think of an appropriate caption for this picture and submit via Comments, below. The contest will close on April 6, 2009. The winning entry will be announced on April 7th, and your caption will accompany this picture, wherever it is displayed or referenced, for the rest of eternity.

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Thank you!

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UPDATE 6:14 AM 4/6/09: Contest will close tonight at midnight PDT.

Fun at Griffith Park

Today we went out in search of cheap entertainment... so we ended up at Griffith Park.
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The Toothless Wonder enjoys the merry-go-round!

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A Mr. Furley-esque Maren was a little nervous. But it did present an opportunity to sneak in a Three's Company reference.

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The line for the pony rides was longer than that whole Black Stallion movie...

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But it was worth the wait!

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A rare calm moment for Maren's pony, which liked to gallop. Whoa, horsie!

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Ever-cautious Deacon was happy with his mellow pony.

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Check back Monday morning for an AFB update!

Art Showcase: "Crazy Picture" by Maren

Crazy Picture, by Maren

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I think Maren said the scribble in the middle is a house blowing up. And she was especially proud of the "curly clouds" and the googly eyes on the sun.

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Just thought we'd share something kooky during a slow news week here at the AFB.

This Day In History: March 23, 2003

Deacon and Daddy on March 23, 2003

Celebrity Sighting

Today's Celebrity Sighting, courtesy of special AFB correspondent Brent:
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President Obama, as he flew over Burbank today (after his Tonight Show appearance) in Marine One!
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This was the scene outside Brent's office window as the President flew past.

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Thanks, Brent!!

The Karate Kid Part II

Today Maren advanced to a white/gold belt in Karate!
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Very serious about today's test... Master Bryant gives Maren her black-stripe belt.

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Boards to break!

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The pressure mounts!

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First: Maren blocks shots from Master Bryant.

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The big test -- and Maren gets her new white/gold belt! (movie)

The difference between today's test and Maren's previous test... today she had to kick out rather than down to break the board. And the board was bigger and more solid, too!
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Serious business.

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The kids show off their boards!

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Asai!!!

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Maren and her Sensai.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Maren and Deacon at the zoo on March 17, 2007

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The AFB wishes everyone a very happy St. Patrick's Day!

Art Showcase: "Guy Eating Ice Cream" by Maren

Guy Eating Ice Cream, by Maren

BREAKING NEWS: DEACON WINS SPELLING BEE

12:26 PM, BURBANK, CA - This morning, Deacon won the 1st grade spelling bee at school... he will go on to represent St. Paul's in the synod regional spelling bee at California Lutheran High School in Wildomar, CA! o
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Today Deacon was thrilled to go to lunch at In-n-Out Burger in celebration.
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Update 6:24 AM 3/13/09 - The AFB has obtained a picture of Deacon enjoying his in-car dining at In-n-Out Burger yesterday.

New Feature: AFB Cares

Here at the AFB, we want everyone to know how much we care. That's why we've started our new feature, AFB Cares.
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Yesterday the kids were rummaging through a particularly crowded toy bin, so I gave them a bag and asked them to pick out some toys to donate to goodwill.
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Their generous donation is pictured below.
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I don't know exactly what these items are, but I know what a sacrifice they must have been. Remember... the AFB Cares!

BREAKING NEWS: DEACON LOSES TOOTH

10:56 AM, Burbank, CA - His front tooth had been hanging by a thread for months, so today at his dentist appt. (for an unrelated issue) the dentist kindly (and at no charge) yanked it out.

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Unlike a previously swallowed lost tooth, this one is safe and in an undisclosed location.

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Deacon is looking forward to tonight's visit by the Tooth Fairy.

Our Favorite Pennsylvanians!

This past week we had a great visit with Kristy, Jon and Lily, who came to Southern California all the way from Lansdale, PA!
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Kristy and I go way back to 2nd grade in Orangevale, CA... now we're taking direction from 4 1/2 year-old Lily, who skillfully composed this shot with specific direction to the on-camera talent and photographer. You go, girl!!

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First stop at Disneyland: the Mad Hatter store!

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Hatted up: Kristy, Lily and Jon.

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After they spent two days at Disneyland, we were honored that they spent their very last vacation day with us in Burbank! Assuming they hadn't had enough of Disney for one lifetime, they took a few minutes to watch the Disney Channel...
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...and tour the Disney studio lot. (Thanks to Kristy & Jon for these pics!)

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Even the Studio Theatre, currently undergoing renovation, provided a Disney-themed photo-op.
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I'm sure the late Frank G. Wells would have been proud to know that his building provided the backdrop for the reunion of two gals who experienced many of life's great milestones (like going to the mall without our moms for the first time) together.

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Kristy, Jon and Lily -- hope you had a great trip back, and we're looking forward to seeing you again soon!!

This Day In History: March 5, 2008

Derek on March 5, 2008

This Day In History: March 3, 2002

Deacon on March 3, 2002

Happy 10th Birthday Jessica!!

Jessica is turning the big 1-0 today!!

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We enjoyed celebrating with her yesterday at her birthday party.

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This isn't Jessica, but since it was a cute picture of Maren I had to include it!

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This is cute, too.

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Should we do a caption contest for this one??

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Time for the pinata. Maren inspects the rope.

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Experienced pinata putter-upper Michael rigs the latest pinata, themed High School Musical 3, for its beating.

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After William knocks it down, Deacon busts the pinata open.
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Candy grab!

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The ultimate February sport: a boogie-board-on-a-skateboard ride in the garage.
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Jessica's cake, decorated by... Jessica, of course.
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Maren is closest to the cake.

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And finally... here's David, full of sugar and having the time of his life wearing only socks, a diaper and a helmet.

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Happy 10th birthday, Jessica Mae!! You are a great young lady, and we love you!