A very sad goodbye

The military life can be adventurous, but it is every bit as difficult. The girls said a very tough goodbye to their best friend Kiera, this summer. She lived across the street and they spent every waking moment together.

We met up with her at the base passenger terminal to say our last goodbyes. Ella is usually very stoic, while Eva wears her emotions on her sleeve, but the suffering is the same. 

The good news is, Kiera is moving back to Utah, so I'm sure our paths will cross again. So, as we say in the Air Force, this is not a "goodbye", but a "see ya later". 

The C-130 formation practice

Eva and I happened upon a C-130 launch and pulled over to watch. Ten aircraft were taking off in formation for a practice exercise.

It was pretty exciting seeing them all. Also, very loud and windy! 

We love being able to be so  "up close and personal" with all of these aircraft. Living on an air base, does have its perks. 

The Pied Piper

Ella has been dying to try her hand at acting, so we were very excited to see that the Missoula Children's Theater was coming to town. This group tours and puts an entire play on in one week. It's a great way to give kids a taste of what performing is all about.

The auditions were on Monday, and the show was the following Saturday. Here are the auditions, it was quite fun to watch, actually.

Ella was cast as the "sassy town kid". She had some lines and she really loved delivering them. 

Eva was cast as a rat. She was not excited about this, but she did a great job.

The 1 hour show was darling. They did such a great job for 1 week of rehearsals. 

I love how Eva is right in step with the teacher here. her dance training is paying off! 

Ella thoroughly loved the entire experience and is eager to find more opportunities to act. Eva liked it too, but said she prefers dance recitals.

 My beautiful rat. 

Making a bento box

 The library on base hosted a bento box activity, where the girls were able to assemble their own box.

Bento consists of very 'kawaii' foods, presented in an equally 'kawaii' way. 

It was a fun afternoon. 

Golf camp

The girls took several sessions of the kids gold camp on base this summer. They really enjoyed it!

Ella bogeyed her last hole on the final day of camp. 

Now the whole family is getting into it, and we are spending a few nights a week at the course. 

Yokota's Amazing Race-family edition

We entered the family Amazing Race on base, which consisted of running around base to six different locations and completing the challenge. The girls are ready to go!

Receiving our first clue... 

Making origami cranes was DIFFICULT!  We finally you-tubed it, and that helped a lot! 

Then we had to translate directions into Japanese at the community center. As well as, set a banquet table,  do a few physical challenges and then race back to the mat.

This is how we reacted to placing 9th.... (Of 17 teams, and most of them had older teens, so not too bad, but still.... 9th). 

And a bag full of swag to finish. It was a very fun activity, that we will do again.

Vacation Bible School- Yokota Chapel 2015

We always look forward to VBS week, and this year the girls invited their friend Kiera. There was a Mt. Everest theme.

I was supposed to help in the kitchen, but was reassigned upon arrival, to a group of kindergarten BOYS! I about cried, but they ended up being very sweet boys. 

The designated offering this year, was to raise money for bibles to send to kids in Thailand. The girls decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money. They raised $43 in 2 hours! I was very proud of them. 

The kids always have such a great time and learn more about our Lord and Savior, each and every day. 

Praise and worship hour is always a favorite! 

Time flies

Wow! These passport pictures were taken two years apart. What a difference! Makes me sad....

A home for a beetle

In Japan, finding a beetle is a sign of good luck. So, consider the girls lucky! They found a big rhinoceros beetle and spent the rest of the afternoon making him a nice home.

Kayoko's School of Ballet spring recital 2015

We had a great spring recital for ballet this year, and we ALL participated. Well, except for Matt! 

Fun at rehearsals with friends.

Eva was chosen to dance a solo this year. She did a "doll dance", and was fabulous. I was very proud of her for learning the dance in very short notice, and performing so well.

Eva was a fairy with her class, in the Sleeping Beauty production, as well.

The costumes were rented from a professional ballet company in Tokyo, and were just amazing!

And, last but not least, Eva performed a tap number with her class, as well.

Miss Kayoko asked Ella to be a "guest at the party", for the Sleeping Beauty production, even though she was not enrolled in class at the time. Ella loved performing and decided to take ballet in the fall. 

I kept trying to pull the shoulders of this costume up, but Ella insisted that this is the way they should be worn!

I also performed a sassy Spanish-style solo, to a Don Quixote variation. 

And my class did a fun jive number to "Jump, Jive and Wail". I really love these ladies. 

I was also the "queen" for the Sleeping Beauty production. Whew, we had seven costumes to keep track of that day! 

And, here is the entire group. 

And, also my dear friend and teacher, Kayoko. I feel so blessed to have her in my life, and at 59, she is STILL a wonderful dancer and performer!