Surf's Up

It feels like life has gotten into more of a routine.  We are getting used to, but hopefully not taking for granted, island life.  As a matter of fact the other day someone said something about summer and I had to stop and think about what season it really is.  It seems like after all this fabulous weather, we should be hitting fall, but then I remembered if we were in the states we would not be enjoying balmy weather we are spoiled with right now.   I hear Guam is heading into summer now too.  Their summer runs from March to September when the rainy season starts.  I have loved the weather here thus far, but locals tell me the really hot stuff (the island rarely sees 90 degrees) is around the corner, we'll see how we do. 

The kids continue to take surf lessons and are really improving.  I love to sit and watch them, especially Bugs.  We talked Suzy into giving it a shot too.  Although if she was asked she might say she didn't have much a of a choice.  I figure if you spend a year on an island, surfing is something you have to try.  The three younger kids all love it and Bugs is quite a hit with the Japanese tourists and his hamming it up does not disappoint.

Addie riding the waves like a pro!

This girl LOVES to surf!

The tongue shows his he is into it

Recently Abe was gone off-island for a week.  The kids and I packed a picnic and headed to the beach to watch the sunset.  It is always interesting to see what will get their attention when we get there.  This night it was the hermit crabs for sure.  Right away they set to trapping as many as they could.  While someone was given the task of keeping track of them, the rest of the kids set to constructing contraptions to contain them.  By the time they were done, I think they had 37 of them.  When we let them go, it was quite a sight to see them all scatter.

Sunset at Dadi Beach

One of the crab holding pens

The crab pit

This last week we had a real treat, two little angels came to stay while their parents went on a dive trip to Palau.  It was so fun to have them over, we all loved it.   The only hard part was when my kids were fighting over to got to help them or carry them or sleep by them.  One night while my girls were helping them with the bath, they told our visitors when they finished washing there would be a surprise, meaning the jets in the tub.  When they turned them on, they all got a surprise, the bubbles multiplied and soon everyone was covered in suds.  They loved it.  The only hard part was  getting all the bubbles off.

Abe didn't think the bath picture was appropriate, so here is one with everyone clothed.

One thing that has been so great about living here is the opportunities to serve and do missionary work.  Issac goes out teaching with the missionaries ...a lot.  Last week he guessed he went to about twenty lessons.  He has given a talk at the last two baptisms.  What a great opportunity for him to experience what a mission is like.  The best part is, he is eager to go and calls the elders to arrange the times.  He loves it.  Since so many people that live here do not speak English as their first language, he is trying to learn Pompeian and doing a decent job of it too. 

(Future) Elder Smith with the Talisay Ward missionaries.  On the far left is Reed Guisinger, he leaves for his mission to Japan in one week.