Showing posts with label okinawa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label okinawa. Show all posts

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Oklahoma

Our drive into Oklahoma was pretty boring.  A whole lot of nothing.  But we were very happy to be on the road and not in a hospital room.  E Step was happy as a clam, and excited to be out of that awful crib!  
State 15
Our trip into Oklahoma was to visit some of our old neighbors in Okinawa.  J and A were both air force officers, and they were very close in age to us.  We had always hit it off great, and have really missed them since we last saw them a year and a half ago.  Stoping in Oklahoma City was a must when we made our cross country plans.  Luckily, it happened to fall right into place.  Unfortunately, after E Step's accident our tip was cut short.  But we were grateful for any time with them.  

We got there mid afternoon, and dogs began playing immediately.  They have a very rambunctious dog named Baron.  He and Neko ran around, got wet, and had a grand old time together.  Gosh I love labs.  Neko was showing his age compared to their puppy.  Neko is usually the dog with the most energy, but he was proven to be an old man for the first time with this visit.  After running around for a half hour, he was tired of playing.  Baron could play all day long.  I am glad we are past that stage with Neko!  

The boys played with their adorable baby A.  She is so sweet, such an easy baby!  Z Step is asking for a baby sister now, and E Step surprised me with how well he reacted with her.  
E Step and Baby A

The boys playing around.  Neko was getting pretty tired of playing, and decided to sit in the mud and cool off

That evening, we had some amazing grilled pizzas.  They are wonderful cooks, and are always making something unique.  Three different pizzas were made.  They all were amazing.  We ate our pizzas, and hung around in their newly landscaped back yard.  They had beautiful boulders put in, some were even from Montana.  We had a bon fire for old time's sake, and then went inside to play Cards Against Humanity, our favorite adult game.  
Outside for a bon fire.  Z Step was being silly with the guys

In the morning, we had a quick breakfast before heading to a really neat coffee shop and the farmer's market.  The farmer's market was a great stop for us, our food had all gone bad in St. Louis because we didn't have a fridge in our room.  We needed some fresh food.  We picked up some snacks for the road the next day.  The people in Oklahoma were very nice, though many of them didn't know how to drive for the life of them.  

After the farmer's market, we all went to the pool for some fun.  The boys love swimming, and Z Step has been doing well lately.  We are hoping to get rid of the wingies soon.  We all had some fun cooling off and playing.  

A, J, and Baby A.  She was cracking up with her daddy in the pool.  

Our Family

We spent the rest of the day prepping for a little party A had planned as a going away for J.  He will be at training for 6 months, so she wanted to have a little get together for him.  She always throws the nicest get togethers.  She had some yummy food planned, as always.  And I was able to help her out with getting it all together.  It was a great evening, and we even got to go in the back yard and catch some fireflies.  We got 5, but I think they all ended up dying.  

As a coincidence, A was driving J's car to Vegas for when he is there for training.  So she was going to join us for the next part of our journey to New Mexico.  It is where she was planning on stopping to break her trip up anyway, and that is where we were headed next.  We were glad to have another person along the way, and she was happy to have someone to join her for part of her trip.  So we went to bed, ready to get up early and drive the next day.  

Friday, May 3, 2013

A shave and a haircut...

After 2+ years of cracking jokes about my son's lack of hair, we finally decided it was time to cut what little hair was there.  It wasn't getting too long, but there were a few pieces that were starting to stick out of his ears and on the top that looked a bit- goofy.  We decided what better time to cut it, then in Japan- where we could have him get a Japanese cut.  We were so excited about this, because he got to sit in a Jeep chair and got a lollypop aftewards.  Unfortunately, Zach wasn't quite so happy!  
Proof that he needed the cut!  He was looking like an old man!

Oh cool a jeep!

Mom- this cape is getting in the way of my new Jeep

No!  We all laughed the entire time

Classic.  

All done.  Now time to play with the Jeep again!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Land of the setting sun

Without a doubt, one of the things I'm going to miss most about my home here in Okinawa is the beautiful sunsets.  So last night and from here until we leave- I will be photographing the beauty that is our front yard.  Hope you enjoy these beautiful and stunning views as much as I have for the past 3.5 years!
Tonight's sunset was one of those that kept getting more and more beautiful.  These were all taken with my Canon and nothing was retouched!


A week from tonight we will be on one of those planes!


Saturday, April 20, 2013

April 2013 photos

My computer goes bye bye for 4+ weeks tomorrow.  So I'm in a bit of a rush to get these photos posted while I still can!  I will miss you imac!  See you in America!  

Here are some photos from our month so far!

Zach climbed into his old jumperoo

Goofy boys!!

I was taking photos of Eli and Zach kept saying "Cheese!  Mama!  Cheese!" because he wanted me to take some of him too!

Grilling in the dog's cage... no biggie.

The poor dog puts up with so much.  Zach was piling every blanket and pillow onto him

He as begging me to take his photo

I don't have words

Playing on the playground

Swinging brothers

Playing with Daddy.  Yes the swing is pink.  It's not ours

He was being silly

Magic Zach

Reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to Mommy

Eating the dog's tail

Cuddling Neko

Zach took this one

Three boys in a dog cage.

Zach stole my camera.  I've been finding lots like this

Little feet.  Again... Zach's photo

After eating some southern BBQ

It was good

Had to go to the japanese kid's store.  Got lots of goodies.  The shirt has a mouth that opens.  We also got chopsticks and  ampaman stuff galore.  He even got bandaids. 

This new potty sings in Japanese and plays music.  I had to get it.

Eli helping me pack

There's much more to this then meets the eye.  Long story.  But yeah... me in my green on green about to "workout"  (no not really)

The pot holes in Japan all have different designs on them.  This is the one from the town we live in

Beautiful flowers on my run.  My favorite flower!

Zach took this.  It would've been a great one if brother was looking!

Took out one of the portable cribs.  Zach knows how to climb in and out of it.

After "running" a race with Mommy and Daddy.  Wearing his medal at the finish line saying "WOO HOO!"

Zach and Daddy at the finish line

Love this one of my littlest man and I

Ran this Autism run with the family.  Can't wait to do more in Virginia