Mother's Day lunch

We enjoyed a Mother's Day lunch with our friends from KCC. The men were supposed to have made everything to bring for the meal so that the moms had a break. I'm not sure how many men actually did that. :)

It was great that Franklin could be with his mom for Mother's Day.


I got a card from Ellie, too. One of the ladies at KCC helped Ellie make it. As Ellie gave me the card, she said, "Happy Mother's Day. It's Big Girls' Day, too." A little bit later she persuaded Aunty Grace to let her make another card. Even though it said "Mum" on the front she gave it to her dad and said it was for him. :)

Shipwreck

We were driving into the parking lot for the town's main market (the entrance is right by the ocean) and we passed this shipwreck. There are shipwrecks all along the coast of the capital. I want to get more (achem, better) pictures, but I never seem to have my camera ready.

Lots of people scuba dive around the Solomons. Right off of Guadalcanal, where we are staying now, there are lots of ships and submarines that were sunk during WWII. You can scuba dive all around them. I don't scuba dive, but if you do, and you want to come for a visit, just let us know. :)

Family Saturday

We spent our first Saturday in town relaxing at Franklin's sister's house (house blong sister blong Franklin in pidjin grammar). We enjoyed delicious fish for lunch, and Ellie enjoyed time with her koko'okini. She actually got spoiled by the entire family. :)

Like Father, Like Daughter

Franklin had a joyful reunion with his beloved ukelele (pronouned oo-kelele here, not you-kelele). It didn't take Ellie long to decide that she loves it, too.

Nena's arrival

Franklin's mom wasn't able to come to the Honiara from the village to meet us at the airport, but we went to pick her up at the wharf a few days later. We waited in the back of a truck with Franklin's sister Lingessy, and Ellie's cousin Hadassah.
Below, Ellie is doing the pose she does now when you tell her you are going to take a picture. Goofball.

Nena was on the little ship Discovery, not the big container ship. :)


I am sure that Nena was happy to see Franklin and I, but I think she was much happier to see her granddaughter! Ellie was sure happy to see her Koko'okini.

Nena= Mom in To'abaita
Koko'okini= Grandma in To'abaita

Multi-tasking

For someone who says he can't multi-task, Franklin is doing pretty well. Relaxing in a hammock while entertaining the little one while reading a book while talking on the phone. I'd say he can multi-task.

Arrival in the Solomons

We arrived at the airport to a huge sign that said "Welcome Home". Once we got out of customs, we were welcomed with flower necklaces made of frangipanis (one of my favorite flowers!), good friends, and family. With us in the picture is Aunty Grace.

Flight to the Solomons

Hopefully this will be the last international flight that we take as just a family of three, so I had to take a picture. :)
And ever the good daddy, Franklin reads to Ellie during the flight.

All dressed up and a playground to go to.....

Date night

I had really, really hoped to have a chance to go on a date with Franklin while we were on the Sunshine Coast, and my dream came true. Ellie had no trouble at all staying to be babysat. So, Franklin and I had a walk on the beach and then dinner at the Mexican restaurant where we used to go on dates... pre-Ellie. Fun, fun. I'm glad to be married to a man that I can have so much fun with.

Men and their chainsaws

It seems every time we are in Australia, Franklin has to find some excuse to use a chainsaw. :)

Blowing Bubbles with Lyn

It's not good enough just to pop someone else's bubbles, you need to make them yourself.


Then you pop them.

Picking flowers with Carol

Trampoline Fun

A friend's chair

While visiting a friend's house, Ellie was able to sit in a chair that was just her size.

She was lonely, though, and had to find a friend to sit with her.