Beaches, beaches, and more beaches

The best part about living on an island is being surrounded by beaches. 2 weeks ago we spent the weekend at Okuma, a military resort an hour and a half drive north of us. Mind you the island is only around 60 miles from tip to tip, so an hour and a half seems really far from home :)

We had such a fun time, by far the best weekend since we got here a year ago. Our 2 favorite things were riding jet skis and going for a ride on a banana boat that was pulled by a ski boat. They were both so much fun. I am so bummed because I don't have any good action shots thanks to a dead camera battery. We also went on a glass bottom boat ride and saw some cool fish but got totally seasick! The kids loved the miniature golf, Brand was really excited about getting another hole in one.

The cottage we stayed in.

Yesterday we went to another of our favorite beaches. We love it because it is never crowded and not too far from home. The whole day I kept thinking to myself "It is so beautiful, I can't believe we actually live here".

After a number of previous attempts, Josh speared his first fish free diving. He was so excited!Brand and our friend Lauren were totally excited to dissect the fish head.

The boys and I spent the day playing in the waves and hanging out with our friends on the beach.

Brand and Lauren found some really cool starfish.

My new look, a mouth full of metal.

Happy 8th Birthday Brand!

The amazing Brand turned 8 this week. From the time Brand was a little baby Josh and I thought we were the greatest parents ever because we had the most well behaved child ever. He always listened, never caused trouble, and was just an all around fun kid. Around the time Max (child #2) turned into a difficult 18 month old we realized our parenting skills have nothing to do with how great Brand is. We hit the jackpot with Brand, he is just an amazing kid. We have loved every minute of the last 8 years with him! Here are his current favorites:
-Playing with his friends.

-Playing the Wii, his current favorites are Rock Band, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Brothers.

-Japanese curry and rice, he requested this for his birthday dinner.

-Building cool things with Legos.

-Playing basketball and baseball.

-Snorkeling with his dad.

-Swimming

Brand's birthday party was at Torii beach (an on-base beach). It is one of our favorite beaches because it has a super fun water slide as well as swimming in the ocean. We had a great time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAND!

What a great year!

Wow, I can't believe we have been here a year! It is funny how time can seem to stand still and fly by at the same time. As we reflect on our last year, here are some of the things we love about Okinawa and miss about the United States.

OKINAWA
being surrounded by beautiful beaches
sushi, Japanese curry, and soba noodles
snorkeling
fun friends
learning about the Japanese culture
fun (and slightly dangerous) parks
our new dog Zoey
no snow
Tokyo Disney this September

THE U.S.
family and friends (we miss you)
family and friends (we really really miss you!!!)
Mexican restaurants
Target, Joann's, Bestbuy, & Home Depot
Michigan football games
streets with names
normal television
crisp apples
fresh berries, watermelon, cherries, & plums
finding what you need at the store
nice movie theaters

I would call this the year of learning for us. Learning to rely on each other. Learning to drive on the left side of the street. Learning about life in the military. Learning about Japan. Learning a bit of Japanese (and I do mean just a bit). Learning we really can do anything as long as we are together.

White Beach

We went camping at White Beach for the first time last weekend. The beach is on-base on the Pacific side of the island. You can sleep in a tent, trailer, or cabin for totally cheap. We were very excited to have a sleepover at the beach. The beach was beautiful. It is jellyfish season so we didn't go too far into the water. Here is a picture of a brown jellyfish that had washed up on the beach.

We saw a TON of HUGE hermit crabs.
Here is the old, smelly trailer we slept in. The cabins were booked and it was too hot to sleep in a tent so we stayed in a trailer. I thought it would be fun for the kids (which it totally was), but one night was enough for Josh and I.The boys had fun playing hide and seek in the trailer.
They loved the bunk beds too.We played miniature golf. Brand and I got a hole-in-one.
It was so nice to get away as a family, even if it was only 30 minutes from home.

Officially No More Cast!

I feel as if summer has just began for the boys and I. Brand had an appointment at 7:30 this morning to see if his arm was healed enough for the cast to come off. After 7 1/2 weeks it was finally time to take the cast off!!! Can I just say a huge YIPEE!!! If you look close Brand is wearing his swimsuit. Completely aware that the following action could have totally jinx us, I signed the boys up for swimming lessons starting 90 minutes after Brand's doctors appointment. I couldn't resist, a new session was starting at the pool on base and I decided it was worth at least signing Brand up. And it worked out perfectly.

Brand got his cast off.

He was still nervous to move it, but that only lasted about an hour.
We celebrated with donuts.And then we finally got to go swimming!!!

After the 30 minute swimming lesson we went home for lunch and then back to the pool for 3 glorious hours of swimming. Now this is what I call SUMMER!

Happy 4th Birthday Max!

Our little firecracker turned 4 this week. I can't believe how fast 4 years has gone. There is never a dull moment with Max around. He is either cracking us up, driving us crazy, or melting our hearts with his sweetness. Max's current favorites include:

-Spiderman, he is always shooting things with his web.

-Zoey, he gives Zoey the most love whether she wants it or not.

-The Wii, he loves playing Super Mario Galaxy.

-His friends, of the 4 friends he plays with 3 are girls. It is definitely having a calming effect on him. It makes us laugh when he asks if he can "go play with the girls."

-Ice cream, he asks for it every night.

-Brand, Max will stop at nothing at get Brand's attention. He totally loves Brand and tries to copy everything Brand does.

For his birthday Max had a party with his friends in the morning.

In the evening our family went for a ride on the ferris wheel and played some games at the arcade.

He loved his new swimming pool.

Max found his cake in the fridge and helped himself to some frosting before the party.

Change of Command Ceremony

We are learning that the military is all about ceremonies. Josh's Command changed Commanding Officer (CO) this week and Brand and I attended the ceremony. Josh was a "sideboy" in the ceremony which means he stood along the red carpet and saluted the current CO, incoming CO, and 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Colonel as they arrived and left the ceremony. It was very interesting, as each arrived and left the ceremony a bell was rang, their name was announced, a sailor whistle was blown, and they were saluted by the sideboys as they walked the red carpet. It was carried out as if the ceremony was held aboard a ship.

Josh is facing the camera on the right saluting the 3rd MLG Colonel as he leaves the ceremony.

The bell ringer.

The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Band.

The Color Guard, notice there is an American flag, a Japanese flag, and a 3rd Dental Battalion flag. The leaving Commander passes the incoming Commander the Battalion flag to symbolize the outgoing CO relinquishing the Command to in incoming CO.
If Josh hadn't been a sideboy in the ceremony he would have been standing in the field the entire time with the rest of the Command. At 9:30 am it was already so hot one sailor collapsed and 3 more stumbled to the side where medics took them away.