Southern Living

The southern half of Guam is just beautiful! We first headed to Jeff's Pirate's Cove where we ate yummy burgers and gyros, followed by a swim in the cove. Easton snorkeled a bit and was able to round out his souvineer shopping at the shop and we learned about the Japanese soldier who hid out in the jungles of Guam for 28 years after WWII. Then we headed down to the cultural village of Gef Pa'go. Next we checked out some wonderful tidal pools. Easton, Liv and Courtney climbed up over the jagged coral to see the waves pounding away as the tide came in. It was a really cool spot. After a quick swim, we went down to Umatac Bay. It is the spot where Magellan first landed in Guam. From there we learned from some local guys about the ruins of the first Spanish Catholic Church and they told us about the "fruit guy" up the hill at Fort Soledad. So, up we went to check out the view. It was amazing-Easton put up some pics of it. Then John (fruit guy) demonstrated how the locals hack the green coconut to get to the juice. He also shared with us some local bananas and star fruit. It was all so good! Katelee especially liked the nana! Wish we had a picture of her attacking it! John also let us pet his carabous. They are huge and so docile. One was pretty curious about Liv and Courtney-a little too curious! The other, as you can see, could care less about us! To round out the day, we stopped at Big Navy to buy Grandma a new camera-hers decided not to focus anymore- and have some dinner before heading home. It was an awesome day!

Easton, Olivia and Courtney jumping on the water trampline at Jeff's Pirate's Cove.

Easton's Human Post Card

Goofing off at Gef Pa'go

Exploring the Tidal Pools

Local Bananas

Fort Soledad

Check out the rains across the ocean!

Opening My First Coconut

The coconut was ok but I didn't really like it,

Cracking a coconut was not real easy considering I only had a hammer and a screw-driver to do it with. You're suposed to use a machete but they didn't have one.

Driving Around South

The Spainiard base Soledad.

We got to see a Caribow at a place on the Hillside. We also got to try a star apple there also.

This was the amazing view on the side of the hill. It also had a really cool Spainiard base spot called Soledad when Ferdinand Magellan landed on Guam.

Exciting Times

It has been a busy week! This pic is from Easton's first time snorkeling-he did great! Doesn't he look like a natural?

Katybug is trying on Mama's hat after Mark and I came in from our dive.

She is such a happy girl!

Easton gets brave at Underwater World and picks up a starfish-he even pet a shark!

The Ice Cream Store

We got the weirdest kinds of ice cream I don't even remember what they're called!

Our Day At Underwater World

Agat Beach

Diving Pics from Saturday

At The Pinning

Marks Pinning

Yesterday was an impressive ceremony congratulating Marks promotion -- complete with pizza and cake. Grandma and I were glad to be a part of it. Congradulations Taylor Family.

Beachtime Fun

The Beach

Hi Everybody

The Beach

Courtney, Olivia, and Easton at the beach

Good Morning

Today was pretty awesome. When we woke up we got ready for going to the beach while Courtney got her hair done. After she got home we got in the car and went to the beach.

Hafa Adai, Grandma and Easton!

Grandma and Easton arrived on the 5:40 flight yesterday evening. They were a good mix of exhausted and excited after their 20 hour journey half-way around the world. Easton was up before the sun, like 4am, but Grandma seems to be adjusting just fine and slept until 6 when she was awakened by the baby. This morning we took Grandma for her Guam haircut by Marco, followed by a quick trip to the oh so fabulous KMart. Easton found his shades so he was happy. Then we dined at Steaks and Shakes before heading home for naptime.

Hopefully we will get some pics up soon!

Matchmaker

Here is a story in a MO magazine featuring Courtney (kind of)!

Signature Magazine

Olivia-ism #2

Q: What is the device used to change the channel on the television or VCR from a distance?

A: A Merote.

Olivia-ism #1

Q: What is a form of brief head pain commonly associated with consumption (particularly quick consumption) of cold drinks or foods such as ice cream, slurpees, or milkshakes?

A: A Freezer Burn

B-52 Crash

It has been a tough week at Andersen. Please keep all in your prayers. The base will hold a Memorial on Friday.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123107834

7/23/2008 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) -- Air Force officials have released the names of the Barksdale crew members of the B-52 that crashed July 21 off Guam's northwest coast. Five of the six crew members were stationed here. They are Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D. Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael K. Dodson, 31, co-pilot; 1st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd, 26, navigator; and 1st Lt. Robert D Gerren, 32, electronic warfare officer.

The sixth crew member was Col. George Martin, flight surgeon and deputy commander of 36th Medical Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
(http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/07/23/b52_crash.html?sid=102)


The Barksdale Airmen were deployed to Guam with the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron as part of DOD's continuous bomber presence mission in the Pacific.

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of these Airmen," said Col. Robert Wheeler, 2d Bomb Wing commander.

"We appreciate the military and civilian organizations who are continuing recovery efforts to bring our Airmen home."

A board of officers is investigating the accident.

Another Week

It has been a relatively uneventful week. We had a relaxing day yesterday running errands -- the library, Navy for diapers, the dive shop for scheduling some boat dives and a dive computer, and Home Depot for some lawn care items. Oh yeah, there was also the stop at Steaks n Shakes for a "snack" (onion rings, chicken fingers, and shakes)! We did make it back in time to enjoy a fun dinner with some good friends and some new friends.

On the horizon: only two weeks left until Grandma Mitchell and Cousin Easton will join us in Guam.

Last Day at the PIC with the Shrewsburys

Sweet Girl / Tough Girl

Another one of Olivia's friends is leaving this weekend. Nolan had a birthday party last weekend, and this was a shot taken. We plan to do one last fun day today. We will miss them.

Tough Girl

Food is Good

As Katelee continues to grow, she continues to expand her dietary experiences.

Mmmm. Doughnuts.

Broccoli & Chicken.
Not sure how much made it in the mouth!

Happy 4th of July

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

We were able to celebrate today with a fun festival on base. We spent the morning playing games, taking cookies to new neighbors, and cleaning house a bit. After nap time, we headed to the park and the festival. They had a good cover band playing, free food, a bouncy castle, a water slide, face-painting, horse rides, and snow cones. We were only there about an hour, but it was fun. Of course, we were able to snap some great pics! Enjoy!!!

Everybody loves Snow Cones!