Goodbye Okinawa!

Well, our bags are packed and in less than 24 hours, we’ll be leaving the place that we’ve had the opportunity to call “home” for the past 6 years. While we’re excited to be coming back to the states and starting a new adventure, we’re sad to be leaving Okinawa. This is such a beautiful place with wonderful people. We’ve had so many amazing experiences during our time here. Some of our favorites are: whale watching, seeing the Cherry Blossom trees each year, tangerine picking, Eisa Festivals, going to the fish market, exploring tunnels from WWII, visiting many different castle ruins, and visiting all the different tourist spots around the island. When I asked Wayne what his most memorable experience here was, he said the annual Eisa/Orion Beer festival. We did have a good time seeing all the dancers and interacting with the Japanese locals during the beer festival (and of course we can’t forget about the beer). My most memorable experience would have to be going to mainland Japan and climbing Mt. Fuji. That was the most challenging thing that we’ve ever done (it took us 6 hours to get to the top of the mountain and then 4 to get back down). I think if Bryce were able to say what his favorite thing here was, he would say going to the beach and playing in the water. So, if you have about 4 minutes, please watch the video of some of our favorite things from Okinawa…

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Last walk at the seawall

We took our last walk down at the seawall last night. It was a nice evening and the tide was out so we were able to play in the tidepools. Bryce enjoyed picking up the hermit crabs. By the time we left, he was soaking wet. As we were walking, I was soaking up the sound of the waves rolling in and the scenery because in just 2 short days, we'll be looking at nothing but desert.

Gymnastics

This week was Bryce's last week at his gymnastics class. He's been going for a couple of months and after a rough start, he loves it. They stretch before class and then practice their tumbling, use monkey bars, balance beam, do handstands, and bounce on the big trampoline. Then after class, all the kids look forward to getting stamps on their hand from their coach.

Day at the Aquarium

Bryce's 2nd Birthday

Bryce turned 2 on Sunday. We just had a small family celebration and took Bryce to the indoor playground, McDonald's for lunch, and then had cupcakes and ice cream. His big birthday party will be this coming Saturday at the park with his friends.

High Speed Taxi

I had the most amazing experience today. I had the opportunity to taxi out onto the flightline in an F-15 jet. I went through training in a simulator on how to get into the jet and how to quickly get out in case of an emergency. Then I got fitted for my flight suit, vest, and helmet. While we were waiting, we hung out in the "Bat Cave" (the pilot's bar). Then, the time came when my pilot, myself, Wayne & Bryce were taken out onto the flightline and we stepped into our jet. We started to taxi out onto the runway and the pilot let me call to the tower to get permission for our highspeed taxi. After getting permission, he let me push the throttles up before we took off. We took off and he went into afterburn (when you see the red flames come out the back of the jet). The whole time I was thinking to myself "This is soooo cool!"

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Busy weekend

After this weekend, we only have 5 weekends left here in Okinawa. So, we're trying to fit in all the last minute things we can possibly do while we're here. This weekend, Wayne went on his last Okinawa deep sea fishing trip (this will be his 3rd) and then we took Bryce down to see the Dragon Boat races. They were giving people rides in the dragon boats but sadly, you have to be 4' tall to ride in them so Bryce was shy by 1'.

Wayne's mahi mahi

Beautiful sunset

Train ride

Dragon Boat

Watching the boats

Mommy & Bryce