MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OKINAWA

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Okinawa, Japan!

We are finally back on the radar after a two and a half year hiatus! Now we are counting down and preparing to depart this amazing island come July. In an attempt to keep it somewhat green this year and for the fact I did not manage to get cards out again, our Christmas wishes are coming to via the Internet!

We have found life on this wonderful island has far exceeded our every expectation. These last two and a half years have provided us with amazing new friends and travel to places we have only once dreamed of.

All of us have been staying busy, busy. Ty's job keeps him traveling often. He is getting the opportunity to see some very cool places and experience various cultures and their cuisine. He has made some good friends on his endeavours and will carry those memories with him always.

Brice is doing great here on the island. He is now in first grade. He completed his Kindergarten year at a local Montessori school out in town. He really enjoyed his school and has started getting a grasp of the language. Brice is also in Judo classes twice a week. He picked up his orange belt and is doing an incredible job keeping up with the big kids. He enjoys all the sports the Youth Sports Program has to offer here from T-Ball to football. He is getting good at swimming and loves the pools as well as the beach. He is snorkeling and loving seeing all the creatures the East China Seas has to offer!

Puppy Scout has adjusted to the island and loves to go the ballpark and retrieve pop- flies in the outfield. She loves her boy Brice and the two are inseparable. She is the little sister in the family.

Casey is enjoying the island too. Exploring the amazing restaurants here has been a real treat. Casey has been a substitute teacher at Brice's elementary schools on base. It is great fun as well as rewarding, as the enthusiasm the kids exude is infectious! There may be a career change in the future. Casey completed her SCUBA class and managed to get through the open water dive requirements after a major bout with motion sickness. Hiking may be the way to go from here on out.

We are all very happy to be in this amazing place. The people of Okinawa are very gracious and so accommodating with the Americans who are here. The island offers a beauty and culture that will remain with us forever. The tradition and spirit of the people of Okinawa is very humbling. It keeps us on track to live everyday with care and kindness for each other.

To all of our friends and family we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With lots of love and hugs!

Ty, Casey, Brice and Scout