Saturday Morning Fun!

The reason for the late-early wake-up call


The fam on the Skypes



Our street in our 'hood

Sky over Nakagusuku Bay, November 7, 2009

How did the two of us end up with a morning person?

In the past six weeks, the Sawin Saturday morning has changed considerably. No longer do Jared and I lounge around until right before the gift shops close on base. We may sleep in until 6 am and we watch the sun rise while I feed Finn. I know-titillating excitement (oh, how I have wanted to use the word that colorful adjective!). I was able to be one of those humans who socialize Saturday morning and met my friend, Brandi, for coffee. Well, Brandi had coffee and I had some decaf fruity thing. I can see why people enjoy meeting for coffee. Finn was an angel and the sweet Starbucks girls cooed over him. He's lucky to be a fair haired and blue eyed boy in Japanland-the ladies love him.

We also were lucky enough to Skype with the fam. It was Dad's birthday night and Dale and Vicki were over. We even got to see Grandma Joan and Joe! Okinawa would feel like the middle of nowhere if we didn't have Skype.

It's a weird work week this week and Jared and I are both off tomorrow. I think we may be rebellious and sleep until 6:30!!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday, Daddy-O! To commemorate Dad's first birthday as a grandfather, here are some Grandfather and Finn pics.

We love and miss you and will celebrate with you via Skype on your birthday night!

Pottery Festival

snorkeling Shisa

salt ice cream, an Okinawan treat

Noriko and I with a Shisa sporting a wedding band

This would be Mom's favorite table.

Our friend, Noriko, invited me to a pottery festival in Yomitan a couple of weeks ago. It was really cool. In this village there are tons of artisans who put their little unique touch on plates, soba bowls and the like.

New Car

Finally bought a new car, a Mitsubishi Dingo! Love the name because of my beloved doggy (who taught me how to love an animal) Dingo.

Mom's Visit

We had company here in these parts-Mama Jean! Mom flew back with Finn and me, which was a Godsend. I was so prepared for Finn and the flight that I, of course, neglected to plan for myself with the detail I once did. The flights were fine, but it was so nice to have help with the baby at Narita airport. It's a bit different than the major international airports Stateside.

We had SOOOOO much fun on Mom's visit. We didn't do a ton of stuff on the island (we can't do it all so they'll keep coming back ;) ), but we did make it to the Churaumi Aquarium up north. It was so much fun. We decided to go on my birthday, which coincided with an absolutely gorgeous Okinawan day. We stopped and had lunch at a resort on the East China Sea and enjoyed the drive through the jungle near the aquarium. It is so nice sharing our little life here with our friends and family.

Mom helped us get Finn's room together, get ourselves together. There weren't any dry eyes in the Sawin abode the day she had to fly back. We are so thankful Mom was able to come out and help us. Can't wait to see her and Dad this spring!

Life in these parts

Someday I'll be a good girl and actually post the events of my life for the past 4 months 1 week. Someday. Instead I am very, very tired. I thought I was tired and busy before I had the Finnster. I was wrong. Here are some cute pics of my cutie. We're entertaining the idea of creating a blog for the kid, but need an original name. Any suggestions?