December Days

Rota Walk . . . a tropical Christmas tradition here on the base. Homes on Rota Drive decorate like crazy and pass out goodies. Merry Christmas from Guam!

Beautiful sunset at Tumon Bay

The famous candy drop from a C-130 during Rota Walk!

Priceless photo #1: Kayle as an elf . . .

Priceless Photo #2: Brooke & G - peeking out from behind a tree!

Freckle Juice book report - brings back memories :-) Book by Judy Blume

Gavin at Univ. of Guam - playing after picnic lunch & planetarium & art gallery

Brooke at a field trip to Gef Pa'go . . . yes, Gavin was just there on a field trip a few weeks ago; however, Brooke enjoyed the tug o' war game which Gavin's class didn't get to do :-)

Soccer game at a local high school - you can see Two Lover's Point in the background, which overlooks Tumon Bay.

BB & Kim at Gavin's class potluck

The view (sunrise) as Kayle heads out the door to catch the bus in the morning!

Study Trip for Gavin's class to Gef Pa'go

Here is Gavin on his first field trip of first grade - it's called "study trip" - guess field trip sounded too fun :-) Anyway, the kids got to see how life was here on the island many years ago, you know before electricity ... a carabao (aka water buffalo - think of the song from Veggie Tales), weaving from coconut leaves, making rope, an old house with bug netting around the beds (and no mattress either), coconout husking & grating and coconut candy, and how sea salt was made (tasty!)

GHS Soccer 2009

Soccer days are here again . . . different location this year :-) These photos are from the first game last week. Kayle played almost the entire game and was quite worn out at the end. It sure is fun to watch him play and be so aggressive!

Red Ribbon Week

Here's the only 1st grader to participate in Red Ribbon Week's poster contest at his school.

And here's one of the Brooke - not sure what happened with the camera :-(

Home sweet home . . . for now

Now you'll know what our home looks like . . . from the outside it's the same as most of them on base and the inside has our personal touches . . . . Main bath

Dining area (computer for kids, reading couch, etc)

Living room

the kitchen

The front

from the side facing the street (yes, it was VERY humid that day)

GHS Homecoming

So here's the man of the hour . . . still awaiting a most comical photo of him dressed up as a nerd in a girl's pink t-shirt!

A lone soldier . . .

This weekend we praised God as Typhoon Melor went north of us and are praying for those who were in its path. On Sunday, we were able to go to Talofofo Falls and Park. This is where Sgt. Yokoi lived in hiding for 28 years, presumably unaware that WWII was over and America had liberated Guam. Yokoi hunted primarily at night and used much of the native plants to form clothes, bedding, and storage implements, which he carefully hid in his cave. He was found in 1972 in the jungle by two local men who were checking their shrimp traps along a small river on Talofofo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoichi_Yokoi Cave replica
Brooke & Gavin & a pirate (We ate lunch at Jeff's Pirate Cove . . .

delicious burgers & a gorgeous view)
Jungle man
Brandon, Brooke & G
Kim & 2 of the kids

Last weekend . . .

Late Saturday afternoon, we went to an overlook of Tarague Beach (here on the base) and then drove down to it to walk around and enjoy the sunset . . . as you can see from the photo, we did enjoy the beauty! Gavin, BB & Brooke at the overlook
Tarague Beach Sunset - to the right (east)
Tarague Beach Sunset to the left (west)

We all enjoyed snorkeling in Tumon Bay and playing in the water . . . a relaxing Sunday afternoon on Guam.

Brooke & Gavin

Last Days at the Pool for Now

We spent the last two days at the pool before it closed for an 8 month remodel . . . the kids are doing amazing for just practicing swimming around . . . they both got brave and jump off the diving board on their own - and even Gavin can almost make it back to the edge by himself . . . I didn't get any pictures of the waterslide, but they enjoyed that too! We look forward to the opening next year and will have to spend our water time at the beach instead . . . BUMMER - HA! HA! Actually, I think there is a pool at the little Naval outpost around the corner from here.

Gavin diving . . . he is actually getting the hang of it!

There he went . . . and here goes Brooke!

Jumping in from the diving board!

Trying to dive . . . one of the first tries before he got the hang of it.

Gavin's turn! Check this one out Mom!

Air Force Ball 2009

So last night was the 62nd Air Force Ball at the Hyatt here in Guam . . . thought you would enjoy the few pictures I took . . . wishing I would've taken the time to take a couple with the beautiful scenery outside . . . the ocean, the beautiful sky . . . next year!
BB
Col. Fingal
Lt. Col. Cihak








Patti Cihak
Ronda Fingal
Kim







Kim & BB

Scenes from life on Guam

Island flowers










Brooke surfin'










Gavin crashin'











Such love, such a pose for the camera . . . I'm impressed!












The sign welcoming us home . . . for now.

Gavin & hermit crab at Ritidian Point

Swimming after the storm passed by at Ritidian Point

Driving through the jungle to get to Ritidian :-)

Nightly view . . . this was one night after leaving the commissary.