Tim's Ship Visit

Tim left for deployment again...I guess I should start getting used to saying that. This is only the second time of many, many more. But I don't think it will get any easier the more we do it. The special part this time though, is that we got to see two of our friends baptize their children at sea and we got a little tour of the ship! I now know where and what Tim talks about. I thought it would be harder for me to see his living conditions but I actually feel better knowing. He wore his dress blues for the baptism ceremony (very sexy by the way) and I thought it was so cool how almost everybody in uniform saluted him. He told me they are not allowed to let their salute down until after he does. Wow...such power. But he hates it. He says he tries to look away and not make eye contact in hopes they won't do it. He said he would be an awful celebrity because he can't take the spotlight or be "held on a pedestal". Such modesty!!

Penelope Valentine Hawley-Praske

Nathan Charles Brownfield

P cubed...Tim Platz, Steve Praske, and Travis Polk

Looking back on Okinawa from the flight deck.

This was supposed to be the last picture...but I'm just an amateur blogger so whatever.

Caption: What Tim will be looking at a lot over the next several weeks or months.

Playing doctor on an OR table.

Noah playing "dead"

My 3 boys in Tim's berthing room (bedroom). He shares it with 4 other guys.

Tim's bed. It's only as wide as his sleeping bag and as long as maybe 6 feet. Definitely not his queen sized he's used to at home.

Noah thought this was Tim's bed he slept in. No joke. He really asked Tim if he slept there!! About the same size though!!

It is your job to go to away,

Across the oceans, blue and gray.

You are a sailor proud and strong,

But why does it hurt when you're gone so long?

Be it a month, a week, a day

It's all the same when you're away.

A sailor you will always be,

Heeding the callings of the sea.

I watch you leave with heavy heart,

Hating that we'll be apart.

But thoughts of you I'll always carry,

And try my best to be bright, and merry.

I love you more and more each day

And wouldn't have it another way.

I love my sailor, I wait, I yearn,

Until the day that you return.

Fun days at the parks!!

Oh so beautiful...sunny and 70 on this day.

There is a sign that says "Kids Only" for the zipline, but Tim and I figure if you're a kid at heart that must mean the same thing.

My turn...yipee!!!


The kids posing before they enter the big ship on Araha Beach!

This is the beautiful China Sea on a sunny day!

And this is the big ship park!!

Climbing up the side...

Oops...random picture of Tim smoking a cigar. He is with Travis and Steve...only a few nights before departure on the big grey floaty thing. Good pic though, eh?

A new day at "The Spot" park. Fun day full of slides, swings, golf and baseball...

Tim is the pitcher, Noah the batter, and Elijah is the catcher.

Four!!

Putting on the green...

Whee!!!

Playing catch!!

The man that makes everything happen...

Our new step tansu...a must have furniture item in Asia.

And the other must have furniture piece!...Our new bar!!

Family Pictures 2009

Family pictures were taken at Nakagusuku Castle Ruins. Noah was obsessed with the dandelions and Elijah was hammin' it up for the camera on command...as usual. We are very happy with the results of the images!! Sorry about the copyright on these pics-the full resolution ones without it were to big to upload.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

This aquarium is the 2nd largest in the world...the biggest being in Atlanta. It is 7,500 cubic meters and holds 1,981,290 gallons of water. There is a touch pool where Noah of course dove in like a crazy man and soaked his shirt from the sleeves all the way to the armpits. There were exhibits with all kinds of sea life, a dolphin pool with dolphin shows, sea turtle exhibits, and an awesome shark exhibit. We saw a documentary on the waters and sea life surrounding Okinawa--we had to wear headphones that translated it into English. We loved seeing the whale sharks, great white sharks, and HUGE manta rays. After seeing all of the sea animals, the kids played in a huge park full of rope mesh like mazes and hills. We definitely had a blast. But we couldn't end the day there. My friend Loralei took us on another adventure to eat pizza in the sky! I don't know how we got there but after a lot of wrong turns and going down 5ft wide 2 way streets we finally made it. The pizza was cheese, peppers, onions, sausage pepperoni and corn...it was yummy!!

A view from Pizza in the Sky...get why they call it "Pizza in the Sky"??

Elijah and his BFF, Olivia.


"Cheese!"

Noah climbing like a monkey.

Elijah having a blast...

A view from inside the park looking towards the entrance.

Cute kids...

How'd you like that for a job??

Besties...

That's us minus 1 kid...he must be wherever Olivia is....

Mr. Wonderful

Mr........

Noah seems to be excited about something...

Noah and Elijah's favorite animal....I think it's some sort of lobster???

Where is Max in all these pictures??

(Max is Olivia's little brother and Noah's friend.)

Not at the aquarium anymore but out on the seawall. This wall is the only thing separating us from the big China Sea....I love to read all of the graffiti....

My boys looking out into the big blue sea. The Pacific Ocean is on the other side of the island, where we live.

He's just so cute. I had to close with this face!