Cleaning Pumpkins

Robert decided to carve a pumpkin lat night since he's not sure how early he'll be home tonight before we head out trick or treating.
Irina's little friend, Diego, was over so they both helped.





Diego and Irina cleaning out the pumpkin








She loves it!










Working together as a team...












She loves helping Daddy....

Luci and the Horse

So this is what happens when Daddy comes home "early" (7pm) from work. Poor Luci was the 'victim' of Robert's humor for the evening. She was less than thrilled.

Dogs=Humans??

This is what I found yesterday morning when I came back downstairs. Now, everyone who knows us knows our dogs are our kids. Rommel is the first born (the one curled up on the seat of the chair) and Luci is the baby.
But still, they know they aren't supposed to be on furniture. Neither of them even budged when they saw me!







And of course, Irina had to run up for a picture with them. She thought it was SO funny that they were on the chair.

Pumpkin Hunt and Costume Party

Sunday night we were invited to a Pumpkin Hunt and Costume Party. Irina had a great time!
We may have to 'steal' this idea and do it next year.

Irina, the cheerleader, ready to go!
Irina and Marissa
Showing off her running shoes....she loves her shoes!
Getting ready to eat her spider cookie..
Searching in the dark with her huge flashlight...
Oh...she found some!!
She found a pumpkin and candy!
Irina, Emily and Marissa..

Spooky Tour

I almost forgot...we went on the spooky ghost tour last weekend put on by MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) here on the island. We all loaded up on a bus and traveled around parts of the island going to different places that are haunted and hearing many interesting stories. My 'favorite' would be the house on Kadena (the base 20 mins from us) that has a house where there have been 3 murder-suicides in it. I drive by the house quite frequently and had no idea. No fear though...they aren't moving anyone into the house....at least not anytime soon!
Why is the house still standing you ask?? Well, in Japanese/Okinawan culture spirits inhabit these types of places. And, if you take their 'residence' away they jump to the next thing...whether it be another structure or even the person who is tearing the house down. Freaky huh??
And before there's too much judgement, yes, we took Irina with us. She had no real idea of what was going on and thought we were just driving around on a bus with all of her friends. Two other neighbors and their kids came along.

Fall Festival

We attended the Fall Festival at the school near our house (which is where Irina will most likely be starting kindergarten) Friday night. I had a table set up for Arbonne so when Robert finally arrived from work he took her around to the games, etc. Before I could put her in bed, she insisted on a picture of her painted face.

Such Sweetness

So, the other morning I can hear Irina waking up via the monitor. Then, I hear the pitter patter of little feet running across her bedroom and her door closing. I wait and no Irina coming down the stairs. I head up and this is what I saw....she curled up on his pillow to lay with him.

Gifts!

We went to the post office and were pleasantly surprised to find a box from Grandma and Grandpa. She'd been begging all day to open it.




As you can see, no gift is opened in this house without Rommel and Luci's assistance. They just KNOW something must be for them. Today, it was the tooth brush.

Rain Rain Go Away

It's been raining on and off for 2 days and Irina's been asking for a picnic. Needless to say, it wasn't going to happen....or so she thought. She was very happy go have here 'inside' picnic.

Oktoberfest

With our good friends/neighbors we headed to Oktoberfest last weekend. We had a great time!
The top picture is Robert, Me, Lissie, Gonzo and Danielle giving the typical Japanese picture peace sign. The bottom pic is of all the girls.

Tug of War

Traditionally, the city of Naha has a huge Tug of War each year. You can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naha_Tug-of-war
For the first time, they had a local Tug of War at the major intersection near where we live. We walked up along with 3 other families and had a great time!






The guys had the opporunity to get involved and participate in the event! This is them mid-tug!

We've Been Ghosted

Ten minutes after getting the phantom pumpkin, we were 'ghosted'. When I opened the door, Rommel went running down the sidewalk, determined to find out who'd been ringing our doorbell.
Here's the poem:

Late this night, we left you a treat.
The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.

Take the ghost and pin it on your door,
To let others know, you need ghosted no more.

Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise,
To two more families, we must advise.

Gather some treats and deliver them soon,
Within two nights, under the light of the moon.

Include a ghost with each package you give,
Along with this poem for the tradition to live.

The Phantom Pumpkin

We are being introduced to the Halloween traditions of those on Okinawa. Our doorbell rang last night as we were headed upstairs for bath time. We found a white bag with a poem and goodies inside. Here's the poem:
GOOD EVENING
SINCE THIS IS THE TIME FOR THE GOBLINS AND BATS
HALLOWEEN SPIRTIS AND GHOSTS AND CATS
WEIRD HAPPENINGS AND WITCHES BREW
THESE ARE THE THINGS I WISH FOR YOU.

MAY THE ONLY SPIRIT YOU CHANCE TO MEET
BE THE SPIRIT OF LOVE AND WARM FRIENDS SWEET
MAY THE ONLY GOBLIN THAT COMES YOUR WAY
BE THE NEIGHBORHOOD PHANTOM WHOM YOU'LL WANT TO GIVE AWAY.

SO BY TOMORROW PICK 3 FRIENDS SWEET
AND GIVE THEM ALL A AHALLOWEEN TREAT.
YOU ONLY ONE DAY, SO HURRY!!!!!!
LEAVE THAT TREAT ON THE DOORSETP, THEN FLEE IN A FLURRY!

"TIS BETTER GIVING THAN RECEIVING"
WE ALL KNOW THIS IS TO BE TRUE
SO SHOW YOUR OE TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND REMEMBER

THE PHANTOM IS YOU.

My Little Ballerina

After 6 LONG weeks, Irina is back to taking her dance class. As of now, it appears the class she was taking near the house is being cancelled. But, we were extremely lucky that the youth center on another base had 1 opening that would work for us. And, she gets to take the class from her original teacher!!

AFAA Certification

It's official.....I'm an AFAA certified group fitness instructor. My certification arrived in the mail this week. Actually, it's probably been there...that's how long it's been since I've picked up mail.
Since many probably don't know, I recently purchased a Stroller Strides franchise here in Okinawa. I've been attending classes since February and absolutely love it! It's a great workout, my running and endurance have improved and the best part is, I get to take Irina to class with me. She loves singing the songs and visiting with all the kids and mommies. She even puts her dolls in their stroller to 'take them to exercise to see their friends' and then runs around the house.
Now that I'm instructing classes, she mimics me. I walked into the living room the other day to find her hooking up a resistance band to her bouncy horse. She proceeds to do some bicep curls and then says "OK ladies, wrap it up..we're going to our next station". It was hysterical...too bad I didn't have the camera on me.
Robert gets to work out with me on the weekends to review the classes I've come up with. Irina loves running around the base and getting out of the stroller to do her exercises. This has been a great new adventure for me...for all of us.

Special Morning

Since Robert became a Company Commander at the Battalion his hours at home with us have become limited. Weekends are no longer just for us...they are filled with phone calls, emails and going into the office to take care of just one more thing....and 4 hours later he comes back.
This has been especially hard on Irina. There are many days when he's gone before she gets up and does not get home until she's gone to bed. We of course fill the day with emails to Daddy, drawing him pictures and phone calls whenever possible.
This morning was a special one. He had a meeting at the base just 5 minutes from us which allowed him to stay home until well after she'd woken up. She squealed when she saw him and they were inseparable until he walked out the door. You'll notice in the picture that they are wearing the same shirt. A little 'trick' we discovered while separated for 4 months before moving to Japan was how she loved to sleep in a Daddy shirt when she's missing him.
I just love the smile showing pure joy on her face when she's with her Daddy!
He, of course, still looks tired...and who wouldn't when they average 5 hours of sleep a night.