Tama Hills

About 1 1/2 hours away there are cabins and camping for military called Tama Hills. It is owned and run by Yokota Air Force Base. We rented a cabin for the night with some gals from the squadron.

At Tama Hills there is horseback riding, put-put golf, hiking, and many more activities to do.


We had a great time drinking mojitos and grilling out.

Here is Heather and Amy manning the grill.

Awaodori

My Japanese friend Mayumi invited the girls and I to Yamato (the next town over to us) to their Awaodori festival. I dressed the girls in their yukatas (summer kimonos) for the festival. As soon as we lined up to watch the "parade" a woman who owned the kimono shop in town came out of her shop to help re-tie the girls yukatas. I guess this American mom didn't quite get the job done. I was greatful that she fixed them.







The girls enjoyed the part where they were invited onto the street to dance with them. What a fun night...Thanks Mayumi!

MOMAT

Some girlfriends and I went to the Paul Gauguin exhibit at the Modern Museum of Art Tokyo (MOMAT). This the the same group that on occasion we do one-day cultural trips in to Tokyo for tea, lunch or a museum. I feel so grown-up on these excursions. My favorite of his paintings was the one titled "Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?" on loan from the Museum of Fine Art in Boston.

Here is my friend Lee and I. We ate lunch at the cafe on the top floor of the museum before we left.

Concert in the Park

Before flying out back to Japan we had one last Concert in the Park at Spreckles Park.

Joe and Condra Mullins

Carrie Gould

Anne Fitzgerald

Allie and Katie

The Gang!

Boating in Coronado

We spent one day while visiting San Diego boating around Coronado. Mark's boss let us borrow his boat and tubing accessories. We made a trip to Costco to get all of the food and then made several trips from the boat ramp to take people, food and supplies to the beach on the other side of the golf course.




Everyone had a great time riding the tube and boating, swimming and eating. What a blast!

Hiking Torrey Pines

What better way t0 spend the day than with two amazing friends hiking in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I know there was some great food involved too, but I can't remember what. Oh yes, now I remember The Cottage in La Jolla for brunch. Just to make the day a little more sweet.

Riding with Skye

Julie Hammond, a great friend and our XO's wife has a horse in El Cajon. She invited the girls to come out to the stable and take Skye for a ride. The girls rode Skye the last time in VA Beach. I think Allie might have just sat on him and then watched Lauren ride.




Lauren got the hang of trotting.

Here is Allie learning to hold the straps like ice cream cones.






After seeing Skye we met some gals from VRC-30 out for steak. Very fun afternoon!

Camp Coronado

All the kids were signed up for a week of Camp Coronado. That meant non stop fun for the kids from 10-4 Monday - Friday. And come to think of it, it also meant non stop fun for the moms during the same time.

Allie at the end of the week was Camper of the Week and Lauren held the Spirit Flag.

Happy Birthday to Allie

On Allie's actual birthday this year we celebrated with a pasta dinner (by request of Allie) at the Hunt's beautiful new house. Allie wanted cookies instead of a cake. Here is a video of her blowing her candles out:

Zoe's Birthday Party

Nothing beats a birthday party at the Bounce House. How fun!!! The kids had such a great time going down all the slides. Happy Birthday Zoe...we were so glad we could be there for your party.

Bunco Girl's Night Out

While I was visiting friends in Coronado we were able to gather the Bunco Crew for a fun night out. I can't remember the name of the restaurant now that 3 months have passed, but it was delicious. We went to a dueling piano bar after and ended the night with lots of dancing. It was SO much fun!!!


I LOVE these girls!!! (Susan, Meredith and Condra)

The Big Hole

One day while at the beach, the guy in the back hoe (or whatever the name of this vehicle is that cleans the seaweed up) was so kind and dug the kids a HUGE massive hole. They played in this thing for hours.

LegoLand - Allie's Birthday

Allie for her birthday (July 11th) decided that she wanted to go to LegoLand with all of her friends in Coronado. Landon, Cole, Jack, Zoe and "Little" Zoe came along for the fun. We piled up in Meridith's car and headed up there. The day was beautiful and all the kids had a fantastic time. This was our first trip to Legoland. We never managed to make it while we lived there.


These people were made completely out of legos. It was in the parking lot was we were walking up to the entrance.

Condra...trying to be brave for all the little ones.

A panda made again completley of legos. So cool!

As an extra birthday treat, Allie got her face painted. We had a fun, fun day! The just to put icing on the cake, we got In and Out burger for the ride home. Delicious!!!