Duane's Much Wanted New Post!!!

Ok, so Duane kept bugging me to do another post because he was tired of seeing the New Kids on the Block post every time he looked at it. So, I'll just fill you in on our week. The kids were off for Spring Break. Since we missed our chance to go to Tokyo because everything was booked, we did our best to fill the week with fun things to do . Monday, we ate lunch on the beach and paid a visit to one of the fabulous parks here in Okinawa. Tuesday, we went bowling and Duane was able to join us on his lunch hour. We love that his new position is only 10 minutes from home!! Wednesday, Miranda took a Brownie trip ice skating and I took Ryan and Olivia to see Horton Hears a Who. I struggled to keep Olivia occupied during the movie and the popcorn didn't work. It must be because it was a 3pm showing and she was exhausted and ready to hit her "witching" hour. Thursday, Miranda took another trip with her Brownie troop to Okinawa World. The rest of us met Duane for lunch at Macaroni Grill. Friday, I made the kids clean the house. I know, it's not the nicest thing to do when you're on vacation, but it has to be done. I am always happier when I'm in a clean house!

Saturday I woke up and decided that I would run the 5k race that was starting in 20 minutes. I ran one last weekend and was just going to run, but decided I would run the race instead. Sorry, no pictures of me all sweaty with a red face. After the race the kids and I went to see Duane compete in his first bench press competition. I did bring the camera, but didn't get any pictures because I spent most of the time chasing Olivia and taking her out of the gym so she wouldn't distract anyone. It was so quiet in there, if I had sneezed I think I may have startled the competitor on the bench! Duane did a great job and will try it again next month. I think I may get a sitter for Olivia, so I can actually watch and get some great pictures of my super buff hubby. After three months of good intentions, I finally booked a sitter and Duane and I went out for dinner. We had been craving our favorite sushi place, Yoshi Hochi, and filled ourselves with some great sushi, fried rice and yakitori. The funny thing about this place is you can go to dinner and be back in an hour. In the states it takes three hours to just eat dinner! We tried to find something else to do, but traffic was so bad we didn't attempt to go anywhere else. Later that night we heard fireworks going off outside the window. We kicked ourselves for not braving the traffic and going down to the sea wall like we had planned. It would have been romantic to sit on the sea wall and watch the fireworks. Oh well, maybe we'll catch the next show! That is about it for our weekend.

Since there are hardly any pictures of me on this blog, I decided to post this one. Duane took this for me on Saturday for a scholarship that I was awarded.

They're Baaaccckkk!!!!!

Ok, so yes, I was a huge New Kids on the Block fan when I was younger and now they are returning!!!! Many of you may read this and then scratch your head, asking why I am posting this. Well, it brings back so many memories!! I was a die hard fan with a room that had walls covered with posters and memorabilia and I saw them three times in concert. I've had fun downloading old songs and I am amazed that I still remember the words!! Miranda is a huge High School Musical fan and now I am excited to share with her who I was obsessed with when I was younger. And yes, if we were stateside, I would definitely buy tickets for their tour and drag her with me. Hmmm, do you think it will be a world tour and make a stop in Tokyo??????? Anyway, Duane thinks this post is ridiculous, but I think it is fun to share with Miranda what I was interested in when I was a little older than she is.

Ryan turns 7!!

My parents were on the webcam and so they got to see Ryan blow out his candles and open his presents. The cake is nothing special, in fact it is a result of the leftovers from making cupcakes for Ryan's class. I took a picture of the inside, but it didn't turn out. The top layer was white, the middle layer of icing was pink, the bottom layer was chocolate and I frosted it with blue frosting. It was interesting, but it sure tasted good. I love homemade icing!

Ryan had been wanting a water gun for some time. After I had given in to the nerf guns for Christmas, I decided to take the plunge for a water gun. He was very excited about it. I just hope I don't become a victim.


When we got home from Ryan's birthday dinner out, we noticed a little visitor on the ceiling. I think it must have know there was cake and ice cream to be had. These little geckos are harmless and keep the bugs away. We can hear them by the doors at night and they sound like chimpanzees.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Ryan and Duane spent the day at Torii Beach at the cub scout day camp. The rain held out until the end of camp and they participated in many activities. Ryan had a great time and really enjoyed his day with Dad. He really enjoyed the archery and shooting the BB gun.


Ryan was so proud of the pillow that he made and said he stitched it all by himself

Ok, this picture and the next one I can't wait to show him when he is 16!! He looks ready to jump into the ocean that is just behind him, rather than ready to run a relay race!

Duane must have taken this shot just at the right moment. We both laughed so hard when we saw this picture and both concluded that it was going to make it to the blog. He looks a little too happy to have to use the restroom!

This was Ryan's favorite part of the day, in fact this is the reason he was so excited about the day camp. Yes, he got to shoot a "Red Rider BB Gun" and managed not to "shoot his eye out" in the process. He claims he is a sharpshooter, but I am not convinced that he needs one of these in his possession.

The Season is Over!!

For as much as I enjoyed watching Miranda and Ryan at their football games, I am sooooo glad the season is over!! This means my schedule has been cut in half, with not more games or practices. Miranda is signed up for basketball cheerleading, but Ryan is off until baseball starts. I will enjoy the little extra free time that I have right now.

Here is a crazy shot of Ryan and his teammates after their last game.
Miranda was more than happy to pose with her trophy after the awards ceremony, but I couldn't get Ryan to do the same.