Happy Valentine's Day!

My friend, Lauren and I started a mom's group several weeks ago that has grown and grown. We've actually had to move from having it at alternating houses to having it at the chapel on the hospital complex. This is more of Lauren's baby than mine but I think I'll be taking the reins (along with Jen) once she leaves this coming spring/summer :-( The kids (and moms) really seem to enjoy themselves. We had an activity for the kids, making hearts out of handprints and one of the moms, Jeni gave a bit of a sign language class for us. Our goal is to get childcare and do alternating mom time/mom with child time. The days when we have mom time will be spent learning a new craft such as quilting, knitting, scrapbooking, etc. My contribution will be to learn how to blog for those that don't know how to. I'm self taught and it took me a while to get where I'm at so I'd love to help others do it. It's a great way to keep in touch with family/friends back home.

Tyler enjoying a cupcake while Ian looks on. Ian is almost one and is a cute lil thing. He actually did manage to get a quick finger into the cupcake. Tyler barely noticed!

Mom's and kids doing a little dance while learning how to do basic baby sign language.

Jeni demonstrating the sign for milk. Actually looks like you're squeezing an udder!

My surrogate daughter Kate posing for a picture. Look at her lil cheese grin!

Moms enjoying time with other moms.

Chinese New Year

We had lunch at Tony Roma's after church today and were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the dragon dance celebrating the Chinese New Year. They had very big and very loud drums...the baby was freaked out at first then calmed down. That's when Logan got upset. I have no idea why...a big scary looking dragon jumping around?? Who wouldn't be scared! That thing freaked me out a little! I can't wait to go to China and see the real thing at the Imperial Palace.

After the excitement.

He ate a whole jar of carrots tonight! Then I nursed him. What a little piglet! He couldn't get enough of the carrots.

Not much to say

I'm racking my brain for something interesting to post but I can't come up with much. I went to a craft fair today, got tires put on my car, went to the brand new Home Depot (first ever on island!) and took Logan to swim lessons. Here's some photos from today and yesterday...

Teaching Logan how to ride a bike yesterday.

Ryland chillin in the jogging stroller.

This sign was above a trash can at a little diner we stopped at. Ewwww!

I took this picture with this saying in mind:

Reach for the SON, in anyway you can.

This little spot was set up in a commercial area right next to a storage trailer. Just thought it was funny with chickens walking around it.

Hamamoto Tropical Fruit World

We had a great time on our trip to the fruit world. We got to ride a tractor tram thing all around the jungle. There was various fruit plants from all over the Pacific region such as Guava, Mango, Star Fruit, Egg Fruit, etc. It was very interesting. Tyler had a good time at first but then it took a bit of coaxing to get him to stay on the thing. Guess learning about plants isn't his thing! (yet!) Here are some of the pictures from our trip and more can be found in our web album.

The inseparables

Peanut Butter Fruit Tree! It actually tastes like the real thing and has the same consistency only it's a little bit sweeter.

Here's some coconut trees that were cut down and looks like they are being replaced with new ones!

Guava Tree

Going back to school

I was talking with a friend today and she told me about a Community College in CA that offers assistance to military spouses. It's called Coastline Community College and here's the link: http://military.coastline.edu/index_sp.cfm

It's only $59 per unit, they send you the textbooks for FREE, you can complete your degree from anywhere, there are no application or registration fees AND there are five 8-wk sessions per year to get your degree faster! I'm pretty excited about this and have to figure out how to do it while still maintaining the house and taking care of the kids. (Looks like Chris will have his work cut out for him!) He's very encouraging and supports me 100% so I'm sure that won't be a problem.

Anyhow, just wanted to share for my military friends since it's such a great opportunity. Thanks Jenn for the great info!!

Random Photos

Here's just a few random photos taken over the last few days. Nothing much going on here but that won't stop me from updating my blog! I feel an overwhelming sadness when I think of all the family and friends in the states that we miss. I know some of you feel the same so my hope is to make you feel sort of like you're here even though you're not. Logan is having a great time in school lately. He did go through a rough period for a while when he was having some separation anxiety but I think it was due to the Christmas break and being home all that time. Now he's doing great and he's taken up tennis at school. Tyler is mello as usual. He likes hanging with mom during the day but really looks forward to when Logan comes home. Ryland has started rolling over and gets the biggest kick out of it. The look on his face is priceless when he does it. He's so impressed with himself! Chris is doing well, staying busy, busy, busy with his job as the Legal representative for the hospital as well as his usual job of supply. We're looking forward to the summer to see if he makes the next rank and then we can get an idea of where we will head next. We want to come back to the states but always keep our options open...I'm thinking Europe! WOO HOO! I've always wanted to travel there. As for myself, just battling strep throat that I've had for a week, untreated. I finally got on antibiotics and am slowly starting to feel better.

Did you know that Japanese can fly? Well only when they are parasailing!

Daddy and Tyler

The neighborhoodlums...they look like a little gang!

Chris said that it looks like Ryland is stuck between two pillows....thanks a lot Chris!

Jungle Riverboat Cruise

We had a very successful garage sale today and made more than we expected. I think we might buy a nice printer with the earned money or at least that's what I'd like to do since Chris sold ours today!

After that we went on Tyler's Birthday excursion to the other side of the island for a boat ride into the jungle. Just when I think I've seen all of Guam's beauty I'm blown away once again.

Here's the view from the boat at the beginning of our tour.

Here's where I'm going to build a house to retire ;-)

Here's where my rope swing is going to hang.

This island lifestyle is starting to grow on me, can you tell?

Standing next to the remains of a thousand year old Chamorran house. See the pics in the web album for more information.

A japanese girl was enamored with Tyler's eyes...he of course, did not want to be bothered.

Beautiful statue that I've always wanted a picture of Mary and Jesus.

All tuckered out!