Gus' Birthday, 3rd Grade, Peace One Day, Water Slide

Gus celebrated his first birthday on Kwajalein!

Gus getting ready to open his gift from Olga & Eric!

Gus reading a birthday card from Mom and Dad (Abuelitos).

Mason's gift to Daddy: Mario Kart for the Wii!

Here they are playing the new game.  Gus is in the zone!!!

The United Nation's International Peace One Day was on September 21, which is an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Maegan's 3rd grade class promoted Peace One Day on Kwajalein by writing letters to friends and family asking for participation by wearing white as a symbol of peace. They also made 1,000 paper cranes to represent their desire for there to be no sickness in our world.

Maegan's 3rd grade classroom. Yokwe = Hello in Marshalleese.

Maegan's friend Abbie invited the kids over to slide down the water raceway!

Mason's turn!

Maegan again.



Keep your eyes open...



Maegan's water slide injury.

One evening there was a torrential downpour and Mason and Maegan played in the storm.  So much fun!

Fun Times

Busy day at Emon Beach!

"Dad, you can't sleep now!"

Gus trying to take a snooze in the sun.

Yes, that is a Dr. Pepper in his hand. Not sure how Mason got that, we only drink Diet Coke!

Mason

Maegan spots her friends!

Where are my sunglasses?

Beautiful clouds and sunset behind our handsome boy!

Maegan with one of her new friends, Ashley, in a sand pit.

Mason helping Julia and Ashley dig.

Maegan (center) at the beach with friends.

Maegan (far right) with friends Abbie, Ashley and Hannah.
Notice the face painting and box of vanilla wafers.

Mason diving with his snorkel.

Carrie enjoying another coconut!

Mason and Gus playing the Wii. Notice the tall white lamp to the left of the TV; this is a makeshift "shelf" for our antenna, which is sitting on top of it. We hope to get a custom outdoor antenna, which is what most of our neighbors have installed on their roof.

Kwajalein Swim Team - First Practice

Of all the sports programs on the island, the swim team has one of the largest enrollments of kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade on the island. It is an excellent opportunity for Maegan and Mason to improve their swimming skills while in an outdoor, warm water environment.  The pool contains sea water with added chlorine and is replaced weekly. Here are a few pics of their first practice.

Maegan (left) with friend Ella.

Mason (front) with new friend Scott practicing on the kickboard.

Mason wants to know why the kickboard doesn't make him go faster...

Whew!!  Break time...

Teen coach with Mason.

Teen coaches in the shallow end with the kids.

Mason (blue goggles) receiving instruction from one of the coaches.

Maegan diving.

Maegan and her freestyle.

Maegan again...

Gus enjoying watching the kids swim.

Teen coach watching Maegan dive.

Mason's goggles keep leaking!

More instruction for the little ones.

Mason using the kickboard.

Water break!

What a workout!

Mason flirting with his new classmate and friend Leah.

Play time with new friends Kiana and Ella.

Ella is telling an animated story...

Mason thinks Ella is pretty funny.

Ella and Mason

Turtle Release and SUPing

The Environmental Department (where Gus works) released two Hawksbill juvenile sea turtles that were found to the open ocean to live life as it was meant to be: free. Hawksbill sea turtles are an endangered species and must be released to the wild when captured, confiscated or rescued.  The larger of the turtles was a male and seemed to move pretty slow, while the smaller female was quite active. Prior to their "golden voyage", they were fed squid to send them off with a full tummy. Maegan and Mason were very excited to be among the few to witness this event! 

May not be fresh squid, but frozen will do!

Caught on tape!

Beautiful and innocent creatures...

The race is on....

Freedom!

The male was a little slow but...eventually made it!

Carrie loves fresh coconut water!

That weekend, we also took our SUP boards out for their first glide on the water.  It was a gorgeous morning and the kids and mom/dad had a great time...

Carrie is headed towards Carlson Island....

The water was almost glassy...

Maegan finds a snail...

Mason posing for the camera...

Gus takes some other kids out for a ride...

Maegan takes Mason for a paddle along the shoreline...

Gus trying out his new board, as Maegan and Mason practice their stroke!

Mason says "Now, it's my turn, Maegan!"

Carrie showing off our new SUP board...