The boys and I went to Okuma this week with the Curtins. Joe was going to go but at the last minute his boss sent him to a 2 week conference in VA- so he missed the fun! We had one day of good weather due to a typhoon coming our way. So on that one day, we rode the bikes, hiked up trails and played in the water. The condo that we rented had room for 21 people (one other family did not come with us so we had a lot of room) The kids had fun and it was nice to get away. The next day, we were going to hike to a waterfall but the weather got bad and they closed everything up there. The typhoon was then down graded to a tropical storm. After sitting around realizing there was nothing to do, we packed up and headed home. I secured all the outdoor items and went inside to "wait out" the storm. The storm never came but we are getting strong gusts of wind with some rain.

Our last trip to Okuma ended with us coming home early also. We were in a tent and the wind was so strong that the sides of the tent were collapsing in. So a word to the wise, if you plan on going camping and want good weather, don't ask us to come with you- we don't have much luck in that department. Joe will be home on Sunday and the triathlon that I was going to do got postponed until the 15th.
Laurie Curtin and Brody on the bike
Andrew, William, Matthew, Brody and Hunter waiting to hike
William, Andrew, Mike, Matthew and Hunter on the racing bikes.

Aquathon 2009

The boys competed in their first aquathon on Tuesday. They had to run 420 meters, swim 100 meters, then run 420 meters. It was a combine event with the adults and kids. Hunter started out too fast in the run and came around the corner crying and then he started to walk. He kept telling me he couldn't go on, he couldn't catch his breath. Like any other mother, I grabbed his hand and told he was going to finish and I ran him to the pool. He got in the water and felt better and started to pass some people (including his brother). He had some trouble getting his shoes on but managed to get them on and went off on this last run. He finished in a time of 8 minutes and 57 seconds which he has told me will be faster next time because he won't walk and his shoes will be easier to get on.



Brody is more like his father and is the distance runner. He started off in the back of the pack and stayed there most of the time but kept a steady pace. He almost stopped to wait for Hunter when he decided to walk but he knew enough to keep going. The swim was long for him but he rested on the side of the wall every lap. He just passed his swim test the day before allowing him to swim without an adult within arms reach. His shoes had velcro on them so the shoes were not a problem after the swim. He finished in a time of 9 minutes and 27 seconds.




Both boys won their age group (they were the only ones in it but that's okay) The next race for the kids is Aug 8 where they will compete in the Tri Kids race after I do the Tri Chicks. Yes dad missed this race due to a conference in VA but we took lots of pictures for him!!

Baseball Clinic

Well, the triathlon Joe was suppose to do got postponed so the blog got delayed. The boys went to a baseball clinic this week. It was hot, hot, hot! The clinic ran from 9-12 but the sun was hot and the humidity was high. Both boys enjoyed themselves and learned alot (I hope). Brody became frustrated the first day because he couldn't keep his glove on (too big) and every time the coach demonstrated batting he got confused because he is left handed. After the tears were dried and the coach gave him a one on one session, all was good. Hunter was excited about the new drills that he learned and was eager to show them to dad

Both boys are on a baseball team and practices will start on Aug. 3 with games starting 2 weeks later. I will again be taking pictures to document their season. Brody will be playing tee-ball and Hunter will be playing coach pitch. Hunter is not happy with this because in CA he would be playing kid pitch not coach pitch. So he is working on his pitching and hoping to be ahead of everyone else here next year.

Shuri Castle

Over the long weekend, we went over to Shuri Castle. Our first adventure over there a couple months ago had us circling for about one hour trying to find a parking spot. We later found out that you never go anywhere on a Sunday (no one works that day but they work Sat.) and never drive a van because in Japan everything is small including the cars so no one had room for us. This trip we were a little better prepared and made it to the castle and in the parking garage without any problem

The castle was a history of the king of Japan and where he lived. It was all interesting. It was hot that day and the boys were not too into reading all the history signs but they liked it. They had to go around and get stamps at 12 stations in order to get a prize at the end (that might have been the only motivation for them). Unfortunately, part of the castle was under construction so the picture isn't as nice as it could be.
Brody stamping his card.
Joe carrying the bags with our shoes in them because you can't wear shoes in the castle.
For those of you who wonder where I am in the pictures, I am there, I am just always taking the pictures. I will start to hand my duties over to Joe so I can be seen in some of the pictures. Next week, Joe has a triathlon, watch for the pictures.

Hunter's cultural enrichment

For the past 2 weeks, Hunter has been going to a cultural enrichment class offered at his school. This enrichment gives the kids a more in depth look at the Japanese cultural. He was able to try some new foods and was learning to speak a few more sentences. Another activity he got to try was the Taiko drums. These drums are used in Eisa dancing. The kids had the drums on a stand (Eisa dancing has the person carrying their drum). It was set to music and there was an entire choreographed dance to it. They will perform the Taiko drums on the first day of school for the new students. There is also a club that he can join during the school year if he would like to.

He also got an opportunity to make a Shisa dog. These dogs are seen throughout Japan and they are used to ward off evil spirts. When you see 2 dogs together, one has the mouth open (to let the spirits out) and one with the mouth closed. The kids were allowed to make one and with the help of Nakamirasensi, they all turned out very cute.

Brody's graduation and Round 1

Mr. Policeman leading off the show!

Brody graduated from preschool (finally, no more tuition!) He had an end of the year performance the last day of school. The program was called "Community Helpers" and he was a policeman. He opened the play up and started everyone in the singing of the National Anthem. It was a very cute performance. The fireman's costume that my mom made for Hunter a few years ago was also used by another child for the play.

Yes, that is me riding a bull!!

Brody driving a semi-truck in a video game

On Friday, the first day both boys were home together, we went to Round 1. It is an indoor, multi level play place. There is batting cages, tennis, badminton, roller skating, an arcade, play structure, you name it, they probably have it. There was never a dull moment the entire 3 hours we were there (Joe was at work and missed all the fun) Everything was included in the price. We almost had the place to our self! The boys were tired when we got home but ready to take dad whenever he says he wants to go.

Brody playing soccer

Skateboard video game
Both boys are in swim lessons, we are going on week 2. The first day of lessons, Hunter got moved up a level. Brody thought that because they were in the same class, it was a package deal and he was getting to move up too! Brody stayed in level 2 and Hunter is in level 3. Brody is more of an underwater swimmer and could really care less if his arms come out of the water (as in doing freestyle). He sinks like a brick when trying to float and his treading water looks like he is bobbing in the water. All of this does not bother him, he is just happy to be in the water. We go to rec swim on the weekends and Hunter just passed his "swim test" which allows him to swim wherever he wants. Brody still has to stay within an arms reach of a parent because he has not passed the test. The test included a 25m swim with a recognizable stroke (no doggy paddle), float 1 minute, tread water 1 minute. Of course Hunter (whose glass is half empty sometimes) said that he couldn't do it and wasn't going to do it. And me, being mother of the year, told him he had no choice and he was going to try the swim test because I didn't want 2 kids hanging on me in the pool! Probably not the best motivation but he did try and passed! Maybe he should always listen to his mother!!!
I'm sure there will be more adventures to come. Joe is taking 2 days off this week (June 22 week). I thought it was because he was planning something for us to do on our anniversary.... no, he has too many days on the books and has to start taking time off before he loses them!

Brody boxing


Brody in the ball pit

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

Butch Vasquez and Joe












This blog was suppose to be of Joe and his triathlon but due to the weather the triathlon got postponed. So here is pictures from Joe's birthday celebration!! We went out to lunch on Saturday at the Tee house but didn't have any cake until Sunday. We had the Scott's over for dinner (they leave on Wednesday for Quantico)and then the Curtin's, Woodworth's, and the Vasquez's came over for cake. Joe got an oatmeal raisin cookie cake (all I had was pink frosting) and peppermint pattie poke cake. I am not allowed to say how old Joe is but most of you can figure it out or already know. But if you want to know just ask the boys, they were telling everyone his age. He got running shoes, racing flats, a wetsuit, bathing suit, running shirts, and hats for his birthday.
Jon Woodworth (Joe's boss), Joe and Butch
Mike attempting to play Wii Circus
Mike and Jo-Elle got Joe a Wii circus game and a 6 pack....of snapple!
Joe and the boys at the Tee House restaurant on Kadena. It over looks the golf course, flight line and you can see the ocean (but not today due to the rain)