Birthday Gifts, Flag Football, and Get-togethers

The mail service to Kwaj can be rather slow at times, but it does eventually arrive.  Just when Maegan thought there were no more birthday presents, gifts arrived from the Abuelitos and Tia and Tio in Texas.  She was surprised and very excited.  As you can see, Mason was equally excited to see what was inside.

We surprised Maegan after she finished her shower...

Another toy pet...

Nice kitty shirt...

Mason was excited to receive a present as well.

In November, the flag football season started for Maegan and Mason.  Maegan played with her schoolmates.  Maegan remembered playing flag football when she was 6 years old in Kennewick so she was able to fine tune some of her skills...

Teen volunteers help teach flag football.

Maegan going in for the catch.

That's a rifle arm...

We stocked up on Tillamook cheddar cheese blocks after Surfway (island grocery store) was completely out of it for several weeks! Maegan has always been a "cheese girl"!

Still loves his stuffed animals!

Maegan gearing up to celebrate Zoey's birthday!

Appetites are primed!

Zoey's 10th Birthday Party!

Mason swimming at the birthday party.

Sound asleep with his stuffed animals!

Mason has the beach all to himself...

Sunset dinner with friends at the Emon Beach Scuba Shack!

Halloween on Kwajalein

As you can tell, we are a bit behind in posting. Halloween is a big event on Kwajalein. There are several activities for kids to participate in prior to Halloween (during school and after-school activities). Enjoy.

Maegan is a mysterious cat during the 3rd grade Halloween Party.

Maegan about to enjoy a haunted feast.

Parents decorated and provided food for the party.

The table centerpiece featured a zombie...

Carrie serving severed fingers, with Julia using the sniff test before enjoying
(which any smart dog would do!)

Plenty of food and decoration.

This kitty was very hungry.

A healthy skeleton!

This table shot shows the "brain" to the left of the zombie, which was carved by the talented Heidi Rowell.

Watch our for Ben 10's "Heat Blast" (a.k.a. Mason)

Mason's friend, Kiana, was a lion.

It's picture time...

Kindergarten class in action...

Mason is setting his Ben 10 alien-fighting watch for action.

Kindergarten party time.

Plenty of candy for the year.

Mason and Maegan on the left, trick-or-treating with Misty the ghost dog.

Carrie enjoying the outing...with the ghouls.

Ashley, Maegan, and Amanda going trick-or-treating.

Kids received a complimentary meal at Burger King if adorned in costume.
Mason, Maegan, Zoey and Ella posing.

Mom and Maegan lead the way, Mason lagging behind. Notice Misty across Maegan's hip!

"Heat Blast"

Jack and Kim Martindale looking good!!!

Mason told Dad to take his ugly costume off...

Misty is excited to go trick or treating.

Pre-Halloween and Maegan's Birthday Party

Halloween is huge on Kwajalein; the kids have several opportunities to wear out the costumes, including a Haunted House at the Youth Center, school parade, school class party, and of course, trick-or-treating.

Mason at the Youth Center's Haunted House
wearing his Ben 10 "Heat Blast" costume (minus the mask).

Pumpkin Walk (Halloween version of the "cake walk"). Winner receives a pumpkin!

It was all about accessories for Maegan's versatile black dress. Here she is a Spider Queen, with a black and purple wig and spider necklace.

Julia and Maegan enjoyed decorating their own cupcake at the party.

Girls whispering!

We also celebrated Maegan and Julia's 9th birthday together at Emon Beach (both turned 9 the same week).  Organized by Jane and Carrie, the party included food, cake, swimming at the beach, a pinata, games and a scavenger hunt.  The scavenger hunt was the highlight: the girls were divided into two teams (Maegan's and Julia's) and they had a list of 12 items that they had to find or complete tasks around the island.  Some of the items they were supposed to find included a coconut, hermit crab, local newspaper, piece of trash, etc.  Tasks included singing a Marshallese song and pushing the birthday girl down the street in a shopping cart.   It definitely was a memorable birthday this year.

The birthday girls enjoying the beach...

Mason enjoyed the playground with his buddy, Scott, during the party.

Time to enjoy the food and cake.

Mason loves the swing...

Mason and his buddy-in-crime, Scott.

Maegan is excited about the food and the scavenger hunt.

Hmmm-Hmmm good!

A game of eating whipped cream without hands.

Birthday girls getting messy!

Carrie and Jane explaining the rules of the scavenger hunt.

The two teams pushing the birthday girls in the shopping cart.

Maegan gets a free ride!!

Kwaj girls!

Jane lighting candles on the b-day cupcakes.

Julia taking a swing at the dolphin pinata.

Maegan loving the gifts from her friends.

What a way to end the party with a gorgeous sunset...