New Sanno Hotel

The Navy has a VERY nice hotel in downtown Tokyo. The girls and I took Nana there for the night. I had the hotel arrange for a sitter and we went to a delicious dinner at the Wellington (the hotel's fine dining restaurant). That was one of the best meals I have ever had (6 course meal with wine pairings).

Here the girls are getting ready for a swim in the pool right after checking in (Where is daddy when we need him to take the girls swimming?).


Mom and I are all ready for our dinner reservations.



The next morning we went to my favorite bakery and walked to a beautiful park and explored the trails and bridges.



Lauren loved sitting and watching this man fish in the pond.

After our walk around the garden/park we needed to get home and get ready for trick-or-treating!

Trick or Treat

We started Halloween off with a neighborhood potlluck that the girls and I planned. Everyone around our townhouse brought a dish to share by the park and we ate some really yummy food. It was a great way to meet neighbors that we may not have the chance to meet so far.


After that we came home and finished getting ready to trick or treat. I had heard from others that Halloween on base here in Japan is a mad house. Boy was that the truth. I have never seen so many kids out trick-or-treating. Lots of Japanese kids are invited on base to experience our Halloween tradition (Japan does not celebrate Halloween) My mom stayed behind to pass out candy and ended up running out in less than an hour. There were 15 kids deep in line and she had to explain that her daughter didn't buy enough candy, go in and turn out the lights.
Here is Allie with her buddy Ryley. Allie is super-girl this year.

Lauren is with Kennedy and decided to be a snow princess.

We are now officially loaded down with candy!

Aki-Matsuri Luncheon

Aki Matsuri is the Japanese Harvest Festival and the Japanese Officer Spouse group with who we share the base with invited us to celebrate with them. My mom is in town and was able to experience this with me. It was amazing to see how much work and effort these woman put into this celebration. After arriving we were given a souviner bag, beautiful name tag, and our table assignment. The day began with us going to 5 different stations showing us American's typical Japanese Festival games. Here is a picture of mom and I at two different ones. At each one we would win a prize of different sorts. Mom was really good, and me...not so much.

After the games we listened to a traditional Japanese story story and then we did dancing.



The afternoon ended with a delicious lunch. When we left we were given a group photo that was taken at the beginning of the event and a tea box made out of Washi paper. We had the most amazing time. These woman are so facisnating.

"Hafa Adai" - Guam trip

We made a last minute and quick trip to Guam where Chad is currently "deployed". They are staying at the Outrigger Hotel right in the middle of Tuman Bay. Guam is often described as the "poor man's Hawaii". I have to say that we loved it there. Here was the view that welcomed us as we woke up that first morning.

The water at the beach was crystal clear. We saw lots of fish swimming around.


The girls loved hanging out by the pool and going down the water slide no less than 500 times each day. Chad had to work while we were there, but we managed to keep busy. He would take the girls swimming in the morning.



In the evening we would meet him on the 21st floor where the Det is invited to a VIP happy hour. Here is a picture of a little Japanese girl Allie and Lauren would play with.

After our evening Happy Hour we would head out to dinner. We ate at three fantastic restaurants. The girls and I can't wait to go back.

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

On Columbus Day the girls had the day off and we signed up for a trip through MWR. We went to Hekkeijima Sea Paradise with our friends the Picons and Selks. Sea Paradise is Japan's equivalent to Sea World located in Yokohama. They also have an amusement park section. Allie...poor thing...was just shy of being able to ride some of the rides. She of course was the daredevil and one who wanted to ride them all...even the roller coaster that goes over the water. We were expecting really large crowds b/c it was not only a holiday for us, but it was a Japanese holiday too. The weather was beautiful (one of the best days since we moved here) and it was not crowded at all. It coudn't have been better.

These pelicans welcomed us at the ticket area. They were as tall as Allie was.

Right after we bought our tickets and went in we watched the show in the Aqua Theater. It was no Shamu...but these guys were stunning (and I mean the animals not the trainers).


The girls got to fee the ducks. Lauren got her finger nipped by a really hungry one.

Here was the view from the park. The sailboats were out and it was breathtaking.


Inside the aquarium there was a display that explained evolution.

Musical Theater

Lauren's passion these days is her musical theater class. Just this past Saturday they had a performance. They have been practicing so hard for this (three times a week for 2 hours) the past two weeks. She always looks forward to going and can't wait to start working on the Christmas performance.

This one was a montage of skits...Lion King, Annie, Snow White, Arabian Knights and Pocahontas. Here she is backstage with her friend Olivia (who is also her teacher, Mr. Anton's daughter). She was about to go on for the Lion King.

Little Ballerina

Allie started ballet recently and LOVES it. They have an hour class on Saturday mornings. They go in the room and the parents wait until the end of class. At that time we are invited in for the ballerinas to show us what they learned that day. On this day Allie was the leader thus the tiara on her head. Her friend Rilie is right beside her.

Satsumaimo (Sweet Potato) Digging

Today we were invited to go with a Japanese girl scout troop to go sweet potato digging. We got on the train and after three transfers we made it to where the troop was meeting us. From the train station we walked to the sweet potato farm. There was also peanuts and taro. We brought gloves and shovel and found a mound to start digging.


Lauren and Allie had a blast. They paired up with a Japanese girl and did it together. Amazing how kids can just play even if they don't understand each other.



After digging, Lauren and her new friend Mio walked hand and hand to the girl scout hut to have lunch. We did Nagashi Soumen which is where noodles are floated down a bamboo shoot and we catch them with chopstick and put them in this delicious broth. It was an amazing experience.