Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OKINAWA!

I think I might have mentioned this before, but in case I haven't. . . . We LOVE Christmas! Sam and I had different Christmas traditions growing up. When we had kids we decided that instead of arguing over which tradition to follow we would create our own.

We decided to start celebrating on Christmas Eve because Christmas day is usually busy with the military. So Christmas Eve we make a huge breakfast dinner and stayed up late watching t.v. This picture of the girls cracked me up. They were completely sucked into this little British cartoon called "Charlie and Lola".

At midnight we read the Christmas story and then open presents. I have to make a disclaimer to make before the next picture. . . Sam and I have a four present rule for the girls. Every year they are suppose to get something they want, something they need, something to share and something to read. This is the plan, but the girls have Sam wrapped around their fingers, so this is what they actually got for Christmas.

Cala just smiled at Sam and told him "Your little princesses are so spoiled." I have to agree with her.

The girls got distracted after their fifth present. We actually had to prompt them to open the rest. Their favorite were the Leapsters, these hand-held kids game systems. Audrie started playing with her's as soon as she opened it.

And she continued playing it throughout the next day. . .

She gets this addiction from Sam. Christmas morning one of our Navy friends came over to hang out. They played video games for HOURS!

On Christmas day we always go hang out with other military families. This year we were really blessed to have Christian neighbors. This is a real rarity in the military. We all got together and had Christmas dinner. The kids were so cute. Here in Okinawa everyone throws up a peace sign whenever they take a picture. All the kids have picked up the habit too.

Right after dinner the dads did what they do every Christmas. . . they jumped on the video game system. This year it was the Wii. The kids were all playing Mario cart and the dads took over. They were so funny because they got so competitive.

After all that fun and excitement we end our Christmas by coming home and falling asleep in front of the TV. We hope all of you had fun celebrating Christmas in your own way! We missed you all this year!

Thanksgiving

Ahh! Thanksgiving in Japan. What is it like you ask? Actually it is a lot like Thanksgiving in the states. Well at least on base it is. The military is really like one big family at times. We work together, live together and even eat together. Sam's accounting shop go together at his boss's house to celebrate thanksgiving this year.

This is pretty much what happens every year, but this year there was a lot less alcohol. This was actually a very good thing because usally everyone starts doing shots after dinner and don't stop till midnight. This year everyone played video games. Call of Duty 5 is out so the guys set up two t.v.'s so everyone could play. The kids got into it too. here's a picture of them playing the Wii.

My girls just discovered the magic of video games so they got into it too.

Over all it was a really great time full of food and fun.

The only thing that could have made it better was if each of you were here to celbrate with us.

We miss and love you all!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!