Random December

 We were only in town half the month, so there aren't many random photos to add. I went to Moulin Rouge with my friend Heidi and had a great time. 

A few of my Nativities

 This Christmas we decided not to decorate since we would be gone half the month. I liked the idea, but then I missed seeing my Nativities, so I found the box and brought them out. Each is special to me, and most have a memory attached. I love having these visual reminders of the Savior's birth around the house. 

We bought this one from the Polynesian Cultural Center when we took our kids to Hawaii. 

I bought this one in Cozumel when we went to get Jessica. I have it on my "Memorial Shelf"

These three are from the same shop in Europe, but bought in different countries. Mike bought the one on the left for me while traveling home from a deployment in Qatar. We bought the one in the middle together when I joined him in Germany a few years ago. The one on the right is from his trip to Scotland. (Or Ireland, I'll have to ask)

My Mother in Law Lynette bought this for me a couple years ago. 

This was the first Nativity I bought. We were poor at the time, so it's super cheap, but it's special to me. 

I bought this in Midway when Sarah and I were on a girl's trip with the Smith's and Crowtons a few years ago. 

Mike bought this for me from Deseret Books, but the wood is taken from a tree in the Holy Land

I bought this from the Whiteheads a couple years ago. Their some was making them as a fundraiser. 

I bought this one from Kohl's years ago and it's Sarah's favorite. I've agreed to give it to her when she gets married. 

Mushroom Beach, Japanese WWII caves, and beach roast

 On Monday we went to Mushroom Beach with the Jolleys and the Sorensons. Mike had to work, so it was just me and the kids. The beach was on private land, but I guess they don't care about trespassers. The beach was beautiful! It was a little stormy, but the kids didn't mind. Audrey would go in water with her snorkel mask on and let the current carry her down the beach until I came and got her. Worried me a tiny bit, but she had a lot of fun doing it. 

On Tuesday we joined Rachel and ... to explore some Japanese tunnels set up during WWII. Sarah and I didn't really want to walk around in the tunnels, so we walked to grab a drink while they all explored. Then we went on a little hike overlooking a bay at First Beach where there had been a large allied offensive. (I really need to blog when things are fresh in my mind. It's now March and I don't remember things like names and details)

That evening we had one last hoorah with the Jolleys at a beach. They'd made a bonfire and we were late because we'd gone to a recommended restaurant that wasn't that great and took forever. :) The kids roasted marshmallows and then spent some time hunting in the water. 

A couple more highlights from the trip were that I got two new nativities. Mike got me a cute mouse one from North Pole Alaska, and I got a local one. I didn't mean to get the local one, but felt obligated when the owner came to let us in. Nice additions to my collection. :)

Guam was a once in a lifetime trip for us and we're all grateful we had the opportunity to go. 

Steven and Sarah get scuba certified

 Mike met a guy from the Alaska ANG that happened to be a scuba diving instructor. He offered to certify Sarah and Steven for about half what we'd normally pay. They both wanted to, and spent about three days going through the classes. Sarah was having ear problems around 30 ft below, so she certified to that point, and Steven certified deeper. 

Christmas Eve at Gab Gab Beach and the Jolley's

The Navy base has a beautiful and well known beach called Gab Gab. A group from the local squadron puts on a potluck BBQ for traveling Airmen, so we went to eat and snorkel. The snorkeling wasn't as good as it usually is, but Steven and I thought it was great since we didn't have anything to compare it to. I brought Audrey and Mike's matching outfits, but Sarah "forgot" hers. (I may have forgotten to remind her) 

That evening we went to the Jolley's for Christmas Eve. They have an open house type party for anyone that wants to come. Buck is the Branch President, and it's a tight knit community, so they had a decent amount of people. We went home and went to bed and I got the stockings ready. We didn't want to haul presents, but I hid the family's stockings and the usuals in my bags so they'd wake up to a surprise. I apparently didn't take any pictures, but it was a really nice day. We attended church at the Buck's branch and then hung out. Okay, I took one of Audrey licking a toy from her stocking. That's it.