Christmas Toys

Well, the girls delighted in this 5 dollar clearance item I found the day we were told to evacuate due to an explosive they had uncovered over at the school they've been building. I didn't think they'd like it much, but to my amazement, they LOVE it. I shot the video with my new toy a Flip video camera. Yeah. Sylvin made out pretty good too. I hope you all had a good Christmas.
Thank you Santa Claus!

PS, Eve is in the red, Sy in black.

Waiting for Santa to show up

Dont forget to turn off the music if you can't hear.


The above were videos taken today just hanging out at the house. Eve's in the pink striped shirt and Sy in the white. Eve was the talkative one. In the first video right around where there's 5 seconds to go she says "Mommy". I didn't realize it until I was just now looking at it. Ahhh, huh? It was really windy today and rainy in splotches. Sylvin went wild boar hunting this morning. That's a whole story for another time. I'm sure Sylvin will get around to telling you eventually. He's hooked and since the hunting season is all year long here, I'm hoping I'll continue to see him every once in a while!....
It's been a week now that Sylvin's been home and I can say with all honesty, I'm not getting sick of him being home any time soon. I asked if they'd really miss him if he didn't come back for the next patrol?
Yesterday we went to the thrift store on base. They've got a big area that's walled in about 3-4 feet high that's filled with toys. You're encouraged to lock the kids in and shop! Now that's my kind of shopping! The girls had a blast tearing up the nicely kept area and I could look around in peace. The used book section was only 25 cents a book. I found a bunch of baby board books. It was awesome. Sylvin even found some stuff for his bike. Since we're down to one car and he can literally ride to work, he does, but now he's 'pimped' out his bike with a 'trunk', a double attached bike stroller used to hold children. This is what we originally bought it for, but now it's morphed into a bike trunk. He found a bike basket that goes over the back wheel in Kwajalein at the bike junk yard for free. The latest find; a tool bag that's tiny that will attach to the frame of the bike. I said "Why do you need to carry tools around with you on a bike?" He said, very matter of factly, "in case it breaks down." "OH" I thought but said,..."why don't you just buy a more dependable bike?" (That's my answer to counter his wanting to buy 1000 or less cars when he gets an itch to buy a vehicle.)
Anyway, after the thrift shop we took the girls to the park that's right next to it. They had fun sliding down a little slide, but were more interested in playing with the rocks at the bottom of the slide and chasing leaves. We came home and the girls took a nap, but afterward went back out to the beach here on base. Our favorite, Dadi Beach. We were there late enough to actually watch the sun set. It was awesome. The haze on the horizon made it possible to stare directly at the sun without it being etched into your eyesight. The waves were calm but the water was cold. We managed, but didn't stay too long after the sun was down. The Soldier crabs I think are pretty much gone until next season. Moved on to better real estate I guess.
I hope you all have a great Christmas and Happy New Year. May God continue to bless you and your family and keep you content, safe and warm.

A Date w/Santa

Well,I had posted a pretty blurry picture. I tried to upload it by scanning it into my computer, but somehow, my scanner woouldn't accept it. So, I took a picture of the picture and uploaded it the old fashioned way.....via the camera. But Sylvin figured it out. Thank goodness for the technically "NOT" challenged. He's got a big noggin for a reason. The girls were pretty good. Eve didn't fuss at all and as you can see, let Santa hold her. Syani on the other hand wasn't having any of it. Poor Santa told her "You'll love me next year, I guarantee it." Then proceeded to tell Sylvin that 2 year olds were the worst for pictures with him. I figured as much. We didn't plan on a family picture either, but it turned out that way and I'm glad it did. Kinda cute. We went to the Micronesia mall to see Santa. He was sweet and had an accent. Gave the girls mini candy canes for stopping by to see him.
I heard there was a bunch of snow back home. YIKES, sounds like I missed a blizzard. Ahhhh, I'm SO sorry to hear that. Sylvin actually uttered that he missed the snow!!!!? I think he's been hanging around me way too long. But I was glad to hear it, means I just might get him to come home for Christmas when we're living in the tropics all year long. I certainly wouldn't want to be on a plane trying to land in the stuff though...Chicago looked a mess.
Well, I'll be thinking of you while we're at the beach or the kiddie pool sweatin. Always got a guest room open, you just say the word! Sylvin says he'll be home for a long stretch, you can have a two-fer. We'll all be here for a while.
Love to you all.

PS. Did you know if you double click over the picture it'll blow up to gigiantic proportions. Just in case you want to check for blemishes?!
Sy and Eve are wearing their pink tweed Roca Wear jackets that Gma Mercado got them! So Cute! Smooch!

Home for the holidays!

Papi's home once again!!!!
The girls knew who their Papi was right away. As soon as we got near him Eve had to have him hold her. She fussed until he grabbed her. Once Sy realized that Eve was okay and Sylvin was who she thought he was, she wanted him too. Then once he tried to give them back to me, neither one of them wanted to let him go. Like a couple pieces of velcro that you had to rip off. They were really cute. I know they're glad to see him again.
Well, with God's grace, Sylvin made it home on time and in time for Christmas. Thanksgiving sucked, so I'm glad he'll be home for Christmas. We're already thawing out the turkey and Sylvin's dreaming about putting it in his smoker. I doubt we'll fry it this year. Chomorros do alot of smoking and BBQing around here, so Sylvin's gotta compete with the "Jones" I have to admit, I admire his effort. It's usually excellent eating when he smokes stuff.
Speaking of good eats, we went to the Top of the Mar again last night. It's a restaurant on top of Nimitz Hill. I took the camera finally, so the pictures are from there. (The girls wouldn't turn around, I've got Eve and Sylvin has Sy) It wasn't a clear evening, a bit cloudy, so not the spectacular sunset I had imagined, but by all means, it wasn't shabby! It was beautiful out, not too hot, not too much humidity, not too cold. Perfect. We met some of the others from Sylvin's ship there too. there were probably at least 15-20 of us. It was nice.

Well, enjoy the pictures and I'll keep ya posted on what we're doing here. We ARE going to one of the children's Christmas parties this weekend, so check back for Santa pictures. Love to you all!

Sucking down double lattes!

Yeah, for most coffee jump starts the mornings. 'Round here, it's whole milk PLEASE!
Sunglasses optional.....but sippy cups are not.
We're all good. I think this day in particular we went to the kiddie pool and just hung out in general. I'm having so much fun being at home full time with these two. They are a joy to be around most of the day. Granted we all have our moments, but Sylvin should be home soon, so that saves my sanity. I can take a deep breath in those moments and say to myself...."this too shall pass."
We were going to go see Santa today and get their pictures taken, but I think I'm going to wait til next weekend. I should have help by then and it might make the day more enjoyable for all of us if I have help.
The countdown is on.....
I've got the Christmas tree up and some of the decorations out and up. As soon as Sylvin get's home I'm putting him to work to help me make cookies. It wouldn't be Christmas without them. Now, if I can choke down some hot chocolate in my airconditioning.......it might feel like home a little. Not used to the high 80 degree weather in December.
Hope you all are warm and cozy, enjoy the snow for me. Love to you all from us girls here in the tropics.