Off to Africa (by way of England)!

Well, the suitcases are packed (very tightly, I might add...), and we're ready to go - tomorrow morning, bright and early, Debbie (Josh's mom) and I leave for England and Africa! We'll spend a week sightseeing and visiting friends in England, and then we're off to Kenya for 3 weeks. We'll spend most of that time with "Mama" Lucy at Hope Community Center near Nairobi. Lucy runs an orphanage of 200 children - on her own! What an amazing woman - I can't wait to meet her and all her children. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to get pictures posted while we're gone, so here's one to get us started...

Mama Lucy and her beautiful children!

Pray for safe travels and a blessed trip. Catch you later!

A Guam Christmas

After many inquiries, here is a photo diary of Mom and Dad's visit to Guam for Christmas. The time literally flew by, but we managed to squeeze in so much fun!


Mom and Dad straight off the plane after 24 hours of traveling - not too shabby!


Ritidian Beach - the first place we took Mom and Dad. What a first impression!


Mom and Dad at Two Lover's Point


Christmas Eve dinner at the Old Hagatna Bar and Grill


Christmas morning...


...and Christmas evening!


A leisurely way to start the day...that is, every day of Mom and Dad's visit! Life doesn't get much better than that!


Mandi and Mom...in the backyard again, but at least out of their pj's!


Mandi and Dad at a neighborhood waterfall


Mom enjoying the Leopalace hotel water slide!


A Christmas village display at a local friary - it put our Christmas decorations to shame!


Josh and Mom watching the sea life at Fish Eye Marine Park (a natural underwater aquarium)


Mandi, Mom, and Dad snorkeling at GabGab beach - Mom and Dad's first, and I would imagine NOT last, snorkeling experience!


A little post-snorkeling fun!


A family portrait on the back lawn of Mandi and Josh's church


A little sightseeing after church - this is an overlook to Asan Beach, one of the WWII invasion beaches


Champagne brunch!


Mandi and Josh at Latte Stone Park. Latte stones = ancient Chamorro (native of Guam) foundations


Mom and Dad on the beach outside of Jeff's Pirate's Cove - a fun beach-side restaurant


Mom and Dad at Talofofo Falls


Dad and Mandi at Fort Soledad, an old lookout tower


Josh and Mandi at Fort Soledad, taking advantage of having someone else around to take their picture!


Carabao's like the view at Fort Soledad, too!


Mandi and Mom at Ga'an Point, another WWII beach, waiting patiently for...


...coconut, procured survivor style!


A family portrait on Mom and Dad's last day on island


Yes, those really are wild pigs on the beach...


Mom (minus the pigs now!) soaking in one more sunset on the beach


I think that means they'll come back...

Back on the blog

Hello! After a 2.5 month hiatus, I'm finally back on the blog. Whew! I didn't intend to disappear for that long, but life does have a way of slipping by. And slip by it did - how is it already March?! Josh and I have had a memorable 2009 so far.

Currently, Josh is deployed with the USS Essex, working as the lawyer for a Commodore in charge of 3 ships and a couple thousand marines and sailors. So far, he has been to Sasebo, Okinawa, and Thailand. We'll see where else he travels. He left Guam just after New Year's, and at this point, we're not sure when exactly he'll finish up.

In light of Josh's travels, I decided to take a space available flight back to the States to do some traveling of my own. I spent some time in California in January and early February, and now I'm in Georgia with my parents. I'm having a grand time, though I can't wait for Josh and I to resume our adventure-filled lives on Guam!

Obviously I don't have any photos of Josh's 2009 travels, but here's a few pictures from my time in the States so far:

Taking in Orange, CA after a morning hike with Aunt Laura and Cousin Melanie

Kicking back at Legoland in Carlsbad, CA (Yes, the fellow on the left is made entirely of legos!)

Legoland's depiction of our historic inaugeration...this too is made entirely of legos. Pretty cool!

Mom and I at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA (where Josh and I met and got married!), en route to...

My good friend Allison's wedding in DC! What perfect timing to be back in the States!

Of course, no East Coast road trip is complete without a stop in Greensboro, NC to see our family friends, the Theisens. Here's Sheri (my maid of honor!) and I after a day of fun.


Mom and Dad's house in Columbus, GA - covered with snow on March 1st! Columbus doesn't get snow, especially not in March. I guess all it takes is a visit from a girl from Guam who has completely adapted to daily 90 degree weather!


And finally, the best picture of the bunch - little Tito weathering the snow quite well in his sweater and poncho. You've got to admit - he's adorable!

I have a few weeks left in the States and then I'm off Nairobi, Kenya for a mission trip with Debbie, Josh's mom. I am beyond excited about this opportunity. Stay tuned for more details!

However, next up, Christmas 2008 in Guam!! (Yes, I'm slightly out of order...oh well!)