Christmas Parade

Since moving to Okinawa, Alyssa has joined Girl Scouts and is a brownie this year. She is really enjoying it and can't wait to go camping! On December 3rd, the base we live on had a Christmas parade, Alyssa and the rest of the Girl Scouts from our end of the island walked in the parade. There were floats and the girls threw candy to the people watching.....it all ended at the exchange where they lit the Christmas tree--it was a great evening and it was actually cool that night so it really felt like Christmas!

Our little Brownie

Santa arrived on a fire truck!

The Christmas Tree

It is huge!!

Ryukyu Mura

I have been terrible about updating this blog but I promise to get better! Okinawa has been keeping us busy and there are so many things to see and do....We decided to go Ryukyu Mura on one of the holiday weekends that we have had recently and I have to say that even though we haven't made a dent in what there is to do here, I love this place!!! They have dismantled several homes from around the island that are all over 100 years old and brought them to Ryukyu Mura, there are performances and in one of the houses you can purchase a brown sugar donut and enjoy a cup of hot tea while sitting at a traditional Japanese table. You can't help but fall in love with Okinawa after spending a day learning about and experiencing so much of the culture.....

She is over 90 years old and was the cutest thing!

(Yes, she is balancing a bottle on her head)

You FEEL the sound of these Eisa drums all the way to your stomach

Just Beautiful!
Alyssa was selected from the crowd to play "catch" with the Shisa dog

Cape Zanpa and The Zakimi Castle Ruins

On one of our excursions around the island, we decided to go to Cape Zanpa. It is a beautiful area, with a lighthouse and many walking paths. Unfortunately, it was so hot that we were unable to see it all but definitely want to go back! On our way home we decided to stop at the Zakimi Castle ruins....all that is left standing are the walls that went around the castle. It was built by a warlord and is now a world heritage site.

Zakimi Castle

An archway leading into the castle grounds

Shisa Dog at Cape Zanpa

Cape Zanpa lighthouse and statue

Our new adventure...

A lot has changed in our lives since the last time I updated our blog....the biggest change is that we are now living in Japan. It is a beautiful place and the people are so nice! We did have some issues with culture shock in the beginning but I think we are getting adjusted and are finding our way to making this our home for the next three years.....

Japanese and American flags flying together

A beautiful Hibiscus

Mount Fuji from the plane window

Las Vegas

We left San Francisco and headed off to Las Vegas. Anyone that knows us, knows that Vegas is a huge part of our life. Dominic's family lives there and it is like a second home to us. We were there for a week and our good friends, The Ensleys, joined us. A great time was had by all but, like any other vacation, the time went by too quickly......

At Nine Fine Irishmen--our favorite

Heaven on Earth

Arts and Crafts with all the cousins

Vegas at night

The girls cooling off on the strip

The boys and their Elvis sunglasses

San Francisco

We started our vacation in San Francisco. Dominic's brother, Richard, lives there with his family and we were so excited to spend 5 days with them. We got to see so much of the city and we were really sad that our time there went by so fast......

Trolley car at Pier 39

Alyssa with the sea lions on Pier 39

In front of Postcard Row (7 sisters)

Golden Gate Bridge at night

Golden Gate Bridge

Sea World

This weekend, we decided to take the girls to Sea World. Malia is getting to the age where she notices everything around her and I had forgotten how amazing it is to see the world through a child's eyes...She loved it! Alyssa has been a few times and still enjoys watching the shows and seeing all of the animals, her favorite thing this time was riding Shipwreck Rapids with her daddy!

Malia watching the Sea Turtles

Alyssa touching the block of ice in the Polar Bear Exhibit

They had 3 polar bears on display, this one was so active!

Malia's reaction to the Beluga Whale
The Shamu Show
Alyssa and I interacting with the dolphins

Friday Fun

The weather was so nice this evening! So, while Dominic vacuumed the cars, the girls and I played in the front yard....

Malia wasn't sure about the bubbles popping in her face.

Alyssa had a great time running around.