Fukushu Chinese Gardens

The last week in September we took the opportunity to check out the Fukushu Gardens. As most of you know, I recently got a job! Which means we won't have as much "play time" during the week. So, when Mike had a random day off during the week we headed towards Naha in search of something to do. The gardens are right in the middle of the busy city, surrounded by a stone wall. It really is amazing to be following the directions down the busy narrow road, park, walk across the street, and cross through the gates into this wonderful, tranquil place. There are three different areas of the gardens that represent light, seclusion, and beauty (don't ask me which areas represent which, that is just what my guide book tells me). There were tons of plants, flowers, neat little buildings, displays, hideaways, a waterfall, and a few ponds filled with koi and turtles. And the best part? It was free! Take a look.
Olivia loves feeding the fish and watching them all swim around and fight over the food:

I love this picture:

And this one too. All throughout the gardens you get a great sampling of Chinese-inspired architecture:

Here's the waterfall...And Daddy and Olivia are standing behind it. See them?

There they are!

The three of us! Thanks to the self-timer on my camera :)

Having fun running wild and free:

It looks as if she is having a peaceful thought here, but I'm sure she is just scheming something up:

I love this. Looking out one pagoda towards another:

My handy dandy guide book also tells me the trees, plants and flowers represent the different seasons of the year...

Warning: If you lie down to take a picture of the beautiful ceiling of the gazebo, you will be attacked unexpectedly by Miss Olivia. She uses any opportunity she can to jump on people's bellies and pretend you are a horse...

But, it is worth it because (1) the attack is kind of cute, and (2) you end up with a beautiful picture:

EW-R

East-West Red. That is what the title of this post means. That is what was on our TV the other night, telling us not to plan any water activities. We had a couple typhoons pass us by, just getting some wind and rain from them, nothing too bad. But they made the waters pretty rough. We decided to go to dinner off base the other night. We left a little early so we could see what a sunset looks like for East-West Red. Turns out we didn't leave early enough, or there were just too many clouds, because the sun was already gone by the time we got to Araha. But it was still nice. A great breeze, cool night, and a spooky sky. Take a look.
Walking along with Daddy:

She loves running around, being free:


Watching the waves:

Big storm cloud took over the sky here:

So, What's New?

Other than Olivia climbing on coffee tables? Well, now that you've seen just about every picture I took while I was home (no, not really, not even close- I'm sure I took over 2,000, easy), lets get back to life on Okinawa. So, what have we been doing since we've been back? Well, you know, a little of this, a little of that. August 22 marked our one year mark! Can you believe it? We have three more left. When we first got here we were told to pace ourselves. Not to do everything, see everything all at once. Because after a few years, people start to get "island fever." I think we have succeeded. Although it seems like we did a lot through our posts, we really haven't seen that much of this island. There is still lots to see and lots of "to dos" on our list. That being said, since we've been back from vacation, we haven't done anything huge. Just your everyday things. Oh, except for the Air Force Ball. That was pretty fun. Anyway, thought I would share some pictures of the last month or so.

The AF Ball - Me, Holly, Jill, and Sue:

Everyone from Mike's Unit:

Me, Jill, & Holly: (Holly is wearing my most favorite dress from college, I got my dress from Sue's daughter)

Mike & I. Inside the club bar had state tables. We thought it was only fitting to sit here. And made everyone else sit around us :)

We were eager to get back to our sunsets on the seawall. One night we went it was really cool. There must have been a storm out to sea. You could see the rain cloud on one side and the sunset on the other:

I loved the colors that night. This photo is untouched!

Lately, Olivia's favorite thing to do is to grab a pair of my shoes and walk around in them:

Its actually pretty cute, and I smile every time she comes out of the bedroom with a random pair of shoes. She managed to match them pretty well this day! So, I took the opportunity to go outside and take a few pictures of her being cute. I love this one:

She is rambling on about something to herself:

Mom, I didn't know you were watching me!

Testing the grass on her bare feet:

And then one day we just stayed inside and colored. I love this, laying on her belly, with her feet up in the back:

Really concentrating here. Look at that tongue stick out!

Caught me snapping her:

Thinks it's funny:

We had our friend Haruka over for dinner. She was amazed by the corn-on-the-cob holders, and we were amazed by the dry ice the ice cream she brought over was packed in, so that the ice cream wouldn't melt. Smart thinking ice cream store! So, Mike played with the dry ice until it melted away. Haruka said, and I quote, "I never seen adults be so happy about dry ice!"

The ice cream that Mike loves. Sweet potato ice cream:

A very hip chick:

Playing with Haruka's phone:

After dinner we went out to walk around. Haruka showed us how to use the photobooths:

Another time out in American Villiage, Olivia rides a ride:

Oh and of course football started! Go GIANTS! Olivia was ready for the game:

Went out to play outside and found this guy. Can you see him?

How about now? Awesome, huge, grasshopper. But, if I had found him in my house, I wouldn't have thought he was so awesome.

And today we went to actually do something, but the place we went to was closed. So we went across the street to a small park instead.

It must be some sort of work-out fitness park. There were all kinds of excise things there. This one that I am on was like a stand up bike, you just hop on and pedal away. Weird.

That's all folks!

Uumm, Where Did You Learn That?

I've spent the last two days trying to upload a video of Olivia dancing. She really knows how to rock out. But, for some reason, the blog doesn't want that video up, because it refuses to process it. So, instead, you get to see her latest trick. She is pretty proud of herself. I'm sure you've heard about it. Take a look:

Really, this was a few weeks ago and she doesn't climb on the table that much anymore. Her latest efforts involve trying to get on the couch without help. Notice the books and papers all over the floor? They were on the table. But, apparently, Olivia prefers them on the floor. Daddy just loves the look it gives the living room.

Family Pictures

Since everyone was actually all in one city, Linda wanted some family pictures. We managed to get everyone in one spot, dressed up, with smiles and all, and got some family shots. Here is a look at Daddy's side of the family:
Our Nieces - Hannah & Miranda:

Everyone-Jeremy, Joe, Gary, Mike, Linda, Paula, Miranda, Me, Hannah, & Olivia:

Everyone again:

Family Picture -Gary, Paula, Hannah, & Miranda:

Brothers & Sister - Jeremy, Paula, & Mike:

And again:

Family Picture - Joe, Linda, Jeremy, Paula, & Mike:

Family Picture - Mike, Me, & Olivia:

And again:

The Grandchildren - Miranda, Olivia, & Hannah:

The Girls, plus Gilbert:

Well, this is the last post of the NY pictures...took me long enough, right?

Now, back to Okinawa...