Where do we live?

When I drive down the beautiful hills where we live and see the big blue Ocean that surrounds us - it is truly breathtaking! We've been here for 3 months and are really enjoying ourselves! What an amazing opportunity for our family!

Some GUAM facts from the internet:
Guam, the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana archipelago, is the westernmost possession of the United States, and has been since 1898. The island is approximately 6,000 miles west of San Francisco; 3,700 miles west-southwest of Honolulu; 1,500 miles southeast of Tokyo; 2,100 miles southeast of Hongkong; 1,500 miles east of Manila; and 3,100 miles northwest of Sydney at 13 north latitude and 144 East longitude. The Marianas Trench, the deepest known ocean depth (-39,198 ft.), is located southeast of Guam. Guam lies at the southern end of the Marianas Islands chain, and it is the most populated and highly developed island serving as the area's communication and transportation hub.

Daniella's little finger is pointing to the Philippines where her Great Grandma Pan still lives and we hope to visit in January. Grandma Pan has only met Morgan and he was only 9 months when we were there last.

The kids are so excited about our upcoming trip to Hong Kong and I love the idea that they get to experience this side of the world! What better way to learn about geography than to actually travel there and immerse into that culture!!!

...driving down Marine Drive - this is what I see as I drive - every day! The toughest part is having to slow down my driving since the highest speed limit I've seen so far on the island is 45 mph! YES, 45 mph!

Island life as well as a small city life of shopping and restaurants. Downtown in Tumon - which is only about 20 minutes from our house - there's so many different restaurants - TGIF, Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, California Pizza Kitchen, Vitale's, Sam Choy's... and so much high end shopping that you would find in any big city!

There's a lot of "happenings" here on Guam... various events and opportunities that we are available to! Wish we could do it all... but we have to pick and chose.

One of the best weekends was when my friend AMY called the Sunday before Thanskgiving and invited us to try diving for FREE! How could we turn that down? So Dale, Morgan & I decided to give it a try. It was so much fun! A BIG difference when I became certified way back when in Michigan... hmmm - diving in Lake Michigan or diving on Guam? HUGE DIFFERENCE!

- diving at San Luis Beach... a great day spent with our growing boy, Mo!

- diving with friends - Tori & Amy

- Morgan's first diving experience!

... first time to try out our underwater camera... how cool!

... enjoying a GUAM sunset!

Chris (Amy's hubby) was THE MAN and watched our other kids... along with his 3 boys. THANKS AGAIN CHRIS!

The weekend of Thanksgiving we hit the Annual Japan Festival and enjoyed the entertainment and delicious food!!!

... same night drove down the street to see the CHRISTMAS LIGHTS and entertainment...

My sweet Dani asked me, "Mommy, am I too old to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want for Christmas?" ***sigh*** Oh sweetie, "NO"! Please don't grow up too fast!

Ryan... looks so thrilled!

Where else can you have a carabao ride? I thought it was so cute that Mia kept her hands raised the whole time as if she were on some fast roller coaster!

As we celebrate our first warm island Christmas here on Guam we are thankful that we are together as a family... making new friends... reuniting with family & good friends from our past (school and other commands)... And we're so thankful for where we live! Embracing the moments that we have here! Creating new memories...