Back from our Mini-Vacay

We had a great time on our little mini-vacation. It was nice to get away for a couple of nights and just to do something different for a change. Of course Grace has fun anytime water is involved! We got to Okuma on Sunday afternoon and almost as soon as we were checked in Grace was in the ocean.

On Monday morning Grace got to play on the big playground after breakfast. Then it was time for the main reason we went to Okuma - the Snorkel trip! We boarded the boat (which Grace LOVED!!) and then once we got out to the outer reef we were able to snorkel. My Mom will be posting some pictures from her underwater camera sometime soon on her blog. She already posted a few pictures of Grace so be sure to go check them out too!

We spent Monday afternoon relaxing. Grace was pretty worn out from all of the sun and water. Grace had just got up from her nap and needed some lunch so we watched Dora and ate lunch in our room while Dustin played some golf and my Mom went on a nature trail to take some pictures that afternoon. Since the course is never busy there he was able to take a break half way through and then finished the last 9 holes right before dinner. Before Dustin headed back out to finish his game of golf we went to check out the go karts. Grace got to ride on a go kart!! After dinner that night we made some s'mores!! It was a really fun day for everyone.

We headed back on Tuesday morning and made a few stops on our way back. We drove to 3 islands we had never been to before. Each had some gorgeous views! We also stopped at the Butterfly Garden because my Mom wanted to see the butterflies here. She has a butterfly garden of her own in her backyard. We had seen pictures from several people who had been before and knew that the butterflies like the color red. I purposely made sure I did not wear anything CLOSE to the shade of red. Dustin and Mom on the other hand didn't even think about it. But before we got into the butterfly house I realized I was pushing a RED stroller. I think some of the butterflies wanted to come home with us :-)

These pictures are from our snorkel trip. Grace loves to swim in the middle of the ocean!!

Little Getaway!

We are heading up to Okuma tomorrow and staying for 2 nights!
My Mom got an underwater camera for her birthday and has wanting to go snorkeling at Okuma again ever since we did it last August. We will get a boat ride out past the reef. Last time we were there is seemed like there were thousands of fish in that particular area. Grace really enjoys swimming in the middle of the ocean so I am sure she will have a blast!
I think Dustin is planning in playing a little golf while we are there. We may even try miniature golf again, although the last time we tried that Grace almost ran right into a rhino which scared her a bit. It should be a fun way to start the week! Now off to do laundry and pack. We will be back on Tuesday.

Videos, videos, and more videos...

Here are some of the highlights from our trip!

This is what Grace does in the car if she is not sleeping

This is our snorkeling adventure

Grace and her Daddy swimming in the ocean. It rained on us while we were out there!

This one is split into 2 because it was too big of a file. Grace learned how to click her tongue!

Part 2

Getting back to a routine...

We have enjoyed having my parents here for the past few weeks (my Mom was here 3 weeks and my Dad for 10 days). Grace really enjoyed having her Grandma and Grandpa here to play with her and spoil her rotten! I think we did more in the short time my Dad was here than we have done since we have been on this beautiful island. Grace took most of her naps in her carseat while we were driving from one place to another.

We started out by going to Okinawa World and Peace Prayer Park the first day. Day 2 we drove to a few other islands and saw some castle ruins. During the week while Dustin was working we did quite a bit of shopping and ventured to a few places like Shuri Castle and the Japanese Naval Underground. We had lunch at the Tea House, which is a neat little restaurant overlooking the golf course and flight line, a couple times and went to a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant once.

The last weekend my parents were here was a 4-day for Dustin so we stayed busy! Friday we went to a beach so we could have family pictures taken for our Christmas cards then we headed up north. We stopped at Maeda point to see the wonderful scenery on our way to the Busena Resort Underwater Observatory. Grace loved it! We walked out to a building that had a winding staircase that took you underwater and there were several look-out windows where we could watch lots of pretty fish. Afterwards, we kept driving and went to the Pineapple park. This was our 4th time going and it is always a treat. Who doesn't love eating pineapple??

On Saturday we went to Naha and shopped at Kokusai street. We parked at the Jusco (shopping mall with free parking) and rode the monorail to one end of the street and took off walking. We bought Grace a cute little dress and we got some ice cream at Blue Seal. I have a new favorite - Caramel Machiato! On our way home we stopped by a flightline fest and saw lots of helicopters and airplanes. Grace got to ride a train and visit the duck pond and she even won a couple toys!

Sunday was a little more relaxing but busy nonetheless. Since Grace loved watching the fish so much at the underwater observatory we bought her a fish tank! We picked it up on Saturday morning and then on Sunday my parents cleaned it up and showed us how to set it all up. After it was all ready we went to a pet store that is only about 5 minutes from our house and bought 4 little fish! They now have names - Mickey, Minnie, Tom, and Jerry. That afternoon we went to the 100 Yen Plaza near our house, then we went to the lighthouse on Cape Zanpa, and finally we went to dinner.

Monday might have been the longest but most exciting day. We drove up to Okuma (military recreation area) and went on a snorkel trip. Grace was not too fond of the life jacket she had to wear but she loved swimming in the ocean! Afterwards, we got back in the car and drove to the northern most part of the island - Cape Hedo. And then we went on a trail through some bushes and rocks to see a panoramic view. I don't think we will be doing that again! We decided to take the scenic route (aka: the longest route) back home. I think it took us over 3 hours! We have been that way twice and I hope there is never a 3rd. There is not a bathroom for the first 2 hours of the drive. I think this was discovered both times we took this route.

So now we are back to trying to get back into our routine. Grace is missing her grandparents pretty bad I think. She has been super clingy and won't let us out of her reach. I even had to lay down with her for her nap this afternoon and she would wake up if I even turned so I wasn't looking at her.

Anyways, here are some pictures from the last few weeks that my Mom took.

One evening we were able to watch fireworks from our balcony!

So cool!!

The Lighthouse

at Cape Zanpa

Cape Zanpa - it was very windy and the sun was right in our eyes

After her swim

She didn't want to get out!

The life jacket wasn't too comfy

Excited!!

The duck pond

On our way to the underwater observatory

Grace and Dustin at Okinawa World with the Shisa Dog

I left Grace at home with her Grandma. When I left she was napping. When I came home she had ate yogurt, made a big mess, and just HAD to go swimming to get clean :-)

She got a bunch of balls to put in her pool!

Okuma Trip

We are back from our short trip to Okuma. We left on Wednesday morning, made it there for lunch and then went to class. This was a retreat paid for by the chaplain here so we had classes to go to but since there were so many people (our entire battery) they had break us into 4 groups (2 family groups and 2 singles groups) and cram the classes into one 3 1/2 hour class. That just meant a lot more free time! Our class was right after lunch on Wednesday and then we had the rest of the time free. Dustin played 18 holes of golf. The course is so small that 18 holes consists of playing the course twice! We played putt-putt (mini golf), got our feet wet in the ocean, and just spent a lot of time relaxing. The entire trip was paid for so the only thing we spent money on the entire time was golf, putt-putt, and a cup of coffee. We got some really good use out of our new stroller. Grace absolutely loves it! She took at least 3 naps in her stroller while we were there (1. during our class 2. at lunch 3. on a walk) which means it is comfy. She went everywhere in her stroller (or our arms!) And because she wasn't in her infant carseat the servers would always bring her a cup of water with a straw at dinner. Well, we let her try out the straw and she was able to get some water through it! She also blew bubbles in her water through her straw. Her new thing is blowing air out of her mouth and "spitting" She is so cute!!

Ok, now to the pictures...

this first picture pretty much sums up the weather while we were there... cool and rainy. Guess what? Today we are home and it is SUNNY! **edit: It just rained again **

Grace in her new stroller

wading in the ocean (wait... let me be PC here... just for Terre... the East China Sea)

Grace and her Daddy getting their feet wet

Walking out to the water

So cute!

She makes some funny faces... this is her blowing spit!

Pretty beach!

Watching the waves

Okuma!

Tomorrow we are leaving for Okuma, the military resort on Okinawa, for two nights/three days. This is an all expenses paid trip courtesy of the Army! And did I mention that this is what Dustin does for work the next three days?? Hopefully the weather will be nice so we can let Grace enjoy the beach! I have all of her cutest clothes packed (sort of... they are just thrown in the suitcase right now) and her adorable little bathing suit and matching dress and hat, her hot pink crocs.... now we just need her sand toys, some sunscreen and a beach towel!!