G&G Vacation Day 4

Today started super early, as we pulled off base at about 6:30am to catch a boat dive out of Agat. The first shot is of Grandpa checking the time as we decsend. Unfortunately, he had a miserable dive -mask would not clear and we think he must have gotten "mask sqeeze". When I looked at him half way thru the dive, his eyes looked nearly swollen shut! He refused to surface, stubborn man, so we finished the dive, getting some cool shots of the 4 anenome and 3 lionfish we found. I still got cold, but never chilled, so that was good! The second dive, we did a bit of snorkeling which, for me, was just as good!

In the evening, we rescued Grandma from cabin fever by making a run to Chamorro Village where we...watched some island dancers...
took a ride on the swings-which Katelee was begging to try...
sucked down some fruit slushies...
fought the crowds to accomplish all-important shopping...
until we piled back into the car, tired and happy!

G&G Vacation Day 4

Today was our annual Underwater World/Vitale's day-and it was a lot of fun! Everyone loved the aquarium, but I think we all secretly just want to get to the lunch portion of the outing. Vitale's has the best pasta sauce-hands down.

Then after good naps we drove down to the dive shop to get Dad a new snorkel (he lost his during our dive yesterday) and to get myself a wet suit (I was chilled to the bone on yet another dive). Then we had a picnic in the car before wandering around the War in the Pacific Memorial Park at sunset. It was beautiful.

G&G Vacation Day 3

Gab Gab was calling our name, so off into the wild blue water we went! It felt good to get back in the water-good and cold! We saw two turtles right off the bat, so we were pretty excited and satisfied with the dive as a whole, even though we did not find the anenome everyone tells me is magnificent. I am sure it is. I just can't find the darn thing. Since Grandma suffered through most of the day with the kiddos, she was treated to a massage after the girls went to bed-not nearly a sufficient thank you for all that she has done! Sorry no underwater pics. Forgot the camera.

G&G Vacation Day 2

Day 2 was a busy day! We started off right with a morning at church. Then it was off to Jeff's Pirates Cove for their famous cheeseburgers, joined by my friend Missy Kersey and her lovely daughter, Madison. With full bellies, we were off to the tidal pools! We did a lot of exploring, took a few pictures, found some cool shells and just played in the water. It was a great time in the sun! Unfortunately, the camera did not take great pics, but you can at least get the idea!

G&G Vacation Day 1

We are off to a good start with a day at the Pacific Island Club under our belt-thanks to some good friends! I thought we got out the door in good shape, but when we arrived, learned that we had forgotten a hat for Katelee and all the cameras-so no good water shots. We went home with one exhausted and one raring to go!

They're Here!

It was Friday evening as we headed for the airport where we waited...

and waited...

and waited.

Finally, they arrived! Hugs and smiles all around!

Choco-Face

As a little treat after a good dinner, the girls and I enjoyed some Nutella-covered strawberries. Nutella is chocolate-hazelnut spread I was turned onto in Switzerland. Yum. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dessert. I also thoroughly enjoyed Kate's face! Hope you do, too!Liv, pretty as always.

Katelee Hammin' it Up for the Cam!

Just A'swingin'

This is Katelee's first time really swinging all by herself! She wanted to stay there for a long time, but as you can see, she was not altogether convinced she was loving it. Liv, on the other hand, could swing and spin all day long! She reminds me of me when I was a little girl. Katelee has since decided it is the best thing since chocolate covered strawberries! Do you love that Liv is out there in her jammies? And it was afternoon!

Isn't She Lovely

The girls have apparently been getting their fill of mother-daughter time. The sidewalk chalk is being applied just like Mama's makeup! Katelee actually started the trend. Liv just perfected it.

Joys of Technology

The joys of technology are marvelous. How is it we can say hello, little pieces of data travel through a cable, pop out the other side, and flies through the speakers as

"Jello."

"No thank you." I usually reply. "But, I did eat some pudding at dinner."

"You are trying to put it thinner? Put what thinner?"

"Pot pie dinner? Is that what you are having tonight? That sounds good."

What are you..............oh, sorry, go ahead.
.........Have you had any...............oh, sorry, go ahead.

(5 minutes of silence follow, fearful of "stepping on" the other person's words)

Finally . . .

I was just saying . . .
I was just saying . . .



But, all in all, conversations generally go well, and we are very thankful for the time to be able to connect. We are all looking forward to big hugs and kisses though.

Pictures

It is shameful how long it has been! And now I am kind of copping out. Just wanted to let everyone know Liv's birthday pics-the ones I took, anyway, are uploaded to flickr. Hit the link for our photos to check them out!

Getting Brave!

Thursday is playgroup at our house. Katelee discovered the red wagon this week and Sister was more than happy to pull her around. These two shots say more than a thousand words!

This afternoon we headed to the beachside playground with some friends. Liv was off playing, but I got this shot of Katelee in the sand before my camera battery died. She was a little unsteady-

Happenings

The days simply fly by here on the island. We try to stay busy to help the time pass quickly, which seems to be working. I will try to get better about keeping this thing updated! Here are some random shots just to let you all know what we have been doing.

Last weekend, Guam was visited by the Christain band Sonic Flood. Our chapel praise team went to the concert on Saturday night and then hung out a little while at the beach with them on Sunday-there is a pic from Sunday, but I don't have it yet. Sunday, the two protestent services combined, so we got to worship with the gospel folks and man can they rock it out! The energy was contagious and we all had a ball! It was also very cool to spend time with the praise team outside of chapel-what an amazing group.

Eating out is something we tend to do 2-3 times per week, and on this particular occation, we were at a local chinese favorite enjoying some honey walnut shrimp (although, I am certain not as good as what LaDonna made!) They love the kids at this place and always bring out a dish of ice cream for each. As you can see, Katelee enjoyed it immensely-as she licked the dish clean!

We are certainly a household of girls-playing dress-up is a regular thing- and not just dressup-it has to be princess dress up. Here, Liv poses with the crown our friend made her. She has told me just recently that she is not a princess, though. At least not yet. Not until she marries Nolan...oh, my. She is not even 4 yet! I tell her she is a princess to Dad and I, but she just shrugs her shoulders as if to say, "whatever mom, I already told you. Not til I'm married. To Nolan" Lorri, what are we going to do with these two?

Reading Nook

Not too long ago, I reagrranged furniture in our living room and ended up creating a little reading nook for the girls. It has recently become a favorite spot-especially for Katelee...check it out!

The girls sharing some quiet time in the afternoon.

On this day, all Katelee wanted to do was cuddle up with teddy and share a story...if only he were not so big. As you can see, little deters her once she sets her mind.

Not feeling so great, but cute as can be.


I was again taken by her quiet time and snuck over to catch the moment on film...

Her reaction was less than thrilled-she is basically telling me off in this shot!

Bummin' Around

At the end of a very uneventful day (I did not even get out of my jammies til after noon) the girls and I headed down to Tumon Bay with some friends. It was a bit cool-for Guam-but a good time was had by all. Katelee has officially become a beach baby-she was loving the water and would go in all by herself! She even laughed when she fell and got her face in the water. Olivia had fun and is such a great big sister. After getting the water bugs cleaned up, we headed to dinner. Taco salad. Yum. Now the girs are both snug in bed-as I plan to be soon! Only got the one photo, but that is something!