Fukugawa Falls and Cape Zanpa

We've had a couple of great weekends here in Okinawa!  The weather has been perfect so we took advantage of the nice days and got out as much as we could.  We haven't done a whole lot of hiking around here, which has been on our list of things to do/explore before leaving this summer.  Now that Quinn is as big as she is and...well, it's not blazing hot, we finally bought a hiking carrier and love it.

Last weekend we took an hour drive up north to Nago to Fukugawa Falls.  We were worried we wouldn't find it very well, but with a "dropped pin" and some windy roads, we made it.  The hike wasn't as long as we were hoping, but the end result was more than we were expecting!  It was beautiful.  We threw rocks in the water, made a fire, and just enjoyed the sounds of nature.  Much different than the "city" living we do here in Chibana/Okinawa City.  It was peaceful and so relaxing.

Today, we went back to our old stomping grounds in Yomitan and explored a few off-beaten paths on the running trail we used to run from our house.  The views at Cape Zanpa never get old and again, now that we have Quinn in the carrier, we can do so much more and let her see all the great views from different points, as well.  I think she was quite amazed today :)

Feeding the goats after our hike. 

Random iPhone Update

Time is sure flying by here in Okinawa.  I will save the "Quinn" post and all of her happenings for her 18 month blog on January 1st.  In the meantime, wanted to clean my phone and post some pictures of all the fun times we've had this month!  Today we ran the infamous "Huinker Thanksgiving Mile Run"  Tony, of course, took the title - with many close times amongst the rest of us.  My prediction for next year is Tony 1st, my nephew Max will take 2nd.
We should find out in the next week or two when and where we will be stationed after leaving Okinawa.  We are hoping we can leave in June, but it could be July.  Sounds like there's a high possibility it'll be southern California!  Enjoy a few random pictures!

Our friend and neighbor, Will.  We always seem to be walking to the park when he is on his way home from the bus stop.  Quinn runs with open arms to him.  It's pretty cute.  Check out the narrow road in the background.  It's a 2-way street.

Date night to the Marine Corps Ball.  No, Quinn didn't come with us.  Thankfully! :)

Snack break at the mall with mom and dad.

Cement slides are huge here in Okinawa.  They are so fun even for me!

Common occurrence when we go to the beach.  No thanks, Quinn. 

We have gotten into the habit of letting this girl up on the counter.  Partly because it's way easier than having her whine at my legs forever when i'm cooking.  She loves to sit up on the ledge (there's a bar behind this ledge) and watch me cook dinner.  She helps me stir, too and has learned very quickly what the word "careful" means after some tough lessons in the kitchen ;)

Strollers are not meant for babies for this girl - only basketballs.  If we let her sleep with this basketball, she would.

Mommy and Quinn dinner date while Dad was on duty.

My friend, Natalie and her cutie Paxton. It was a hot morning but we made a good hike on camp shields!

Love these 2!

Quinn's new friend Ryan that we play with at the park.  He watches her while I shoot hoops on the other side of the park.  He's awesome and very attentive to Quinn.

Looks like a natural, but she's not ;)

First time wearing her "skinny" jeans.  Our first "cold" day here in Okinawa, too!  It was high of 68 and we were freezing!  WIMPS. 

Jammin' to Daddy's running music.

I have no words besides YUCK

Thanksgiving mile #? 11? complete.

First Halloween

This scary lion had a blast tonight!  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  The rain held off and it was a perfect, windy and cool evening for the kids.

 I originally wanted this lion to be a flamingo, but Target sold out of them before I could seal the deal!  Luckily my friend Natalie had a cute lion on hand for Ms. Quinn to wear :-)  We headed to Camp Shields (just down the road - where Natalie and her family live) and started walking the neighborhood around 6pm.  Quinn was so interested in what was going on, how people were dressed, and who these crazy people were!  This didn't stop her from loving all the candy.  Her first stop she tried taking the entire bowl that the gentleman was giving out :) She caught on pretty quick.  After a couple times going to the door with her and saying the magic words, she had it under control.  When we would let her down, she would reach for her pail and head right on up to the door.  Sometimes a bit hesitant depending on what the people were dressed as.  I can't blame her!

I have to admit, Halloween has NEVER been my thing, but after tonight - I'm hooked.  Kids make it so much fun!  Here are a few pics of our pumpkin carving last week that dad surprised us with and our roarin' lion with her "incredible" friends tonight ;)

Bringing the pumpkins home from the store.  She lifted these heavy pumpkins for about a half hour straight.  Move them to one place, move them back, move again, etc.  I wonder if she was sore the next day! :)

Finished product.  Good work DAD!!!!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

Natalie and Paxton (13 months)

Gabriel (4) striking a pose :)

The gang

Ella (6), Natalie, Paxton, Quinn, and Gabriel

Not the warmest welcome for Quinn.  She wouldn't go up to this man for candy. ;)

Tuckered out, past our bedtime, and just wanted to sit in the middle of the sidewalk and look at all her yummy candy she worked for!  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE BROWNS!!!!!