Grandpa and Aunt Jess visit Saipan - April 2007

Here is our very independent and active two year old...she is now swimming 'on her own'. This girl will do anything to keep up with Max.















Jess and Gandpa were lucky enough to be here for the infamous Flame Tree Festival. Here are a few pictures of some the dances we watched. These are some of the Carolinian dancers.

We also spent a great day at Managaha (little island off the west coast of Saipan). Our friend Jim took us out in his boat (his son is Max's best friend) for the day. It was a perfect day of relaxing, swimming, boating, snorkeling and eating! At one point of the day, when Grandpa was snorkeling with the kids, he looked up at the kids and looked around at the blue ocean water and what is their 'backyard playground' and thought to himself "well they wouldn't be doing this in Oshkosh".
It is very hard for us to be 8000 miles away from family - and it does truly pull at our heartstrings not be closer - but we do love our lifestyle out here and appreciate all the wonderful experiences we have here. Tayah, Max and Sera Ann are growing up in a world full of love for other cultures, a desire to learn about others, eat their food and speak their languages. We are truly blessed.