Welcome Home Daddy!!!!

Today was THE DAY!! We picked him up and brought him home!!

No captions necessary!!

And he's home!!!!

Not much to say. But we are complete. 

And he is loving the house!! Going to soak up EVERY minute we have together!!! 

Oktoberfest in Japan

This past weekend the girls and I were in Tokyo! We had our first visit at the Ameican/Military hotel in Tokyo!! And LOVED it!! Such a peaceful piece of America.....but in Japan! The kids couldn't stop raving about it. And kept talking about bringing dad here when he gets back!! 

Swimming at the hotel indoor pool

We went exploring at a park near the hotel

Oktoberfest event at the hotel we went for! We brought babysitters with us for the night who watched the kids in our rooms while we enjoyed a fun dinner on site. A Japanese Oompa band singing German!! 

14 ladies and 16 kids......all daughters!! We all had our own fun!! 

Sisters

Having these two at this age is more and more fun week after week! 

And they would be the first to tell you how awesome having a sister is!! 

Books!

A little before school reading today! 

Life's Little Things

After 11 years of marriage Mike finally gets his own closet (...I took the walk-in of course) And after 4 months living in Japan I finally got around to organizing it.....and pretty soon he will get to see and use it for the first time! You fall low on the priority list when you aren't around

But we are looking forward to having him back soon!! 

Japanese Cooking Club

Our officer spouse group hosts a monthly Japanese-American cooking club. They switch off making each other's dishes!!

Today was my first one and we were taught Thai salad, Japanese and Thai curry, and salmon spring rolls! So much fun and so interactive with the fun and sweet Japanese women! Plus lunch with 25 friends!!

Say CHEESE!!

The girls had school picture day this week. My Kinder and 2nd grader! 

Too Much Fun

Yep she is my rockstar! 

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