Swimming, Soccer, Hammocks, Shisk-ka-Bobs, and Coconuts

It's been a busy summer with Clark and Amaris having swim lessons at the Marpi pool. We also got a hammock for the summer days...which is everyday here. They also had a soccer camp and we made Shisk-ka-Bobs. Coconuts are everywhere here so here is Doris opening up for the juice and meat.

Clark and Amaris 2010 stuff

I do aplogize being a bit behind in videos. I have well over 100 Youtube videos up, but not as much on the family lately. Here are some videos from, gulp, last year including Halloween. I will try to get Christmas up very soon. Anyway, it is much easier to get photos up, but with video you have to edit, render, and upload. It just takes more time. Hope you like them.

Spring on Saipan 2011

Lots of stuff going on in the Spring. Clark and Amaris had their class field trip at the Saipan World Resort Wave Jungle. Doris and I went as chaparones. The next week they had their class parties to end the year. At Adwards Day Clark received three awards. He got a trophy for winning the GCA Bible Sword Drill and Honor Roll. He also received a medal for finishing 3rd in the islandwide PGFC forensic competition in Impromptu Speech. He is in 3rd grade and competed with other 3rd graders as well as 4th and 5th graders islandwide. Amaris did not get an award and as you can see by the her face she was not very happy. She is only in 1st grade so she will have lots more opportunities. Anyway, we got her a pink doughnut and she was happy again.
Also there are some shots of them opening up presents from Grandparents. Amaris is getting a makeover from Mom and Amaris lost her first tooth. The tooth fairy came that night.
I had to work on Mothers Day, but we had a surprise party for mommie the next Saturday. We surprised her when she came back from church. We had balloons, cake, and Clark and Amaris sang a special song for mommy. It was fun.

Neal Edwards Birmingham (1929-2011)

My Father passed away in the early morning hours on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Atlanta, Texas. He ws 81. I called him on Saturday morning around noon (Yes, I talked to him because we live on Saipan which is ahead of Texas time by 15 hours). I was the last person outside of Joan and the staff at the nursing home he was staying. He had never been in a nursing home and was only to be there for 10 days while he did some rehab so he could go home.
He did not say to much when I talked to him. I know we both ended by saying "I love you" so that means alot to me.
I knew when I woke up on Sunday and saw Joan's number on my phone that it was probably not good news. I was right. I called her back and she told me the news very straight forward. I had prepared for it somewhat, but it was still difficult to hear. I did not go back for the funeral because of the cost. It was $2900 on a last minute ticket from Saipan.
I loved my Dad, but had not seen much of him over the past several years. We only get back to the States once every three years, but I do talk to him on the phone.
He was never really scared of death. Oh, I guess we are all are in some way. He had a medical emergency about twenty years ago and we thought we were going to lose him then. He made a full recovery. He told me that as he laid there on the floor, knowing that the ambulance and doctors would not arrive in time and even then could not do much, he thanked God for his life and his family and was ready to go. From then on I did not worry much about him in that regard. He had a great life and his greatest fear (he told me) never came to pass. He said that he did not want to outlive any of his children. We're all still here and will be seeing him again in our time.

I love you daddy.

Halloween to Christmas Pictures

I have been a bit lazy about adding pictures to the blog. Still have to get up some more videos, but this will due for now. We have the GCA Christmas Play and Class Parties, Halloween at the Hyatt, Doris Golfing at KingFisher and going to the Island Apparel Christmas Party. Also, MCV Christmas Party pictures from the Saipan World Resort and the Office. And some pictures of Amaris goofing around at the house and Clark and Amaris goofing off outside the Marianas Business Plaza.