I love the Christmas season. This year was different having it all by ourselves, but we still made the best of it.
Curtis' work Christmas party. This was the first thing we have done with the Medical Group. It sure was a lot different than what we were used to in residency. There was not an open bar all night and they even started the dinner with a prayer. It was pretty cool.
This was Brookie's dance recital. She got nervous and just stood there the entire time with her hand in her mouth. I tried not to be mad, but the performer in me was going crazy.
She had another program for her preschool. They sang 2 songs on the stage and Brooke just stood there even though I know she knew all the words. Then all the classes went up on stage at the end and sang a song in Japanese and then received a present from Santa. Brooke hid behind the chairs in the audience for that entire part.
The Sunday before Christmas all decked out. I am so sad we didn't get a family picture this day.
We had 2 other families in our building over for a family night activity right before Christmas. Between our 3 families there are 7 kids so they all dressed up and acted out the nativity. It was a bit chaotic, but I hope that they still felt the spirit in our home. Brooke loved her costume so much she wore it all day long.
CHRISTMAS DAY! Spencer got a bike and Brooke got a scooter. Then we went to the sea wall for a little workout and to play with their new toys. Spence was a speed demon on his new bike and Brooke couldn't keep up with the scooter.
The weather has been so nice, we sometimes go to the high school track for a workout. The kids ride their bikes around while Curtis and I exercise. It's possibly Spencer's favorite thing to do!
For New Years we had a very nice dinner at a family's house in the ward. Then we were planning on going to ring the bell at the shrine. Apparently this is a big thing for the Japanese people to do. They pick out a fortune and then ring the bell for good luck. I think the Americans have turned it into a tourist site instead of a religious rite so they didn't open it up till 10. That was too late for us so we took our pictures and left. I am not sure if this was the buddhist shrine or the shinto shrine.
This last weekend we went up to Okuma. It is a resort at the northern part of the island. It is owned by the Air Force and has a bunch of fun things to do. Unfortunately is was FREEZING! (Yes, I know the rest of you would think it was a nice day, but 55 and very windy was quite cold for us.) We did get to take the kids on their first miniature golf experience, which I am pretty sure they loved!
The beach was so cold- but we made reservations to go back when we can kayak or paddle board or boogie board or swim or ride a glass bottom boat, or jet ski. It will be a great trip!
Each spot has its own place to have a campfire. We roasted marshmellows and then were too cold, we went inside.
Someone loves S'mores!
