went to Chinatown with Jose this time!

So when we went to Chinatown with Jose and the boys, Yuri, Matthew and their daughter, we did not take the train this time. We drove in and parked at this funny ramp, where you drive your car right into a little elevator, turn off the engine, and it automatically closes and whisks your car away someplace until you come back with your parking ticket and some money. Cool Beans! It was just our luck that their was some kind of festival going on that night, with a parade. We ate hearty in a Chinese place, of course, don't ask me to find it again, and were served by the only surly and neglectful Japanese waitress we've ever had here. It almost made me homesick for the Perkins in Forest Lake, MN. The food was delicious as usual, all of the four times we've been there.

What made the parade a bit suspenseful was that people randomly set of fireworks in a garbage can, in the middle of the crowds, almost made me pee in my pants. Definitely had me jump three feet in the air. Crazy bastards! :)

another birthday party....

The cutie little neighbor girls, the bane of Nate's existence, had a birthday party at the bowling alley last weekend. At the top are two of the sisters whose birthdays were just a week apart. Then, my boys. Frankie discovered that even though he is a big cool teenage boy now, it is still fun to hang out at kids parties, especially when his friends are roped in by their parents as well. Then my neighbor and good pal Yuri (head cut off) and her husband and tiny little girl learning to bowl with Dad.

Afterwards we went up to a model shop in Yokohama with Yuri and her little family, to let the boys check out some cool models. Frankie got into the gundam, Jose got the battleship Yamato, and Nate found some naughty models meant for much older boys. Yuri and I walked around and found a Starbucks, window shopped a bit, then wound our way back to the boys. Once they were good and done at the model shop and had a Japanese guys staffing the shop good and giggling, we went to Chinatown for some Chinese food for dinner.

Lil fishy

Finally, I have gotten the boys into swimming lessons against their will. Wills? Anyway, here is Nate learning to hold his breath underwater as any self-respecting Navy kid would do. this week, floating on his back. After a few tearful anxious moments, he discovered new confidence and had fun wth it. I'm so proud!

Summer on the Base

Well, we got back from Minnesota and are setting into a routine with a few weeks of Jose being home. Since he is still working, I hardly notice him being home except finding his socks around the house and noticing large quantities of food missing out of the fridge, and things not being where I have put them. Seriously, it is wonderful having him back. Soon, not sure exactly when, he will leave on another thing, to South America, and be gone until December. Thank God I have neighbors who understand and are in the same boat.

Here is the giant kiddie pool that Yuri just bought. The kids are loving it!

My kids are starting swimming lessons soon and are dreading that a bit, being nervous and unsure in deep water. I am hoping Nate will be a little fish by the end of the summer.

Ucle Jo Jo's crazy kids

Chaos (the big girl) and Charles, my brother Joe and his wife Lindsays to doggies, on my parents' deck. The didn't appreciate the local fireworks, really, at all. Cuties!

latest cross stitch

Here is the latest cross stitch I finished, while we were in Minnesota. I found a frame at an antique shop in Stillwater, and used that. Whew...that took a while! But, what a great way to pass time on a 11 hour plane ride.

my brother Matt

Here is my brother Matt and Nate, holding the Jackson Flying V electric guitar that Matt just gave him. He is in heaven right now with that guitar. Matt is a wild and crazy fun Uncle, who the little boys just love. His sense of humor is perfect for 5th and 8th grade boys! :) Hi Mee Mee!