Our Okinawa Family(14 adults, 20 kids, and 1 oven to feed us all)
Thanksgiving was full of pinch-myself moments. You know, those times when you find yourself thinking how unbelievably great life is. So I took lots of pictures to remind myself that sometimes the unbelievable is part of life on an island.
Way back in August we reserved a bunch of cottages at a nearby resort for Thanksgiving break with our Okinawa family. The cottages had tile floor and didn't resemble a bomb shelter so I was in heaven the moment we stepped inside. The kids were in heaven as soon as they realized they had the entire street and playground all to themselves and a beach within walking distance. They spent their time riding bikes, running in and out of their friends' cabins, and basically enjoying no parent supervision.
Every night the adults gathered for pie and played games until it was way past my bedtime. Don't worry, the kids were sleeping peacefully while being monitored by baby monitors, web cams, walkie talkies, and cordless phones.
Our cottage
Sunrise on Thanksgiving day
Thanksgiving day football, of course.
The beach and yes, the water was really that blue
While the turkey baked, we played
While the turkey baked, we played
Getting plowed by the waves
Turkey time!
The food table with enough food to feed us for 3 meals
The post-dinner scavenger hunt
The post-dinner scavenger hunt
The nightly pajama party and movie
It's not going to be the same without the Balls. We are sooo lucky to be considered Oki family with the Balls.
ReplyDeleterob
how in the world did you get all those kids to sit for that great picture?
ReplyDeleteFriends that turn into family are the best!
Wow Mel, that looks like so much fun! I'm glad you took lots of pics to remember it.
ReplyDeleteYour picture of everyone was awesome! We sure miss our friends from Okinawa! We had a quiet Thanksgiving this year with just the 3 of us at home. It is fun to see the pictures you have taken and posted thanks for taking the time to blog!
ReplyDeleteMike and Annette Sly
Yes, Okinawa is quite unbeleivable!!! It actually seems more like a distant dream now... I am just soo glad i realized how magical that place is the day i stepped off the plane! I loved every day of all 6 years on that itty bitty rock! We loved the cottages and had sooo much fun there with friends! Glad you guys are having such a wonderful time! Especially with the heartache you have had while living there!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a memorable thanksgiving!
ReplyDeletewhat a memorable thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete