So Many Fun Things . . .

My "excuse" for not keeping up with the blog is the thought of having to download pictures to include (it literally takes hours for me to do one post - tech saavy person that I am NOT).  The obvious response would be, "don't include a picture."  However for me, that's the best part.  Pictures truly do contain hundreds of words, and, in my opinion are usually the best part of most blogs.  So, in an effort to get "caught up," (which I realistically realize will NEVER happen - here is a summary of our favorite events over the last few months:

Paddling

What an opportunity - to join a Paddling team in Guam!  Not many opportunities to do paddling on the mainland, and I'm so pleased that she took advantage of this great experience.  There's much more to paddling than just the racing.  It involves a lot of culture and tradition, including several spiritual aspects.  She learned a lot, gained a new skill, and got great exercise in the process.

Jess' boat coming in from their best race of the season - 2nd place in the semi final championship!
(She is in the 5th position)

This is a panorama of the beach on race day. Each school sets up multiple canopy tents to sit under when they
aren't on the boats. Lots of barbecues going and music playing.  Race days are always fun!

The six paddlers who go out pray as a group before each race for a safe return.  What a novel idea :o)  I love Guam!

Little Jess and Big Jess.
(Jessica and her twin sister, Caroline, are two of Rachel's best friends here)

Jess - right before getting in the boat for the semi final race.

Jess and her teammate, Taylor, excited after doing well in their race!

Mt. Lam Lam Ice Cream

Chad took the kids to, what we have been told is, the best ice cream and Shave Ice on island.  It is located in a small shop, tucked away in the shadow a large Catholic church, with very limited hours.  We actually spent about an hour, follow various sets of directions (even driving in circles at one point), only to pull up just before noon to find out that it wasn't open for another 20 minutes.  We were not about to give after all that, so we headed to the Payless grocery store across the street to pick up a few things.  Was it worth all the driving and the wait . . .

Savannah Smith (another great friend), Rachel and Tanner

YES!  Definitely a must-go while on Guam.  I have been assured that we will go again. 

An Abundance of Local Fruits - Ripe for Our Picking!

We went to visit some friends on another base the other day because they'd been telling us about all the fruit they'd been picking.  We walked with them to the rear of the property and found a mango tree, heavily laden with ripe mangoes, and about a dozen trees filled with "Guam Cherries" (otherwise known as Manzanita, or Panama Cherries).  Rachel and I picked a bagful of mangoes, and a bucket full of cherries.  It is finally mango season.  I have been waiting all year for this.  I am SO excited - mangoes, mangoes, everywhere.  In fact, there is even a Mango Festival this coming weekend in Agat!!  I've already dried several trays of mangoes, made several smoothies, put them in salad and eaten plenty - just plain! 

Soccer Trip to Japan

Chad coached the Boy's Soccer team this year for Guam High School.  Two weeks ago he was able to take the team to Kadena, Okinawa for the Far East competition.  They didn't do so well, but they sure had a lot of fun!  And, Chad was able to enjoy a return to Okinawa - American Village, Jusco, Coco's Curry, a favorite Okinomiyaki restaurant, Gate 2, etc.

Prom

Zack and all his lovely ladies!  Jessica went to Jr. Prom this year with several friends.  The group, from L to R (Lauren Reeder, Jess Plummer, Jess Guisinger, Zach Mckeller, Sabrina Sabel, Caroline Plummer, Hannah Heckman) Such a fun group of kids!!

Taking pictures became a little uncomfortable in the heat, long dress, high heels, and grass. . . .

. . . a beautiful view, and a beautiful young woman.  Ready to head off to Prom!

A Bike Ride

Rachel and Tanner were bored one Saturday so they called around, borrowed two bikes, and set out for an adventure.  They enjoyed an afternoon cruising around base, enjoying a cool treat at McDonald's, and then racing home.  I'm so glad they have so much fun together!!

Well folks, that is it for now.  A few more posts to do and then . . . I won't say I'll be caught up, but I will have captured several of the more noteworthy or fun moments in our family's life.