Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 3

The thrilling conclusion . . .

This one’s for the grandparents because, between Logan and Elena, 7 out of 8 grandparents have some tie to NY (sorry Dad).  The shirt reads, in typical Japanese fashion, “Grandness, Various People, 1956, Live Nicely, It’s Our Hope”.   Umm . . . ????

Sarah and I loved the Botanical Gardens.  Until now, we’d only been here for the Christmas light show so I included a few extra pics of this particular adventure.  

Beautiful, vivid colors.

Take time to stop and smell the roses.

The kids enjoyed themselves at the playground.  Oh wait . . . :)

Just a small taste--I’m trying to go easy on you.

They have a lily pond that is just enormous, give me another month or so and I’ll give you . . .

acres of these!

Another Saturday brings fun at Torii Beach.

Sarah was ecstatic because Torii Beach has a wealth of sea glass—one of her favorite things.

Sunday, this sign in the church parking lot always makes me smile.  You can bet I’ll be making use of it at least once, just because I can.  I have to wait until I’m at least as big as the picture before I feel I deserve it though.

Another new adventure for us, Gyokusendo Cave.  This was one of the most majestic things I’ve seen on the island; too bad in order to see it you also have to pay for the tickets to the ultra-touristy Okinawa World (no pictures of that).  The cave was worth it though!

 

After just over a month of being in Japan, it was time for the Gaffney’s to head back to Hawaii.  The house still seems quiet . . .  It was great to have them here and they gave us a good test run, working out all the kinks for future visitors.  Who’s next?  :)

Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 2

The day after we got back from Okuma, we tucked Luke away nicely on a plane, but kept the girls here with us.  Thankfully, Sarah and Elena didn’t mind sticking to our regular schedule of casual mornings (exercise/park and nap) and afternoon adventures.

We hit Futenma Shrine where Sarah’s camera was able to capture a much better shot of the interior of the Buddhist side.

Another day, another adventure--Nakagusuku Castle.

 

Of course, we introduced our guests to our favorite park--the one with the REALLY big roller slide and the drop slide that Elena almost made it down.

  A ferris wheel ride and ice cream accompanied a day of souvenir shopping. 

On Saturday, Jake took the gang down to the Peace Memorial Park while I stayed behind to work on another paper. 

Unfortunately, my paper wasn’t nearly as brilliant as these origami chains, but I bet it didn’t take nearly as long to do!

 

We got the sitter over so we could have some quality adult-time with sushi (complete with while-you-wait origami) . . .

and nightlife in Mihama.  The ferris wheel provides a pretty impressive light show, and we topped the evening off with more ice cream!  (We managed to find an excuse to eat ice cream probably half the days that they were here!)

At this point, the Gaffney ladies STARTED trying to get back to Hawaii, but since it took them a while to catch a plane (flying Space-A), we were able to have quite a few more adventures.  I’ll finish up the Gaffney fun next time . . .  Have a great week!

Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 1

Guests gone, paper done, it’s finally time to get everyone caught up here.  Between our cameras and the Gaffney cameras, we have a TON of pictures from the month they were here, so I’ll only be doing highlights and I can’t claim photo credit for all of these.

First up, we have Shuri Castle, the Wonder Museum, and our weekend in Okuma, including excursions to the aquarium, Neo Park, and a hike up to Hiji Falls.

Shuri Castle courtyard

Logan spreading a little international goodwill

Luke and Sarah looking lovely in Shuri Castle gardens

    Zoo animals :)

It was suggested I come back to the Wonder Museum and do this at various stages of the pregnancy . . .

  More Wonder Museum fun

 

Off to the aquarium

Elena and fish

  Logan and turtles

Us and . . . well, 3 whale sharks, a dozen or more rays, and LOTS and LOTS of fish

Neo Park petting zoo

Llama love

 

Spectacular scenery on the hike up to Hiji Falls

Hiji Falls

Friendly fellow we met at the falls

Some beach shots from Okuma to close things out

 

This is only the first week they were here!  I’ll be back with more soon.  Hope everyone is doing really, really well!

MIA

Yes, we’re still here, but our guests (SG & E) are still here too.  Between that and class starting up again, my evenings have been full.  I do have LOTS of new pictures coming soon though!  Hang in there and I’ll be back soon—really!