Grandpa Steve's last day

We've kept busy the last few days/nights with my dad here!  We went out to eat at a super yummy Brazilian place nearby and had the most amazing grilled pineapple ever.  We explored ETWS- a Japanese type version of spencers, linens and things, and a toy store all in one.  Went to a 100 yen store and found a great clothing store similar to Banana Republic next door.  Grilled at home and had a great dinner together.  And finally got to go to one of the restaurants i've been dying to eat at since moving here- Som Chai!  I am kicking myself for not having visited earlier!  It was without a doubt the best Thai food i've ever had!

Today, we revisited the clothing store, because Dad had seen a really nice jacket he wanted to buy before leaving.  While we were there, we went to an Aeon grocery store for some lunch because Dima had suggested it.  We were not disappointed!  They had rows and rows of yummy Japanese treats to grab.  We ended up having a tuna roll, inari (fried bean curd wrapped around sticky rice), crab tempura, some kind of crab patty, a fried battered fish of some sort, a huge block of tofu, and tons of other great things.  The food was so great and only cost 750 yen (about 9 dollars).  Zach loved the tofu!  He is really going to miss Japan when we move!

After a nap, we headed to comprehensive park for a stroll and playtime for Z.  Japanese parks are so much fun.  I just wish Zach was a little older to really enjoy them like he could.  Once again, I will say it.  He is really going to miss Japan when we move!

Going down the slide with Grandpa Steve.  He LOVES the slide!

 All the neat things at the playground and Zach was more interested in the leaves!

 Another slide!  Oh what fun!

 Looking at the ducks.  But he was much more interested in the leaves.

We brought some bubbles with us, but he was far more interested in the packaging it came in then the bubbles we blew!

Playing on a climbing rope/trampoline.  He was disgustingly black after this!

And so, we had a wonderful visit.  It is always sad to say goodbye to family after they visit.  Luckily, we will be in the states in just about a month now!  Can't wait to be re-united with grandpa steve again!

He's here...

When I was a kid, my dad traveled to Asia a few times a year.  We always dreaded the trip, because it meant a few weeks without Dad, but looked forward to his homecoming.  He always brought us really neat gifts!  So when I learned that we were moving to Japan, I had crossed my fingers that my Dad would go on business near me for a change!  Unfortunately in our 2 1/2 years here, he had not yet had to travel to Asia!  But finally, he had a quick trip to Korea planned!  Yay!  And so, he booked some tickets to fly over to Okinawa to visit us for a change! While it was a very quick trip (4 days... boo!) we made the most of our time together.  I'm so happy he could come see us in our home.  I'm sure it's quite a role reversal for him, as he's not used to seeing his little girl grown up, married, with a child, and another on the way.

We kicked off Saturday evening with our beloved Sushi go round.  We took full advantage of all they have to offer at night, including our favorite sushi of all time- broiled tuna!  It is tuna marinaded in teriyaki flame broiled with a lite mayo sauce on top.  It is to die for!  We ended up ordering 5 plates of 2 pieces between the 3 of us and were full after trying some other dishes.  Just when we were digesting, we noticed they had made about 7 more plates of tuna!  How could we NOT grab it?  (It's a special order, so it doesn't normally go around the belt for grabbing, it has to be special ordered from the kitchen!) And so, with stuffed bellies, we headed home with a great first night.

Today we decided to really get out and see some things.  We first headed to Ryuku Mura, a neat little village nearby with a lot of Okinawian things condensed into one place.  I liked this place, as it wasn't in your face "buy this buy this" like I think so many things in Japan are.  We first saw a small show.  Then walked around the village and looked into some of the small shops.

 This was part of the shishimai (lion dance).  Here is the Wakuya about to play fetch with the Shisha!

 The lion dance appears from June to August (lunar calendar).  Here is the Wakuya making a lion fetch the ball!

 King, queen, Sanji Government service (high officials)

The Eisa dancers playing the drums.

 It always cracks me up to watch the Japanese get involved in silly things like this!  They were all walking around dancing to the music at the end!

After the show, we brought Zach around some of the little villages to look around.  The first place we stopped had a big goat.  It was making typical goat sounds, and Zach got terrified!  The look on his face was priceless.  Unfortunately, I was laughing too hard to snap a photo.  But after, we saw a baby goat walking around.

Not quite sure about this...

 My boys looking into the pond at the Koi!

After Ryuku Mura, we went to Cape Zanpa- a beautiful lighthouse with intense views!

 My dad couldn't get over how the waves were hitting the rocks!  It was pretty windy!

Pretty far down there!

After a quick lunch at a korean BBQ place, we went down to Yomitan.  Yomitan is a neat little village where they make pottery and blown glass.  We looked around for awhile and enjoyed walking around while Zach napped in his stroller.  And then we headed back to relax for a bit before going to dinner at a great Brazilian BBQ place!

Day 1 with Grandpa Steve (it still gets me every time to think my dad is a Grandpa!) was a great success.  We got to see so much!

Okuma- day 2

Day two of our weekend getaway began with a yummy buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then a checkout of our room!  Yes, we had to check out then check back in!  But we loaded up the car and headed north on an adventure to the northernmost part of Okinawa- Hedo Point.  We have been meaning to make it to hedo point since we moved here, and it was well worth the wait.  It was absolutely beautiful and we had a perfect day for sightseeing!  

Stunning views up north!

Dima and Zach made a wish!

Dima was making me nervous here!

And then... we saw it...way out there, we noticed a huge cock statue.  We had no idea what it was, but laughed at the sight.  Then we saw a map and learned that it was an observatory.  There were no questions, we had to get inside this huge cock!  

Do you see it way out there?

And so, with a few wrong turns, we made it.  It was better  up close then from far away!  

The boys inside, looking at the view!

The view from inside!  Beautiful!

 Daddy and Z looking at the water

Zach trying to figure out where we are

Love this shot from down under!

And so, we headed back to Okuma, as our new room was available.  After some lunch and an "attempt" at a nap, we decided to try taking a buggy ride as a family.  Zach was not happy about this helmet on his head!

 Get this thing off me!

Ready to go!

Unfortunately, our ride was short lived.  Zach was cranky from missing his nap, and he didn't like sitting in the front by himself.  So our ride mostly consisted of us taking turns holding him like this:

Wussy baby

By the end (15 minutes in) Zach had fallen apart and we knew it was time to head back.  

Enough Mom and Dad!

While daddy was returning the buggy and equipment, Z and I went through a maze.  It took awhile to get him away from picking up garbage, but eventually Zach got his legs moving through the maze and made it out the starting line!  

left or right?

And so, we headed in for some Dinner and ended our night watching a movie and indulging in a piece of chocolate cheesecake while Zach slept.  

We had a great time, but this was an eye opening experience.  Traveling with a toddler is something we will have to get used to.  We learned that we won't be doing any crazy trips for awhile, at least until our kids are older!  But for now, relaxing trips like this are doable.