Snipes Family Christmas Party

Juda snagging him a pink fish.

Gregory and Tomyuki getting acquainted.

We've outgrowned everyones homes, so here we are at Daddy's church in the fellowship hall which might won't be big enough for much longer.

Sylvia, Marie, Cynthia/Tomoyuki and Daddy waiting for the feast to begin.

Bethany enjoying a gift of lip balm, her favorite thing these days.

Juda playing the homemade pinata game, thanks to Cynthia and Sylvia's creativity. Thank goodness noone got hurt by the swinging broom.

Bethany loving on her Paw Paw.

All the men waiting in the food line.

Our Family Photo Experience

Bethany's rendition of our family. As you can see, Andy is the bigger than life one in camies and boots. Oh how she loves her Andy. She is counting the days til he moves to Okinawa. I will help you recognize us.....I am the first on the left in high heal shoes and high hair, Tom is next to me with either a hat or a toupe (however you spell that man hair piece thingy), then Juda being the smallest of all standing anyway, then Andy, Ben, Bethany and Caleb holding Tomoyuki who is looking like a balloon with feet stuck on.

Okay, here we really are, I think you can figure this one out on your own.

The taking a family picture event is big, as we are never all together for starters, then everyone needs to look their best or at least clean up a bit. We all need to be smiling, or at least pretend you are having a good time, not hungry as that can bring on less than happy faces for any age. Then of course we all need to be awake.

Soooo, we were working hard to keep the happy/fun/full tummy/clean appearance thing going as we waited our turn. Probably Andy is still trying to convince himself there is a family resemblance. NOT

We were working overtime trying to keep Tomoyuki awake, but sure enough, when it was all over, he said, sayonara to everyone and slept.

Ben and Andy are always up to no good when they are together, one can only guess why they were holding hands. I'm not sure Okinawa is ready for the two of you to be here at the same time.

While waiting and entertaining ourselves, for a fleeting moment we were able to snap this shot of Tomoyuki being a "Cowboy" with his hands in his pockets.

Our retreat in the "Cabin in the Big Woods"

We enjoyed a great week in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia at "Deer Den" cabin. The weather was beautiful and perfect to be outside on most days, having campfires by night. It felt like camping but in luxury. The cabin had no curtains on the HUGE windows, which made you feel like you were outside when you were in. It was absolutely perfect and exactly what we all needed. Maw Maw doing what she did for two weeks, hold Tomoyuki in her lap. They fell in love quickly and spent alot of time together.

Bethany had so much fun building camp fires, many campfires.

Aunt Cynthia enjoyed loving on Tomoyuki on the front porch of the cabin.

We enjoyed a little hike inthe woods. Juda never is too sure of anything but solid ground. Smart guy!

Not sure what Ben and Caleb are trying to do, but be silly. Juda is saying, "Doesn't look safe to me".

Once again by the camp fire, roasting marshmallow's and enjoying the warmth of the fire. Cynthia and Steve celebrated their 33rd Wedding Anniversary. Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! We wish you many more.

I think Kristina enjoyed her time with us, being we are nearly an all boys household. Juda doing what he does best, kissing Tomoyuki. Bethany doing what she does best, loving on Andy.

Steve, Ben and Tom look like they should be holding shot guns instead of pool sticks. They seem to be saying, "Hey, don't mess with us!" "We've got a days experience shooting and we'll take you on."

Jacuzzi anyone? They were the braver of the bunch.

A little more outdoor fun to be had, and once again, yes, a fire is going.

Enjoying a meal at the cabin. As maw maw would say, "Are we eating again, well okay, if I have to!"

And here we are, yes, eating again. Steak and Shake offered us their best service ever.

Ben looking more Navy than Andy.

Andy trying to convince us of he and Tomoyuki's resemblance. Or maybe he's trying to close that 22 year age gap between them. None the less, they are "Brothers from another mother"!

Our farewell to Paw Paw. What a sweetheart of a daddy and paw paw. He couldn't keep up with us all, asking over again, "How many kids do you have now and where are they all, and where do you live now?" I guess that's fair enough, we do move allot and we do keep having children, so okay, we earned both questions???

Maw Maw with her two boys, Tommy being the baby and always will be. He's looking old for a baby boy.

Trip back to Okinawa

We were so thrilled to see all the snow as we traveled from Atlanta to Chicago and then as we waited and waited and waited for our plane to arrive and take us to Japan, we enjoyed front row seats with a window view.

Bethany and Tomoyuki enjoyed the flight back. Bethany watched movie after movie after movie from her own personal DVD set in the seat in front of her. GREAT way to spend 14 hours. Watch a movie, eat a meal, go potty, watch a movie, eat a snack, go potty, get the idea.

Tom had to borrow Bethany's dolly pen to fill out some customs paperwork, he didn't seem to mind. Tomoyuki especialy enjoyed watching the dolly head bounce around as Tom wrote.

Tomoyuki's trying out the headset, wondering why do all these people wear these get ups on the plane. After a few moments with headset in place, he is still wondering why.

Ben and Juda were flying buddies, after 6 flights together, not sure that's what you call each other. Ben had decided that on the long leg, he and Juda would party. They were the last seats on the plane, noone behind them to bother, so Ben let Juda have chocolate and soda, then Ben fell asleep. Thank goodness I was in front of them to make sure Juda didn't climb the walls of the plane. No worries tho, Juda just put his headset on, put his music in his player and sang to all his songs, having his own party,with or without Ben. Juda managed to stay awake 13 of the 14 hour flight. What a trooper. He loved flying, we were so glad as we did so much of it.

Tomoyuki decided he had had enough and colapsed.

Watching them get ready our last flight home, enjoying our favorite japanese drinks and lunch snacks.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

We are back on island after a great two weeks in Georgia. We had a wonderful time with family and a great relaxing time in the N. GA mountains in a cabin deep in the woods. I will be working on downloading lots of pics of our time before the holidays, the holidays and now after the holidays ASAP. Thanks for all your prayer support for the Ai no Kesshin ministry and for us as well.

Happy 1st Birthday to Tomoyuki

Tomoyuki had a great first birthday, cupcake and icing to enjoy. Although the sugar kept him awake til midnight, since being the first sugar he'd ever had. Live and learn.

Pallet Visit

The little guy in the middle of the pic was shaking hands with one of the dogs. He spent most of the time with this dog and sharing tricks. It was excellent therapy for him. So many of the children are really beginning to enjoy the dogs and are definately looking forward to their coming on Sat.

Our visit to Pallet on Saturday was and is always a special time and a treat for us to love on these children along with Elizabeth sharing her dogs. This is Shouta (Sho ta). He is 11 years old and very smart young man. He loved Tomoyuki and was very talkative and by the response of his therapist he is a comedian.