Rainbows and Skittles

This was our view while taking the girls to the bus stop today. We've been having some quick, pop-up showers. This time if left a nice double rainbow behind. I love surprises like this.

Snorkeling the Seawall

Monday was a day off (I know It's Thursday and I'm finally posting this). So Charlie and I and some good friends of ours headed out for a little snorkeling while the kids were in school. Charlie had promised me to go to the Seawall before we leave here. It's so close to our house, we practically drive by it every day but we never snorkel there. Well this day just so happened to be a Japanese holiday and there were tons of people learning how to scuba dive. Every where that looked like a great spot to go snorkeling had a class of divers. We finally decided on a spot but it was a little rough to get to. Waves were crashing coming into the reef. Waves crashing on a sandy beach is one thing but waves crashing on a reef with rocks and sea urchins is another. So Charlie advised me NOT to take my camera. So I did NOT get these shots.

I did NOT get a shot of this spotted toby.

I did NOT get a shot of this rainbow parrot fish.

I did NOT get a shot of this flute fish.

I did NOT get a shot of this fish which I forgot the name of.

I did NOT get a shot of this clown fish.

There was so much to see and so much that I did NOT get to take pictures of. I'm headed back soon (or at least before we leave) so I can get those shots.

Giggles

The girls had a half day of school today. They've been bugging me all week for a sleepover. Now I've got 5 giggly girls downstairs playing on the Wii. They are great, even awesome. I'm not going to have any trouble with these. I expect them to be up all night (or at least most of it until they crash one at a time).

Super Typhoon Choi-wan

I've been keeping my eye on this one.

These storms seem to pop out of no where. At first it was just a tropical storm and now it has strengthened into a Cat. 5 super typhoon. That's as big as they get. But we won't be experiencing it thank goodness. It's going to start turning NE in a couple of days and eventually fizzle out into the sea.

We've been very lucky for two years now. The last typhoon we experienced was Cat. 5 super typhoon Man-Yi. It was huge and took about 36 hours to pass completely over Okinawa. Thankfully, the houses are made to withstand that kind of storm. We didn't have any damage. The Okinawans carried on as normal even during the storm. We on the other hand stored up and hunkered down. Typhoon season will be ending the first of Dec. If we don't get another storm between now and then, we won't see another one while we are living in Japan.

Hai Hai Hai

We had a great time at the Okinawan taiko drumming fest aka. Orion Beer Fest. There were lots of drummers from different schools, clubs and towns.

And there were some crazy characters too.

There were kids and girls dressed in kimonos.

They also had fest foods (you know...fried everything, on a stick or in a cup, with beer or soda and you can't forget the cotton candy or snow cones!)

The night came and it was time for the real party to begin. That was our cue and we started our walk back to the base.

It was fun, everyone had a good time. The girls played carnival games and won lots of prizes. I hung out and took lots of pictures. We won't hear the taiko drums played again. Our time here is nearing the end. It was good to get one more fest in until we leave.

It's a Small World After All

Why is it that we have to travel around the world to meet someone that we practically grew up with? Last week I met a father and son from our church. His wife is from the town beside the one I grew up in. They travel back home every year. What? Imagine that! It's very uncommon to even know of the place I grew up in. And this weekend while camping at Okuma, a guy commented on Charlie's N. Carolina shirt. His wife is from the next town over from where we grew up. Whoa, two in one week. That's crazy talk.

Wanna Race?

It was time for our yearly race. Jasmine and Kiera vs. Charlie and Maya. Who was going to win? They've got their game face on. On your mark....Get set....Go....

Jasmine and Kiera are in the lead.

Charlie and Maya are right behind them.

It was a close race all around but Jasmine and Kiera took the flag!

Okuma

Labor Day weekend our family took a last minute trip to Okuma. We always go camping every summer but we had not been this summer because of Charlie's knee surgery. So we loaded up and headed north. The drive is beautiful looking out onto the mountains and the ocean.

Once we arrived, we unloaded everything and set up our camp.

Each morning we were greeted with a nice sunrise.

And every evening we relaxed with a beautiful sunset.

Our trip was a refreshing break from our city life.

The Week

So the girls started school this week. They were really good about getting up so early, ready and off to school (it's me that hates getting up at 5 am). They like their teachers, classrooms and friends. School is going well so far.

Maya is starting to get that overwhelmed feeling. She feels that it's too much, too fast. Hopefully she will adjust soon and realize that's just the way it's going to be.

We are still trying to get Jas a dentist appt. to fill a pin hole cavity. We've waited six weeks and still haven't managed to get in. Charlie went to the front desk yesterday and asked for a referral off base. He took it to the people that handle that stuff for us and they refused it. We left with some comment cards and a number to call, frustrated to say the least.

Today starts a four day weekend. The girls had school but Charlie and I were able to get some alone time in. We are hoping to all go camping this weekend at Okuma. It's very windy today and it's forcasted to stay that way through the weekend. We'll see how tomorrow fares and make a decision. We'll make it fun either way.