Just a phone call away.....

These posts were from the ships Representative, but I thought they were pretty unique!

The carrier was unusually close to land, JUST close enough for the day for everyone to get Japanese cell phone reception! Many of us got lucky calls from our husbands. 

Technology and having email while they are deployed is a huge inprovement, but it doesn't make up for hearing their voice!

 All scrambled to the deck edge to get reception

Serving the greater purpose

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/world/asia/us-carriers-sail-in-western-pacific-hoping-china-takes-notice.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&referer=http://m.facebook.com

Good read if you are interested in what is going on with China right now :) 

Mike and his squadron on the Reagan are in the thick of it. 

We are forward deployed out here for a reason! 

Hong Kong-- Day 3!!! Disneyland

We had a magical day at the park on our third day in Hong Kong! When a new country has a Disneyland, you must go! Each Disney park is surprisingly very different. Both Tokyo and Hong Kong versions are significantly smaller than the California version.......but slightly different too! 

Started the day with their ears on at breakfast! 

Took the Disney train from the station to the park! 

We made it! Not even in the park yet and we were a sweaty HOT mess. It was over 100 with humidity and rising all day! 

Our entire group of 15 did Disney together and we saw each other throughout the day. 

First ride--Hyperspace Mountain 

This Disney has a Toy Story Land 

Maddy after she got soaked at the splash zone!! But it felt really good in the hot sun! 

We did that ride! Adult version of a kiddie race car track. 

Their version of the haunted house is called the "Mystic Manor" and is completely different. Whole different story line with a monkey that opens a long lost music box that brings inanimate objects to life. 

Finished the day 10 hours later and still smiling. 

Rounded out the day with the light parade on Main Street and hit the train home! What an amazing day together. 

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day Mike! As usual we are apart for it again! But you know how valued you are in our family unit. 

So glad we have endless memories of you with the kids over the past 9 years of you being "dad".....it keeps everything we do apart over the years in focus, because more is always yet to come! 

I love that our future always holds something new and many adventures--including my current one--Hong Kong is amazing, even if you couldn't be here with us! 

Hong Kong-- Day 2

We started the second day with a STEEP team ride to the top of Victoria's Peak! Amazing views of the city with the best weather, at a feels like 108 temp and scorching sun! It was HOT!! But clear so I can't complain!! 

The city views are worth the sweat!!

GIANT Milkshakes at lunch!! 

And a stroll through a street market! The smells in Hong Kong are indescribably not enjoyable.....nor would I feel safe eating anything from a street market. 

Ended the night with some swimming at the rooftop pool! 

Hong Kong--Day 1

We made it to Hong Kong! On our plane we were 4 adults and 4 kids! Our friends we're on a plane ahead of us with 2 adults and 5 kids! In total we are sadly outnumbered 9 to 6!

For our first day we all booked a guided full day tour of Lantau Island. Bus ride to a ferry ride to a bus to a tram.....we saw it all! And had the most amazing vegetarian lunch I could have ever imagined. So good both kids devoured it!!

We stopped at a fishing village for a quick boat ride! True culture!! If it lives in the ocean, they take it and dry it for sale! 

The dried puffer fish made Abby sad! 

The day was gorgeous and we didn't have a drop of rain or a dark cloud! Love the puffy clouds!! So much color around here. 

We travelled to the other side of the island to see the giant bronze Buddha. 268 steps up! Here is or whole group! 

Of course the girls took in the incense every chance! 

Our tour ended with a team ride down the back side of the island

So lucky to get to travel with these awesome ladies. Navy life has its perks!