Life in Guam - Part I

There are all kinds of new things to get used to - life on an island - although it doesn't feel like an island because you drive and drive and are still not there yet! Things are slower; one minute you feel like you're in the US and the next minute it is painfully obvious that you are not - milk comes in 1/2 gallon cartons only at the commissary, no fresh chicken . . . the sooner you accept the slower pace life and businesses being open only certain hours (pool, post office, commissary), the much more relaxed you will be . . . and here we came from fast pace California, where everything you could want/need was open all the time and you drive FAST . . . so here's a few photos of life so far: All kinds of firsts: the first lost tooth for Gavin happened the other week, too!

Brooke and her box house

Gavin and his box house - loaner furniture in the background!

Playing outside in the blowup pool one afternoon . . .

Rainy day which leads to . . .

Frogs coming out . . . and they are huge . . . not this one necessarily . . . and there are coconut crabs - HUGE - ask Kayle. And yes, brown tree snake - the second week, right in our yard (of course the people across the street scared him over here), but Brandon & Kayle to the rescue! That was an interesting knock on the door at almost 10 p.m. at night!

Gavin at the hotel's waterpark . . . He finally was able to make it across

Here goes Brooke . . . she made it across and back!

On the Road again . . . to Washington

The story begins with a prayer or should I say many prayers - the Lyngholm clan in Washington wants to see the Baker family in California and time is slipping away before the Baker's head . . . so "over the river and through the woods (by airplane) to Grandmother's house we go, the Pilot knows the way and He has the final say" . . . tickets on sales, frequent flyer miles, a week squeezed in the midst of shipping a vehicle and another trip; but hey the house is empty so why stick around! So we dropped off the truck in San Jose and flew up to Seattle to spend time with Karissa & Noel before going over to the other side to see everyone else. Don't make me laugh while I'm drinking my yummy mint shake shake! Los Amigos . . . Los Primos
My friends . . . my cousins
Oh yeah - the Starbuck's that got the nation into the madness!

Kim and sister Karissa at Puget Sound by Pike Place
Cousins: Noel & Kayle
Brooke and G hanging 10 at Pike Place
Saying bye to Karissa & Noel before we head over to the other side of Washington :-(

Slip n' Slide time
Time to warm up in the mini hot tub provided by Papa

All the little cousins: Gavin, Gabriel, Madison, Kylie, Brooke, Ashley, Aliya
Well, it wasn't too hot, but it was sunny at the beach . . . Papa's is the best!
Hey mom, look who likes Doritos and red fingers besides me!
Madison, Brooke, Ashley & Gavin
With Papa & Nana in front of their home - a place of love, where endless memories are created amidst the chaos when everyone is there!

Hafa Adai from Guam . . . where IS Guam?

Hafa Adai is pronounced half-a-day (as one word) and means "Hello" in Chamarro.

WHERE ARE WE: Guam is an island located in the Western Pacific Ocean that was created from the peaks of two ancient volcanoes that sank into the sea and were fused together millions of years ago. At approximately 13 degrees north latitude and 144 degrees east longitude we are about 6,000 miles from California, where we stationed last; 3,800 miles west of Honolulu and 1,500 miles south of Japan. Guam is at the southern end of the Marianas Islands chain.

WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE: Tropical climate all year, but two seasons: wet (100 inches per year average) and dry. I have come to learn that while tropical conjures images of endless sun and palm trees, it also means downpour and the sun not coming out for days on end (think Seattle). Temperatures are between the 70s and 90s and that is without the humidity factored in - and it's always humid, just more or less humid depending on the breeze!

WHAT TIME IS IT THERE: So you know what time it is here, where America's Day begins because it is a day after wherever you are in the US: http://www.guamportal.com/guam_time.html
http://www.visitguam.org/Pages/Default.aspx Time & Weather

HOW BIG IS THE ISLAND: The estimated population in 2004 was 166,090. Chamorros represent the largest ethnic group of the island at 37% with the Filipinos accounting for 26% and Caucasians at 14%. The remainder of Guam's population accounting for 27% includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and other Pacific Islanders.

IS GUAM PART OF THE US: For over three hundred years, Guam was ruled by Spain until 1898 when Guam was ceded to the United States. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, the island was retaken by the U.S. three years later. Guam has become strategically the most important U.S. base in the Pacific.

WHY ARE WE HERE: Well, we firmly believe that God went before us and that everything that happens to us has gone through His hands . . . that being said, Brandon's new job is Commander of Det A/9 OG at Andersen AFB - standing up the Globalhawk squadron.

Check out the local news in Guam!

Think you'll recognize this celebrity . . . two weeks ago, he was interviewed by the Japanese version of Tom Brokaw, but this is footage of our local news. Sorry that'll you have to go to the links - I wasn't able to get the videos put in here yet.

http://www.abc7guam.com/

http://www.kuam.com/bm/news/aafb-readies-for-global-hawk-aircraft.shtml?15358


http://www.kuam-media.com/flv_player/doPlayer.php?vid=997

Kayle turn 17 . . .

Yikes, where has the time gone - he's 17! We brought him lunch at school and couldn't resist the Incredible Hulk cake - for the Hulk himself, Kayle! The celebration continued with dinner at Red Robin after a golf match that afternoon. We are so amazed at the transformation in Kayle's life - he has certainly been blessed with many awards and recognitions lately, but to see into his heart is even more of a blessing. Happy Birthday Kayle.

Basketball Season Awards Ceremony

We'll miss you Kayle - they gave him a special stocking signed by all his teammates!

Watching this made the tears well up - so proud of Kayle! And so blessed by everything here in his life . . . sports, coaches, teachers, school . . .

Gavin turns 6 . . .

Playing basketball with the hoop that is just his size!
Oh yeah, just like the teeball coach has - to practice baseball!
Lunch at McDonald's with his friend John!
Celebrating turning 6 at school with kindergarten class!
And this is how the day started . . . a smiley face waffle for my smiley face Gavin!