Summers Family in Guam

2010-01-05T07:22:00.001+10:00

This is our baby.... TIKI
She was a 1 1/2 pounds when we brought her home.

This is .... COCONUT
She is CRAZY!!! She weighed just 3.8 pounds when we brought her home.

There is an organization on island called G.A.I.N. The are pretty much the pound on island. Guam has so many wild cats and dogs it's crazy. They are referred to as "Boonie Dogs" and "Boonie Cats". The sad part is that the GAIN is so over populated that they put down at least on dog and one cat each day. Two days before I went there to look at the kittens they brought in 32 dogs. They had to shut down for two hours just to try and accomidate them all. They ended up having to put 10 dogs down :(
I say Tiki and Coconut and fell in love. The kids were so excited!! Madison literally grew wings and flew around the house. The sad thing was that because we got two cats and both girls were so excited Gage started to cry and asked where his dog was. He has been wanting a dog ever since Ellie. (Our Friend/Family's dog in Michigan) I had to tell him when we get out of the Navy we will get a dog. We are only aloud two pets in base houseing. Anyway, here are a couple more pics :)...

Playing at Dodi Beach....

2010-01-03T19:38:00.012+10:00

Our friends, the Copelands, invited us to go to Dodi Beach and see all the crabs that come out at sunset. Apparently the typhoons that have gone around the island have washed up a lot of debris. There was even a computer monitor that washed ashore. Even with all the washed up stuff it was still a beautiful beach. Dodi Beach takes a lot of the gruff from passing storms. The beach is on the Pacific Ocean side of the island and apparently the Pacific is a lot rougher than the Philippine Sea side.

These caves where carved out by the Japanese during the Pacific War. They would hide in these caves and shoot through the holes as the soldiers came aboard island.

The Sunset was beautiful.... One of these days I would LOVE for Robby and I to enjoy a sunset - minus the children. The kids had a great time though.

HAPPY NEW YEAR....

2010-01-01T19:07:00.018+10:00

We decided to start out our new year with exploring a new beach. We have decided we want to make it to ALL the beaches on Guam so what a way to start 2010! Our friends the Davids came with us and we had a BLAST. I can honestly say that so far this beach is my favorite. It is called Haputo Beach. We hiked down about 300 yards to the beach. The hike was through thick forests and pretty steep. There were narrow cement stairs, actually there were 212 narrow cement stairs. :) Going down was no sweat, but coming back up was a bit of a work out. Especially since Gage decided to RUN most the way up. Anyway, the reason this is our favorite beach so far is because it have BEAUTIFUL soft white sand with a HUGE corral reef. We were able to walk really far out and play in the waves. One of the great attractions of Haputo is this mushroom shape rock off the beach.

These are the last of the steps that we came down to get to the beach....

We have more fun pictures to show you but this is all I have time to do tonight... Love you all tons!

Island Life....

2009-11-29T18:57:00.026+10:00

For all of you poor people stuck in the snow, I hope these pictures don't make you hate us too bad :o

While the kids were in their first week of school, Robby had the week off work for house hunting. So of course we decided to go exploring. We accidentally found this beach. As we approached the road to go on we passed a sign that said...
"WARNING.... people have drowned here!" I must admit I was a bit nervous. And of course the one day we had to explore with out the children it was a down pour ALL day. But we quickly learned that if you wait to do something when it stops raining you will never do anything. This is the road we ventured down looking for the beach...

So we finally found a place to park and headed out to the beach. It was gorgeous! Even in the down poor we had a great time. We spent the time looking for shells and found some really pretty ones. After about an hour we had to head back to get the kids. This is us dripping wet and having a blast...

There is a tradition here on Guam that on every Wednesday night the Chamorro village has a big Siesta at the Chamorro Village. We ventured out for the night. Unfortunately it was a school night and our little Gage was exhausted from being at school for a full day. The Chamorro's cooking is amazing and they are known for their different ways of cooking chicken. We LOVED it! Well, everyone but Gage...

One thing we have found that we are definately not in short of are lizards... Maddie has died and gone to heaven. We two different kinds on the island, Gekkos and Skinks. Apparently when they get scared their tails fall off, needless to say every lizard around our house is missing a tail. Maddie and her friends constantly catching them...

We have lots more to share with all of you. I will post what I can as soon as possible. Love you all!!

Wow, I don't even know where to begin...

2009-11-24T13:08:00.026+10:00

I have been putting off getting the blog going because there would be just too much catch up to do. So I then decided some is better than none, right? I'm not going to start where I left off back in December, obviously you are all disappointed, but it's just not going to happen. I am just going to through in some pictures to get you caught up to the present. It also doesn't help that they've changed things since the last time I was on this. Bare with me here we go......

A real quick run through...
Moved in with Hollie and Kids and mom while Robby worked in Boise. Joined the Navy, then Robby left for Officer Training in Rhode Island. He was gone for 2 1/2 months, but he graduated with flying colors and is officially an Officer of the United States Navy! We then packed up everything we own and shipped it to Guam. Thank goodness the military does that for you. We made it to Guam on October 17ish.(honestly I don't remember) The flight was long but the kids did great, or so I'm told. I took some "calming" drugs because of my fear of flying over the ocean, crashing and if I survived getting eaten by sharks. Anyway, I took those and then woke up in Japan, 10hours later. The kids claim I colored with them and played with them, but I honestly don't remember one thing about that flight. We then continued to Guam, it was about another 3 hour flight.

Once in Guam our sponsor, LT Commander Roger Bunch picked us up from the airport. It took two trips to the hotel for them to get all our luggage there. It was beautiful!! We staid at a resort called The PIC (Pacific Island Club) we loved it there. The kids had a great time because there is a water park right on the beach. So needless to say the kids and I spent the next week playing while Robby started figuring out his new duty.

We celebrated Halloween while we were living at the PIC. This was pretty interesting because the PIC is the top vacation spot for Japanese. Guam is to the Japanese like Hawaii is to us. So needless to say there are A LOT of tourists here. Anyway, so the kids got all dressed up and we headed out to the base to do some trick-or-treating. As we left the Japanese tourists absolutely loved seeing the kids. They were all saying stuff like... ga;skfrj;ewhdshjnfs, they are so sweet. No, but really they are a very kind culture.

After living in the hotel for two weeks we were finally able to move into a house on Big Navy. Its a four bedroom but the rooms are only 9x9. Pretty small, but we are all together! (sounds cheesy, but I mean it)

The kids quickly found a way to have fun in our new home. We don't have carpet anywhere due to the high humidity and flooding from typhoons. So we get to walk on hard tiles 24/7. But as you can see the kids really enjoy it.

This is our dinning room standing at the front room

Our living room standing in the same place as the dinning room

Our kitchen is actually not too bad. It looks really small but we have lots of cupboard space.

Laundry Room

The kids started school during our last week at the PIC. Gage is in ALL DAY Kindergarten, Maddie in 3rd and Lizzy in 4th. They are all doing great as little Sea Hawks here at the McCool School.

2009-10-15T03:26:00.002+10:00

HELLOOOO Everybody! Wow, we are really, really behind on our blog...wow! Sorry. Life has slipped by with little time to blog. In any case, hopefully we can get you up to date with our happenings. I joined the Navy in July, was sent to training in Newport, RI in August, then training in Norfolk, VA in September, then we all are going to Guam in October. Em and the kids have been with her family in Logan, UT. Em, my precious, lovely, devoted, and not crazy wife has done all of the hard work...getting all of our stuff shipped, including our car, to Guam; in addition to dealing with the insane amount of paperwork and bureaucracy of the government and moving overseas!!! All the while tending to the extremely demanding needs of our three lovely (although she might argue this point! ;) children, Lizzy, Maddie, and Gage! If you call her and she doesn't answer, don't worry, she still loves and cares about you, she is just probably doing one of the things listed above...or she could be crying wishing this was all over soon! Which it will be in the next week or so. We then will be sending our warm wishes and doing better at keeping everybody up to date from Guam. So until then...

Yes, we are still alive...

2009-02-01T04:49:00.018+10:00

I know, I know, many of you think we have up and fallen off the face of the earth. Well....although at times it feels like that would be nice, we are still here. :) Since I have obviously gotten EXTREMELY behind in my blog I'm going to try and fly through our little adventures that have been keeping us so busy.

So on New Years Day, my kiddos all headed to Utah with Aunt Hollie and Gma Carolyn. They were getting a headstart so the girls could start school at the first of the year. I was staying behind to pack up the house. As you can plainly see the kids were heart broken about leaving with out me...

So for 17 days I did nothing much other than packing up a very large house...

Robby flew in on the 15th to make the move with me. We rented a 26ft truck and thought we may have room to spare...We ended up packed extremely tight. We also towed the Montana, the poor thing never would have made it

We are sure going to miss this house, our friends and the beautiful state of Colorado...

Entering into Cache Valley brought back A LOT of emotions. I had forgotten just how beautiful and peaceful this valley is. This is the view from the front of Hollies house. Every morning I love to just go watch as the sunrise turns these gorgeous mountains into a sight that just brings an at home feeling.
This is the view out the back of the house. As you can see it is heaven. Maddie spends the majority of her time out talking to and petting the horses. She has found her passion. Hollie is going to start giving her riding lessons every Sat. Needless to say Maddie's dream has come true.
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2009-01-04T04:10:00.028+10:00

We were soooo... blessed this Christmas. I am so thankful to all those of you who helped to make this Christmas so amazing. This season was a true testimony to us as to what Christmas is all about. We love all of you and thanks again.

Daddy created a Fort with all the boxes for the kids...They loved it!

We LOVE and MISS you Daddy!

We were blessed to have our dear friends the Andersons join us for a Christmas Eve Dinner. We are carrying on the Summers' Family Tradition of Soup in a Bread Bowl on Christmas Eve.

Im not so sure Trace liked the soup...

Our little Cali Cakes...she's our little eater :) Boy I'm going to miss those sweet little cheeks

Oh Sam, those little tears will be missed...
Poor Rian had her tonsils out for Christmas Break...She was a sad little sight.

Cali and her Bears Hat

Lizzy & Maddie in their Christmas PJs

Gage in his Christmas PJ's and a Heating Blanket from Gma Cassie and Gpa Craig. When he opened the blanket he said..."A Heating Blanket, My Dream Come True!" That little boy sure knows how to bring a smile to my face.

Thank you Gma Cassie and Gpa Craig...

Thank you Gma Carolyn, Aunt Hollie and the Crew :)

Thank you Kristen, Erick and Ellie...

Thank you Aunt Jill, Uncle Eric, Katelyn and Gracie :)

2008-12-16T23:52:00.029+10:00

So this year our Christmas is going to be a bit smaller than usual. For those of you who know how much we love decorating for Christmas will understand our heart ache that this picture is the TOTAL extent of our Christmas Decor. We didn't have enough room on the moving truck for the rest of the decor. But with all the lights off and some Bing Crosby in the background the Christmas Spirit is as strong as ever.
My good friend Jen and I took our troops to see Santa. Outdoor World had a "Santa's Workshop" inside and boy did we have fun...

Maddie spent nearly all her time writing a letter to Santa. The letter said.... Dear Santa, I have ben prettie good this yeer. I would rilly like a Disney MP3 player and some close. Hope you have fun. I love you, Madison Nicole Summers

Gage found some dart guns and practiced shooting targets. This was actually soooo... cute!

Of course Lizzy could not be shown up by her little brother. She looks a little to natural behind that gun :o

Lizzy showing our little Cali Cakes the proper way to shoot the gun. Cali is Jens youngest. We ADORE her!!

Gage mailing his Santa Letter. The kids should be recieving an email from Santa "confirming" what they would like for Christmas. Parents had to sign it in order to recieve the confirmation.

Gage was so cute, he told Santa he wanted a toy orange motorcycle and a toy blue car....This was news to me :0

Maddie of course asked for a Disney Mix Stick...I'm so glad the girls are sticking with the ONE item :)

Lizzy too asked for a Disney Mix Stick, she had also suggested a pogo stick. Ya, not to sure about a pogo stick :0

This sweet family has quickly become the dearest friends. Andy was at work so he wasn't able to come with us, but the rest of the crew is Jen, Rian 8yrs, Trace 6yrs, Sam 3yrs, Cali 2yrs and a little girl on the way.

2008-12-15T23:56:00.001+10:00

Lizzy and Maddie all ready for their Christmas Program at school.

Miss Lizzy Lou

Miss Maddie Moe

And of course our little MONSTER Gage!!

We miss you DADDY!!

2008-12-05T12:07:00.002+10:00

Our first official snow fall of the year. This little storm lasted only about 12 hours.

Gage decided to use his muscles and scrape out the driveway for mommy :)

2008-12-04T14:53:00.001+10:00

This is the gorgeous view from our front lawn. One morning the girls were running to the bus and insisted that we come and look at the view, I must say I'm going to miss this place.

2008-12-04T14:49:00.002+10:00

After eating Chicken Enchiladas for dinner, Gage decided he wanted Robby to roll him up like a little burrito. The girls decided to join in also, because of this genius idea we found a great way to keep the kids under control :)

2008-11-06T09:30:00.002+10:00

Gage's most favorite thing in the world...Peanut Butter!! Thats right he eats it for breakfast, lunch, snack, and sometimes dinner. I know, not the most healthy, but hey its better than other junk out there :)

2008-11-06T09:04:00.004+10:00

Ok, so the girls come home from school with a new little "Hand Cheer" on a regular basis. I decided you all are being deprived of such cuteness so I'm going to start posting them for you :) That's right I'm trying to keep up on this blog thing...

2008-11-02T09:10:00.006+10:00

I know its amazing, I'm actually posting something that recently happened :) So Halloween was a BLAST! We have been blessed to have the greatest neighbors which have fastly become our dearest friends here in Colorado. Brandy and Steve had all of us friends over for some delicous smoked chicken and turkey then we headed out with our friends Andy and Jen and their kids for some trick-or-treating. In this pic is my three and then their best little friends, Ryan, Trace, Sam and Kalie. Hope and Stetson also joined in for the fun.

2008-10-13T04:44:00.001+10:00

Family Photos

2008-10-13T04:39:00.002+10:00

Our friend Jen was gracious enough to take our family photos. They turned out soooo... cute! Thank you Jen!

Our little "Get Away" to Estes Park...

2008-10-13T04:15:00.000+10:00

Back Online and in Colorado...

2008-06-30T12:58:00.002+10:00

We finally got the internet hooked up...after having to call and give them a piece of my mind when they didn't show up when they were suppose to and having waited all day! (They did waive the installation charges!) I post pictures soon, but wanted to let everybody know that we made it to Colorado finally and are still alive!!

Updates...(especially for you Maria!)

2008-04-14T08:57:00.020+10:00

We have a frequent blogger spying on our page. According to her it is everyday, which I can believe! It's hard not to come back to this blog everyday, even though it hasn't been updated for a while, and the anticipation of what happens next in our lives...let's just say it keeps you coming back!

So we have been busy since our last update. School is nearing it's end (only 2 more weeks left!) at least for me; the kids have until mid June. Emily has been busier than ever getting ready for the move. She has the bug and has started packing as well as looking for a place to live. In fact she will be in Denver this upcoming week hitting the pavement scouting for a new dwelling space for our clan. Other than moving and school, we have traveled a little too. I had a conference in Charlotte, NC and it happened to fall during the kids' spring break, so we made a road trip out of it. I dropped Em and the kids off at a friend's (Lauren) in Johnson City, TN. Needless to say, nary a day went by without a big something to do. Here are some of the pictures of our many adventures!!!

We went to the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC (built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800's and still owned by the Vanderbilt family). This is the castle that we were able to tour. It's hard to describe this place in words, utterly amazing!

Mr. Vanderbilt hired a famous Architect to design the mansion and a famous landscaper to develop the surrounding grounds. Needless to say there is multiple flower gardens including a greenhouse with exotic flowers and plants from around the world. When driving into the estate there are areas with bamboo growing everywhere, making you feel like you were actually at those exotic places! We were there just as the flowers were starting to bloom in the gardens.

Em and Lizzy resting in the greenhouse in a sitting area.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons...this is why.

The kids taking a break eating gourmet chocolate from one of the souvenir shops.

We had to walk about 8 minutes from the parking area over a hill which looked down on the mansion. This is at the bottom of the hill.

Coming up on channel 8, 6, and almost 4 News...

Em and the kids went to the hands on museum. This was one of the favorites of the kids, pretending to work as anchor people.

Me not tall enough to reach Michigan, but the weather today is, cold, cloudy, partly sunny, windy, rainy, snow flurries, chance of hail, and there is a tornado watch in place through the night. Tomorrows forecast...any and all of the above.

This just in...Hannah Montana has been sighted at a mall, unfortunately it is not at the mall where we are at.

We are raising 3 wild animals and that's the truth!

This part of the museum taught the kids about how Locks work (i.e. the Panama Canal).

One of the days was spent at a Dinosaur museum.

Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex. How many places can we see her? This is #2. We visited her when she was in Idaho Falls, ID. She is still more traveled that we are.

One of the highlights of the Dinosaur Museum was digging for fossils. The D.O.T. had just excavated a bunch of dirt to make a road and it was a sight where there was possible dinosaur bones.

This is what went through the mind of the museum director..."you know visitors pay us to come here, why not give them a tour of this pile of dirt and then let them take a shovel-full of it and sift through it to 'experience' what it would be like out on a 'real' dig! (Unsuspecting suckers won't realize that we are getting paid by them to do our work!)"

As it turned out...Lizzy did the work and found a left patella bone of a pre-historic rhinoceros, which they suspect dates to pre-ice age era. GO LIZZY! (Gage felt left out so he is holding up a rock...although it could be a tooth...hard to tell.)

A bitter-sweet moment. This is my class at our farewell party before we all part our separate ways for our 4th year residency's. We've been together for 3 years solid now.

Lizzy's Birthday & Baptism

2008-03-05T09:39:00.011+10:00

Well, Hard to believe, but Elizabeth has turned 8 years old on us!! She has gone and grown up, which means we are getting old!! Grandma and Grandpa (Cassie & Craig) were able to come and see us in the Arctic tundra and join in the wintry festivities. She celebrated with her friends by having a Hannah Montana birthday party (cool...totally!) Then on Saturday we took a quick trip up north to the Mackinac Bridge, a large suspension bridge that connects the upper peninsula (the "u" "p" as we call it here) of Michigan to the lower peninsula. It was cool to see and we even saw some big freighter ships plowing through the iced over Lake Michigan and Huron! Sunday was a very special day. Elizabeth was baptized. She was very excited, nervous, and happy. The program went well and Lizzy kept saying the rest of the day that she felt a warm feeling. I think we all felt it. We are very proud of our 8 year old! We love you Lizzy!!

We're moving!!

2008-02-08T03:50:00.000+10:00

As part of my schooling, the 4th year is called a clinical fellowship year (similar to a residency). I am required to find places and apply like any other job. I was offered a position in Denver and we accepted it! So we are moving! I start there on June 1st, so we'll be moving in May. We are excited and nervous, ultimately happy to move west close to mountains and closer to family!

Some pictures...

2008-02-03T14:12:00.000+10:00

Okay...one more picture. Emily is an amazing photographer. Love this pic!

2008-02-03T14:07:00.000+10:00

Here we are in Pikeville, Kentucky for Thanksgiving in 2007. It's not the most recent picture, but at least its a picture of us!

I finally have time to figure this out!

2008-02-03T13:37:00.001+10:00

Hello all! I finally found some time to figure out this blog thing. I need to add pictures and those are coming soon. I decided that instead of living vicariously through everybody else's blog, I would start my own...so here it is!