Red Envelope Project

We participated in this project at Koza Baptist Church.. Thanks to Hallmark for their donation of their unused RED envelopes left over from Valentine's Day. We gathered and sent 288 envelopes. Thanks to our church family for participating with us to make a "Pro life" statement to our President. It is not too late for you too to make a statement especially if you are in the states. Check out: redenvelopeproject.org and see how you can help. You need to send them to the President by the end of this month

Beach Rock Village

Back in February, before Andy departed for Iraq, Tom and I went on an overnight to the north end of the island while the big boys stayed home with the little ones, what a blessing that was for us. We celebrated our 27th Anniversary. We went to a really neat place called "Beach Rock Village" for lunch in a real "Tree House", very "Swift Family Robinson". We took a video on my cell phone, but have been unable to download it, therefore, I have enclosed the web site so you can go and view some pics of this really neat place. We certainly would classify it as "Okinawa Hippie Hangout", not that we fall into the category at all, believe me we felt a bit out of place at first and apprehensive as well, but, settled with, "We are here, let's check it out." mode. Anything that can be home grown was grown, even the chickens.......T-Pee's were the choice of lodging, no kidding. Tom made reservations for us to stay the night, but as the sun began to set, he cancelled as we weren't sure we wanted to try something that new after dark....... so we stayed at Okuma then went searching for "Beach Rock Village" when the sun came up. It turned out to be quite an adventure and an excellent Pizza and Salad meal atop a tree. If you are on Okinawa it is a must go and see and eat in the tree, hey that rhymed....I'll stop there. Go check out the site: http://www.shimapro.com/index.html

Fun time playing with friends!!!!

Tomo's friend Saran came for a visit, he loves her so much, she's so pretty.....
Knock knock...let me in to your little bitty house,
Tomo loves Mio too, she such a special young lady.....
Juda and his traffic jam.......

To hear or not to hear, that is the question??????

Cheeeeezooooo (japanese version of Cheese)
When Mom pokes that thing in, it makes my tongue poke out. NOT
(Note: Tomo is not sporting a tatoo or a booboo on his face)
Tomo finally has a hearing aid. We have truely been blessed by Navy Medicine and the docs taking care of Tomo and Juda. As dependants of a retiree, they don't rate hearing aids. Even if they did they are quite expensive. Keep in mind we aren't even sure Tomo needs it, so this is trial and error. So the doc that just retired ordered some to keep in stock, and they are loaning us this hearing aid, short term, long term, as long as we need it................we are so very thankful for this opportunity for Tomo. At first he cried when we put it on, so little by little each day we have him wear it. His ear canal is quite floppy, mushy, soft, causing sound waves a problem to get back to the ear drum. That much we know for sure, so we aren't sure if that is causing the hearing deficit or that he has a bad drum, nerve, etc.......Time will tell. Just like Juda's glasses, this device too will be a challenge to keep on, but we will persevere.

Our new friends and visitors

Juda catching a ride on Hikari. We sure enjoyed our visitors today, Sakina, Pastor Naomi along with Rika, Mia and Casey (he jumped in the pic at the last minute)

Smiles all around

Juda the "One Man Band"
Nala Kitty must be waiting for a very important phone call
Andy is on Skype, we sure have enjoyed getting to chat with him by way of Skype, it is great to get to see him on line.
Bethany and her friend Katelyn dressed Brody up in a doll baby dress....those girls....

Happy Birthday to Tom, Dad and Daddii (as Juda says)

Check out this Ice Cream Parfait, enough for the whole clan. Try flavors like, purple sweet potato, only in Japan
Move over American Idol, here comes TOMO......Happy Birthday to Dad, Happy Birthday to Dad, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to DAD

Notice the Birthday candles,,,,,,,two sparklers, Michi taka was much happier than he looks, not sure what happened with that. Our dear friends Candy, Cho, Michi taka and Michi hide treated us all to this Birthday celebration for Tom.
Tom can't celebrate his birthday without a "Carrot" Cake. MMMMMgood
Andy's gift of a Patagonia T Shirt was perfect....

BUMPS and BRUISES

As the story goes...Tomo fell from his horse....horse = Juda
In Japan we use Soy Beans for ice packs....not English Peas....maybe I'm the only one who uses everything but ice for packs.....
I've got things sticking out everywhere now.....
oooooweeeee what a shinner....
I can't believe I fell and didn't even put my hands out to cushion the fall, what was I thinking.....

So very CURIOUS

Tomo helping with putting away groceries...taking a moment to wash his hands I suppose....
The "Monkey Flashlight" really has him stumped.....
Where is that noice coming from......
Now before when I opened here a bright light came out and a noice.....kindof creepy...
YIKES....I'm not going to do that again......

Clapping and Coloring

New Exercise Routine

Working off the Valentine Chocolates

We bought this used, no owners manual. You get what you paid for...we are still trying to figure out how it works, or maybe that is just it, we are the ones who are supposed to work it.
Juda is the last one that needs any exercise or weight loss and he's the one on it the most....
Not sure if we'll burn any chocolate off like this, but it sure was good for a laugh...

New Family Wheels

Juda shouldn't really be riding Tomo, he doesn't have his glasses on.......Our very special neighbor/friend/landlord Candy san......joining us for the picture moment.
Bethany had a guest over after church, Ms. Katelyn fit right into our family so much that Bethany wants to keep her because she wants a sister.
Tomo enjoying being the CENTER of attention.....
Our new resident commedian......
For Valentine's we celebrated with Cheese Fondue then Chocolate Fondue. For the record...Cho san fed Tomo his first ever chocolate, time and time again. We weren't sure how he would react....just take a look above to see for yourself.....no not really.....he seemed to handle it just fine.....

Strawberry Pickin Time

The gang needed a bath after their "Strawberry Picking" experience, NOT, maybe back in the days of North Carolina Strawberry Pickin, boohoo, those days are no more.

Home grown, we can't believe it, we actually are successful at this, he he he, one plant.....maybe 30+ berries though....

Tomo says, "The one I ate made me see RED".....what a dude....