Happy 5th Birthday to Mika!

Mika celebrated her 5th birthday on September 6th! We went to an indoor kids arcade called "Round 1" and she ran around and played lots of games. She had so much fun and had a great day. We went out for dinner after Max got home and then had cake and she opened her birthday gifts. She said her cake was delicious!

Max gave her a Disney watch and a pair of purple pajamas. She loved both presents and gave him a big kiss!

Enjoying some birthday cake. She's wearing the purple pajamas Max gave her.

Playing miniature golf at Round 1.

She loves to ride the little bikes around the track and jump in the ball pit!

We had a ball fight with these air guns! They shoot balls across the ball pit and it's lots of fun. She got me a few times!!

Look out Mommy!

All played out and ready for lunch.

Photos-- September 2011

My friend Keimi recently got married and I was invited to the reception. It was not at all like an American reception, and it was more like a party. Everyone had lots of fun though! It was very interesting. We played bingo!!

Me, Yoriko, Saito San and Midori. We were laughing because there was a group of men sitting next to us and they were all trying to speak English. (I was the only American)




A co-worker of the groom was feeling a little happy and friendly.....he kept telling me he wants to visit America and go to Boston to see the marathon.

Keimi looked so beautiful and very happy!

I went out to dinner with Yori and Midori and Max went with us. They gave him a birthday gift because his birthday is next week.

Yori gave Max a pair of Japanese slippers. He loves them!

Max and Midori at the restaurant.

An Okinawan coffee....look how tiny the creamer is!

I made a Japanese garden in front of our house.

Max and I are going to a pottery class together. We're each making a dragon vase with clay! It'll be finished at the end of the month. Check back for more photos of the finished product!

Max went to a pirate party with friends! He looked adorable.
Check out the "Anaheim Angels Rally Monkey" on his shoulder! He's had that monkey since he was a little boy.

Max was reading a story to Mika and I snuck up on them to take a photo....

Our time in Hawaii: July and August 2011

Here are a few photos I took while we were in Hawaii......

Max goes to this hospital. It's excellent.

Taking a few minutes to swim in the pool before we leave Hawaii.

This restaurant is very good in Waikiki.

Mika and her best friend in Hawaii, Lexie!








Mika loves spending time with Lexie.

We bought Mika a floatie, but she couldn't wait to go to the pool so we put it in the bathtub and she LOVED IT!!

Mika and I signed up for a flower class in the hotel lobby before we left to come back to Okinawa. She made the white Gardenia and I made the orange Hibiscus. They're made out of modeling clay. Guess what?! Our instructor was Japanese and used to live on Okinawa!

Walking to get something to eat after a long day at the hospital......

Max is a Senior....first day of school!

Today was a very special day, Max had his first day of school as a Senior! I still can't believe my little baby boy is in his final year of high school. He woke up early and was excited about the school year.
Go Panthers, class of 2012!

This Japanese Noren hangs over his bedroom door.....

Ready to go! The school is only 5 minutes away and across the street, but he drives his car everyday.

There he goes........

Enjoying the pool at home....

We bought an inflatable pool while we were in Hawaii and mailed it home. Mika has had so much fun swimming and splashing around! She loves water and we're teaching her how to swim.

Finally....a new posting! September 9, 2011

Hi Everyone,
I know it's been a very long time since I have posted anything new. I'm sorry it has taken me so long. We just got home from Max's hospital visit in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago, and we're now back into a routine. It's really great to be home!
I recently went to Yomitan Pottery Village to buy a wedding gift for a friend who's getting married. It's made up of lots of individual potters who have small studios where they make the pottery and sell it. It's very interesting to watch. I took a couple of photos while I was there.
I'll be working on updating our Blog this weekend, so please check back soon!