A 13 year old's birthday party

Brenna is 13 now - this is how the girls chose to celebrate: good friends, lots of pizza, snacks and a cookie cake, movies, and staying up until 3AM talking and giggling!

Hiking in Okinawa

Whatever you do when hiking in Okinawa - don't poop and leave your toilet paper!!!

I spy with my little eye a FROG - can you?

It was a narrow path through a lot of low brush, but we made it and it was beautiful up on top!

We searched for a private beach and found the perfect one! AWESOME! After lunch we visited our favorite family run coffee farm, HIRO COFFEE, and visited with the family. Their little girl loves playing with the kids. This year she had a new pet bird!

Christmas Slides

We had a great time this Christmas with company! Dan's mom, Barbara came to Okinawa! We had a mix of some really bad weather with some really nice weather, so overall, I think we were able to complete the sightseeing circut! We took weekend trips to White Beach and Okuma and did stuff all over the island in between. I think everyone had a great time - enjoying their Christmas presents and showing grandma the beautiful place we live!

Kayaking the Mangroves

 

We did something different this weekend, during our Thanksgiving stay at Oura Wan - we kayaked the mangroves! It was fun, despite the language differences and somewhat awkward moments!! They didn't quite know what to do with us, given the language differences, but they chose the guide with the most English and we gave it a whirl. It was a great afternoon, complete with refreshments (sea grapes, donuts, and Okinawa tangerines) and a little bit of Sanshin playing. Sydney even accompanied him with the Japanese verses of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!"

Sydney's 7th Birthday

 

Sydney had another great birthday this year - her first sleepover! We painted Kokeshi Dolls and posters, played, watched the movie "UP" and managed to get a little sleep. Her "theme" was a panda bear this year. I can't believe how big the kids are getting! Happy Birthday Sydney!

Spontaneous Space A travel to mainland Japan!

Well - we did it! We successfully took a Space A trip from Okinawa to mainland Japan!! You have to put up with some crazy show times and airport wait times, be very flexible with your itinerary, and be spontaneous, and we did it!! I wouldn't have thought I was capable of traveling without a solid plan, but it actually worked out really well. We stayed 4 nights in southern Japan at Iwakuni Air Base (Marines) and saw the beautiful sights of this area. Hiroshima and Miyajima were the two hot spot destinations. Both were breathtakingly beautiful. Then off we went to Yokota Air Base (Air Force) where we stayed 2 nights and took in Disney Sea and made it to Tokyo by train! Then, like magic we are back in Okinawa! Enjoy the pictures!