A Day in Paradise

Snowboarding!!!!

2011-04-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

The boys

Snowboards from Santa this year. Today was the day to give them a run! Morgan and Peter Sackett were able to join us!

Hiking Around

2011-04-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

After Conference we all went on an adventure. The boys showed us their path up the tall hills in front of our house. The view was amazing and so was the company!

More images of Italy

2010-12-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

San Francisco & Bruessels, Belgium

2010-12-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

On our way home from Guam we had a 16 hour lay over in San Francisco. Then before we hit Italy the next week, we stopped in Brussels and had a fun morning trying to find our way around!

Italy

2010-12-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Jeff and I were able to sneak away for an amazing, romantic trip to Italy this summer. We were able to visit with one of our best friends from medical school Adam, his wife Clara , and her sister Lizzie. We went to Naples, Ischia, Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Lake Como.

The Republic of Palau

2010-06-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

Our Family vacation, June 2010

Palau was a little bit of Heaven! We only stayed for 2 1/2 days, but we made countless memories!

After visiting Jelly Fish Lake, Jacob said that it had been the 2nd best thing he had ever done. When we asked what was his first, he replied "Diving with the sharks!" Not bad...the two best things in his life in one day!!!

Our Hotel in Palau - The Sea Passion

2010-06-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

We stayed at the Sea Passion Hotel - I assure you it was quite appropriate, even for the boys! ;) Here are a few pics looking out from the hotel...

Kayaking in Palau

2010-06-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

We spent our last day kayaking all over Rock Island

Wreck Dive, Palau

2010-06-07T21:30:00.001-07:00

We went on a wreck dive - it was an old WWII sunken ship near the boat docks. We saw old helmets, guns, ammo, pots & pans, cannons, and all sorts of fun things....

Jelly fish Lake - Palau

2010-06-07T21:13:00.001-07:00

We went on a hike up and over a coral -laden hillside and back down the other side to a fresh water lake that is the home of billions of jellyfish. They no longer have the ability to sting, so it was safe to get in and swim/snorkel among them - it was AMAZING!!!

Boys with a black tip

2010-06-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

Jacob filming a black tip reef shark - and his brother!!!

Diving Pics in Palau

2010-06-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

Pics of a great barracuda, a sea turtle, a black tip reef shark and us diving!

Gray reef shark under boat

2010-06-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

We got ready for our second dive and found this under the boat!!

Palau trip June 2010 sharks & underwater WILD life!

2010-06-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

Sharks & WILD creatures (and Divers :)

Palau trip June 2010

2010-06-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous weekend in Palau. It is a country in Micronesia known for its amazing diving experiences. We had a blast!!

White tip reef shark diving in Palau June 2010

2010-06-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

2009-12-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Spear Fishing

2009-12-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

Jeff and the boys went on a Father & Sons outing this weekend. They went night spear fishing! Many of our friends from the branch were there. Kevin & Cory - friends from Shanghai were able to go too!

The fish didn't stand a chance! Unfortunately, neither did Jeff's hand when it met the tip of Jacob's spear. Jeff spent a portion of his night on call (the next day) in the ER getting a tetnus shot and x-rays. He is now on 2 antibiotics and the infection is quickly retreating!

Alls well that ends well....Everyone enjoyed a feast after the hunt.

States here we come!

2009-05-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

We will be leaving our beautiful little island this upcoming Thursday morning. It will be the first time the boys have been to the mainland since arriving on Guam just a little under 2 years ago....can you believe they are excited???!!!

We will miss our Guam family, but are greatly looking forward to spending some quality time with family & friends back in the states!

Las Vegas or Bust!

My Guam Running Mates

2009-05-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

The past 2 5Ks were incredibly hot, I have to say I like running MUCH better in the morning! With the combination of high humidity, 88-89 degree temps, hills and late in the day conditions our times weren't the best, but it was fun! Actually, on the first run I got my fastest time yet! And no - I will not be posting the time - I have too many runner friends out there who would have to laugh! (Hey, a girls gotta start somewhere, right??)

Top photo: Marilee, me and Haley
Middle: Marilee, Haley and Jacob Bunch
Bottom: Michelle, Jacqueline, me and Haley

David & Jacob's Activities.....

2009-05-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Baseball 2009 - Jacob was a pitcher and David played catcher

For you X-Men fans out there, Jacob did his impression of Wolverine - not too shabby I'd say!

My Muscle Man

2009-05-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

Jeff reached his goal of bench pressing 225 lbs today! He is now on to 240 lbs! Now I just have to catch up somehow......

Keeping busy while Jeff is away...

2009-05-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things that entertain us back at home..... the beach, athletic events, and spending time with friends.

LIfe in the Desert Baby!

2009-05-11T04:54:00.000-07:00

Since the last picture I posted of Jeff wasn't showing him at his all time best I thought I would post a few recent pics that are a little better! The first one is a picture in his barracks shortly after arriving at his base. The next three are photos he sent this weekend - a bit of a difference in how full his face is....he is making the most of his spare time in the gym! Ooo Rah!

It's a new me!

2009-05-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

I finally convinced Jeff that my hair would indeed grow back if I got it cut - I was in the need of a change!

Copelands on the move!

2009-05-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Despite missing Jeff, the boys and I have managed to have fun while he is away! We are able to Ichat most everyday. The boys stay busy with school, scouts, baseball and friends. I spend my time working at the Navy College part time, acting as an Ombudsman for the hospital, trying to stay fit (Jeff has nothing better to do than workout most days!), and hanging with friends. All in all, the time is passing relatively quick....less than 5 months to go! We are flying to the states on the 28th of May and hoping family & friends will continue to keep us busy so time will start flying by!

Jeff's Deployment

2009-04-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

I was able to fly to California to see Jeff off on his official deployment. It was a last minute decision and I will be forever grateful for all of you that stepped in to help make it possible. Jeff and I had a fabulous 5 days together. Including Valentine's Day!

This is a picture taken just before his bus pulled out of Camp Pendleton. It definately felt like dejavu - except the boys weren't with me and I didn't cry - I promised Jeff I wouldn't!

Fun with Family & Friends

2009-02-25T05:08:00.000-08:00

Alison & John (Jeff's cousins) and friends Dale & Debbie came for a visit from Shanghai - along with their older children - during Christmas break~ Everybody had a great time! Jeff played tour guide. He kept them all pretty busy - they probably needed a vacation from their vacation :) Scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, jet skiing, golf, movies and shopping were among the numerous activities Jeff planned during their stay.

We can only hope they will all be back again soon!

Underworld continued

2009-02-25T05:03:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed my little friend in the picture of me & Jeff - he appeared in several pics as we posed - we didn't even notice him until we looked at the pics back on shore!

Underworld

2009-02-25T04:58:00.001-08:00

Our family is really getting into the new underworld we discovered on Guam

More pics from Hawaii....

2008-12-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

We were able to visit many amazing places during our week stay on the island, including the Hawaii temple's visitor center.

Aloha!

2008-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

Our family was able to visit the beautiful island of Ohau this past week. We met Dwayne and Sandy there. We were able to visit with the Dahls and do a lot of fun activities during our stay. David and Jacob were ordained in the Dahl's ward on Sunday. We visited the Polynesian Cultural Center on Monday; toured the Arizona Memorial, watched part of a surfing tournament and visited Waikiki on Tuesday; hiked to a beautiful waterfall and celebrated Elder Dahl's birthday on Wednesday and traveled home on Thursday.

Navy Ball

2008-10-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening the Davids, Bunchs, and Copelands hit the dance floor at the Navy Ball. The ladies got together ahead of time at Michelle's to do their hair and makeup, while the men labored over their dress uniforms. We separated and dressed at our own houses, then rode together in style! (The David's minivan!) We had a fabulous time. I will add pictures as we share photos - these two will have to suffice for now (the 2nd picture is James & Michelle with me and Jeff).

2008-10-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

David & Jacob's 12th Birthday Party!

2008-10-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

The boys are officially 12!
My friends Marilee & Michelle came over and helped decorate for a Halloween theme party for the boys - a sister from the ward donated a lot of super fun decorations. We served: witches hats (bugles on ritz crackers held on by cheeze whiz), mini corn dogs, bagel bites, eyeball witches' brew (gummy eyeballs floating in lemonade in a cauldron), bags of popcorn (kettle or regular), and caramel apples (the kids chose what other toppings the wanted - heath bar, milk chocolate, nuts, or sprinkles). We watched the old Disney thriller, "Watcher in the Woods" - which scared the bigebeeze out of us all and then had to watch, "Hood Winked" - to help cut down on the night mares (we only have a queen size bed :). The girls then went home and we were left with a house full of rowdy boys that stayed up way too late. In the morning we had breakfast and left for the church house for a service project. A fun time was had by all!

More Bali Pictures

2008-10-19T15:14:00.001-07:00

I received a few more pics of Bali.....I am still expecting a few more of the dives I went on - I will update when I can.

The picture of me and my friend riding the elephant with our hands above our heads is dedicated to my Grandma Jackie, who always dreamed of riding an elephant - this ones for you Grandma!

Our First Dive

2008-10-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

Our family went on our first scuba dive together last Saturday. We were at Gab Gab beach. We went on two dives and enjoyed a BBQ in between. We ended the day with a date night with our friends Michelle and James at a new restaurant - California Pizza Kitchen. It was a fabulous day!

2008-10-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

2008-10-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

Two of my closest friends here in Guam and I were able to go and visit Bali for a little over a week. It was a trip never to be forgotten. The sites, sounds, smells, and people we came in contact with were amazing! We saw and experienced so much in a relatively short period of time. We went white water rafting, attended a cooking school, shopped, visited a monkey forest, visited several beautiful temples, mountain biked down a mountain winding through little villages, went to spas, attended traditional dances, rode an elephant, and bartered our way through the beautiful little country.

I was even able to go on three boat dives off the coast of a little island near Bali mainland.

All the while, our husbands back home took great care of our children. (Though I am sure my David helped take care of Jeff and Jacob as well :)

Adventures in Bali

2008-10-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Copelands are certified and dangerous!

2008-09-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hey all..... Jeff and I took the plunge (literally) and finally got scuba certified this past weekend. I was a bit anxious (understatement of the year) but with Jeff plodding on beside me I did it! Now I am already looking into future dive opportunities. We love it!!

We don't have any pics yet, but plan on investing in an underwater camera in the near future.

Now all 4 of us can dive together!

Let the Music Begin....

2008-09-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

The boys decided to follow in their dad's footsteps (and many other proud family members - on both sides of the family) and join the band.
Jacob's first day he made the comment that he thought his saxophone was "broken" - my first impulse was to reply, "I think you may be right", but instead I assured him he just needed more practice! He can now play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" with only a few off notes!

David is enjoying the trumpet.
Mom and Dad are sure they need earplugs or in the very least a BIGGER house with a little less tile and concrete! For those hunters in the family - make a recording in our house during practice time and you are sure to call in all sorts of game :-)

First day of Middle School

2008-09-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

The boys were up and at 'em and ready for school. It was their first official day of Middle School - my how the years fly by!

Last Day of Summer

2008-09-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

The boys had one big summer ending sleep over bash two nights before school started. I left the next morning to go and pick up their class schedules and found this scene as I left..... when I got back they were all up playing Halo on their new X-Box 360. I made french toast and they played and hung out most of the day. We met Jeff for dinner, went and watched a beautiful Guam sunset at a local harbor - where Jacob proceeded to fall in!
Then it was back home for father's blessings and off to bed....

Jacob's stitches

2008-08-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

Early in August, while LaNita was at a command orientation, the boys spent the day with their friend Thomas. Jacob ended up paying Jeff a visit at the medical clinic. When the boys were swimming at Agat beach, Jacob's knee came in contact with sharp coral or rock - and it won! I got a call to meet them at the clinic. I held Jacob's hand while he got his numbing shots and Jeff put 3 internal stitches in and then coached his corpsmen in finishing the 3 top stitches.

Several bandages and 10 days later, mom got in on the action and took out the stitches and applied the steri-strips.

Isn't growing up fun?? (and apparently a little dangerous at times!)

Growing Pains

2008-08-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Liberation Day continued - a seaside natural pool

2008-08-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

Liberation Day Activities

2008-08-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Our 15th wedding anniversary

2008-08-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

Tony and Kellie & Jeff's promotion celebration

2008-08-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Jeff's promotion - cake with blue icing, anyone?

2008-08-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

David and Jacob's scuba days

2008-08-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

Visiting Adam and Clara in New York

2008-08-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

Visiting Julie and Tanner in VA

2008-08-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

summer pics

2008-08-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

Our summer began with a trip to New York. We visited our friends Adam and Clara. We had planned on attending our first big New York style wedding but plans changed unexpectedly - so we settled for a fabulous, relaxing week away instead. While we were there we were also able to visit our friends, Tanner and Julie Acker, from Jacksonville who are now stationed in Portsmouth, VA. It was a long journey, but well worth it!

When we returned to Guam, the boys began scuba lessons. They are now officially certified. They were able to go on their first boat dive to an old ship wreck site.

We also celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.

In July - Jeff was promoted to Lt. Commander and our friends from Texas (Tony and Kellie) came to visit - just in time for the party!! We had a great time!

LaNita decided to become an Ombudsman for the Naval Hospital.

Otherwise, we have been keeping ourselves busy with scouting, snorkeling, and hanging out with our friends!

New beginnings

2008-08-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well I finally figured out how to use Jeff's new computer enough to download photos, so here goes!

The Beginning.....

2008-07-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well, here it goes.... the Copeland family has officially gone cyber!