Easter on Guam

It has been quite a long time since I've updated our family blog. I was thinking this past week that Easter was the perfect time to jump back into blogging--since we take lots of pics of the kids in their Easter outfits. This was a wonderful, relaxed Easter this year.

We went to church and had brunch at church, as well as, had an amazing service! Afterwards, we came home and hunted Easter eggs, took lots of pics, had lunch and then the kiddos dug into their baskets. The rest of the afternoon was spent sitting on the patio just relaxing.

I love this photo with the beautiful view behind the kids!

Me and my girls!

Family pic!

**In the next few weeks, I am going to try to get caught up on what has been going on in our lives since we've been here on Guam!

Our Mini-Vacation to Pensacola Beach

At the end of April, we took a much needed vacation to Pensacola Beach. Some of you may not know that Dustin and I lived in Pensacola for a few years right after we were married. Ethan and Reagan were both born in Pensacola, so it holds a very special place in our hearts. Going back there was "taking a walk down memory lane." Dustin and I both went to college at Pensacola Christian College, so we took the kids to the campus to see where we spent several years of our lives. Ethan and Reagan both thought it was "so cool"!

Jessica came over from Houston to meet us, and we had such a wonderful time! Kyleigh thought that the condo we were staying in was Jess' house! I kept trying to explain it to her that it wasn't, but she never quite understood! She has asked me a few times since we have come back home when we are going back to "Aunt Jessie's house"!

I can't say that we did a lot of exciting things, we mostly just relaxed and went back to some our favorite places to shop and eat (of course!). Our condo was oceanfront, so we enjoyed walks on the beach and just sitting on our balcony looking at the beautiful white sands and blue waves. Here are some pics of the kiddos at the beach.

Halloween and Trunk or Treat!

This year for Halloween, the kids had double the fun. In the afternoon, our church had a fall festival and the kids were able to "Trunk or Treat"! Which means that people from our church filled the backs of their cars/mini vans/SUV's with candy and the kids came by and collected tons of candy. Then after the festival, we went back to our neighborhood to trick or treat!

We always have a great time celebrating Halloween in our neighborhood. The men take all the kids trick or treating, and the ladies get to stay and give out candy (and chat!). Dustin always wonders why every year the guys have to go with the kids and the ladies get to sit in their lawn chairs and gab!

Ethan was an airplane pilot, Reagan was a medieval queen, and Kyleigh was Cinderella. Kyleigh was going to be Snow White, but Kyleigh (and Daddy!) saw the light-up Cinderella slippers and they fell in love!

Our pretty Queen Reagan

Ethan and his tough guy look! Doesn't he look great as a pilot?!

And our little Cinderella

Ethan is patiently getting a kiss from his sis!

Our sweet, little characters....

Gatlinburg with Papaw and Mamaw

The last week in July, we were all able to go to Gatlinburg, TN for a vacation with Dustin's Mom and Dad. It was very exciting that Dustin had a whole week off...doesn't happen often! We had a great, relaxing vacation. We spent some time in the National Park, playing in the water and looking for pretty rocks (Dustin, Tamara and I also played around with our cameras).

Another thing that we did was go to Dollywood...I hadn't been to Dollywood in about 20 years (That makes me feel quite old). A lot has changed, but much has stayed the same as well. They had some great roller coasters--which Reagan loved, but they also had some of the old rides that I remember riding when I was a little girl. It brought back happy memories, and we were able to make some new memories as well. Here are a few pics from our trip.

Up in the loft of an old cabin that we found on one of our scenic drives.

Kyleigh and Daddy

Ethan and Daddy

Reagan and Daddy

I'm not sure why, but I just really like this picture.

What you can't see in this picture, is Ken on a platform with a water sprayer of his own. Dustin and the kids got VERY wet, Ken...stayed dry!

Ethan and Papaw on the Ferris wheel.

Kyleigh couldn't ride many rides, but she was content to ride the carousel!

Waiting line for a ride.

Kyleigh was sleeping, but Mamaw couldn't resist a photo spot!

Slightly cheesy, Dustin!

Our Family!

I wish that I could have posted all of the pics from our trip, but there were over 600 photos! We obviously went a little picture crazy!

Duluth, MN

This summer, Mom, Dad, the kids and I met Jessica up in Duluth, MN for a quick visit with our good friends the Thoreson family. We hadn't seen them in about four years--a lot happens in four years! It was so nice to have the chance to catch up. It is quite a wild event to get our families together! We can be quite loud. I don't think I have laughed that much in a long time. One thing you always need know--if you are getting together with the Thoreson family, be prepared to laugh!

Our condo was right on Superior! The view was incredible--we were able to sit on the couch and see the big ships. The pool was right across the hall which the kids thought was amazing! Here are a few pics of our trip.

The kids sitting on the stairs in Split Rock Lighthouse--one of my favorite pics!

Their love their Aunt Jessie

Dad, Mom, Jess and the kiddos

Sandi and Jerry in front of Split Rock Lighthouse

Me and my sweet kiddos

Poor Kyleigh spent a lot of time in her stroller--I didn't trust her around all that water!

Mom and Dad with the kids in front of Lake Superior (This was the view from our condo)

Our Trip To Holiday World

During the month of June, the kids and I headed up to Indiana to visit our family. It was a very busy month for Dustin, so it seemed like a good time to go. One of the highlights of the trip was going to Holiday world! Holiday world is a small amusement park in Santa Claus, Indiana. Until last summer, I hadn't ever been there--I didn't know what I was missing. It is the cleanest and friendliest park I've experienced. Not to mention, it has the best roller coaster (The Voyage) that I have ever ridden, (It beats the Beast, hands down!) It also offers free drinks and sunscreen! The only draw-back to the whole day was that we decided to go on the hottest day of the year! Here are a few pics of all the FUN!!!

Angela, Reagan and Maria on the Scrambler

Joey and Ethan

Even Kyleigh was able the ride the ragin' rapids!

Jim, Ethan and Karen on the Turkey Whirl!

Ethan, Sara, Kyleigh, Karen and Maria on the Carousel

The Pilgrim's Plunge!

Beautiful Children Enjoying the Beautiful Sunshine!

The weather has been wonderful this past month or so, and the kids have been able to enjoy more and more time outdoors. With Kyleigh being two-years-old now, she can play more outside as well--she loved to be outside! Ethan has been out practicing on his skateboard which he received for Christmas from Aunt Bethany and Uncle Kevin. Reagan has been learning to ride the bike she received for her birthday, and Kyleigh has been puttering around in her little pink car!

A little help from Daddy!

Looking like a pro!

Look out, Drivers--here she comes!

Two peas in a pod!

Ethan loves his new wheels!

Loves to pose!

Can't you just see the energy!

What a wild girl!

Reagan is our snuggler!

Happy to be out in the sunshine!