Hike to Forbidden Island

Ryan had the day off, so while the kids were at school, we hiked to Forbidden Island (so named because of the unexpected high currents and poor accessibility). The hike down was about 45 minutes and included some rappelling on the steep parts. When we got to the bottom, there was a gorgeous beach surrounded by cliffs and rock pools. After a swim, we headed back up, which wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.

Trip to Kansas City

As many of you know, my step-father of 20 years, Paul, passed away in late February. I went home to K.C. in March for nearly two weeks to spend time with family and participate in a lovely memorial service. Although he never tried to take the place of my real dad (who died of cancer when I was 11 years old), Paul actively participated in my life. His enthusiasm for travel helped plant a seed in me that lives on to this day! Ryan and the kids survived well in my absence.
Pics at the memorial service: my girlfriends and I (we sang a song together for Paul at the service); Mom, sister Kelly, and me; niece Chloe and my dog Nisa.

Nicholas turns 5 and Easter pics

Flame Tree

Last weekend was an all-star time as we participated in the 27th annual Flame Tree Arts Festival. There were artists' booths, local food vendors, contests (e.g. coconut husking, watermelon eating), and a stage for bands and cultural dancers.
My booth was 10 feet wide x 20 feet deep. I divided it into a front section for display and a rear section for VIPs. I showed 12 originals and had 20 prints made from 5 of those. My friend and fellow artist Greg Elliott (www.elliottartwork.com) printed and packaged them in his apartment (and did an awesome job). I also had airplanes/windtoys made of plastic bottles and aluminum cans for sale. The VIPs got cool water mist, ice and water refills, beer, and a chance to sit in the shade.
The weekend was such a blast, just sitting there mingling with new and old friends. The festival went from morning until late night and was a great party. I sold two originals and several prints and airplanes, and made a bunch of money (I broke even, that is).
My booth neighbors were a Carolinian group from the nearby island of Yap. They made me a palm hat that we passed around (see photos, including my friend Frank from the lab at the hospital, who initially encouraged me to participate).
I didn't take as many pictures of the festival as I would have liked. If you're interested, my friend Jack Hardy has lots on his website www.photographypeople.com

April

March

In March, we celebrated Easter and Nicholas's 5th birthday. For his party, Nicholas chose to invite a few of his guys to ride go-carts around the course at the Marianas Resort. We then moved to the beach for pizza and cake.
Nicholas stumbled into a light post one Thursday at the street market and split his head open. We took him to the ER where I put three stitches in. (I'll spare you the gory and unflattering--for me--details of that experience). It was the fourth episode for Nicholas to require stitches or staples in his head/face...a real boy.

A common routine of ours that we hope to never take for granted is an afternoon at Micro Beach. I meet Kim and the kids after work, and we have happy hour, play in the ocean, and watch the sunset together.