On our way to Tripler

The doctors here have decided to send Max to Tripler Hospital in Hawaii to see a specialist. We're leaving tomorrow and aren't sure how long we'll need to stay.
I''ll start posting again after things have settled down and Max is feeling better.
Thanks for your support and prayers. We appreciate your emails wishing Max to feel better soon.

A Merry Christmas 2010

This is my favorite Christmas photo this year!

Making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.......

We went to the Okinawa Zoo on Christmas Eve and had lots of fun!

The Zoo shipped in some snow and ice and let the kids play in it. They had toboggan rides and a tiny igloo. Mika was very interested in the snow!

Enjoying a snack at the Okinawa Zoo on Christmas Eve. Mika was telling Max to "smile big!"

We open one gift on Christmas Eve. It's our family tradition. Max and Mika both happened to open books! We were very surprised and it was a funny coincidence.

Mika tried egg nog for the first time. She LOVED it!!

Happy Christmas morning........Santa came and left lots of great presents!

Max got a new razor and he and Daddy got matching tshirts from a friend.

She loved her little Hello Kitty suitcase filled with snacks.

She opened all her gifts by herself this year!

Mika loves books.

It's time to open the stockings!

She had fun playing in the wrapping paper.

A Very Merry Christmas!

Time for dinner.......

Preparing for Christmas......

As most of you already know, Max hasn't been feeling very well these past couple of weeks and has been spending alot of time at the hospital. We're now in the process of testing for a specific illness, and it's taking most of our time right now.
I'm sorry these photos were posted so late, and as soon as things are better, I'll be posting on a more regular basis.
We're looking forward to celebrating Christmas and wish all of you very happy and blessed holiday season.

We went to the "Tinseltown" celebration on base and Mika saw Santa Claus!

Decorating the Christmas tree.....
Mika's FIRST letter from Santa!

Wrapping Guh-Guh's present by herself.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with our friends, Yori and Midori joining us at our house. We cooked a huge turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, yam souffle, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, a homemade peanut butter banana cake and a pumpkin pie. We were exhausted by the time we were finished, but it was lots of fun!
Afterwards, we went to Naminoe Shrine to celebrate Shichi-Go-San with Mika. In November every year, the children go to the shrine and receive a blessing from the Priest for a happy and healthy year. Mika did a great job and sat there very quietly. She was very excited when she received a special medal, a bag of treats and a balloon from the Priest! Naminoe is a special place for us because Max also received a blessing at this shrine in 2001 for the very same occasion.

Mika asked for the turkey leg. She took two bites and then said "it's too heavy!"

Preparing for the ceremony.....

Inside the shrine.....it's very peaceful and beautiful.

Time to go home

Ready for bed and enjoying a special snack from the bag of goodies she received at the shrine. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.