Poon Party

Mark and Courtney slipped out for an afternoon movie while Olivia stayed with a babysitter. Then, when we returned, we headed to a party. This was a 4 year old birthday party for 2 of the neighborhood kids at the Poon's house. The Poons know how to party! With a Western theme, the party was a blast, complete with horse, pin the tail on the donkey, boot mugs, a pinata, and cowboy boots cake. Needless to say, Olivia had fun.

Giddy Up!

Mom, you ate my hot dog!!!

Look at me sitting up!

Critters!

2:00 a.m. -- The night was dark and silent, except for the whir of the fan on the dresser. As Mark slept, a silent killer crept up his neck. It felt like a hermit crab coming to attack and claim its prize. As Mark went to slap it off his neck, he realized it was actually Olivia's hand feeling for him in the darkness. "There is a critter in my bed," she said.

Mark picked her up and took her back to her bedroom. He placed her back in her bed. She seemed scared and repeated that critters were in her bed. We turned on the light and searched the bed for critters. None. Mom came in about that time, and Mark went back to sleep. She got Olivia back to sleep by climbing into bed with her and singing to her.

2:37 a.m. -- The night was dark and silent, except for a little girl whispering in Mark's ear. "Dad, there are critters in my bed. He walked her back down the hallway, but they stopped in Katelee's room. The room still has the double bed in it from the grandparents' visit. He tucked her in there, left the light on, and went back to sleep.

2:38 a.m. -- Mark heard a noise in the hallway, so he got back up and checked it out. Olivia had shut the door to Katelee's room so no critters could get into the room. And, the rest of the night was quiet. Olivia actually slept until 7:30 (an hour and a half past normal).

Was it a dream? Was it real? Only Olivia really knows.

Vacation Day 12

Today it was back to the beach for a little snorkeling-even for Grandma! Grandpa saw two octopi swimming just feet below him, and then he and Courtney were stalked by a lone barracuda-lucky for us he was alone! Katelee enjoyed a nap in the shade and Olivia found a coconut crab! It was a good last hoorah. Tomorrow we will sadly put them on an airplane to go home. Here are a few pics in review. Oh, yeah. Mark worked.

Vacation Day 11

Today we took a break from the sun, seeing as how Katelee got her first sunburn yesterday. It was bound to happen! Grandma and Courtney had a fun day of shopping while Grandpa had his quality time with the girls. For dinner, we went to Firefly. It turned out to be a rather elegant establishment-especially for Guam! The food and company was fabulous. Then we ducked into Chamorro Village so Grandma could pick up a couple more souvenires. These pics are to prove that we did get some with Mark in the picture.

Vacation Day 10

Mark worked.

Meanwhile, Courtney, Wade, & Jessica went diving again. They hit up "Blue and White" and "The American Tanker." Jessica made up for Mark's absence in the photo department by taking 122 pictures!

Grandma played with the girls in the park.

Then, we enjoyed a good March Madness Championship game between KU and Memphis.

Tomorrow's plan? Not sure yet!

Vacation Day 9 (edited version)

Mark had to work today, but the others had a good time heading downtown to catch a trolley. They started at one mall and went to another. At the second mall, they stopped for lunch and ice cream. They did a little shopping before returning.

After Olivia's nap, they tried out Olivia's new cooking set -- complete with baking pan and cookie cutouts. Mark made it home a bit after 5, and everyone headed to the Jamaican Grill for Jerk Chicken and Ribs.

Tomorrow: another boat dive for Courtney and Wade. Grandma will play on the beach with the girls. Mark will be working with no bitterness.

How about a pic from the week?

Katelee eats her first rice in preparation for Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Vacation Day 9

Mark worked.

Who knows what the free-loaders did for fun today?

Vacation Day 8

Another day under the sea! We headed out early again this morning for another boat dive. This time, we went to "Crevice Drift" and then "Pete's Reef." We were guided by a friend/neighbor/dive instructor who led us down to 100 feet for a picture next to a huge fan. Then, she guided us all over the site.

The water was crystal clear, and it was a great dive. Courtney found her customary hermit crab shell (with critter still inside). And we took many great pictures of all the cool stuff.

After "The Crevice," we headed to our next dive site -- "Pete's Reef." It was an easy dive with lots of coral. Of course, lots of coral means lots of fish, shells, starfish, and even an octopus.

Jessica & Courtney

After diving, one is quite hungry. So, we all headed to Jan Z's restaurant. Grandma, Katelee, and Olivia had another big day of playing in the park next to the marina. Katelee did well again, eating a little rice when she got hungry. Olivia took her 3-wheeler and zipped around the park. She was even invited to ride on a Caribou, which she accepted!

Everyone enjoyed a laid back evening, and Courtney invited everyone to watch "Becoming Jane." Unfortunately, the blog needed updated, so Mark wasn't able to watch. Maybe another night. However, Mark heads back to work tomorrow, so he may be a bit tired at night. Could he be more tired than after a day of chasing the grandparents around all day though?

Vacation Day 7

Today was a test of endurance . . . for Katelee. We've been trying to get her to take a bottle all week, and yesterday, we fed her some rice oatmeal (we'll post those pics later). All of this was in an attempt to let Grandma babysit while Courtney, Mark, and Wade went diving. Unfortunately, she never really took to it. But, we tried it anyway.

So, we all woke up early this morning (6 a.m.), fed Katelee, and headed south to the Marina. We fed Katelee again when we got to the boat (8 a.m.), and then we said goodbye for 4 hours. Grandma was on her own! But, the story we got was Katelee did fine.

Meanwhile, underwater, we enjoyed "The Blue Hole" and "Coral Gardens." Enjoy a few pics below (and more at Flickr).

Vacation Day 6

We slept in a little bit this morning before heading down to Tumon Bay and Underwater World. Of course, we saw all kinds of sea life -- turtles, sharks, fish, eels, seahorses, etc. It has the World's longest walk-through tunnel, and everyone seemed to like it (even Katelee). Olivia even was able to pet a shark!

Afternoon plans: Gerri is putting her trust in a German hair stylist named Marko. Olivia and Katelee are getting some sleep. Mark is babysitting sleeping angels. Wade ventured out with Courtney and Gerri. He may be wanting Marko to cut his hair too. I'm not sure.

Vacation Day 5

Well, Mark & Courtney finally ventured beyond the city walls without the little ones. It is the first time we have left Katelee for any extended period of time since she won't take a bottle. But, we tried it. We headed to Navy for a quick trip and were back a bit after lunch. We received a call on the way back though wondering how much longer we'd be gone since Katelee wasn't agreeing to the bottle-negotiations. This may make our weekend dive plans a bit more complicated!


After nap, we headed to GPO, a local mall, and the movie theater. We saw Horton Hears a Who, which seems to have gotten a "A" from our group. I believe I heard out-loud-laughter from our group.


After the movie, the hunting instincts of the women kicked in as we entered Ross. I think I actually saw them drooling. I know Katelee was. A couple pair of shoes and some seat cushions later, we left for the food court and dinner. After dinner, we enjoyed a bit of local entertainment as some kids performed dance routines outside the mall.


No pictures from today, so I'll just post one from earlier in the week.


What's on tap tomorrow: Underwater World in the morning and a hair stylist named Marko in the afternoon. Wade & Mark will find alternative afternoon activities!

Vacation Day 4 (Part 2)

We made it down to Chamorro Village tonight. We started with a good dinner of Meat on a Stick. Mmmmmm. Really, how do you beat that? Then, we perused through the shops, finding a bracelet for Olivia. Then, we circled back to the kids' rides. Olivia rode a few rides with glee. Then, Wade was allured by a knife-makers handmade collection, and he couldn't leave without a nice one. Courtney, Mark, and Katelee headed back to the van (yes, we are driving around a friend's minivan this vacation period) to feed Katelee. Meanwhile, the grandparents spoiled Olivia with a shopping spree in a jewelry store!

The Cat who swallowed the Canary
or, I'm eating meat on a stick

I want some meat on a stick!

Look at all the necklaces I got out of Grandma

Are you kidding me!!!!???????

Vacation Day 4

We woke up this morning, packed up, and headed to the dive shop. We picked up a few tanks, and headed to Shirley's Coffee Shop for breakfast. Then, we headed to the beach. Grandma and the girls walked along the beach and looked at the relics while Grandpa, Courtney, and Mark went diving. Courtney found an octopus, and we also saw lots of other fish. It's naptime now, and then we are heading out to Chamorro Village tonight.

Vacation Day 3 (Part 2)

After a good afternoon nap for the girls, we all headed back out to Tumon Bay. We tried to eat at a local Italian restaurant, but it wasn't open when we were ready to eat. So, we went to Steaks & Shakes and had dinner. We still had enough time to make it to Two Lovers Point before sunset. We got some great shots. Most are located on Flickr, which you can get to by clicking the Taylor Photos link on the right.

Pre-Dinner Reading of War and Peace

Thank you Japanese lady for taking this picture

My Grandpa

Honeymooners