April - June: Diving, Beach, Sports and More!

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Large group of mostly island "fluff" preparing for an afternoon walk-in dive from Emon Beach. Really missing my dives with Heidi and Betina, who both have since left Kwajalein! Pictured left to right: Heidi, Carrie, Jessica, Kathy, BJ, Betina, and Marissa.

Anemonefish (commonly called clown fish). After consulting my new reef fish identification book, I believe the species is either the Clark's or Orange-finned Anemonefish?

Giant Clam

Twinspot Lionfish hiding beneath a coral ledge. Can you see him?

Mating pair of octopus keeping a close eye on one another, despite our group of divers interrupting their business.

Normally hiding in holes, this pair of mating octopus were busy at work. Notice the male's tentacle (left) attached to the female (right).

Carrie walking with Mason to the slip-n-slide.

Dad treats Mason to a super-sized snow cone.

This is how she looks after too much sugar.

Misty thinks Mason is a litter mate.

Innocence and trouble all rolled into one.

Maegan ready to play soccer!

Going after it!

It's mine!

An afternoon sailing with Jane and Bruce Premo.

Maegan swimming freestyle at one of the meets.

Mason's turn!

Mason was introduced to soccer this year.

Dad helped coach the K-2nd graders.

Crazy face team picture. Mason is lower right, Gus upper right.

Happy girl!

Julia and Maegan are ready with their crazy hair for school spirit day.

Earth Day on Kwaj: Beach clean-up!

Mason's 6th birthday on Kwajalein.

Mason with his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. McGlinn and Ms. Rosita.

Proud of his birthday crown!

Maegan at Coral Sands Beach.

Scott swinging while Mason waits for his turn!

Sunset at Coral Sands.

Maegan getting ready to participate in the 2012 Rusty Family Mini-Triathlon: a 500-yard lagoon swim, a 10-mile bike ride and 2-mile run. She and two friends teamed up, with Maegan completing the swim portion in 9:13.

Maegan is at the center of this mess, swimming freestyle.

Maegan (bottom center), swimming over coral toward the jetty and family beach.

Maegan (swim), Abbie (bike), and Ashley (run) after completing the triathlon.

Mason and Misty watching a dump truck.

Mason singing at the school concert.

Mason, Scott, Alyssa and Maegan pose at glass beach.

Carrie collecting beach glass.

Beach play.

Love when they play together like this!

Baby geckos are frequently found in the house. We have to try to rescue them from our little hunter (Misty). This little guy was one of the lucky ones.

Ms. Thompson with Minnie, Logan, Maegan and Julia.

A loving teacher.

NASA mission visits Kwajalein.

Mason excited to take the tour.

Another Kwaj sunset.

Tall Ship Dewaruci, Beach, Friends, Baby Fairy Tern, Baseball, Hula

Below are January, February, and March highlights! Working hard to reach real time!

Mason excited for his first Tooth Fairy visit.

Floor time with Misty.

Misty Moonlight: too cute to be in trouble.

Julia, Maegan with Misty, and Ella

The Indonesian Tall Ship Dewaruci makes a stop at Kwajalein before heading to Hawaii and California. A Spanish ship built in 1953, with three masts and fourteen sails!

Dewaruci at the dock, ready for tours.

3rd Grade: Maegan is standing, 5th from the right.

During the elementary school tours, the crew was busy getting ready for their afternoon departure.

Two crew members greeting Kwajalein residents as they board.

Nicely swabbed deck.

Beautiful wood "story" carving.

'Aye 'Aye, Captain!

Mason searching for pirates!

Crew hoisted the pirate flag for the kids!

Jane Sholar, our friend and neighbor.

Compass

Busy charting the course to Hawaii.

Intricately carved framed glass windows.

Maegan, thrilled to tour the ship.

As the Dewaruci departed Kwajalein, the crew put on a show as they climbed the masts. Can you see them?

Mrs. McGlinn leading the pack of kindergartners back to school after the field trip to tour the tall ship--on bikes, of course!

Mom with baby Fairy Tern. The egg is laid directly on the pandanus branch (no nest!).

Patiently waiting for Mom to return from fishing in the lagoon.

Maegan observing and taking notes in her scientific journal...

Baby Fairy Tern in a pandanus tree.
Mom, where are you? I'm hungry!

Getting ready for baseball season.

Swing!

I got it!

Mason's ready.

Misty loves the baby coconuts.

Game day!

Maegan as umpire.

Misty keeping watch while Maegan reads to Mason.

New threads: thank you Kailee and Kyle!

Valentine's Day

Father-Daughter Dance

Carrie and Kim at Emon Beach

We never get tired of a good sunset!

Emon Beach at sunset.

Mason gives a thumbs up!

"Swimmers, take your mark"...

Did I get a "personal best" time?

Mason in his pajamas, headed to the outdoor theater.

Richardson outdoor family theater.

A paddle on the OC-2 from Camp Hamilton to Emon Beach.

We need to do this more often...

Fun at Emon Beach as kids line up for a turn using a super-sized slingshot! Water balloons for ammo, and what you can't see is the volunteer human targets.

Mason is in awe.

Kindergarten class on St. Patrick's Day.
Mason is in the front row, second from left.

Guard Dog

Ms. Thompson, Maegan's sweet 3rd grade teacher.

Where's his other leg?

Nose bubbles.

Carrie (center) dancing Hanalei Moon at Palepa's Polynesian Revue. She also danced Ipo Lei Momi and Pa Mai.

Maegan (center in pink plaid shirt) preparing to dance Ulupalakua. A costume change into plaid and denim for this song, as it was about farming on the Hawaiian islands. She also danced Tago ile ipo and Teva'a.

All the children (keiki) gather on stage at the end of our performance.
Hula instructor Masina McCollum stands on the far right.