Donna and Henry visit Japan

Our near two week visit with Grandma Donna and Henry came to an end last night! After 13 full days of sightseeing, amazingly warm winter weather, and lots of memories made.....they made it home to the good 'ol USA!! And I was so proud to hear that after two weeks of traveling on trains in Japan they even managed to get to the airport via a train all on their own!! 

The moment they arrived the girls stole Henry's accessories

Big Buddha at Kamakura 

Street food in Yamato

We had an amazing three day visit to Hiroshima!! No kids!! Just the three of us

We travelled via the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima (3:45 travel time). So now I can say I've done that!!

Hiroshima Castle

Look we found a real live Samurai!!!!

On the outside deck of the 5th floor of the castle 

The castle at night 

Atomic bomb dome site (at night)

Shrine with many torii gates

We tried Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima! It's a dish traditionally with egg, a very thin battered pancakes, cabbage and pork and sauce all layered.....but in Hiroshima they do it with noodles too! 

Took a ferry to Miyajima Island-- floating torii gate

The island is well known for fresh oysters! We saw the beds in the ocean as we crossed over. I had them three ways on the island! Deep fried, grilled, and in a curry steam bun!! All absolutely delicious!

The four of us went out for El Torito in Yokohama! And walked through China Town afterward 

Then on our last day in Tokyo we went to the top of the Tokyo Tower! (A little dark, but you can see the view of the city scape behind)

Christmas in Japan

Christmas in Japan was a success. It's not the easiest place to shop from.....takes a LOT of Amazon shopping and planning and a little help from stateside elves that can access a Target store.....but it's a win nonetheless!! 

I've never seen Abby so surprised!! She got a special doll/science kit she asked for on her list! 

Got them a karaoke system....since all they do is sing all day anyhow

Avoiding leftovers and a huge meal we can't eat alone, we opted to dine at the Christmas buffet at the New Sanno military hotel in Tokyo (thank you Dad/Grandpa Ron!!!) We ate and then let the kids swim for a few hours before heading home for the night. Great Christmas when you have to reinvent the wheel!! 

Abby's already disappointed we only have one more holiday season in Japan. 

Making bread with dad!!

Nutcracker in Japan

We went to Tokyo on Wednesday for a performance of The Nutcracker! Beautiful and well done!!

Bali- Club Med 2015

Our "winter" vacation to Bali was refreshing and entertaining. Club Med is definitely THE way to vacation with young kids. 

Maddy spent EVERY day at the kids club 9am-5pm, plus a few evenings of dining with them too 645-830pm. She requested NEVER to be picked up early. 

We spent many afternoons at the adult only Zen pool 

Swinging beds with alcohol service...YES

Mike and I took the beginner golf lesson and then golfed the 6-hole course together

One of the day's our friends and us chartered a van and a driver to go explore in town without the kids! 

Our driver took us to a few stops including this Hindu temple

When you can't drink the water out in town.......chug Bintang beer all day

Meanwhile back at the resort the kids were busy being entertained with a foam party that afternoon--among many other events. 

Abby took quickly to archery and excelled!! Every arrow on the target! 

Friends they made during the week! They all played and swam together each evening after kids club. Kids from around the globe!! Quite literally!!

Shirley temples by the pool

Fun week together 

The club staff gave them lots of attention!

Every evening at the resort is a different themed show. One night was a Balinese dance show they brought in! Very intricate and entertaining 

Bali

We have arrived!! Safe and sound after a 7-1/2 hour flight from Japan. 

More photos after the trip! 

XOXO

--All four of us who really need this vacation.....well maybe just two :)

Chanukah 2015 in Japan

Happy 1st night of Chanukah! We got back from Tokyo and the girls were eager to celebrate. 

Our wonderful base Rabbi delivered a bag of goodies to our house over the weekend which included Chanukah toys and treats and candles! It also had sweet cards to the troops overseas!! 

We celebrate both festive holidays in our home, but the lights shine brightest inside our home for the next 8 nights! 

Tokyo Weekend

We spent a wonderful weekend at the military hotel in Tokyo! We ventured out both days to some Tokyo sights new to all of us! 

In front of the Tiffany store! 

Department store holiday window display

Hannukah display at the hotel 

The girls LOVED bringing their daddy here

Hotel room fun with dad 

If the girls had their way, they would have stayed in the pool with daddy the whole time 

Teppanyaki dinner at the hotel

Guitar district in Tokyo. Literally a long street filled with guitar stores left and right 

Found a 4 story toy store! With a race track!! 5 minutes of fun 

Ginza!! The road shuts down to foot traffic on the weekends 

Roppongi Hills light display

LOVE

Yep.....she's complete!!!!

Navy Family

Not the best quality photo copy....but this was our group waiting at Sunday's flyin!! 

And that wasn't all of us!! 

But a good idea what the inside of the hangar looks like when we welcome the guys home!!