Rest In Peace.

The phone rang this morning, and it was Craig's brother. I could tell by the crackle in his voice that I needed to get him out of the shower immediately.

We got the news that Craig's father was in a car crash today and passed away. We are quickly planning a trip home as we speak.

Mia's doing amazingly well - when we told her, she started crying with us and said, "I want to go HOME, I want to go HOME!" - she meant to San Diego. Poor thing. We all want to go home when something awful happens.

I'm very happy she got to spend the time she did with her Grandpa before we came to Okinawa. I'm also glad he didn't suffer. We should be on our way to Ohio tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.

I also have to mention how very lucky we are to have the family we do - both at home and here in Okinawa. I can feel your amazing vibes and prayers, and not one person who found out hasn't offered their help or anything at all we need. Thank you, from all of us.

I Shot A Model!

I was fortunate enough to shoot with Suwanee this past week and have been literally ANGRY every time I have to leave my computer because I'm enjoying getting to play with these shots. The light at this location was delightful and the model - well, you can see. She's just a knockout. Thanks, R - you were so fun to be around and chat with in addition to photographing! And thanks, Suwanee- I can't wait to do it again.





More soon! Off to a soccer game.

A Few To Tide Ya' Over

An adorable pair of siblings on Kokusai playing with bubbles.

Cool textured buildings in an alley.

A pineapple photo I played with a bit.

CoCo Curry House - Good smell. Good curry. How true.
More photos on my flickr site, if you're interested.

Purim was last week. Jewish holiday consisting of a bad guy with a 3-cornered hat. Cookies called hamentaschen are made - 3-cornered cookies filled with fruit butter. I had a bit of a cooking party with the kids in the annex kitchen! It was such fun. The kids were a blast.
I'm quite sure I'll have video of this soon, but since acquiring the game Rock Band for the PS3 we have formed a band. Craig on drums, Aviva on guitar, and Mia - a really excellent vocalist. She's getting to know songs by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ramones, Rolling Stones, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, and Radiohead to name a few.

Back when she first started getting into the soundtrack of Once (last summer), she would sing "Falling Slowly" at the top of her lungs - the lyrics are:

"Take this sinking boat
and point it home
we've still got time..."

One day I noticed she was singing quite soulfully... "Take this sinking goat and point it home..."

Our band name in Rock Band is now: sinking goat. Coolest. Band. Ever.

The Bunny Cookie

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. SO many more photos to post, but this must tide you over until I get some time to myself with my Mac....

Heard This Morning

Mia's at the table eating cereal. Craig was still here because he had to stop on a closer base before going to work.

"Mia's hair looks like Bon Jovi's hair first thing in the morning." (It kinda does... now that it's shorter, it actually sticks up in the morning after she's slept on it.)

I grabbed a little water spray bottle to fix it, and Mia pouts and whines. "Mooooooooommmmmm! I don't like it when you wet my hair to do that. Because then I go to school, and my friends all say, 'Eeeeeewww, you got all naked and took a shower!'"

I'm laughing and she's crying at this point.

"Mia, just tell them 'eeeeww... you don't shower?' and they'll be quiet." Although I'm pretty sure she made that up anyway because her hair will be dry by the time she gets on the bus. Just another excuse to complain. Sometimes the arguments are just ....creative.

The Fam

I have a bunch of fun pictures from the weekend, we went to Kokusai Street in Naha and to Comprehensive Park too. Though I have some interesting "stuff" pictures, I also have some family shots - this post is about that. I know you've gotten to know our crazy kid through this blog, here are a few more shots of her, one of Craig and (gasp!) even myself in some of these for a change.

Here I am with Mia, ready to enjoy a gorgeous day.

Loving my 20 chins in this one... but whatever. I think I got the pose right.

These phone booths are too cool... and I love that bright green color of the phone!

Craig bought a Pepsi from a street vendor because "Pepsi from a glass bottle tastes better" - not sure I disagree, it's pretty darn good.

After Kokusai Street we went to Comprehensive Park where Mia played on this crazy jungle gym.

The kids love it.

And then the ever popular tire swing.

As the sun was setting it was low tide and we snapped a couple by the tide pools.

More pictures in the next day or two.

Random Thought...

What kind of gifts do you think Dr. Phil gives to Oprah? What exactly says, "Thank you for giving me a life!"