Saturday, on my birthday we went to my fave restaurant Thai in the sky! It was a gorgeous day and the views there were amazing. The food, as always, was delish. I even ventured out of my comfort zone and ordered food that I usually don't. It was a tad bit too spicy , but it was yummy. I had to eat in small bites and drink water constantly. Hahaha after lunch we went to the Ashibina shopping center to look for my birthday gift. M, mentions constantly that I'm a hard person to shop for, so he just let me pick out my own gift. It was a total mad house there. The parking lot was so full that we had to park at an adjacent lot and be shuttled to the shopping center. The few days after New Years is equivalent to the day after Thanksgiving shopping. There were sales all over the place and stores offer lucky bags. You buy the bag and you can't look what's inside, it's a blind bag so to speak. These are pretty fun and lots of the time the customers are pretty happy with what they got. They sell them until they sell out. Unfortunately the stores I went do did not have any. We did go 3 days after new year, it's best to go on New Year's Day. So I'll remember that next year. For my bday gift I found these Tory Burch flats that I've been trying to order online but they didn't have my size. So I left a happy girl! After shopping we headed to a goodbye dinner for a friend that is PCSing. My friends got me a birthday cake! It was a good day!
Showing posts with label family time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family time. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2015
Keep calm, it's my Birthday!
Labels:
Ashibina,
bday celebration,
birthday,
carpricorn,
family time,
January,
Japan,
okinawa,
Thai in the sky
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Staycation
Summer is well underway here. A/C is on full blast and kids are out of school. Now, I love traveling as much as the next person. Especially going to a new country. But, we aren't millionaires and I'm a SAHM. We are fortune to travel off island, 1 or 2 times a year. So we plan lots of stuff to do locally. I mean, we aren't going to live here forever , so we gotta take advantage and see the sights.
One thing that we have done a lot of are staycations. We not only have done them here, but we've done them in places back in the states. When we were in WA, we would get a hotel room in downtown Seattle for the weekend and roam the city. When we were in VA, we would get a hotel room in Northern VA and roam the city. In CA, we would get a hotel room on the beach and roam the beach. You get the idea. But vacations don't always have to be to to new exotic places. Plus, staycations are quick, fun, and cheap.
Luckily, we live on a beautiful tropical island, with an abundance of awesome hotels. We booked a weekend at The Rizaan hotel. Its literally 20 minutes away! Not far at all. We got together with 8 other families and planned a weekend there. The hotel was awesome! Right on the beach, indoor pool, outside pool, slides, restaurants, huge breakfast buffet included and the hotel room was reasonably priced. We spent two days there, and we had a blast. I swear, the kids became fish. They didn't want to leave the pools or the beach. Even though it was 20 minutes away from our house, I felt like I was on vacation somewhere else. It was very easy to get into that vacation mind set.
Notable mentions:
Breakfast buffet::
When I booked our hotel our buffet was included. I always love when this is included because breakfast is usually the only meal that I know for sure we will eat when we go on vacation. Throughout the day if we are sightseeing, beaching, pooling, we forget about time and we usually consume snacks rather then meals. This buffet was huge,lots of selection and pretty good food. They had traditional Japanese and American breakfast options. There were also lots of fruit and veggies. The options changed daily, which is nice! So we started our days with a good hearty meal to keep us going for our long days.
Rooms:
The basic rooms, which is what we booked, was actually not too bad. Especially in Japan! We've been to a few Japanese hotels and most of the time the rooms are pretty tiny. Our room was small, but good enough. We had 2 beds, a pull out bed, couch, coffee table, and mini fridge. I was really surprised with the room. I was thinking it would be tiny. But it was a good enough size to fit all 4 of us comfortably.
Pools:
The hotel had 2 pools, one inside and one outside. Both had areas for smaller children and water slides. The outside pool did have a waterfall. The kids loved going under it. It was nice that there was the option of inside and outside. Sometimes outside it was way too hot, Oki summers can be pretty brutal. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves at both pools.
Memories:
I know this sounds cheesy, I dont care!!! We made lots of memories that weekend. I loved seeing the huge smiles from my kids. I loved seeing M relaxed and enjoying himself. It was so much fun going with all our friends. I honestly was afraid when we were planning it, I thought it was going to be a mad house. In the end, it was the more the merrier. We kicked off summer with a bang! I'm so excited for all the fun stuff this summer has to come!
One thing that we have done a lot of are staycations. We not only have done them here, but we've done them in places back in the states. When we were in WA, we would get a hotel room in downtown Seattle for the weekend and roam the city. When we were in VA, we would get a hotel room in Northern VA and roam the city. In CA, we would get a hotel room on the beach and roam the beach. You get the idea. But vacations don't always have to be to to new exotic places. Plus, staycations are quick, fun, and cheap.
Luckily, we live on a beautiful tropical island, with an abundance of awesome hotels. We booked a weekend at The Rizaan hotel. Its literally 20 minutes away! Not far at all. We got together with 8 other families and planned a weekend there. The hotel was awesome! Right on the beach, indoor pool, outside pool, slides, restaurants, huge breakfast buffet included and the hotel room was reasonably priced. We spent two days there, and we had a blast. I swear, the kids became fish. They didn't want to leave the pools or the beach. Even though it was 20 minutes away from our house, I felt like I was on vacation somewhere else. It was very easy to get into that vacation mind set.
Notable mentions:
Breakfast buffet::
When I booked our hotel our buffet was included. I always love when this is included because breakfast is usually the only meal that I know for sure we will eat when we go on vacation. Throughout the day if we are sightseeing, beaching, pooling, we forget about time and we usually consume snacks rather then meals. This buffet was huge,lots of selection and pretty good food. They had traditional Japanese and American breakfast options. There were also lots of fruit and veggies. The options changed daily, which is nice! So we started our days with a good hearty meal to keep us going for our long days.
Rooms:
The basic rooms, which is what we booked, was actually not too bad. Especially in Japan! We've been to a few Japanese hotels and most of the time the rooms are pretty tiny. Our room was small, but good enough. We had 2 beds, a pull out bed, couch, coffee table, and mini fridge. I was really surprised with the room. I was thinking it would be tiny. But it was a good enough size to fit all 4 of us comfortably.
Pools:
The hotel had 2 pools, one inside and one outside. Both had areas for smaller children and water slides. The outside pool did have a waterfall. The kids loved going under it. It was nice that there was the option of inside and outside. Sometimes outside it was way too hot, Oki summers can be pretty brutal. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves at both pools.
Memories:
I know this sounds cheesy, I dont care!!! We made lots of memories that weekend. I loved seeing the huge smiles from my kids. I loved seeing M relaxed and enjoying himself. It was so much fun going with all our friends. I honestly was afraid when we were planning it, I thought it was going to be a mad house. In the end, it was the more the merrier. We kicked off summer with a bang! I'm so excited for all the fun stuff this summer has to come!
Labels:
family fun,
family photos,
family time,
family vacation,
Japan,
okinawa,
onna,
SAHM,
staycation,
the Rizzan hotel
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Jensen Cookie Bash
One of my fave things to do around the holidays is decorating cookies. It's not just Christmas season, I love to decorate cookies any holiday! New Years, Valentine's day, St. Patricks day... You name a holiday I will bake and decorate cookies. They aren't the nest cookies! lol but I have fun doing them with the kids. So I've always wanted to do a cookie decorating party, I find that Christmas is one of the best times to have one.
Last year I actually had a precursor to this cookie decorating extravaganza. We had a big potluck for Christmas with our Oki fam and for dessert I brought cookies and decorating stuff. It was nuts, we had about 15-20 kids {we have a big Oki fam} and no real adult supervision but myself . The other adults were there but they were occupied with real dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I could tell the kids were loving it. That's when I decided that we would do the real deal next Christmas .
Fast forward to Dec 2013. This time we had a party at our house. I baked about 60 cookies and bought all the fixins to make a mean Christmas cookie. We had a bunch of kids and my table wasn't big enough for them to decorate all at the same time, so we did shifts. It was super fun. I know the kids were having a blast. All the parents looked worried about sugar overdose! lol The lil kids mainly were just eating all the decor. Haha. The kids decorated 2 cookies each. I did cutout sugar cookies of gingerbread men, snowmen, Santas, snowflakes, and just plain round cookies. The kids were able to choose the shape of cookie. Luckily we had enough of each shape and none of the kids were sad they didn't get a certain one. I made all the kids wrap up their creations and take them home. They didn't need anymore sugar. So final verdict, we will keep this as a family tradition. It was so much fun and I love seeing the creative side of the kids. I think next year I will add a hot cocoa bar :)
Last year I actually had a precursor to this cookie decorating extravaganza. We had a big potluck for Christmas with our Oki fam and for dessert I brought cookies and decorating stuff. It was nuts, we had about 15-20 kids {we have a big Oki fam} and no real adult supervision but myself . The other adults were there but they were occupied with real dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I could tell the kids were loving it. That's when I decided that we would do the real deal next Christmas .
Fast forward to Dec 2013. This time we had a party at our house. I baked about 60 cookies and bought all the fixins to make a mean Christmas cookie. We had a bunch of kids and my table wasn't big enough for them to decorate all at the same time, so we did shifts. It was super fun. I know the kids were having a blast. All the parents looked worried about sugar overdose! lol The lil kids mainly were just eating all the decor. Haha. The kids decorated 2 cookies each. I did cutout sugar cookies of gingerbread men, snowmen, Santas, snowflakes, and just plain round cookies. The kids were able to choose the shape of cookie. Luckily we had enough of each shape and none of the kids were sad they didn't get a certain one. I made all the kids wrap up their creations and take them home. They didn't need anymore sugar. So final verdict, we will keep this as a family tradition. It was so much fun and I love seeing the creative side of the kids. I think next year I will add a hot cocoa bar :)
Labels:
christmas,
Cookie decorating,
family time,
holidays,
Navy Wife,
okinawa,
party,
SAHM,
toddler activites,
winter break
Thursday, December 26, 2013
'Twas the Night before Christmas...
Another Christmas down. Our third one in Oki. I'm not sure what it was about this year, but I felt a little off. Christmas wasn't as Christmas as usual?! I just didn't feel so spirited I guess. I really feel like it just crept up so fast! Like...I just put up the tree and BAM it's time to open gifts! Well, this year I added two more traditions to our Christmas season, 1. Elf on a shelf and 2. Jensen cookie bash (cookie decorating party).
Elf on a Shelf
Jensen Cookie Bash
Christmas was the usual Oki festivity. Our Oki fam got together on Christmas eve and had a big potluck in one of the tower rec rooms. We had a grand old time. I love getting dressed up and eating to my hearts content. Good thing I wore an outfit that was forgiving if I ate a lil too much. For our party, each parent brought a gift for their kids from "Santa".The gifts were handed out and the kids went nuts. Lol. Keeps em' occupied for the rest of the evening. Then the adults do our white elephant. Always a lot of fun! It's funny to watch grown women fight over gifts. Haha Well no real fighting went on, there were some dirty gift steals tho. It's all fun and games.
Elf on a Shelf
Jensen Cookie Bash
Growing up, Christmas Eve was always the bigger festive day. We always had our parties on Christmas Eve. We would go to midnight mass, then open gifts when we got home. Christmas Day, we would eat all day and play with our new toys. For my family now it's sorta the same. We have a party or big dinner on Christmas Eve, then we open gifts after. On Christmas morning we open gifts from Santa and our stockings. Essentially we celebrate Christmas in 2 days. Lol
Christmas was the usual Oki festivity. Our Oki fam got together on Christmas eve and had a big potluck in one of the tower rec rooms. We had a grand old time. I love getting dressed up and eating to my hearts content. Good thing I wore an outfit that was forgiving if I ate a lil too much. For our party, each parent brought a gift for their kids from "Santa".The gifts were handed out and the kids went nuts. Lol. Keeps em' occupied for the rest of the evening. Then the adults do our white elephant. Always a lot of fun! It's funny to watch grown women fight over gifts. Haha Well no real fighting went on, there were some dirty gift steals tho. It's all fun and games.
After the party we headed home. Mills stayed up the whole way because she wanted to open her gifts. I couldn't believe it! This year was fun, Nolan got in on the present opening. Last year he was more interested in the wrapping paper and bows. Mills , of course, is a pro at opening gifts. Good thing I decided to just record the present opening, because she just ripped right through them all . It was so awesome to watch their lil faces light up with joy when the opened their gifts. I especially loved the squeals from Nolan! We didn't end up sleeping till 2 am that morning. Too much excitement. It was a great day. Now the countdown is on for Christmas 2014 lol
Labels:
Christmas Eve,
Christmas tradition,
family time,
festivities,
Filipino,
holiday party,
holiday routine,
holiday season,
military life,
mommy life,
SAHM
Monday, November 11, 2013
Churaumi Aquarium & Pizza in the Sky
What a busy weekend we had! I really had nothing planned for this weekend; there were baskets of laundry, messy rooms, and an unorganized kitchen calling my name. None of that got done! Usually I would freak out at that notion, but we had a good weekend exploring Okinawa. Much of the time our weekends are spent doing the usual, so its nice to go out and do explore.
Saturday we went to the aquarium. Third largest aquarium in the world after Dubai and Georgia. We've been before, but this was the first time with Nolan. It was a weekend day but it actually wasn't too packed. My fave part is seeing the whale sharks. The tank that they are in is gigantic! It's just so unreal to see them so close and just swimming about. The kids were mesmerized by them. Their little faces just looked so curious. It was so adorable. In every single tank Mills looked for Nemo or Dori. Haha She successfully found Nemo 4 times.
For an early dinner we headed to Pizza in the Sky. We have never been there before but heard great reviews. Pizza in Japan is definitely different. Its delicious, but I know many people who don't really like it. Anyways, we heard that the view is to die for, the pizza is delish, but the wait is a monster. So we prepared ourselves for a long wait. When we got there we got seated right away and after ordering our food it took about 5 min. Maybe we were lucky, maybe we came at the right time, either way this place got 5 starts from us. We ordered a pepperoni pizza for the kids and a "mix" pizza for Morgan and I, oh and a salad.
All in all great and fun filled Saturday!
Saturday we went to the aquarium. Third largest aquarium in the world after Dubai and Georgia. We've been before, but this was the first time with Nolan. It was a weekend day but it actually wasn't too packed. My fave part is seeing the whale sharks. The tank that they are in is gigantic! It's just so unreal to see them so close and just swimming about. The kids were mesmerized by them. Their little faces just looked so curious. It was so adorable. In every single tank Mills looked for Nemo or Dori. Haha She successfully found Nemo 4 times.
For an early dinner we headed to Pizza in the Sky. We have never been there before but heard great reviews. Pizza in Japan is definitely different. Its delicious, but I know many people who don't really like it. Anyways, we heard that the view is to die for, the pizza is delish, but the wait is a monster. So we prepared ourselves for a long wait. When we got there we got seated right away and after ordering our food it took about 5 min. Maybe we were lucky, maybe we came at the right time, either way this place got 5 starts from us. We ordered a pepperoni pizza for the kids and a "mix" pizza for Morgan and I, oh and a salad.
All in all great and fun filled Saturday!
Labels:
Churaumi aquarium,
day trip,
exploring,
family fun,
family time,
Japan,
mommy blogger,
Navy Wife,
okinawa,
pizza in the sky,
saturday fun
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Happy FIRST Birthday Nolan!!
Nolan’s FIRST
Birthday!
What a momentous occasion! I honestly can’t believe how fast
that year went. My baby isn’t so much a
baby anymore.
We moved to an actual HOUSE! {more on that later} So we had
Nolan’s first Birthday party at hour new house.
We’ve never been able to have a
party at any of the places we lived because it was always too small. I’m so happy to finally be in a house that we
can have parties at....LOVE IT!
Anyways we had our Oki fam over and it was great. I was so happy we didn’t have to lug all our
food and décor to some hall or park. It
is such a burden. Having a party at the
house was so much easier and less stress, if I forgot something luckily I was
at my house! Haha The party was real simple.
Good food + good company= good party.
We had a great time. We had a Toy
Story theme party. Nolan had a blast, especially
during cake time.
Labels:
family time,
first birthday,
happy birthday,
infant,
military life,
nolans first birthday,
okinawa,
party,
SAHM,
todler
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Saturday Night at the Movies
Movie: Argo
Rating: ***(out of 5)
Labels:
Argo,
family time,
Japan,
okinawa,
Saturday night at the movies
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Okinawa Zoo
Had a short hiatus from updating. Morgan took some time off work and we spent
our days hanging out and doing activities with the kids. I got lazy and didn’t do any updates while he
was on leave, but I had so much to write about since we were doing stuff about
every other day!
On to the Zoo...
The weather has been really excellent lately so we decided
to spend the day at the zoo and kids museum.
I love going to the zoo. I grew
up in San Diego, and going to the zoo was a big deal. It’s not called The World Famous San Diego
Zoo for nothing!! I mean they breed
pandas there like it’s nobody’s business.
To see everything at the San Diego zoo would probably take 2 days, 3 if
you have small children. But not all
zoos are created equal. The zoo in Oki is pretty small. To see it all would only take about a few
hours. It’s a nice short day trip, totally
doable by myself if Morgan were gone on deployment. A lot of the animal cages are small. I know Amelia has a great time because you
can get super close to the animals since their living enclosures are
small. The only bad thing was that we
went in the middle of the day and most of the animals were sleeping. It was kind of funny because Amelia kept
yelling at them to wake up. She had a
great time. Nolan slept for the most
part. It was a great afternoon.
Labels:
7 months,
activities,
family time,
Japan,
Navy Wife,
okinawa,
Toddler,
Update,
zoo
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