Ju Gatsu

Welcome to October in Okinawa. This month we had our first visitors from stateside. Josh and Jill Ricker came over with their daughter Ella (who is only three weeks younger than Ellie). We had a wonderful time and great weather to boot...considering we were in typhoon season.

The first three images below are from our trip to the Chauruma Aquarium. The 'girls' were a hit!

We were fortunate that the Naha tug of war fell when Josh and Jill were here. We dressed 'the girls' up in custom made kimonos...you can't tell here but everyone is staring...and why wouldn't they.

Our last night on the island of Okinawa...we got a babysitter for BOTH Ella and Ellie and showed Josh and Jill a night out in Uruma...yes we did end up at a karaoke bar.

After Okinawa the 6 of us flew to Tokyo for the weekend...no idea really what these crowns are all about but the stewardesses LOVED them!

We had quite a room in Tokyo this time on the 38th floor. Here Ellie is sizing up the city for the second time.

We include this photo here because EXACTLY one year ago to the day Ellie and Katie sat on the Tokyo subway (different train of course) and had their picture taken.

Below are 5 photos from Tsukiji fish market. Tsukiji is an area of the city like 'Westport' is an area in KC. The fish market there is the largest in the world. We like to get up and go have breakfast. Stop judging and saying eewww. The tuna in the photo below cannot be fresher...it really is the best we have ever had. The green tea is about as good as it gets too! When in Tokyo this is THE way to start your day!

This is a photo of just one of the thousands of little allies...down which lie little counters where you can get the tuna in the photo above. If you could read the sign you would know it says maguro!

The 6 of us after breakfast in Tsukiji!

Below are photos from the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

Below is a wedding procession that was going on at the Meiji Shrine while we were there that day.

This is our last day with the Rickers...we were all tired but had had an unforgettable experience in Japan!

One last parting shot...we got this on the flight back to Okinawa...this is Mt. Fuji.

Mata Ne!

Ku Gatsu

GOMENENSAI, GOMENENSAI, GOMENENSAI!!!! SORRY, SORRY, SORRY!

We are three months late with this post. Needless to say we have been a bit busy ever since summer started to wind down. We have so much to share. However, September was a bit of a boring month in Okinawa (at least relatively). We have a few photos of Ellie at home with her babies and of course her purse. It really is a funny thing she does. No one has ever 'taught' her about babies, strollers, purses, etc, etc. From day one she has picked these things up like she has been 'playing' with them forever...suppose, technically she has played with them almost her entire life.

Next we have a few photos of our 'private' beach on Hamahigajima (Hamahiga Island). It is not really our private beach but NO ONE else is ever here...we found it on google maps and then eventually found a road that lead to it. These photos are from the anniversary of 9/11. We got up went to Makudunado (McDonalds) for breakfast and then to the beach. It was quite a beautiful morning.

Below Ellie is opening her absolute favorite item from McDonalds...what the Japanese call hotto kekki or pancakes! She loves them...it's funny.

Mata ne!!

Hachi Gatsu

Ohayo gozaimas, konnichiwa, konnbawa (good morning, good afternoon, good evening)...whatever the time in your neck of the woods. Here we are in August already as fall is fast approaching. This month we had a wonderful visit from Kristine Rivers (Lusero) who now lives in Degu, Korea. It is great to have a friend in the same time zone!

Below is a photo of some awamori (think rice whiskey). This particular bottle has a habu (poisonous snake) in it and costs around $350 bucks!

Below are some photos of our private beach on Hamahigajima! We found this 'out of the way' slice of sand that we love to go to. At times there is one other family or two at the most, but the majority of the time we have the place to ourselves.

Below Katie is enjoying a Chu-Hi on a sunny day at the beach...you are really missin' somethingn if you have never tried this combo!

Getting a tan is more of a challenge with a baby runnin' around the house!

This is Ellie enjoying lunch on Sesokojima.

Kristine and Katie on the Hamahigajima bridge.

Rain out on the water...

This month the Obon festival was celebrated. The Obon festival essentially translates into ancestor or elder festival. This festival is marked by many celebrations. The Japanese religion involves a large amount of ancestral worship and this month marks the time when they honor their ancestors. Below are photos of highschoolers practicing eisa dancing in preparation for the festival.

It is ALWAYS hot in Okinawa!

The family on Sesokijima...

Below are several images from the beach on Sesokojima...an island off of Motobu peninsula in NW Okinawa

The colors of this photo are REAL...we swear!

On this island you don't have to watch for deer crossing the road...

We leave you with a couple photos of Katie and Kristine at the Sunabe Sea Wall...

Mata ne!!