Our 2nd CHRISTMAS here ON GUAM

We were so glad to have my parents visit us twice this year! They arrived early enough to enjoy all of the kids CHRISTMAS programs, plays and HONORS AWARDS. Every night we had something to attend during their first week back on Guam.

Morgan called us at the house the day of his awards (yeah... at least he remembered to CALL)   We rushed over to the school to cheer and holler for achieving HIGH HONORS (3.5 -3.9 GPA) during his 1st quarter in Middle School!  We're so proud of you, Mo! Keep up the great work!

The Middle School had their 1st dance of the year.  Turns out that Morgan was voted in his class as one of the top 3 boys - to be named DUKE.  Because of this, he wanted to show up and see where he placed.     In 6th grade - they're named Duke & Duchess, 7th grade - Prince & Princess, and in 8th grade - King & Queen.  Morgan was voted "runner-up" & I love that he just smiled and was happy to be "in the running".  I'm not sure if he actually danced at this dance, but I showed up towards the end to snap a few photos of him with his friends and get a little "peek" into my growing boys world. When did he grow up so fast?  Every day he's looking more & more like his daddy!

Daniella, along with other 3rd & 4th grade GE (Gifted Education) Students performed a Math Drama with Sherlock Holmes. There was singing and dancing and a lot of memorization & hard work put into this play! Ms. Moore did an awesome job with the kids, as always!

BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT

Morgan has learned a new instrument this year - the alto SAXOPHONE! It's his first year in beginning band and we were all very impressed with their Holiday performance! "Santa" Hats off to an awesome band teacher - Mrs. Goldhorn (don't you love her name?) I'm always amazed how teachers can pull all these kids together - and make it look so effortless!

RYAN w/ MomMom & PopPop

Ryan ended our week with his performance in the 4th grade Choir. Ryan loves the stage and singing and performing... so it was no surprise that he came out as SANTA in one of the songs... skinniest Santa I've ever known, that's for sure! :-)

Once again - another wonderful and fun-filled program. Ms. Mansell out-did herself and it was so neat to see all the hard work turn into a fantastic performance!

We even enjoyed a fantastic musical performance at the Harvest Life Center.  All these awesome performances truly put us in the HOLIDAY SPIRIT!

PopPop & Dale, along with 2 other men - sang a few quartets for church service at Agana Heights SDA Church. While the kids sang and also played their recorders for the CHRISTMAS PROGRAM!

Mia wanted me to take all these photos of her by the tree.  She stood by it and said, "Mommy, picture me"  As if she doesn't have enough photos!  I love digital cameras and being able to snap as many photos my little heart desires!!!

My mom's sister, Ruthie Ranchez or better known as Lola "Roofy" (as Mia pronounces it) arrived on GUAM to visit with us before heading to her conference in the Philippines.  What a great treat to have her for the holidays and spend some time with her.

Our neighbors - Pame & Jason are always ready to take the kids on an adventure!  We love that our kids have them in their lives!  Such GREAT fun role models!  Jason also grew up in a Navy family and one of 4 kids - so he can truly relate to our kiddos!  As you can see from the photos above - the adventure was to the waterfalls... and then a quick hike to the red mud pits!  Imagine the fun I have doing laundry for my Guam Aborigines!   The other day, Pame took Daniella on a bike ride (on Dani's new bike from PopPop for Christmas) and they chased a wild boar around the golf course in our backyard.  LeoPalace is just one big natural playground for our kids!

My bro - LEN got snowed in and had to wait a few days to leave Philly due to cancelled flights and blizzards on the East Coast.  We were all so excited when he finally arrived (2 days later).  We all had to greet him at the airport.

With only 2 full days with Len - we spent the day before Christmas playing in the water & on the water at the always fun ABC - Alupang Beach Club, thanks to our wonderful friends Carmen & Steve!  The day started off cloudy & rainy...but by the time we got there - the day started to clear and it turned out to be a great time!  We jet-skiied, kayaked, dolphin watched, fished, parasailed & rode the banana boat.  Amazingly, with the clouds hiding the sun - we actually felt a bit chilled on GUAM!  *smile*

S I S T E R S 

CHRISTMAS LUNCH with my Parents, my bro - LEN, Auntie Ruth, the Hwangs & the Hyatts.  A fantastic spread of delicious food prepared by my mom &auntie "Roofy"!  Yummm!  What a gift to not have to cook!!  THANKS Mom & Auntie Ruthie! 

... Christmas Day ended with more friends (Lee's & Mercado's) & visiting family members (Gemma's parents, 2 brothers & their families) join us for desserts, fellowship... a little Beatles Rock Band - and by sundown we were all singing & Praising God for another wonderful Christmas with family worship.

Dora the Explorer comes to GUAM

Early November we took the kids (the little ones and dragged my older ones) to see Dora the Explorer & Diego & Sponge Bob at the Kids 4 Kids Carnival.  It was cute to see the kids get excited and see their favorite characters come to life...

later we ate at the wonderful Italian restaurant... VITALE's in downtown Tumon. 

THANKSGIVING DAY on GUAM!

One thing you quickly learn when you are far far away from family & friends and living this Military Life... you quickly bond with the people around you.  Thankfully we are surrounded by so many amazing families up here at Leo Palace.  THANKSGIVING was spent with neighbors and friends... celebrating together and enjoying a relaxing day at 3 different houses in our neighborhood.  The best part is that no one had to spend all day cooking... we all cooked a little and we combined our efforts!  It was awesome!  Appetizers and games started at our house...

... we then moved to the HWANG's house next door for the main food and a fun kids craft...

... a few hours later we were all walking down a few houses down to the DARABOS' home for amazing desserts where Shelley's oven seems to create some serious magic!  We were all so full but couldn't resist the display of goodness!  Thanksgiving Day landed on Pamela Hwang's birthday - so we all sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her and she blew out 31 candles!

Shelley & family planned a fun scavenger hunt that got everyone moving outside, active & laughing so hard... it was a perfect way to end the evening... but wait... there's more!

... Shelley taught the kids SOCK WARS & the group got into the game "Catch Phrase"

... it's no suprirse that Dale fell asleep during all the fun and activities...  he has the gift of napping and the ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere... perhaps he's narcoleptic... maybe I should get him checked!  Anyway... Ryan tried to pull a crank on him by putting whipped cream on his hand and tickle his ear... but he woke up and didn't smash it in his face as Ryan anticipated.  Ooh well!  Better luck next time, Ry!

The evening ended back at the Hwang's house where Dale & Jason put up a Christmas tree for Pam's surprise birthday gift from all of us... her first Christmas here on Guam... her first Christmas tree... she was very surprised!!  It was a GREAT way to end the evening!

... what MOMENT would you PAUSE?

DANIELLA & ALEXI

bonded quickly and became such GREAT FRIENDS!  Like sisters!

We miss these smiling faces!!!

Where is the *PAUSE* button?  Seriously... I need it desperately because LIFE is going by so quickly. If only it were as easy as a Pause Button!  This Navy Life is something else... just when you think you've gotten a hold of it - making new friends and saying goodbye... it gets harder & harder.   

In a world of blogs, facebook, mySpace, emails, twitter and so many other applications - it's sometimes just too much to keep up.  So I'm going back to my blog and hopefully filling in the gaps that have taken place. 

This summer (June 13th) we had to say goodbye to another wonderful family... our neighbors - the McMonigles.  Justin & Lexi were like my own kids... in fact, my kids called them their "cousins"... because they wanted to be related.  For our first year on Guam we shared the other side of the duplex with them - all we had to do was bang on the wall to hear each other!  Our kids did a lot together!  When we moved here their dad - was on his 2nd deployment and their mom worked full time!   Having this amazing family live next door helped my kids transition so well here on GUAM. 

On their last weekend on island - we all stayed at the PIC (Pacific Island Club)... swimming, eating, bonding... having sleep overs - going to the SLINGSHOT and being thrown into the air and just making lasting memories together!  We know it's not good-bye... but until we meet again!

McMONIGLES . DARABOS . RAMIREZ families

sharing a fun weekend at the Pacific Island Club

... after a few months of an empty house next door... we welcomed not only NEW NEIGHBORS & NEW FRIENDS... but discovered we're DISTANT RELATIVES... WOW!

Mia's new friend & neighbor is "Jazzie".  She moved in next door and now shares the other side of our duplex.  It has been fun for Mia having someone close to her age next door!  They love each other so much that they always want THE SAME THING!  Both strong-willed girls - they have this Alpha Dog syndrome going on.   I know it's a phase... but these two are just funny to watch.  The stare downs - the "MINES" - the tug-o-wars - the push, pulls & shoves.  Pam (Jazzie's mom) said that we should video tape them in action and show it to them so they can see their behavior!  Hmmm... we'll have to give that a try!

Mia & Daniella loved playing "house" in their new home box made by our new neighbor - "Auntie Pam".  Jazzie's parents - Jason & Pamela Hwang, both went to Loma Linda University - where Dale went to school... only Dale is MUCH older (ha ha!)  Here's the crazy part... I recently found out that we are not only neighbors - but actually related through marriage - Jason's 1st cousin is married to my (Dot's) 2nd cousin.  Small world, isn't it?  God continues to bless us with another wonderful family to share our duplex/our world with... even if it's for this short moment in time on Guam... it's one that will last forever in our hearts and minds!

The weekend we returned from my "40th" Birthday trip to JAPAN - Dale & I, along with our friends & neighbors, Beth|Webb McCanse, Gemma|Mike Mercado & Pamela|Jason Hwang - went to the NAVY BALL & had a fantastic time! 

Mike Mercado - who returned from his 13 month deployment in Afghanistan proudly wore his shiney new medals... and what a GREAT time to be able to celebrate his return home!

Thanks to our neighbor & friend Carmen... she watched ALL of the LEO PALACE kids... Carm even FED them, too!  What a great friend!  All she asked was that we have a GREAT time & not to worry about them!  So we did! 

The fun of dressing up, having adult time and being among friends, while experiencing our Navy Traditions is something we all wanted to take part in... especially for most of our physician friends who are only in the Navy for a short time.   I'm so glad that we did because once we got to the venue (which was up here at Leo Palace Resort)... it was a fantastic time!

FALL TIME means COSTUMES and FUN!

Autumn | Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year!  And it's probably one of the seasons I miss the most since living here on Guam.  I miss the cool breezes and the change in colors of the leaves that Fall brings... living on GUAM it's either hot & rainy or very hot & very rainy!  So, we turn our A/C a little cooler, stick on their costumes and get into the fun of the FALL season!

When I put this little outfit on Mia she was so happy and I'm sure felt so special!  She LOVED it!!!  This right here (ladybug photos) is a moment I would've LOVED to PAUSE!!!  Pure Happiness in the eyes of my 2-year old!

OOhh MY... and then there are my 3 little stooges!  Such goofballs!  I love that they still enjoy dressing up and having fun!!!  Watching my kids laugh so hard that they fall on the floor - constantly reminds me to LIVE IN THE MOMENT!!!  To embrace the TIME given!  It's always a party here in our little house!!! 

Thanks to our friends - Christina & her hubby- we were invited to "trick or treat" in their beautiful neighborhood and enjoy a little play time and an excellent & most delicious Teppenyaki dinner/buffet.  

Good Food!  Good Friends!  Good Fun! 

Christina is Ryan's "sissy" (that's what he calls her)  We've known her since our time in South Carolina.  She & her hubby are both active duty Navy.  He recently returned from a deployment and now Christina is soon to go on her own 6 month deployment to Afgahnistan right before the New Year.  They have 2 beautiful little girls and I just take my hat off to them & many others for going bravely and confidently - while leaving the ones they love behind.

I'm blown away by the courage and the honor that surround me every single day!  How life goes on DURING deployments, AFTER deployments and BEFORE deployments - LIFE JUST NEVER STOPS... but continues on!   If only we could hit the PAUSE button... what MOMENTS would you PAUSE? 

40th Birthday Trip to JAPAN

What a blessing it is to be able to hop on a plane and 3 1/2 hours later explore a completely different culture.  JAPAN was a fantastic trip... we wished we planned more days - but what we did was FUN FUN FUN! 

Mia, our little 2 1/2 year old continues to say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mommy!"  My sweet girl reminds me daily how blessed I am to be alive!  This Japan trip was my 40th Birthday Celebration!  I loved being with my family and celebrating 40 years... wow, am I really 40?  Where did the time go?  How come I don't feel this old?  Honestly... I truly don't!

Thanks to friends who gave great tips and advice I was determined to packed "light" (for my standards)... we had a good idea what to expect but we knew the language barrier would be an issue and the adventure would be exciting.  The kids did great sticking close to us at Disney, as well as in Tokyo. 

DAY 1 - we got our 6:30am flight... arrived at 9:30am Japan time... hopped on an Airport Limo Bus and arrived at our hotel - The Sheraton Grand Tokyo Bay Hotel at the Disney Resort.  Checked in and went straight to Tokyo Disneyland by 3pm... and stayed there until 10pm.  The kids enjoyed exploring and it was laid out so similarly to other Disneylands that it felt very familiar.  Of course, the kids LOVED all the fast rides - especially SPACE MOUNTAIN, which we were able to FASTpass it... and then luckily looped around (because it was the end of the night) and rode it again!!!

When Mia was scared by a character walking around or on a dark ride that she wasn't too sure of, she'd say, "I want to go home"  It made us all laugh when she tried to show how brave she was by saying, "That was fun", after a ride that she cried in (i.e. Winnie The Pooh or BuzzLightYear rides).  Oh the torture I put my children through...

DAY 2 - we took our time and arrived at Tokyo DisneySea by 10:30am.  This place was unbelieveable!  There truly is nothing like it... I would say it's a good mix of Epcot and Disney... combined... but yet - it is still uniquely it's own!  The details were fantastic Disney standards.  As an adult, I was mesmerized by the place.  We learned to FASTpass right away to make the most of our day.  Ate brunch there and continued to explore.  King Tritons Kingdom was underground... "under the sea" theme and had so many things for Mia's age - she loved it... and WOW - the Ariel show was the BEST show ever!  Think Cirque du Soleil style - very acrobatic, colorful and mesmerizing.  The songs were all in ENGLISH... but the dialog was in Japanese... but other than that... it was awesome!  Once again, Mia said, "I want to go home"... she still is talking about how she is scared of the CRAB claws. 

DAY 3 - packed up our things, and checked out of the hotel by 8am... and headed back to DisneySea to explore the other half of the park.  It takes a good 2 days to explore this place!  So glad that we did a 3 day Disney pass... giving us the ability to take our time and enjoy without feeling rushed.

By 3pm we were heading to Tokyo downtown area with all our luggage and all our little peeps... in the subway, Tokyo Metro.  We missed our first stop - thankfully we were at the end of the line... so we just stayed on board and headed back 1 stop.  Ran into other military folk who led the way to our hotel... The beautiful NEW SANNO hotel. 

We relaxed and while the kids swam with daddy - I scheduled a 1-hr. massage.... Ahhhhh.. it was AAAAHhhhhhwwweesome!  Sat in the jacuzzi with them... and then off to a Japanese Dinner we went.

DAY 4 - woke up early to talk to the TRAVEL desk and she suggested we take the Grand All-Day Tour to capture all the major sites of Tokyo.  It was the BEST thing we did!  We were on a comfortable bus... not having to think of where to go, how to get there... and how much it will cost.  It was great!  We saw:

• Tokyo Tower
• Meiji Shinto Shrine, and saw a wedding processional
• Imperial Palace Plaza
• Sumida River Cruise
• Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise Shopping Arcade
• Tasaki Pearl Gallery

DAY 5 - We were on our own to explore the city.  I bought the multi-use pass for the Tokyo Metro so we only had to worry about ONE ticket machine the entire day.  And since we were traveling all over the place... it made sense to use it.  Today we saw:

• Ueno Zoo
• Shibuya Intersection... by Hachiko Statue - the faithful Akita, a famous Japanese landmark.
• Club Sega - for the kids to play a few games
• Childrens Castle for a few hours
• Tokyo Dome City to ride the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster!

On the way back to the hotel - we paused for a while to see if the downpouring of RAIN would let up... it sure did... it helped that we were prepared (everday) for rainy weather. It rained ONCE... we were so lucky!