Saipan living...

Oooh it's SO nice to be back on the tiny island of Saipan! We've had an absolute ball so far and are sad to see the weekend go so quickly. The trip here was relatively easy -- only 3.5 hours flight with a change of planes in Guam (it could have been easier if Cora slept the entire way, but lets not split hairs). We are staying in the center of the island and the middle of the action and are borrowing a friend's truck and car seat.

The weather here is HOT.... like sticky, sweaty hot at all hours, little wind and the sun is INTENSE. Cora does NOT like the weather at all.... she's okay in the shade but seems to prefer the cool A/C instead. We are reminiscing about when we lived here before we took 3 showers a day initially and wore pretty scant clothing.... by the time we left we'd wear jeans and long sleeve shirts without a problem (obviously the blood thinned out!)... we're back at the 3 showers daily, tank tops and shorts!!!

We've had the chance to hang out with lots of friends who are still here and it seems like old times, with the addition of some kids and spouses! We were lucky enough to be here for Nicole and Greg's wedding celebration and to see Sue's lovely 6 month pregnant belly.

As Greg golfed with friends (and worked on his "killer" sunburn/tan), Cora and Meg visited Labor and Delivery and the midwives and nurses who worked with Meg for 3 years....we really enjoyed this reunion / introduction! 2 patients who had just delivered were former patients of Meg's, so we got to visit even more special people!

After Saipan we spent a day in Guam where we shopped and ate some favorite foods. Cora was thrilled to spend time at the Westin pool -- she came a LONG way in our few days in the tropics! Greg got his motorcycle helmet, too..... a trip that was well-worth-it!

Cora gleefully taking her first steps on US SOIL! (At our layover in Guam) - she's kinda "island dancing!"

sunset reunion

beautiful flametree in background

walking the halls at Hyatt

in the ocean

back in pool with Cowry (she's 2 months older)

eating sushi rolls with cucumber

loving her time with auntie Nicole!

"the gang" minus a few at Hyatt brunch

with Auntie Susan at Wild Bills

mmm -- spicy yellow fin poki and garlic octopus at Abyss!

Sunset from our balcony

she's ONLY pretend playing (and no we are not at a poker parlor!)

family shot with Gypsy and Kato (buddies of Finn and Bonny)

at Guam airport

stealing and sharing daddy's Coldstone creamery chocolate PB milkshake!

Cora was a star once again and comfortable with Japanese tourists in Guam!

sitting at pool bar in Guam

Splashing water at daddy

practicing her coordination between kicks and strokes in Guam

big girl on bus ride home from the airport