Halfway!! Ehhh it never ends!!

Our squadron had our halfway celebration party last weekend. We went to an Arab restaurant for dinner which included a fun belly dancing performance.....we may or may not have joined the dancer for some fun! 

BBQ and Sunshine

Last weekend our base officer spouse group hosted a Japanese-American family BBQ! The Japanese admiral and his staff were helping flip burgers!!

Never Forget

Glad I got the chance to run the flag on base today as part of the cause to remember  9/11--they run/walk the flag on base from sunup to sundown in hour long shifts--it never stops moving! 

We had a good group and we ran 2-1/2 miles and walked 1-1/2 during our hour time slot! Great workout and great cause!

Cheese!!!

This is the Japanese equivalent of cheese puffs and I was about as excited as the guy on the package! After a LONG but productive week, the kids and I killed this yummy bag! No fish taste here!!

Golf on a sunny day!

Second gold lesson today! My form is improving and balls are actually flying!

Lunch

My sushi lunch yesterday!! Busy week overbooking myself for too much! While I was at the Japanese grocery store I grabbed this $3 tray! 

Off to school she goes!

Maddy started Kindergarten this week!!!

She is loving the new environment and new school! 

IZU Weekend

Had a wonderful Labor Day weekend down in the Izu Peninsula at Shimoda. 3 hour drive from the base, but worth the escape. And some beach time. The kids loved it. Gorgeous water, clean beaches and it coincided with a festival at the beach we were at! That meant lots of festival food and entertainment. 

The walk from our condo to the beach. Through a few tunnels

Lunch was festival food at the beach

On the second day we explored a sea cave just down the road

It had a sand hill for sledding. 

But mostly the kids enjoyed their time in the ocean! 

Watch out Kindergarten

This kid is off to Kindergarten on Tuesday! She will finally be at the big school with Abby! 

Green Gala

This past weekend Mike and the squadron were able to rendezvous in Ventura for our community's annual ball. 

The Japan squadron never attends, so the fact that their timing stateside coincided with the event resulted in them attending. 

The guys took it upon themselves to order fun green suits to represent their squadron colors! And brought in a Japanese drum group to perform too!

Somehow they make green look good....as good as green looks on a suit

Back to School

She survived her first day back to school. 

2nd grade is going to be a great year

Self-Portrait

My creative girl--self portrait on her first day of 2nd grade 

Photo time

What happens when they find the Mac station and go crazy taking photos and making videos. 

All dressed up & nowhere to go!

They insisted on wearing matching outfits today while we were out shopping. 

Appreciation

The Bon Odori dancers were given a nice appreciation luncheon last week. Great taco and salad bar spread!! 

Wonderful group of ladies whom I danced with all summer and learned a lot from. 

Tama Hills--a little taste of the outdoors

The local Air Force Base here has a property that is open to all military for camping and cabin rentals! It's a fun outdoor recreation facility with pony rides, mini golf, archery and more. In the wooden, nothing but nature. 

We went with my good Navy friend Allie and her daughter. One night! 

The cabins come with a golf cart to get around easier 

Our two bedroom plus loft cabin! With hot tub on the deck 

Soccer Girl

Soccer Season on base started today!

I've really enjoyed hearing Maddy's excitement build as the day approached. She is my little athlete eager to take the field. She practices twice a week!!

(Abby on the other hand is grateful she wasn't signed up for soccer. Just not her thing! Excited for her to partake in some after school clubs and activities at the elementary school this year)

Home Sweet Home

We are home!!! This was our crazy journey home from Thailand and Singapore. 

We left Thailand on a 10pm flight last night. Landed in Singapore at 1am local time, walked off the plane and found a spot for the kids to sleep on the floor for 5 hours. Had to kill time to get us closer to our arrival time at the other Air Base we were flying out of. Left the Singapore airport at 6am, got in a cab and boarded our military flight home at 10am! 

PHEW! I had a knot in my stomach that last day nervous we might not all make the flight. Turned out there were 40 seats and I think 36 were used. It was close. But being home is all that counts. 

My friend Cyndis kids all passed out! 

At 4am I wandered the airport to try and stay awake and found a local Singapore coffee hut. Had my first local coffee! Very tasty. They use sweetened evaporated milk in it! 

On our approach home we passed right by Mt Fuji. So glad I happened to be looking out the window!

Good night! We travelers need our beauty sleep! 

Last day in Phuket

On our last day in Phuket Thailand I took the girls on an Elephant Trek adventure tour. It was four parts--Elephant trek, monkey show, snake show, and Thai cooking demo. We enjoyed it all......I could have done without the snakes. Ick

Both girls say on the elephants head but Abby rode on him like this for a bit

Hugs from the baby elephant--6years old and born on site

Feeding the baby bananas

Monkey show-- Macawks (spelling?)

Snake show--Covras, King Cobra, Mango Snakes and Pythons

Thai cooking demo! That we had for lunch

Goodbye for now Thailand!! We will be back for more adventures. I just HAVE to do the tiger experience next!! 

James Bond Island Speedboat Tour

I didn't bring my phone (hence camera....) with us on our tour today.....but we took an amazing excursion speedboat day trip to "James Bond" Island. Also had a guided kayak around Hong island and lunch at Panyi Island! Five island stops in all including a Thai buffet lunch! The girls were handed a Lemur at the last island! Of course I bought the souvenir photo!