Orion Beer Festival & Kurashiki Dam

Yesterday, the boys and I headed out to the Orion

Beer Festival with two other families from our command.

It wasn't too far from base so we were able to park at one of the gates and walk.

Both boys really got into the Eisa drummers.

Brayden also had fun hamming it up for all the Japanese women that were making googley faces at him.

Thanks for this picture Miss Nerissa. I think it's my favorite one of the day!

No festival would be complete without bringing something home. We got the very popular dolphin balloon.

When I was getting the festival pictures off the camera, I found these shots that we took at playgroup a few weeks ago. We went to Kurashiki Dam.

I couldn't get too many shots because it was pretty rocky and I didn't want B walking around without holding my hand.

The water was surprisingly cool and refreshing.

We had fun exploring for critters and playing in the waterfall.

This week Grayson starts soccer!

Sushi for Dessert

Well, we survived three days of being stuck in the house due to typhoon Maifa. We had 40 inches of rain within 24 hours, lot of branches and debris in our yard, and when we went to clean our grill, the inside turned to ash. That last thing really had nothing to do with the storm, but we were heart-broken because we love our grill.

I continue to be on a baking kick. My latest trial was dessert sushi.

Hope you all have a sweet day too!

Typhoon Day II

Being stuck in the house for 2 days can make you start doing some silly things to entertain yourself. B gained a secret identity to start fighting tropical storms.

The boys were able nap so Michael and I did get some productive Christmas shopping done online. Sounds crazy, but with how long it takes to get some things shipped here, I like to have the boys done by October.

Surprisingly, we were also able to catch up on some skyping with family too. Lots of snacking and movies took up most of the rest of the day.

The storm has passed us now, but we still aren't allowed to go outside because of residual high winds gusting to 60 knots. We should be all clear by tomorrow.

If anyone knows of some great ways to pass the time, let me know.

Typhoon Day I

Day I of the typhoon was spent with a lot of waiting around for the storm to hit. I hate the waiting, but on a positive note, Michael was able to come home almost half a day early from work so it was nice to have the company. Grayson also got a new Lightning McQueen which seems to be keeping his mind off the fact that we are stuck in the house.

A friend of mine brought over some delicious cookies that she baked for the storm so I got the pressure from my family to make something too. I give you Mom Winters' applesauce muffins with cinnamon sugar topping. Baking is a great way to pass the time and make the house more cozy. I will say that bite size is dangerous.

Way 2 to pass the time.... have your husband hang the new canvases you got in the mail earlier that week but weren't allowed to hang yourself because you put too many holes in the wall when hanging pictures. (Funny deployment story for anyone who wants to hear it.) Then, have him move the pictures that were in that spot to a different room.

This is phase one of our new keepsake wall complete. Two more phases to go.

The wind and rain started up hard after the boys were asleep, but it seems to be hitting the back of the house and their rooms are in the front so it was still nice and quiet for them to sleep.

It looks like the typhoon will be sticking around until Saturday morning. We are starting day 2 out with a pancake breakfast. Let's hope we keep power today.

Hope everyone else is having good weather.

Babes

Not babes, like hot women. Babes like babies. I seem to know a lot of people having little ones soon. As my own baby seems to be getting so big all of a sudden, it's been fun for me to do a little crafting for others with tiny ones.

My first ever diaper cake. Champagne inside, 75 diapers, yellow duckies, and pacifier flowers. I love how this turned out. I had a great time with two friends making it.

As there isn't a lot of pink in my house, this was a fun project for a high school friend of Michael's having their first baby. Sushi socks in a Japanese bento lunch box. Inside view.

Outside view complete with chopsticks and a little sushi board book..... a very authentic gift from Japan, and very popular here. It was another fun project done with friends.

The last project I did solo, and like it so much, I might make two for my boys' playroom in our next house. It's a birth announcement wall decor. Stating name, birthday, weight, length, and time of arrival all framed in a clean white matte and white wooden frame; I love the modern look and keepsake idea.

Can't wait to see pictures of all these little bundles!

Getaway

Last July, we took a mid-week getaway to Oura Wan Beach to go camping (and by camping I mean a cabin with electric and plumbing). It had been a while since we had a vacation because I was pregnant and then had a newborn so traveling was hard. We had the best time! So this July we decided to do a repeat, and it was just as nice.

Lazy days....

Lots of snacks....

Family time, and even a nap!

Only 40 minutes from our house, Oura Wan gives the feel of getting away. And going mid-week, we pretty much had the beach all to ourselves except for one group of Marines training some dogs for a deployment in Afghanistan, but the boys got to pet the dogs so they were excited.

B and I looked for more sea glass while Daddy and Gray built some sand castles.

We went for 2 nights. The first night we ate out, but the second night we grilled. My husband is an awesome cook!

With all the relaxing, we got some exercise too. B thinks it is a lot of fun to run up and down the beach so we all took turns chasing him.

With all that running, he actually did well sleeping for a change.

Of course, we are always on the look out for the next frame-worthy family photo.

I don't think we got it this time.

So long Oura Wan.

B is for Boo Boo

The weekend started off really well. I had a great time hosting a baby shower with a bunch of wonderful ladies. Michael had some special guy time with the boys at the pool.

Then today, B decided to test the limits of his head within this concrete and steel typhoon fortress we call home.

First, he tripped for no apparent reason and smashed his face into the corner of our stairs.... concrete. In this picture, it doesn't look too bad. The flash took some of the red out of his vertical bruise from eye brow to chin and with an open eye you can't see the bloody cut on his eyelid.

Then, while I was talking to Michael (who was at work) and trying to decide if B needed to see a doctor for the eye. He bent down without paying attention to get a toy and banged his chin on the train table......

I thought after naptime would be better, but after getting him out of his crib, he grabbed his blanket and was trying to run away from me to be funny. He looked back at me and walked right into his dresser. Strike three...

So now it is only 5 pm and I am trying to keep him hazard free until bedtime in two hours!