Having fun in the pool!

The hotel had a salt water pool that was warm all the time. We took full advantage and swam almost everyday. Since the pool here on Guam has been closed for awhile now (renovations), it was fun to have such easy access to one. 95% of the time we had it to ourselves. My boys had fun showing mom lots of tricks and we all had fun playing sharks and minnows. The boy even tried diving a few times although it's not easy to do with a life jacket on!



I am one lucky woman!

The Hot Air Balloon

Our first adventure in Cairns was to go on a hot air balloon ride. The boy was more than excited and I was not sure about it at all. It started with a 4:15am pick up at our hotel and then an hour long bus ride up a dark and windy road. We were all more than ready to get off the bus! The basket held 20 passengers and had a spot for the operator. The balloon was huge, the biggest I've ever seen. We got about 5 minutes of instructions about our landing position and then we were off. The first 200 ft. or so were the scariest for me. I was not digging it at all and thought it was going to be the worst time of my life. Thankfully, I was wrong. It was AMAZING. We climbed to 4,500 ft. and it was so calm and peaceful that high up. We even went through some low clouds and couldn't see anything for a minute or two. It didn't feel at all like we were moving and after awhile the boy got a little bored! I think he was expecting so much more action than we were getting. Of course the dad and the operator had to talk "shop" but it was fun to learn a little more about the balloon and how they are operated. He said that the balloons are not allowed to climb more than 1,000 ft. per minute per regulations but he has actually climbed about 1,700 ft. a minute due to wind. That just seems crazy that a balloon can do that much that fast. After about 30 minutes in the air we started our descent. The operator told us that as long as the air speed was under 10 knots we would be fine. It was just about 10 knots and a little bumpy. Once our landing spot was established we all had to get into landing position. We had to brace ourselves with our knees bent and hold onto straps attached inside the basket. The boy stood in front of me and I helped brace him. We were a little off our marker and bounced into the roadway. It wasn't to hard of a landing but we did break up the road some and took out a road sign and some trees. When we had finally touched down a few of the people got to get out while the rest of us crouched way down and waited until the basket was tilted on its side and the balloon was laying on the ground (about 5 minutes). Once all was said and done we headed to a deluxe champagne breakfast and then back to our hotel by 10:30am. It was a full morning and we spent the rest of the day napping and relaxing!


Getting ready to take off!

Heading up, up, up. See how far from land we are!

That is reading over 3,600 ft. up!

Waiting for our turn to get out of the basket.

Helping to get the balloon packed up!

Vacation Pictures

I promise to post some vacation pictures soon. I realized I hadn't posted anything for a few weeks and want to share it all. Check back in a few days for the pictures of our adventures in Cairns, Australia!

Bowling and Dancing!

The family went bowling the other night. We had lots of fun and the mom is still the champion! My boys did great too though. They were playing Michael Jackson's #1s and the boy was breaking it down all night. Thankfully he let me catch him on video to share with all of you. ENJOY!

The Boy Snoring!

The boy was convinced he didn't want to sleep in his bed. We found out he snores as much as his mom and dad! Too cute.

Squadron Children's Christmas Party Take 2

Santa arrives in style!

Cheesing with Santa!

Thanks for the present Santa!

Squadron Children's Christmas Party Take 1

The boy had lots of fun at the Children's Christmas Party this year and it was the best one yet! There were lots of crafts and fun games to play. It was lots of fun and a little hot in the hangar.


Fishing for a prize!

Finished product!

Working on his frame with the BEST BABYSITTER EVER! Katy, you are missed! Come visit us in Florida!

The book walk.

After the ride on the firetruck. The firemen even let the boys spray the water out the front. The boy was more than excited about it.

The Joys of Moving!

6.5 crates and one giant couch box later and the family has officially been packed out. Estimated weight of 9,300 Lbs. December 7th and 8th were busy and crazy and a little boring while we watched the movers pack out 98% of our belongings. We left for vacation the next day. In hindsight, I would have waited until after vacation to pack out but when we got home from Cairns we were glad it was all over, except for not having our giant and very comfortable bed anymore. Loaner furniture is just not the same. The joys of the military life!

The Dad's Homecoming (Again!)

I forgot to post these when I posted the welcome home pictures. The boy and I (and my great friend Kristina!) worked hard on our spray painted sheet. All the things around the Welcome Home part are the things the boy and I couldn't wait to do with the dad when he returned. I would say we've covered most of them in the past 4 weeks. Definitely not the best sign I've ever made but it was still lots of fun to do. I call it ghetto fabulous! Thanks for ALL your help Kristina.

Early Christmas Presents

Since the movers came before Christmas, the boy was able to unwrap his presents from his Memere and Papa early. Yes, those are salt and pepper shakers but anyone who has spent time with the boy knows that he loves his pepper.....especially from a grinder. The boy was all smiles with the change (money) too and we just brought all his change to the bank to turn in. Since this spring, he has saved $169!