Catch Up II

Here's our life this last July:

Liam was 6 months old in July. He just learns to move more and more, so at night, he starts to roll all about and apparently pull on his blanket. This is how we found him when we checked on him once.

He has been hanging out with his buddy, Ethan, much more. They are 3 months apart.

The darn lizards know I killed their friend, so they have been stalking me!

We were planning our upcoming trip to Bali, so we ordered a backpack for Liam and had to try it out before we left. Here we are at Priest Pools in Merizo, Guam.

July was when we began solids! I've been doing all homeade food for now. It's just easier and cheaper. He started with rice cereal then sweet potatoes.

We love where we live. Here is Sean enjoying the view and airconditioning all at once.

Guam Liberation Day Parade!! In July, Guam celebrates 4th of July, of course, because they are American, but they also have a very different history than the mainland. They have experienced a freedom within the last 75 years unlike the mainland and are very thankful for the military forces of America. So, on July 27th, Guam celebrates Liberation Day. Everyone gets work off, they have a huge parade that lasts HOURS (!) and start setting up their plot along the parade route the night before. Miles of people line the main drag through Hagatna (the capital) and everyone is out barbequeing! We met the Dy's and had a fun day.

Catch up

Ok, so it's been awhile. I need to play some catch up. Here's what we were up to in May and June.....

Jill started paddling! Our friend, Chris, invited me to just show up and try it out with her team, Imua. So, I did and I LOVE it! I've met some local friends, lost some of that baby weight, and get to go out beyond the reef and see wrays and turtles as the sun sets.

Liam had the 1st of many bumps on his head. I know you can barely see it, but I sure felt bad! He was 5 months old in June.

I started work again and was able to take Liam with me. Above he is assisting Aileen with insurance and making copies with Chat. I worked about 4 months, but only as needed and unfortunately, I am no longer needed (the economy!). No worries, there are still opportunities for me on Guam. I still see the girls from work often.

Sean continues to explore the underworld by diving. I tried, can't equalize my ears, so Sean gets to have time out with the guys on his own! We leave for Palau with the Bantz's and my PT school friend, Ginny McGill, in a few weeks for a diving vacation.

Liam continues to grow and is getting very strong!

We met our friends Derwin, Lisa and baby Ethan Dy at the Taste of Guam. Look at that cupcake!

We celebrated Memorial Day at Asan Beach, Guam. This is where the US troops invaded the Japanese occupation of Guam during the Pacific battles in WWII. You can still find schrapnal on the beach occasionally.

We ate many, many, many mangos and mango foods at the Mango Festival. Locals love pickled green mangos.....we don't so much.

Sean and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary in Saipan, with Liam in tow. Saipan is just a 1/2 hour plane ride away and one of the Northern Marianas Islands that Guam is a part of. Saipan was also a major battlefield site during WWII. The island just south of Siapan is Tinian....sound familiar to anyone (it's the island the Enola Gay took off from carrying the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan).

Mother's Day! Sean's thought was, "You only have your first Mother's Day once, so you need to make it special." As a result, Liam and Sean bought me this beautiful Philipino Hope Chest.

Father's Day! I was not so inspirational and thoughtful....Liam and I bought Sean flip flops.

Lynda, Caleb and Grace Bantz; Lisa and Ethan Dy; Me and Liam. We have consistantly made our "Discover Guam" outings weekly and as you can see, It is quiet the endevour. 3 strollers, 1 toddler, minimal sidewalks in Guam and lots of heat and humidity. Needless to say, recently "Discover Guam" has become "Discover Guam's coffee shops" or "Discover My House in the Air Conditioning"!

Back in June, we had a CDM company get together at Gab Gab beach on the Naval Base. Thanks to the Sabo's, we had a real New England Shrimp Boil. Here it seems Ethan and Liam have had too much fun!The boys did a quick dive that day and the Bantz's brought their Kayaks for everyone to try out.