Joey turns 15!!!

We celebrated Joey's birthday in Australia with style!! The campground will never be the same. We enjoyed an Aussie barbie with Lamb Chops (boys new favorite).

Australia 2008

We just returned from an excellent
adventure in Australia. We flew into
Cairns and drove (in camper) to Sydney over a 2 1/2 week period (like driving from NY - FL). We were able to go out on the Great Barrier Reef - Dad, Mom Joey and Jeff did 2 dives. Boys saw first shark! Sailed the Whitsunday Island on a catamaran. Went to the Austarlia Zoo (home of the Crocodile Hunter). Took hikes through state parks and saw tons of beautiful birds and other wild life while camping along the way. We also were also able to spend time with Missionary friends the Blakes in Ingham and the Kwoks in Sydney. Wonderful fellowship with both!

We were joined by our Guam daughter Janelle (1st grade teacher at Harvest) who was great company for mom.

And yes Brian, Joey and Jeff did Bungee jump while we were there???? Not Mom!

More pictures on slideshow in corner.

Robin's trip to Yap

May 24th - 28th Robin, Ginger and Julie went to the Island of Yap to minister with the Zimmer families. We were able to share our testimonies at Yap Baptist Church and Faith Baptist Church during a ladies meeting.

Sunday night Bible Study in the village of Rue. Above is Sherrie Zimmer teaching children.
The ladies meeting was held at the Whitmore's home. (Whitmore's are in the states on furlough, Walkers are filling in for them - Dawn above). We were able to take about 70 pairs of slipper (flip flops) from Harvest to hand out.
Lydia, Laarkin and Christiana from Harvest Bible Institute. It was great to see them, they are home in Yap for the summer.

Harvest 5K Run

Robin and the boys participated in the 2008 Harvest 5K run on Saturday. A record 799 people ran this year. If Brian had been on island it would have been an even 800.

You can see more pictures of the event at the following link:
http://photogallery.worthwhile.com/viewalbum.php?albumid=596

Science Day 2008

Joey's science class built trevuchets (think catapult) and competed against each other in a tennis ball war on Friday. Joey's team took 4th place overall in a competition that measured accuracy and distance. Pictured from left to right: How, Joey, Sam and Brianne.

For more pictures of the day click the link below.

http://photogallery.worthwhile.com/viewalbum.php?clientid=44&albumid=753

Not sure exactly what a trevuchet is? This video might help you get a better understanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67fFDiPRsrk

HBBI Boat Trip

We were privileged again this year to be invited on the HBBI (Harvest Baptist Bible Institute) boat trip. The weather was excellent and the swimming was great.



Jay enjoys the ride with a friend.

Zachary, Leah, Jeremiah,
Julie and Mitch after a swim.

Jodi, Kelly, Ginger, and Mitch

1. 

Jeremiah on lookout

The dolphins cooperated and gave us an excellent show!


For more pics and video of the boat trip click the link below.
http://cfilipiak.googlepages.com/hbbiboattrip2008

Pinewood Derby Cars

Jay and Jeremiah participated in the 2008 AWANA Grand Prix. Jeremiah's entry was
"The Hum Dinger" and Jay's was the "Spicy Speeder".



The Hum Dinger came in 4th place for speed and the Spicy Speeder, fashioned after Guam's favorite condiment, came in 1st place for design.


Mr. Ignacio hands out awards to some of the winners.

Joey's Award Winning Performance

On Saturday, February 23rd, Joey participated in the Harvest Piano Festival. His piece was entitled Dolly's Dreaming and Awakening by T. Oesten. With this performance Joey advanced to the finals which will be held in the Harvest auditorium on Friday night. Great job Joey!

Hope you enjoy a short video clip of the award winning performance.

Dirt, Glorious Dirt!

We were recently blessed by a good friend who gave us two huge dump truck loads of top soil for our lawn. He owns a construction company that is putting in a new road. We didn't know what else to do with it so we had them dump it on the driveway. Unfortunately, because the dirt was free, it was not yet screened. In other words, it's "dirty" dirt.


The boys didn't immediately comprehend the significance of 40,000 lbs of unscreened dirt on their mother's driveway. They have a much better understanding now!










We currently have about 2/3 of the pile sifted. Once it's all clean we'll install a sprinkler system and spread the dirt out. After that we're off to the beach to collect some excellent Japanese grass that grows there wild. You plant it in plugs about 4" apart. Once this stuff takes it's almost impossible for weeds to come up.

This has been a great opportunity to teach the boys the meaning of a hard days work and the benefit of a few well earned calluses.

Honor Choir Concert

The HCA Honor Choir put on a concert entitled "Food, Glorious Food" last night in the auditorium. Jay and some of his chums are dressed for the part (and probably their future jobs).











Joey and the Harvest Players drama team helped out with some dramatic poetry recitals throughout the performance. Joey's poem was called "Spaghetti Nut"

Miss Lisa Flowers, the Honors Choir director, gives Jay a hug for a job well done!


To see more great pictures of the concert follow this link
http://photogallery.worthwhile.com/viewalbum.php?clientid=44&albumid=734

Jeremiah's 8th Birthday

Jeremiah celebrated his 8th birthday on January 20. We celebrated with a special day at Ritidian beach.



Cupcakes are better on the beach because, being smaller, less sand sticks to them!



Unlike Jay. Sand sticks to him really well.


At home later on opening cards and gifts






Star Wars stuff is very popular this year. Miah got a light saber and video game from his brothers.

Spirit Week 2008

The boy's school is having Spirit Week and yesterday was "crazy hair day".




The two teams this year are called "FBI" and "CIA". For obvious reasons, the Babin boys are on the FBI Team! Jeff had his team name painted on the back of his head. What Spirit!


Jay (Alfalfa) with his home room teacher Miss Julie "Conehead" Weiss




Crazy Hair! See more pictures at http://photogallery.worthwhile.com/viewalbum.php?clientid=44&albumid=727


Wednesday was "mask day". Even "Mrs. Babin", one of the 1st grade teachers, joined in the fun.

HBBI Picnic

Last Saturday we had the Harvest Baptist Bible Institute (HBBI)
picnic at Ritidian Point beach. We "adopted" three of the HBBI
students for this school year; Gabriel Nelper, Solomon David, and Misasy Mazawa. As their Harvest family, we were invited along! (You can learn more about HBBI at http://www.hbcguam.net/index.php?option=com_modulecontainer&Itemid=4

The sand is part of what makes Ritidian so popular. Guam beaches
aren't known for their great sand but Ritidian has plenty!

Burying the little kids.

The surf was great Saturday and the swimming was excellent.







Romeo must have seen a mouse or something. Or maybe he just wanted to get away from the crowd.