First Days in Japan

Well, we arrived on "Our Great Overseas Adventure" to Japan on Saturday, July 24, 2010.  It was a very long flight but the kids and the dog did great.  We found out that day that Tony had to leave Monday morning to meet the boat so he did not have much time to spend here with us before he left.  The first thing we did upon landing at Narita Airport was to use the bathrooms.  Ally came out in awe saying we had go see the "pimped out" toilets.  I am attaching a picture - we still don't know which buttons to push!

The kids and I were happy to arrive on the base and see that it was like a little slice of America in the middle of Japan.  They have all the same things we would have on a base back home.  One of the first things we had to do was to take Michael to the hospital in Yokosuka for his nose that he broke right before we left for Japan.  Unfortunately, it was set by the time we got to the hospital and they didn't want to re-brake it for fear that it would affect the growth of his nose - so we have to wait until he is about 17 now to get it fixed - it is  not that bad.  But... when we were there, we saw this really cool mailbox...

The kids love the fact that they can walk to everything.  Nick goes to the movies by himself - he just saw Inception - which he says is the best movie ever - I still have not seen it.  Ally and Michael walk to school, which is only a block from our house.  Nick goes to high school at Zama Army Base which is about 20 minutes away (with no traffic).  They have all dived right into activities.  Nick is learning to play acoustic guitar at school, is taking Japanese for his high school language requirements and is playing JV football.  Ally is learning to play the violin, joined Girl Scouts and just signed up for the swim team.  Michael is learning piano, is attending Cub Scouts and playing soccer.  It is so nice because everything is right here and the kids just go do their stuff.  I am no longer having to run kids all over town every night which is amazing!  Tony is still out at the boat and not sure yet when he will be back.  He is enjoying flying in a tactical setting again but can't wait to get home and see where we are living!  I am going to the gym a lot more - I no longer have my "I don't have time" excuses.  I am doing a Zumba class twice a week and it is a lot of fun - for those of you that know what that is!  I also just registered at University of Maryland University College to obtain a second Bachelor's degree while I am here in Accounting.  I also volunteered to be the assistant Religious Education teacher for 5th grade - so keeping busy.  Well, I wanted to get this up and running and we will post pictures here of our trips and adventures.  So we hope you enjoy!