Chloe had an awesome opportunity to attend a tour of a Japanese General's home.  She and her friend Gabi Crowther went together  with a group from the hospital.  They loved these two girls, and wasted no time getting them dressed in traditional kimonos.  Notice the cherry blossoms behind her.

 They asked if Chloe happened to play the piano.  She was delighted to say yes and played  a beautiful Minuet by J.S. Bach.

Chloe and Gabi



Tama Zoo

We have been to many zoos throughout our travels and duty stations, but the Tama Zoo is my

 There have a massive butterfly house and that had hundreds of butterflies.  They would land right on your arms, and shoulders....it was spectacular.

 Feeding time for the giraffes.

 This is a bus you can ride into the lion enclosure.  They hang pieces of meat on the outside of the bus, and this is what happens.......

 This lion is licking our window to get at the meat!  That is Callista's hand thinking she might be able to touch it.

 The Amur Tiger enclosure is the best we've ever seen at a zoo.  There were three tigers and we even witnessed a few sparring sessions.

It was an awesome day and we stayed right up until it closed....in fact the zoo keepers were practically chasing us out!



Weekend in Tama

We spent Memorial Day Weekend in Tama, Japan.  The girls had a fantastic time at the stables.

 Callista says she "NEEDS" her own pony now!  "Can Santa bring me one?"  We had a nice discussion about zoning laws and how JAX does not allow horses.  And Santa would never bring something that was against the law.





 

Chloe took a riding lesson and loved it.  Her horses' name was Eve and was a very gentle mannered, patient horse....perfect for Chloe.

 

While the girls were having fun at the stables, here is what the boys were doing!

 



 It was a great day for outdoor fun!

 



Katherine is 38?

I had a FANTASTIC birthday.  It started with a great birthday run (I bought some new itunes to groove with).  After my run, a good friend took me to lunch and to get a manicure.  We went out for mexican food for dinner, and then back home for festivities.  

Ryan gave me the cutest yellow purse.  I will think of him every time I use it.

Callista gave me a neck pillow in the shape of a puppy.  She tries to use it more than me!

Chloe gave me toilet brush?  Oh.....and a "Toto" toilet catalog, with the promise that when we get in our new home I will get a "Toto washlet" toilet seat.  Nothing like a warm toush on a cold winter's day.  Thanks Chloe....that was very original!

I was able to blow out ALL 38 candles on my ice cream pie in one breath.....but maybe not next year!

I pray my next year will be as full of joy and laughter and this last year has been.  Thanks Paul, chloe, Ryan, and Callista for an amazing day!!!

Two Lovers Point - No Need For Words

Exploring Guam

We took a Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise one day, and we were well rewarded.  The boat ride itself was refreshing and peaceful.

But when these three dolphins made their appearance, it made our day.  I wish we could have captured more on the camera, but they were so fast, we couldn't get great shots.  However, they did do some awesome "Sea World" tricks like flips and jumps for us.

Then we moved away from the dolphin area and closer to the reef for some snorkeling.  These are boogie board type things (for lack of a better word), and they have a glass window.  You can see Ryan peering through his.  Paul would take a piece of bread and hold it right under the kids' windows and then the kids would watch in amazement as the fish devoured it right under their eyes.

Since our trip to Talofofo was not truly a hike, I was determined to go on a real waterfall hike.  I researched like crazy and even asked some locals and they assured me that Tarzan Falls was the perfect hike.  "An easy hike", I was assured.  One my 6 year old could surely handle.  Well.....apparently, the Guamese children can handle much more hiking than we could.  This was actually a pretty steep hike.  There were many times we were sliding on our bottoms to make the descent.  There were many tears, but a brave Ryan kept us motivated.  The girls stopped at the top of the falls to enjoy the stream, while the boys descended the rest of the way to get to the bottom. 

 I think even the girls would agree, it was difficult, but definitely an accomplishment to be proud of!

Talofofo Falls

While in Guam we checked our Talofofo Falls.  It did not disappoint!

This story is amazing.  When the US invaded Guam to take it back from the Japanese, the Japanese soldiers retreated to the jungle of Guam.  Most were caught.  But one man, Sergeant Yokoi dug himself a cave and survived for 28 years on the fresh fish from the pond below the falls, and the fresh bananas, mangoes, and jack fruit that grew right there.  He had no idea the war had ended and was found by two local hunters.  He returned home to Japan at the age of 57.  What an incredible story!

Although it was a little commercialized with the cable car ride, and gift shop, it was still a beautiful waterfall and we enjoyed walking around and enjoying the beauty of it all.