Sunset Dinner Cruise!

I love these friends of mine and I feel so blessed to have the in Saipan.  They are so wonderful, caring, and FUN!! :)  I'm going to miss them more than I can say!  

A few weeks ago was my friend Kara's birthday and we spent a whole day doing fun things to celebrate.  In the evening, we went on a Sunset Dinner Cruise.  It was my first time to go on one, although by the time you've been in Saipan for two years, most people have gone on multiple dinner cruises!  I thought it was SO much fun- here are some pictures of the night.

 Below: On the dock, getting ready to go out to sea

 The dinner cruise is on a large sailboat (ours was called the Jade Lady) that makes a big loop inside the reef to Managaha island and back.  It lasts two hours and includes drinks, dinner, and dancing!  

Here's where you go.  And there's our 2nd favorite island- Managaha!

pic via

The live music by our musician, Jerry, was so good.

Laura and I

All the girls on the boat and birthday girl Kara with her bday shells and lei.

The dinner was also so yummy- steak, rice, and veggies.

When the boat starting making it's way back to Saipan, we were sitting in the front of the boat with our feet over the edge and the wind in our hair.  As Saipan came closer into view, I thought about how much I love this little island that has been our home for the past two years.  That moment is one of my favorite memories from Saipan.

Last but not least, a little video from the night.  Thanks so much Kara for the pictures and video- love them!

birthday!

My man turned 30 this month!  Here's the whole day in pictures.

Brian's birthday started off at church on Sunday morning, when Bobby Winkfield, the principal of Saipan Community School, had the whole congregation sing happy birthday to Brian during the opening announcements!

Here's the cutest-baby-ever James Van Dam, with my friend Kara on the left and his momma Jackie on the right.

After church, hanging out with Nate, Will, and Jake, who just came back from an early morning spear-fishing trip.

... and onto birthday lunch!  Brian chose Spicy Thai, and we invited a bunch of our friends to come along.  Above is panang curry yum yum yum.

It was such a fun bday lunch- great food and great friends!

Next, I took Brian and Sam to Pau Pau beach for the afternoon.

Sammie's favorite thing in the entire world is her frisbee. Obsessed.

Cracking up from the large amount of sand Sam was shaking from her tongue.

These two love the beach!

Later we went home and I made Brian's favorite dinner: Chicken Parmesan Bundles from Kraft Foods.

I made this meal for him a looong time ago in Oklahoma City when we were engaged and it's been his very favorite ever since.

Sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful Saipan sunset.

I love keeping birthday secrets from Brian and surprising him and spoiling him.  I'm happy to be in Saipan with my love.

Guess who's 30?!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful man!

I loved celebrating with you yesterday.  Love you, Rach

Rachel's Birthday

October 29th was my wife's birthday and has been her third birthday spent out of the country. To make this day special we spent the day doing some of her favorite things. We started off the day with a trip to her favorite coffee shop then dropped her off with her friends for a day at the spa. 

  

Meanwhile...

 While Rachel spent the day at the spa, Sam and I stayed home to do some cleaning at the house.   While I worked, Sam's job was to open this coconut.

My dog after a long days work.  Good work Sam!

Me and Rach at the revolving 360 restaurant for her birthday dinner.

Happy birthday my darling!

Hey hey it's my birthday

On my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Brian planned a dinner with our friends at Oleai Beach Bar and Grill, my favorite restaurant here. We sat out on the patio overlooking the ocean to eat, then we all went over to my friend Kara's house- SUCH a great birthday night all planned by Brian.

On our way to dinner

Brian made chocolate chunk cupcakes with cream cheese icing- the best birthday cake ever!

My husband...

is THE MOST romantic guy.

Ever since we started dating, 5 and a half years ago, he's always done something to make my birthday week/ weekend really special. This Friday (tomorrow) is my birthday, and all this week he has left little surprises on our kitchen table before he goes to work, for me to wake up and find. All of these are things that we couldn't get in Taiwan last year and that I really missed!

I am so so lucky to have such a wonderful husband, and I can't wait to spend this birthday weekend with him.