Mom and Dad's Night Out

Derek and I were able to get a baby-sitter last weekend for a much needed date night! We started off by dining at our first Japanese Restraunt, Derek ordered a plate of tuna rolls (raw tuna wrapped with rice in seaweed). I couldn't believe he was making me be so adventerous on our first night out! I did try ONE, I guess it wasn't too horrible. We didn't know that you were supposed to put the whole thing in your mouth at once, it was a little difficult trying to bite through the seaweed. I haven't decided if I am going to give it a second chance yet or not. But we are going to try to get out on our own once a month and try a new local place to eat.


After dinner we went to an area called "American Village" While we were walking around we found a vintage store. I am not sure what the difference is between vintage and thrift, but we were in shock over some of the prices that we were seeing.

The Japanese lady working at the store started doing the Thriller dance when she saw Derek wearing this jacket! It cost 15,000 Yen (about $150) and I think Micheal Jackson actually wore it in the Thriller video.

And these Adidas shoes straight from the 1980s cost 4800 yen (about $48). To me they look worth about 48 cents, OK- maybe $4.80 they do have purple stripes and they are high tops.

Out in Town

Here are a few pictures that I took the other day while we were out driving around. I love seeing more Palm Trees than Pine Trees!

While we were on our drive.... Derek found his first GRAY hair!!

There is a cafe on the top of this building that we would like to eat at, maybe without the kids. The view from up there is supposed to be great. The ocean is only about two blocks away when you turn left down that road.

Notice what side of the road the cars are driving on... I am not sure I will ever get used to this.

Daddy's Home!!

After about two weeks we were all excited to see Derek again.

Those boys are so crazy...

After he had a some time to relax and get out of his uniform we went shopping at the brand new BX on the airforce base, it is the second biggest one in the world! The biggest I believe is in Germany. And then we went to the McDonalds off base, we had to order from a picture menu... and we still didn't get what we ordered!! We won't be making to many trips here though, it cost $25 for all of us to eat, and Danielle shared our food.

Welcome Home Derek.

Our Walk Home

I realize that I am always way behind on my posts... One day I dream of being organized and on top of things, but I am still working it.

These are pictures of "one of" Brandon's first days of school.. I guess this has been a couple of weeks ago now. We were still living in the WestPac.

We had to walk up this hill twice a day... Brandon only had to do it once a day!!

Danielle was always a trooper...

Caidence on the other hand.... well, she is our little princess!! I do feel for her though... it was REALLY HOT

This is one of the Japanese statues.. these lions(?) are everywhere. I was told at our welcoming brief what they represent, but I couldn't tell you now. I am sorry I'm not very helpful... Maybe Rosa could help me out here.

Caidence was not so happy to be getting her picture taken after that HORRIBLE walk up that HUGE hill. -sorry princess

I am back!!

We have been in our house for a week now. And we are starting to finally settle in, even if Derek was only here for one night before he had to go TAD. He isn't to far away, he is on a small island right off of the coast of Okinawa. They are redoing the airfield out there, hopefully he will be home in about two weeks. We are missing him though. I am just figuring out the Internet, it wasn't working right at first, but now I think we are up and running. Sorry there aren't any pictures yet... I want to get the house the way I want it before I start posting pics. We haven't been able to do much exploring yet either, with Derek being gone I am a little scared about going it alone. Driving is still a little crazy, especially out in town where it is super congested. So far I the farthest I have gone is to church, and I am relying on God to get me there (and back)!! Keri- I have to admit I deleted your friends email address before I was able to use it, could you send it to me again?? I like the church that we are going to now, but I would like to see what else is out there. Again, I am kind of waiting for Derek to get home so that we can explore our options together. Keep in touch everyone... I love reading the blogs.

My Apologies

There have many times that we have gone out in town and every time that we do I forget my camera!! I just finally put it into my purse and from now on I plan on taking lots of pictures.

"The River"

My Grandpa Richardson lives in the backwoods of Indiana, Brandon is enjoying one of my favorite childhood memories... driving down the rocky path that leads to Grandpa's house.



The four wheeler is new. It is how my 72 year old Grandpa gets around these days.

Who let the baby ride with Uncle Rob?

There is a river that runs by the property, so we decided to take the boat up the river and take a ride down to Grandpa's house. Uncle Rob didn't mention the broken paddle until the boat was already in the River!!

This would probably wouldn't be so tough if we didn't have half a paddle... for some reason the boat keeps turning to the left!

We made it back just in time for Uncle Tim's lasagna... funny all I ever remember eating at The River is hamburgers and hot dogs.