Mother Farm

After taking a short ferry ride (with amazing views!) across Tokyo Bay to Chiba, we made our way to Mother Farm. It's only the second time that I've been on a ferry that actually takes your car along and I was super excited about that (It's the little things!). We got a bit lost trying to follow the signs for the farm, but after many small, winding roads, we eventually made it there. The kids were starving so we immediately followed the enticing smell of roasted meats and veggies to the yakiniku restaurant. They also had a curry restaurant and an outdoor hotdog stand (They sold some kind of sausage on a stick w/o bread or anything which smelled amazing, but looked totally sketch!). 

After eating, the kids wanted to head straight to the horses and then see the sheep. It was such a perfect almost-Spring day and I can only imagine how beautiful the farm is once the flowers bloom! There are so many things to do here. We fed animals, rode the ponies, went on the go karts a few times, watched our friend bungee jump and rode the ferris wheel. The next time we're here, we have to pick strawberries, see some of the shows and maybe milk cows! We ended the day with fresh milk ice cream and then headed home. Can't wait to go back!  

Love my sheep!!

Yummy lamb chops, beef and veggies! 

He LOVED feeding the horses! 

He said that he was just like Woody!

C and I

Sliding together

Happy to take home a cow balloon

First trip to Kannonzaki Park...and first post!

 Hannita went off to Kamakura to shop with some friends, so I decided to take the kids somewhere. The goal was really just anywhere out of the house, but not too far away.  We ended up driving south on the 16 for about ten minutes and stopping here--Kannonzaki Park. Encompassing a very large area along the water, there was a small beach area, caves, tunnels, a lighthouse and apparently an amazing park (We didn't make it there this time). 

A map of the park on a fish-shaped stone.  

My finger is our starting point.  To the north is Tokyo bay

And we're off! Well, Coop is off.  Sam and I were just trying to catch up with him.  I think it was low tide so there were many exposed rocks along the shoreline along with great views of Tokyo Bay. Followed the path, we worked our way north (See my shadowy finger above!) and then to the east.   There were many distractions for the boys along the path.

Samuel was tired but hanging in there.

Coop was pretty fired up to lead the way.

Sam collecting sticks like Cooper.

When we returned to our starting point, the kids took their socks off and were able to get their toes in the sand.  Basically, Sam would sprint off towards the water and Coop would mosey toward it really slowly.  Soon Samuel will learn this effective method to not alarm the parent (me) while being able to soak his feet.

  

Our next trip there we will be to check out the lighthouse and park!!

A very "Chili" New Year's Day

Coop snapped this pic! 

Justin had to work on New Year's Eve and Day, but was able to get away for a little bit to have lunch with us (on base, of course).
Coop wanted to go to Chili's (even though he never eats it!) and I can never resist their buffalo chicken salad, so here we are enjoying a little taste of America as we celebrate the new year missing our friends and family from back home.

Sam's first Christmas

Halloween 2013

It wasn't a surprise to anyone that Cooper wanted to be Mario for halloween. We already had the hat so from there we put together an outfit to fit the look. Justin was Luigi and while we thought about making Sam a mushroom, he ended up being the giraffe (from Coop's very first halloween) and I was a lion, but my mom was also a lion so we shared the mane. 

All of that fun was such a blur! 

Stow Lake - San Francisco

Monterrey!!!

Good company + good food = good times! 

The Boardwalk

San Antonio w/ Team Ruiz

College Station 2012