Sakura, Sakura!

Spring is beautiful anywhere, and Japan is no exception.  The Japanese are a bit nuts about the cherry blossom trees, or sakura, and you see folks carrying around cameras snapping pictures of them everywhere.  Because we have adopted the 'Do as the Japanese Do' motto, here are some pictures we took at a local park of us and the trees.

Beautiful, aren't they?  And the trees are nice too.

The girls are into giving each other kisses these days, which is really sweet.... until someone's had enough and decides to punch or bite or kick instead of kiss

These two are growing up so fast.  Ellis can repeat most any word you ask her to, and uses short sentences already.  She goes potty (though I wouldn't call her potty trained) and has roll-on-the-floor tantrums when life doesn't go her way.

And this kid starts kindergarten next week.  Last weekend I took the train to a Japanese department store and bought her school supplies.  She needed: inside shoes and a shoe bag, a plastic cup and cup bag, lunch bag, a bag to go over her seat cushion/disaster hood, a towel with a loop, a face mask (which she actually really likes to wear), and tissues.  I found everything -all with My Melody- her new favorite character.  

Someone may need a haircut soon

This looks like a camera trick, but it's just two tunnels side-by-side at the park

Hey Look!  More Cherry Blossoms!

One month in and we still really love Japan.  Which is good, because we have to stay here awhile :)

"New" Car

I finally picked up my car. I have been looking around and around for a cheap car to get me to and from work. I had a few a criteria of what I was looking for: (1) Air conditioning; (2) something really small; (3) Something you can't buy in the states; (4) something that is really ugly, and: (5) something good on gas. I hit a land mine with this one and it is especially ugly! I bought a 1998 Daihatsu Move. It is considered a "micro" car. It has 4-cyl's and TURBO Charged! I bought it from a creepy American guy who goes to the auctions here in Japan and buys cars, "fixes" them up and sells them mainly to service members. He has a Facebook page that I have been following for a while. He posts cars on there and I saw this one a few weeks ago and started to inquire. Up until now, I have been taking the blue La Festa every morning to work, working for 10 hours or so and stranding Shannon and the girls at home. I thought it was about time I buy myself a commuter. The guy had to fix it up and do some repairs to it before I could pick it up. I finally got her this weekend and she is beauty. I cleaned her up really good and she is ready to go tomorrow morning.

This is the Move fitting nicely into our only parking spot. I have to park it two blocks away at the owners' business parking lot. 

Pretty sweet!

Things are still going well and we are slowly expanding our radius of comfort. We both took the train yesterday solo. I took the train to base to pick up the car and Shannon took it to go shopping for LC's school supplies. We both made it back, too. Work has been really slow with all the DETs being out at sea. 3 of the 4 return this week so things should start picking up. Hopefully I can fly more. We haven't been able to fly these past weeks because the only helo we had back at the squadron (the 4 DETs too the other 8) was broken. 

They are telling me that I will be taking over a Detachment in July/Aug of this year. To explain a little what that means is something like this: I will be the Officer in Charge of a 2 helicopter, 6 total pilots, and ~20 maintainers on a ship that deploys. We deploy on Destroyers and Cruisers and we pack up our people and gear, load them all on a truck and take them to the ship. We onload everything on the ship, fly the helicopters on the ship and the ship becomes our home whenever they deploy. So I will turn over with the current OIC probably in July/Aug. The ironic piece to this all is that it is looking like ill be the DET OIC on the USS MCCAMPBELL. This ship was my sister, Sonya's, ship that she was stationed on from ~2000-2004. Sonya was on it when it was finishing up being built in Maine, road it around to get it commissioned in San Francisco (I was there for the commissioning) and then eventually be stationed in San Diego. So pretty neat. A few years ago it was moved to Japan to relieve one of the older ships out here.) But how coincidental is that?! Since all ships and squadrons out here are considered "forward deployed" there are no work-ups or training exercises before they deploy. They/We are always ready and whenever they leave port it is for a mission. So that is pretty cool that everything we do is operational out here and you don't have to do all those stupid exercises and war games and be evaluated. It is looking like I'll be deployed for a few months (Set-Nov) and then home for the holidays. Hopefully we can hit some good ports too. 

I took LC and E to the Sagamihara park this weekend that is about a 15 min bike ride away. We have an awesome bike trailer that Poppy and BB gave us. I get the strangest looks from the Japanese. I don't know if they haven't seen one before or they were laughing at me because it was a lot of work towing the girls up and down hills. The park was awesome though. It had tons of Cherry Blossom trees that are just starting to bloom. There were awesome fountains and playground equipment too. We will have to frequent that place as the weather continues to get nicer. 

Overall we have been pretty happy with our house. It is really close to a lot of things. 10 min walk to the train station, 5 min drive to the Army Base (Commissary), 15 min bike ride to that park, parks all around, grocery stores and a quiet neighborhood. This is the little side street we live on that never gets any traffic. So this will be our little lane like we had in Coronado where the girls can ride bikes and play on without having too much traffic interference. 

This was the Sagamihara Park. There is a petting zoo and other really cool things. There was even a giant tree house that kids were playing on. I know that thing would not be allowed in the US probably because it is "too dangerous". But this park is going to be so awesome in a few weeks when the Cherry Blossoms really start to bloom. The Japanese like to sit under the trees and spend the whole day there eating and relaxing. 

This is my cars Title. Like all Japanese paperwork it is hard to tell what it actually says.

All our bills and contracts that we sign are like this too. And to pay your utility bills you take them to a convenience store like a 7-11, Family Mart or Circle K and pay at the cash register. I thought that was a joke but that was how I paid our first round of bills and it is true. 

Before you can register or title your car, the police have to come by your house to make sure you have a spot big enough to park it in. So, the police came by did some measurements and were on their way. That same day, an "official" looking statement was placed in our mail box. So we just assumed that after the police was done measuring the spot they dropped off that statement. So the next morning I took that statement to the place to get the car registered. I handed them everything and then presented that statement that I thought indicated our parking spot was good to go. I handed it to her and she said, "Sir, this is your gas bill. Where is your parking slip?" So I had to take my things from her and left embarrassed. 

Leyton's New School

When we found out we were coming to Japan, one of the main things I was excited about was getting the girls into Japanese school.  I knew that would be the best way to expose them to the language and culture, while still allowing them to have fun and be a kid.  After getting here and doing some research, I quickly became disheartened.  The school year starts here in April and applications for most schools where passed out in September.  The popular Central Forrest International School that many of the kids from Atsugi attend has generally a 9 to 12 month waiting list.  Our landlord called around to local schools in our area and they were full.  Happily one Saturday I was walking around our little town and saw some kids in uniform.  They headed into Hosen Kindergarten with their parents.  I came home and Googled it, and the next day we walked by again, just to have a look.  There were two gentlemen inside who welcomed me and and spent the next 30 minutes showing me around.  Neither spoke excellent English, but I could understand most of what they were trying to tell me.  They asked me to return the next day because there would be someone there who spoke good English.  So I did.  To make a long story a bit shorter, the school was perfect.  About 10% of their student body are American kids from the nearby Sagamihara Housing Area, where many people stationed at Camp Zama Army base live.  Unlike the International schools that teach in English, this school is taught in Japanese but there is always someone there who can speak English, in case there is a problem.  Though I loved it, I thought for sure we would have to go on a waiting list, since school starts in two weeks.  Instead, they measured Leyton for the most adorable uniform I've ever seem, and she starts kindergarten on April 8!

Please check out the school website if you get a chance:
http://www.hosen-kinder.ac.jp/existing/english/info.html

It is a quick 500 meter walk from our house.  This past Saturday I went for Parent Orientation.  It was 100% in Japanese but they sat me next to a mother whose son will be in Leyton's class and who could translate for me.  She only translated the 'important' things so mostly I sat there for an hour and had no clue what was going on.  She did tell me I had to go shopping to buy some things LC will need for school.  I haven't braved a Japanese department store yet, but I will prior to April 8.  Leyton will be in the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Class.  School is from 0900 to 1400 year round, but they have several breaks and take Japanese holidays off.  Leyton will be expected to eat lunch prepared at the school three days a week.  Once a month I have to 'make' a rice ball (I will be buying the ones they sell at the nearby Sanwa grocery store) and they will serve Miso soup to the kids.  I just ordered her come kid chopsticks.  I already foresee meltdowns, though she is learning to try new things.  We have been making her at least try all new foods that we braving.  Hopefully seeing the other kids chowing down will help.

The food aside, Leyton is very excited to start school and keeps asking "Is it April time yet?"  I am still unclear how exactly we go her in.  I do know that having American kids in the school is a big draw for Japanese families.  All Japanese learn English in school, from grade 6 to 12, and many study English on their own.  So having their children learn English at a young age will help them excel in that area of school later.  The teacher said that though they 'teach' in Japanese, the children do most of the teaching.  The children will teach Leyton Japanese and vice versa.  So perhaps they hadn't reached their 'quota' of American kids yet.  I am not sure why more parents from the Army base don't send their kids there.  Though price could be an issue.  The price is very comparable to other Japanese kindergartens and to most urban preschools in America, but not money you need to spend because school isn't mandatory at this age.

Sorry, no pictures yet, except what you can see online.  But I will be posting some of her in uniform soon, along with pictures and explanations of our Japanese house.  After nearly two weeks of unpacking, we are almost (thankfully!) done.  Unpacking is fun for about 3 days.  Add two little ones, a trip down the stairs, having to translate the oven, potty, washer, etc., and Ryan working 10 to 12 hour days and you will forgive me my delay on the posts.

All moved in!

This past week has been quite busy. Last Friday we "moved" into our house which consisted of packing up our suitcases at the Navy lodge on base and bringing them over to the house. That same morning, the Navy provided us with "stick furniture" to make the place a bit more homey. The Navy gave us a table with 4 chairs, a love seat, a microwave, 2 kerosene heaters, a double bed, a twin bed and a coffee table. They also brought bowls/cups/plates/utensils and a coffee maker. This is designed to just tide you over until your house hold goods arrived. Which for us, we found out on the same day that they were just going through customs in Yokohama and that they would be available for delivery on Wednesday of this past week. We were super excited to finally get all our things. The house was freeeeezing cold when we first got here. I got here first to open it up for the gas guy to come turn it on. That consisted of a lot of hand gestures and smiles. I got all the heater/air conditioners units running to try and warm up the place before I went back to base to grab the family. The movers that brought all the stick furniture were amazing. They were super fast, delicate and took off their shoes every trip in and out of the house. I went back to the Lodge and got the girls and we moved in! We still had to borrow some more things like bed sheets and blankets from some of our friends and then we went to nearby Army base Camp Zama to get pillows and towels. We also stopped by the commissary to pick up some basic food items. We all slept really well that first night in the new place. 

This week I was back to work. I was scheduled to fly twice but only flew once due to bad weather. The flight was good. I flew with a fellow LCDR who just checked in a month prior to me. He took me to Yokohama, flew over downtown Tokyo, over to Kisarazu Air base, marked ontop the giant buddah and then on to Mt Fuji. Pretty amazing flight. What blew me away was how densely populated the Tokyo metropolitan area was. There literally was no empty space for anything. Kisarazu has a bit of sentimental value because my grandfather was station there during his time in the Air Force. It was pretty awesome to know that my grandfather served our country here many years ago. We did a few laps in the pattern and then off to other places. I'm sure you are wondering but yes, the flying part came back naturally and I didnt have any issues.
While I have been at work, the girls have been hanging out at the house and exploring the neighborhood. We have a cool path/trail that is right next to our house that they have been going on. They also found some parks too and played with Japanese kids while Shannon talked with their mothers.
Our stuffed finally arrived Wednesday morning. The same morning the Navy came and grabbed all the stick furniture as well. The movers brought 6 people. All spoke really good English. Again, they all were magnificent. All very very delicate with everything, very nice and pleasant and extremely effiencient. They unpacked every box by 1:30pm! Everything looked good too. The only issues we had was the top portion to our bed's head board was completely ripped off, we were missing the ironing board and then our grill was no where to be found. The grill baffles us. It was a pretty large 3-burner grill too. How can you lose a grill? Immediately the movers said the couch and love seat would be an issues. I guess that is pretty typical of the American family bringing all their large things. But they were able to fit everything in. Since Wednesday (mostly) Shannon has been busy putting things up and arranging things as she see fit. Everything is really coming along nicely. There is tons of storage space so everything is fitting nicely with room to spare.
I would be remiss if I said the entire week went well. We had too potential catastrophes: (1) We took the girls to the "daycare" place on base for the entire day on Wednesday to give us a chance to move in. When I picked up the girls that evening, Leyton's DoDo (her "lovey") was no where to be found. We searched high and low in the class room, hallways and in the car. But I finally had to tell her that we would have to go home without her Dodo. That really devastated me to tell her this because we all know how much she loves that thing. In fact the first thing she said when I told her we were leaving without him was that "we cant leave him -- I love Dodo." I literally almost starting crying along with her. It was sad. The ride home was painful. She cried for about 27 of the 30 minutes about how she misses him and wants him back. The night went actually much better than anticipated. She clinged on to her new Dodo and went right to sleep. Luckily the daycare called the next morning to say they found him stuffed in a toy house in the classroom. I rescued him the next day and we witnessed first hand Dodo's homecoming welcome. (2) Ellis fell down the entire flight of stairs. We have a pretty long and steep stair case that goes up to the girls' rooms. Apparently while everyone was upstairs Ellis bulldogged her way through the baby gate and rolled down the stair case. Shannon heard the gate crashing down and came out to see Ellis log rolling down the stairs. The bottom floor stopped her quickly with the assist of her head. Obviously this was no joking matter. Shannon immediately called me at work to inform me and said that she was walking around and appeared to be okay. Her head was pretty bruised but everything else seemed fine. I called my flight doc and talked to her about it all and she had a list of questions. After we talked for a bit we came to the conclusion that we didnt need to bring her in right away unless she was still showing signs of not being right. Shannon hawked her for the rest of the day and the following days and all is fine. In fact there is no bruises or anything on her head. Luckily she rolled down the stairs and not head over heels. Scary none the less. Mother of the year -- Shannon Campoamor. Ellis is fine though and my doctor wasnt concerned.
So there you have it. Our busy week is in the books.

Here is our 2005 Nissan La Festa. Isnt she a beauty?! It is kind of a micro-van. You can see the mini-van next to it. This this is loaded with all the Japanese essentials: sliding rear doors, 4 cyl, navigation and a full panoramic moonroof. Now if only we can figure out what all the buttons and switches say. 

Inside of the La Festa. Third row that only Ellis can fit in.

Ellis battle damage after her run-in with the stair case. 

Downtown Yokohama. Tokyo is in the far distance. 

 

Downtown Tokyo

We litterally flew over all the buildings. The only "no fly" area is the Emperor's house. Really really cool.

Disneyland and Disney Sea

Air Base Kisarazu. The Japanese Army flies out of there now. 

Kisarazu

Naval Station Yokoska. You can see the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON in port.

This was the area Shannon and I went on our field trip, Hase, during our orientation week. 

Mt Fuji-san. Pretty incredible. There is a USMC base at the foot of the Mtn. We flew up to the base and then had to come back so we wouldnt be late. You can fly really close to it which ill do and document one of these days.

LC being silly with her pig tails

Because we have seen more rain in these past three weeks then we saw in San Diego the past three years, we had to buy the girls rain coats. Here they are modeling said coats. 

Ellis has started to use the potty. We pretty much know when she goes the bathroom so we plop her on commode and she goes. The down side is that she is now homesteading and using this time to navigate the ipad more then using the bathroom. 

Movers unpacking us.

2 of the 4 crates.

First few Days in Japan

This is my Aunt Susan and Uncle Tom. They live up in NORCAL and drove down to San Diego to visit us before we left to Japan. It has been a long time since I have seen them. We had an enjoyable time going to the parks and visiting. 

Our room had a spectacular view that LC and E were soaking in before being forced to wear jackets. Temps in San Diego were in the mid-70's before we left. 

Not too shabby!

We finished up AOB/ICR last Friday. After graduation we trekked to the Drivers License place to take our test. Because we have valid US licenses, they assume we are "responsible" drivers. So we just have to sit through a (boring) 2 hour class and pass an exam. I demonstrated my driving superiority over Shannon by scoring much higher than her. I only missed two and she missed at least 5. We will pick up our licenses on Wednesday and be legal to drive. Now we just need to buy a car.
We looked at three houses yesterday and decided to go with the last one we looked at. It really was a nice home. The owner actually grew up in the house as a kid. He went to school in the USA for his architecture degree and came back and completely remodeled the house. It is completely westernized. It has doors that I dont have to duck under, it has wood floors, washer/dryer, large fridge, a stove and an oven and tons of storage space and closets. In fact the girls' rooms are going to be humungous. The girls also have access the a balcony that looks out into the neighborhood. It has a yard which is rare. It is located in the town of Zama. Actually, Camp Zama, a US Army base, is a five minute drive away. So we will be close to the commissary and exchange. It is a block or two from a Japanese grocery store and about a 10 minute walk to the train station. All and all, we found a steal. We dont know when we will be able to move in. Our stuff is still transiting the Pacific and we still have to sign all the contracts and paperwork. The owner was very very cool and even gave us the keys right then after he invited us to his office for green tea. It is roughly 5 miles  from the Navy base where I'll work but will probably take 20-30 min. The traffic here is so terrible. We will post photos later of the house. We are very excited.
Our class went on a field trip to a train station to learn how to navigate and obtain our train passes. After we went one stop with her she told us all to go somewhere and be back the next morning. Shannon and I decided to go near Kamakura and visit the town of Hase. It is known for the giant buddha statute. We found it pretty easy to navigate the trains. We went to a shinto temple and then visited Buddha, grabbed some street food before heading back. Overall it was a good trip.
This week I have to check into the Squadron and get settled there as well as working on paperwork to move off base. Oh and we also need a car because we would have no way to get to the house. ha.

As promised, here are some photos we have taken since being here. Enjoy.

Shannon with the Giant Buddha. I think it is is around 43 feet tall. 

While reading up on Hase, the experts said to try the sweet potato ice cream and the sweet potato hashbrown. Both were delicious. 

This was the Hase temple. This was actually the first place we visited. The Cherry blossoms were starting to bloom, there were koi fish in the ponds and a lot of temples. Yep, we are in Japan. 

The town of Hase. As you can see they drive on the other side of the road which was mind blowing when we first saw it.  Soon we will be able to brave it and drive amongst the Japanese. Good thing they have no idea what road rage is.

This was some rice cake cracker that was dipped in soy sauce. We saw a lot of teenage kids buying them so we followed suit. 

That same temple in Hase. Pretty neat. 

This is looking out south from atop the temple area. It is right on the water and has nice beaches and a lot of people were surfing. You can find of make out the bay near Kamakura. 

Every holy place has a Torri gate that is the entrance. This was some cave that had statues of people. I had to duck for most of the journey through the cave. 

Close quarters in the Navy Lodge. Are these two monkeys even related?

Our lovely abode for the next few weeks (hopefully less).

The 7-11's here actually have good Japanese food you can buy. We went into one of them on base and just grabbed random items. Everything was fantastic. Rice balls and some ramen. yum

Just got off the train and headed to the Buddha.

Cherry blossoms. Should really start coming out in a few weeks. 

I think this was the first morning we were here. We were up at 2am so as soon as there was enough light, LC and Shannon went outside to play in the snow. They built a snowman and a snow dog. 

E and Ryan enjoying the warmth of the room.

Parking lot of the Navy Lodge. The building across the street is the Chapel.

Home Sweet Home!

After a long hiatus, we finally are able to post something on here. Sorry for the delay but we have been a bit busy. 

We made it to Japan! First off, we had a great time visiting with Ben, Sonya and the girls the night before we left Seattle. They graciously drove up from Portland so that we could see them before we left. This was also the first time we saw our new niece, little Tessa. She was born on 26 Nov. All the girls had such a good time running around the hotel and playing. In fact there were lots and lots of hugs exchanged between LC and McKinley. They departed at bedtime and it was off to bed for us. We were told we had to be at the airport to check in for our flight between 1:30-4:30am. We were booked on an Air Force Air Mobility Flight direct from SEATAC to Yokota Air Force Base in Japan. We originally had no idea what that even meant. Was that going to be a C130 and we were going to be strapped in the cargo nets? After some phone calls we found out that; (1) only one person would have to check in in the wee hours of the night; (2) the plane was a contracted Boeing 767 flown by Atlas Air. I,(ryan) was hand selected to wake up at 230 and lug our 10 items (4 suitcases, 2 car seats, 3 carry ons and 1 stroller) to the airport via the embassy suits shuttle and get us all checked in. The luggage part was hard but everything else went smooth! They had loads of those airport smartecartes (normally $4 a pop) stacked up awaiting use for all the military families. I loaded up 2 full carts and strapped on 3 bags around my shoulders once the shuttle dropped me off. I got to the back of the line. (The check in process was just like a regular airline. They had the ropes up with the zig zag lines. The people checking bags were civilian and they did everything a regular airlines does). There was about 70 people in front of me on line. After about 32 seconds of being in line, a man approached me and told me to come with him. I followed and he proceeded to get some information, have me fill out some paperwork, check passports and then kicked me to the very front of the line. I think he felt sorry for me. I saw the next available agent and she checked me in, weighed our carry ons, and gave us our boarding passes. I was literally out of there in 20 min. I got back to the hotel and tried to get back to sleep but wasn't able due to the anxiety. We had a 4:45am wake up to catch the 5:30 shuttle to the airport. Shannon and I didn't get a wink of sleep once I returned. Was this a sign that the trip was going to be smooth??

We got to the airport and headed right to security. Again, I think the TSA felt sorry for us (lugging strollers and blankets and bags and toys and two fussy kids) and had us go trough the "crew and first class" line. Security was fine and off to the gate we went. We let the girls run around and the loaded the plane for the 7:30am departure. The seating configuration on the B 767 was 2-3-2. We got two sets of two right behind/in front of each other. We found out on the previous flight the day before to get to Seattle that separating the girls was the best call. They behaved and did brilliantly on the 2.5 hour flight. However, this flight was a 10 hour 15 min flight. 

The girls did amazing! I think maybe 1-2 minor cries and that is it. The flight was full with military personnel and their families which meant a lot of screaming and crying at times. Our girls did a great and we never had to drug them. They both took about 2 hr naps at the same time and ate the two meals that the flight attendants provided. We just played and watched iPad ....... for 10 hours.

We arrived right on time at Yokota Air Force base. They made us leave the plane very orderly and proceeded to the customs terminal. When deplaning ( and while flying in) we noticed the piles and piles of snow. We knew they got around 18" the week prior but didn't really think it was still around. Customs was long but easy. We went to get our baggage and took turns taking the girls to the rest rooms. LC was with me getting bags off the carousel and didn't realize the smarte cartes were for everyone to use and not just us. Meltdown. She lost it when someone else used one that she was touching. I was by myself at the time getting luggage and loading up the carts with our 10 items. She was not having it and wouldn't calm down. I got all the stuff on the carts and 

Tried to soothe while waiting for Shannon. Didn't work. Shannon came out and the LC started asking for everything; dodo, glow worm, blanket, pillow pet, toys etc, most of them being packed in the suitcases. Our sponsor ( a buddy that arrange our arrival and set up a to of logistics here in Japan prior to our arrival) met us right outside the customs gate. He pulled up his funny little rented van and we loaded everything up. LC was still struggling and we quickly loaded the car, strapped in the car seats and loaded up. I tried getting into the right side front seat but forgot that the drivers side is on the right. LC finally calmed down once she was in her seat. The drive was fine. A lot of Stop and go with traffic. I think it took us around 2 hours to get to Atsugi. Ellis slept the entire way and the rest of us just watched. Snow was everywhere and it was neat to see our new home. Driving was a bit on the scary side. Driving on the left side of the road and driver seat is opposite. It took me 20 min before I was able to relax and know we were not going against traffic.  

We got to the base and quickly went to the squadron to get my orders stamped to let them know I was there. Then were dropped off at the Navy Lodge hotel. After we got everything and everybody to the room Shannon and I did a happy dance. We have been living out of a suitcase since 16 Dec, traveled, woke up early, lugged 10 bags, a 10 + hour plane ride, a 17 hour time change and a 2 hour van ride...... With 2 kids!! We did it. We were so happy and proud and extremely tired. We knew we had to stay up as long as possible. I think we got to the room at 2pm or so. Our sponsor and the hotel loaded our room with snacks and drinks so we had stuff here. We settled in and just walked around like zombies. We made it till 6pm. Both girls were wide awake at 2:30am which is about a 8:30am USA time. Yikes. 

Saturday and Sunday was just a chance to get settled and try to adjust time zones. We knew it was going to be hard and it was. We were always up between 2-5 and both girls were waking each other other with crying or coughing (LC woke up sick the morning we left San Diego). So sleeping was at a premium. However when they did get to bed both girls were dead tired and fell to sleep within a few minutes. We tried cutting naps short and other techniques to assist but it was working. A lot of my friends that I knew here stopped by, we went over to play and/or eat with too. Everything is within walking distance here on base. There is a NEX and a food court across the street, too. We went and signed up for Japanese cell phones on Saturday after noon. We both got brand new iPhone 5's and signed a 2 year contract. None of the contract was in English so I hoped I signed the right things. Their plans are very cheap and much much better then that In the US. 

Yesterday (Monday) was our first day at the briefings and classes you have to take on customs and general information. It was very informative. Most speakers were either US military or spouses (volunteers/workers) here on base. There were 2 Japanese nationals that spoke to us and Shannon and I, as well as the rest of the class chuckled at all their pronunciations. We signed up for our drivers licenses and things like that as well. We also went and checked in at the housing office to decline on-base housing and start looking for a place off base. So far there has been some potentials. Everyone at the housing office is Japanese so it was fun working and talking to them. They even wrote out our names in Japanese. 

The girls were at the Child development center (day care) while we are at these classes all week. We were hoping for the best and warned them that they are still jet lagged and not on a good schedule. They said they see it every week and they will be fine. So we hung up their stuff In their cubbies and the old Japanese ladies whisked them away, washed their hands and put a smock on Ellis. Ellis went right to the table where they were having breakfast snack and ate. They don't have sippy cups here so it was cups of OJ. We were worried about them all day but when we picked ten up they said they did great. They asked for more clothes for EC ( she spilled every drink I her clothes) because she has never drank out of anything but a sippy. Haha. They said Ellis ate everything at every meal, which we were not surprised. Ellis also took a 2 hour nap. LC did good too but didn't eat well or sleep. 

Last night was the first night that everyone slept through the night. We all we to sleep around 7:30-8pm and got up at 6am. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

So far it has been great. Everyone has been friendly and very helpful. We borrowed a pack and play from a friend because the pack and play they gave us here at the lodge was about one third the size and Ellis didn't fit. Some friends had us over for brunch and the we walked over to housing where a lot of my friends lived and let the girls just play while we talked and caught up. 

This week we will finish up those classes and then go on field trips via train to Learn how to ride. That is how most people get around. So far the classes have been super informative and we are actually enjoying learning about the culture and language and traditions. We are learning some good greetings and phrases and they are starting to stick. 

Okay, I think I bored you with enough today. Sorry it was so wordy. Here are a few photos. We have been taking some with our nice camera but we dont have the cord to download them. So here are just a few from my phone.

This was our lunch outing today. We have a good friend Dave that lives here with his family. He also went to VaTech and Dave and I roomed together in Flight School for the 2 years in Pensacola. He also was just at that Safety School I was in down in Pensacola as well. He took us to a Sushi Go around. It is off base and no one spoke english. You place your orders and you grab plates of sushi as they come by. The sushi they eat here is what we call "Nigiri" in the states. It is just a piece of rice with something on top. We absolutely loved it. The quality of fish is far superior to what we normally get in America. You stack your plates up at the end of the table and they come by to measure them and tell you what you owe. The only thing new we tried was raw scallop. It was good. Everything is automated so you order on the screen and it come by. They have hot water spicket there for green tea as well. My favorite was the salmon and the fatty tuna. The three of us ate for $31 which would have cost us around $50 in the states. Not too shabby and a great experience. 

This is just one of many parks they have here on base. We try to hit them up a lot to get out of the room and get some fresh airs.

That is all I have... I know I know you want more pics. We will work on it and try to post more later. 

take care!

Back Home... but not really...

We finished up our lovely 5 weeks in Virginia, and are now getting our toes sandy back in beautiful Coronado, CA.  I had no idea how much I would miss this weather, oh but I did.  Now our clothes that weren't warm enough in KY and VA are too hot in California.  And yet I refuse to buy us more, because we (finally!) leave for Japan soon.

We were very blessed to spend time with family in Virginia.  I can't post those pictures yet, due to not packing the cord, but when we get to Japan and get a house and get our stuff delivered and unpacked and find the cord and get internet hooked up and have time to post them, then I will post them.  I had 4 pictures on my phone, so I will include those below.

The girls did well on the 5+ hour flight from coast to coast.  Ellis didn't nap, which was tricky because she's never done that before.  And they both melted down by the time we got checked into our room.  But we all survived.  That is our only goal for our flight to Japan.  Survive it.  It is about 11 hours long.  We have snacks, games, toys, iPad, movies, and Benedryl.  We leave at 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, so we fly all day.  And when we get to Japan, it will be about 11 a.m. on Saturday, Toyko time.

Hopefully the girls will continue to be super-troopers.  We really can't complain about their behavior, when you consider how much kids need stability and they will have slept in 6+ different beds in 3 months.  Leyton has had a recent potty training setback since we've arrived in California, which is frustrating and gross.  She's been doing great for at least 6 months, even at night, but suddenly she's pooping and peeing all over the place.  I try to remember that she is just 3 and there are plenty of 3 year-olds who aren't trained at all.  Not to mention we are feeding her much more restuarant food than she's used to, plus traveling and asking her to 'go' in all kinds of strange places (airplane, park, hotels, resturants). Other than that, she has been awesome.

And Ellis.  Remember all those posts about sweet little Ellis.  Well, that was Baby Ellis, and she was a sweetheart.  Toddler Ellis, on the other hand, is another story.  First the good: she gives amazing hugs and kisses, she is easily entertained, loves a good joke, and generally is a good eater.  But... she is also a stinker.  She has no fear and takes it upon herself to find the most dangerous place in any room.  She is a big fan of sticking her fingers into outlets and fans, and climbing on tables, chairs, couches.  Not only does she climb, she also likes to stand up and dance.  So it is very common to walk into a room and see Ellis dancing on a chair or table.  With a giant smile on her face because she KNOWS better.... and does it anyway.  If she catches a glance of a phone or iPad, and isn't allowed to play with it, she will throw herself on the ground and scream (this is her standard procedure when anything doesn't go her way).  If there is a button, she needs to push it.  She also bites.  Ellis is independent and will wander off and do her own thing, even in new places (airports, parks, resturants, the beach).  But she is so adorable that it's always hard not to laugh at her theatrics.  Her bravery is quite amazing.  She is the smallest kid on the playground going down the big swirly slide... by herself!  So she keeps us busy and keeps us smiling.

It was very sad to really say good-bye to our California friends, but we are excited to finally be going to Japan.  If you are able, please plan a visit!  We would love company.  Sayonara!