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

Day 3 Vacation

We headed to Haputo Beach today, which is on the North Navy base. It is 300 feet down to the beach. I'm pretty sure it is 500 feet back up! Olivia weighed 31 pounds going down, but I'm pretty sure she weighed 200 pounds coming up!

A view from the top

Tough ride for Olivia

Lunch on the beach

Hermit crabs like PB&J too!

Finally, back on top!

What's on tap tonight: Two Lover's Point & dinner out

Vacation Day 2

Day 2 was one of flexibility. We were supposed to go diving with a neighbor, but her daughter ended up sick. So, the rest of us headed to Navy. We did a quick pit-stop at the dive shop to sign up for boat dives this weekend. Then, we headed to the beach. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the beach was closed due to bacteria in the water. Plan B: We headed to Fisheye -- a nice, easy dive where Grandma & Olivia & Katelee could watch as Grandpa, Mark, & Courtney made faces in the window. We'll squeeze a few more dives in this week before hitting the boats. Here are a few pics, but there are plenty more at Taylor Photos (link on right).

Vacation Day 1

Grandma and Grandpa arrived safely yesterday. So, what do you do with Day 1? Considering the jetlag, you have to get some sunlight! Thus, head for the beach! Of course, style is everything, and Olivia has done her job to make sure we are looking good.


Of course, a little time was set aside to spoil the grandkids too. Olivia actually slept until 8:30 this morning (after keeping her up until 8:30 last night). That gave plenty of time to enjoy time out on the porch with Katelee before Olivia woke up and showed off her tricycle skills.

We headed down to Tarague Beach for about an hour. That gave time to get into the ocean, find some shells, and catch some hermit crabs.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing while Mark worked. Yes, Mark had to work this weekend. But that is ok. He has the rest of the week off!

Tomorrow? Diving!

They're Heeeeere

Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell arrived on island tonight. They will be here the next 2 weeks. Look for more pictures from the next two weeks!

Happy Birthday to Courtney

Well, Courtney turned 26 (again) this year. She opted to dress up in a Playboy outfit and paint the town red (picture below). Of course, she'll deny it, and just tell you some story, like . . .


It was a pretty casual day on Friday. She was able to be surprised with a new addition to her Willow Tree Angels collection. She added "Angel's Embrace." Since we still had a ton of food and sweets from Easter and Mark's birthday and a going away party, she opted for no cake. But, she enjoyed a nice lunch with Mark and the girls. Then, we all went to Bamboo Willies, a restaurant by the beach for dinner. She was able to slip away that night with the girls for a movie night. Pride and Prejudice!

Mark and Courtney are planning a night out to celebrate her birthday later this week. Grandma and Grandpa are visiting and will be babysitting! Yeah!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY

Snake Phobia?

2008 mar 048, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Evidently, our girl is not afraid of snakes. The kids took a field trip to the USDA this afternoon to look at the trapped snakes. Olivia was right in there, petting the snakes. Go figure.

Happy Easter

We woke up at 5 a.m. this morning to make it to the Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. Courtney had to remind me why we wake up that early. Pure craziness. Nonetheless, the sun rising over the Pacific Ocean is nice. Olivia wore her pretty new dress (DRESS B from the post below) and her styling sun glasses. After the service, we enjoyed a light breakfast before coming home.

Then we had time to find what the Easter Bunny had left the girls. Olivia searched through the house for the eggs and her basket, which was hidden under her bed-along with a little bunny doll house.

We hung out for a while longer, eating chocolate, before heading back to the church for a Children's Message and Easter egg hunt. There were about 100 kids, which meant each kid could collect only 12 eggs (yes that makes 1200 total) during the hunt. I use the term "hunt" very loosely here. It would be like "hunting" snow at the North Pole. The ground was covered. Olivia, even in her sleep deprived and sugar-shocked state, managed to find 4 eggs.

After "the hunt," we went back home and took some well-deserved naps. Courtney has been busy making deviled eggs and Grandma's white coconut cake. We are heading to a friend's house tonight for a dinner party. Mark has been busy watching March Madness basketball games. Olivia has been busy eating more chocolate. Katelee has been busy sleeping.

Happy Easter!

Birthday Activities

A neighbor and Mark shared Saturday as their birthdays. However, they chose to celebrate in vastly different ways.

The neighbor's idea of a good birthday celebration included waking early, running 4 miles, biking 44 miles, enjoying brunch with friends, and then swimming 4 miles.

Mark's plan: Brunch sounded good.

Actually, we woke up early and did an Easter egg hunt at the neighbor's house (yes, the same neighbor who did all that physical activity also had time to hide eggs in the morning!).

Then, we were visited by the Guam Birthday Monitor Lizard. He didn't bring any gifts though.

Saturday afternoon, we headed to Tarza water park. It is a local water park with several slides and a lazy river. We arrived around 2:00, and the park closes at 4:00. That was just about the right amount of time though. We "convinced" (made) Olivia go down the slides a couple times, but she mainly wanted to circle the Lazy River over and over and over. We all had a good time though.

Then, that evening, Courtney arranged for a babysitter to watch Olivia while we went out to dinner. We enjoyed a good steak at Ruby Tuesdays, a decadent chocolate cake dessert, and a two-scoop ice cream birthday surprise. We made it back around 10, which was good since we had sunrise service the next day.

Flashback to November 2007

We are still unpacking in our new house, and we found these in the office the other day. They are the professional shots taken right before leaving the hospital. Katelee would have been about 2 weeks old. I think she has gained a little weight since then!