1st Visit to Civic Center Park

Today I decided we were going to get out of the house and do something, whether the kids wanted to or not. I decided to take them to this park I have read about and that we would go early before it got too hot. What was I thinking, it is hot here 24/7! We played at the park for a little over an hour. The kids were IN LOVE with the rollerslide. It was amazing. I even went down it. It is fast and a pretty long ride. The Japanese really know how to make an awesome park!

Parker going down his 1st time- he wasn't even scared,

and he gets scared very easily!

The view from the top

Cooper all ready to go

Sweet Little Emma very excited to head down

Carson had so much fun, he loved going down on the cardboard,

that way you go a lot faster!

Adorable, even when she is very hot and sweaty

Racing back to the top to go again

Cooper Duper

Too scared for the drop slide, I don't blame them, there is

no way I would go down this slide, let alone let them go.

Group hug- Cooper wanted no part of this, he was way to hot.

Time to go- what a great morning at the park.

The kids can't wait to take Daddy on the rollerslide

when he gets back in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the most amazing Mom in the world! I am so lucky to have such a caring, understanding, and strong Mom. You have showed me how to be a good Mom and how to enjoy life. You have shared your passion for adventure with me and I hope to pass that on to my kids. I hope you have an amazing birthday! I love you so much!

Scrapbooking this Weekend

The kids have been very content just hanging out at home this weekend. For the most part they have played nicely together. With Josh still gone and happy kids, I have been able to scrapbook and participate in this fun online crop.

I have finished 4 challenges so far and have finally started scrapbooking 2010! I love how these pages turned out. The kids had fun helping pick out papers to go with their pictures.

"Lil Artist"

Sketch of the Week Challenge

 "I Adore You"

A Stickery Challenge

 "Popcorn Time"

Starting Point Challenge

 "Cooper is 5"

Chop Your Paper Challenge

Obon Festival- Part 2

Our neighborhood was just visited by this group of Eisa dancers. Very cool!

Obon Festival

Tonight the Obon Festival started here in Okinawa. It is a very important tradition. Instead of trying to explain it, you can read about it HERE. We can hear drums all around our house and chanting. The kids thought it was pretty cool.

Last 3 pages of 2009

Finally I am done scrapbooking 2009. With Josh being TDY I haven't had anything to do at night, so out came the scrapbook supplies. I love how these pages turned out!

"Ride Play Grow"

"My Girl Emma"

Pictures from her first haircut. I love this paper, the collection is even called Emma.

"Bowling"

Parker's 3rd Birthday

Parker's "Girls"- they go everywhere with him. He just loves his girls.

The store was all out of Toy Story balloons, but I think this one ended up being even better!

Ready for his party

The crew

He was so excited to open presents.

He loved showing off each present.

New pillow & bedding

He loved this bag and especially the present inside. It was by far his most favorite present! He was so excited when he opened it!

He had to play with it and his new Toy Story guys right away.

And finally, his new bed!

Yummy birthday cake

Make a wish!

3 Years of Cuteness- Happy Birthday Parker!

I can't believe 3 years ago today 8/8/08 at 8:03am little man Parker joined our family. He is the silliest and most adorable little boy. He is always making us laugh and at 3 stills loves to cuddle with me. We love you so much Parker!!

The Day Before Typhoon Muifa Hit

On Wednesday evening we went for a walk before bed. We knew the storm was going to hit the next day and we would be stuck inside for while. It was windy but boy are we happy we took that walk. Getting stuck inside for 60+ hours was horrible.

Final Typhoon Muifa Post

Before

After

Windows all boarded up

Carson checking out the storm (in a safe place)

Ouch- the rain really hurt

Crazy typhoon + boredom = oreo party with crazy smiles

On Sunday, after 3 days of wind and 41 inches of rain, we finally got out and saw the damage. Not much off base, but on base many trees were down, branches everywhere and lots of leaves. We didn't really see puddles or anything. We don't know where all the rain went!

Typhoon Muifa- Part 8, 8/6/11, 7:00am

Last night around 7 the winds seemed to die down, just a little. By 8pm they came back with a vengeance. It was worse then this afternoon and unexpected. Between 8pm and 12am we got 8.5 inches of rain, making a total of 17.5 inches. It was so loud in the house and we started getting leaks in different places. They kept saying it was going to end, but it just kept blasting us. We finally got to sleep and thought this morning would be a lot calmer. We were wrong. Woke up to pouring rain and crazy wind. This typhoon is never going to end. As of 6:00am, we have already gotten 34 inches of rain, yes, you read that right 34 INCHES in less than 36 hours. They are now saying we will get 40+ inches. It is still very windy and the rain is insane. This typhoon is the never going away!

Typhoon Muifa- Part 7, 8/5/11, 5:40pm

Wow- really crazy now!!!

Typhoon Muifa- Part 6, 8/5/11, 3:30pm

The eye wall is finally passing. The strongest winds and rain right now. It's crazy!!

Typhoon Muifia- Part 5, 8/5/11, 7:00am

It was a very windy, rainy and loud night. We woke up to much stronger winds and a very loud house. The kids aren't even phased by the wind and loud house. It is rainy like crazy, they say we might get 16-18 inches. Anyway, here is a video from this morning. Strongest winds should be here in 2 hours.

Typhoon Muifa- Part 4, 8/4/11, 7:00pm

Very windy and finally starting to rain

Typhoon Muifa- Part 3, 8/4/11, 3:30pm

Windy, windy, windy

Typhoon Muifa- Part 2, 8/4/11, 1pm

Winds are starting to get much stronger!

Typhoon Muifa- Part 1, 8/4/11, 11am

Winds are just starting to pick up. Poor Emma has the flu and we are all stuck in the house. Let's hope no one else gets sick.

Typhoon Muifa will be hitting us DIRECTLY

This will be the strongest typhoon to hit Okinawa in 12 years. It will be a category 4 and it will be hitting us directly beginning tomorrow but strongest Friday morning. Sustained winds 132mph, gusts of 161mph.

Click here for Typhoon Updates

Another Source of Info here