Remembering Grandpa

We are so grateful we could make the trip back to Utah in August for many reasons, especially because we got to see Grandpa for what turned out to be the last time. (Pictured here w/ Grandma, Jeff Rowell, Dad and Uncle Lynn). Grandpa David passed away last week in Salt Lake City. This picture was taken at what was probably the biggest, and first in a long time, David family reunion. We are so grateful we all got to be together for this and that he could see his whole family together. When I think about Grandpa, I remember the great times like golfing with he and Dad and Jeff, running to his house for breakfast on Saturday mornings, but I also can't help but being reminded of him just by being here. Over 60 years ago Grandpa too was sent by the Navy to the South Pacific, but his experience was far different. Because of him and thousands of other sailors serving in such dangerous circumstances, I can bring my family here to a peaceful island paradise, a free island (which for 4 years of WWII was occupied by the Japanese under pretty horrific conditions). Grandpa, we thank you for your service to this country, but we'll remember you for your sense of humor, your love of sports (go Utes!), but most of all your love for all of us. We'll miss you Grandpa!

Swimsuits and pajamas....all you need!

From June in Virginia to August in Utah continuing through November and beyond in Guam, it's one long summer for the kids. I don't think they realize they may not feel cold until 2010, but they're enjoying it now. The girls are pretty much professional dog paddlers, but they're slowly learning to swim, and it's even easier w/ fins and a snorkel! We had so much fun seeing everyone in Utah this August too, and wanted to put a picture of that up. More pics of our Utah trip coming soon. Despite the warm weather here, one thing that does not feel summer like is the early sunset. It's dark here in Guam by 6:15 every night, all year round, so outdoor play can be cut short, especially on a weekday. One of the many little things we're getting used to.

2 additions to our family.....again!

Thankfully this round of double family addition is a little easier adapting to than the famous 2002 fiasco! Yep, instead of twins, we brought 2 kittens into our family. Twinkie is the orange one being held by Emma, and his sister Daisy is being held by Andie. Yes there are midnight feedings and expensive formula, but, like any family, the key is pawning the work off on the "older" kids! Actually they love the kittens, probably too much. Either they'll grow up to be very people friendly cats, or they'll become the anitsocial felines of death! (like Smoke)

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

This is a crazy hike that starts down a cliff with steps carved out of the rock by the Spanish when they settled the island. You go from cliff, to the thick jungle seen here, to a beautiful lagoon with some incredible snorkeling. You can't help but feel like Indiana Jones on this one with all the spiders and creatures. This is also only 2 miles from our home on the base! Speaking of our home, we finally moved in 2 months after arriving and it's small but we have our stuff back! When the kids opened their own stuff again after 3 months of seperation it was like Christmas. The kids are really enjoying living here. There's a playground in our backyard, tons of kids, and we're a mile from a great beach. Dad's favorite part was being able to buy a grill, and know he can comfortably use it 365 days a year.

First Day of School/Jordan saving the day

As if the kids didn't have enough changes recently, the girls also entered the world of school by starting Kindergarten a few days after arriving on the island. Kindergarten here is all day too, which according to Emma is way too long. Mom, with her newfound freedom however, thinks it's just about right! Jordan is the big 3rd grader now, but still has time to capture giant hermit crabs for the good of all mankind.

A little taste of Utah???

This was our first "hike" on Guam, which actually has decent mountains. It's different from Utah hiking; think more thick jungle, bigger spiders, and alot more sweating! Hiking and mountain biking are big here though. Its so fun to be hiking and run into a spider web the size of Oregon and a banana spider as big as your fist. Whaoooohooo! We just love that!! (as Andie and Emma would put it, Sick!) The kids love all the creatures of the outdoors here. Every night at dusk there are are tons of frogs in the yard and everywhere. Frogs: cool, Boonie Bees: not cool. They are large, aggressive little stinks, Jordan got stung 3 times last week. So if they make a "Bee Movie" about Guam bees it'll be Jack Nicholson, not Jerry Seinfeld doing the voice!

You live where??

We arrived on Guam Aug 27th. This was the view from our first hotel room, overlooking Tumon Bay, the vacation hotspot on the island. The water is only about 2-3 ft deep for about 200 yards, so it looked like people were walking on water because they were so far out. We wanted our main photo to be of the water because that's our favorite part of Guam so far. It's warm, clear, and we've had a blast as a family swimming and snorkeling, and as Jordan puts it, looking down into the Marianas trench for undiscovered sea creatures! Even the girls have learned how to snorkel, and we've seen starfish, crabs, octopus, and a bunch of fish. Being the only non-Japanese at the Hotel was fun too, except our breakfast buffet featured more squid than sausage (guess which family member was good with that!), all part of the adventure we guess.