Traveling Japan -- Shiraishi Island

Over Golden Week we decided to go with another family for a little getaway to Shiraishi Island. This small little fishing village is 25 minutes away by ferry from Okayama. This is the perfect place if you want peace, quiet and to get away from the daily life.

We stayed at the International Villa, which consists of 4 western bedrooms and 1 tatami room. We were the only ones staying there so we had the whole house to ourselves, which was perfect for making meals. There is one restaurant, a beach bar that is open seasonally, a small liquor store for beer and sake and a tiny grocery store.  You can walk through the houses, admiring all the small gardens along the way.

Beach season in Japan is typically July - mid-August so we didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone with our six energetic kids. (Not that the beach on Shiraishi Island ever gets really crowded given its location) The kids had a blast running, playing in the sand, finding a few cool starfish and even doing a bit of rock climbing.

While the kids enjoyed playing on the beach, the adults enjoyed hanging at the Moo Bar. The typical opening season for the Moo Bar isn't until June, but the owners had a special opening just for Golden Week. Needless to say, we were very excited. There were a few other "island guests" besides us and we really enjoyed talking to the owner, who happens to also be from Ohio! (Small world, huh?)

There are only about 500 people living in Shiraishi Island. Since it was so small, we were able to walk or ride bikes around the whole island easily.  Chris really enjoyed riding a bike around, while Sami and Caleb prepared for the next season of Survivor tryouts.

The last day we decided to try a small hike that was recommended to us. What we thought would be quick and easy turned into a 3 hour hike.

Sadly our time was over before we knew and it was back to the "city" for us.  You can see many more pictures from our time here.

Wakayama - Shirahama

We took our first "road trip" in Japan on Saturday. We decided for our first road trip to start small so we went to Shirahama in the Wakayama prefecture. It took us about 2.5 hours via car to get there. And amazingly we did not got lost, even though we had a navigation system that we haven't figured out how to use yet and directions written in Japanese.

The area was just amazing. We enjoyed climbing rocks all around the area, as well as the cliffs of Sandan-peki and the Senjo-jiki Rock Tableland.











We also checked out Engetsu-to Island (you can't go to the Island) and then spent the rest of the day at the Shirara-hama Beach.






You can see all 300 pictures from our day here.

It was an amazing and beautiful experience. We already are planning our next trip back!

Feeling Beachy

This past weekend Emily's friend from gymnastics invited Emily, myself, my mom and another friend and her mom to their beach house as a final get away for the girls before we leave. The weather was nice (60s on Saturday and 50s on Sunday) and we had a blast just hanging out and goofing around.

These girls practice 5 days, 20+ hours a week together, plus sleepovers and other hanging out activities. They are more than friends, they are like sisters. I know it will be hard when we leave. Leaving the gym won't just be leaving friends, it will be leaving family. Don't pull out the Kleenex quite yet. Emily has already made plans for when we return this summer with them, plus has managed to sucker me into sending her to camp next summer with the team here.

Here is just a sneak peek into our short, yet incredibly fun trip.

Emily is considering changing her name to Dolly after this shot. I have no clue why.

We had such a wild and crazy night that we stayed in after dinner and us moms the girls sang some karaoke.

However there was some OJ, Skye Vodka and wine involved so by the end of the night the moms were doing gymnastics. And before you ask, no, this is NOT me.

Sunday morning the girls were nice enough to make us breakfast.


The girls took out the tandem bike, only for the chain to come off so we had to bring "Barney" to come fetch them.


My mom taking a walk down the beach.

Emily and I posing for a picture.

Emily running towards the water. Don't worry, she stopped once she hit the edge.


When you take gymnasts to the beach there is never any question if they will do any jumps and flips.

The girls stopped flipping to "stand" around.

We went to this restaurant in Swansboro for lunch that was filled with Elvis, Marylin Monroe and James Dean memorabilia. In fact Elvis even talked to you while you peed!

I think Emily's eyes popped out of her head when they brought her lunch. Those onion rings alone made me want to run for diet pill.

A Friend's A Friend Forever

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound." ~Diana Cortes

After 20 hours in the car on Monday, Jamie and the rest of the family finally made it to our house. It should have only taken about 14 hours, but when you blow a tire in Kentucky apparently you need to back track several towns and wait hours for your tire to be fixed.

We had an awesome week. For the first time, Mark came with Jamie and the kids to experience NC living. I think he actually enjoyed himself. Our week was jammed packed full of a trip to the beach, golfing, visiting the Farmers Market, shopping, lunches, working out (yes we even fit exercise into our visit!), a night out on the boat, and even getting Jamie's hair cut.

Sami and Hannah at the beach. I think they are well on their way to being best friends forever, wouldn't you agree?
Jamie and I on the golf course, with our pretty pink golf bags. Mark and Matt of course creamed us on the course, but hey at least we looked good doing it.

Jamie and her new haircut. I LOVE it!
The girls all decided to put on layers and slide down the steps over and over. What goobers.
Mark enjoying the waves.
Emily and Ashley tubing.
Mark tubing with his girls. Make sure you document this photo. It may never happen again.
Aren't they a cute couple? Jamie and I are trying hard to make sure we are related someday.
Jamie and I braved Matt's driving and decided to go for a spin too.
Even Matt joined in the festivities. Apparently I wasn't driving fast enough for Hannah.

It was a wonderful week and a few tears were shed as they pulled away late last night for their long drive home. I have been very blessed to have such a wonderful friend in my life. And I know no matter where we are, or which moving services either of us may be using, every time we get together, it is like we were never apart.

Thanks for an awesome week you guys. We already miss you.