Settling In & Stepping Out

Well, we have done a little more exploring off base. We found an Aeon shopping mall, same chain as what we had in Misawa just on a larger scale. It rivals an American Mall and includes U.S. stores like Eddie Bauer and GAP, plus it has a large grocery store. The kids enjoyed a Disney stand, you can see them sporting their Mickey and Minnie Mouse hats. Who needs Disneyland right? Ummm . . . no. I think a trip to Disneyland Tokyo is in our near future. We shall see. Gabe, following in daddy's footsteps, liked looking at the bikes. Walter is so excited for ours to arrive since biking is such a common method for getting around here. I have to admit, I am nervous about the traffic issues, as all we hear is how bikes explode out of no where! Seems like there's no more space for "more" bikes on the road, but I'm sure I'll see there indeed is. What else? Oh, we were again shocked by a trip to "Joyful Honda." It is a huge shopping center where dogs are apparently more than welcome to join in on the family shopping trip. The store is like a cross between IKEA, Super Walmart, and Home Depot. It also includes a pet store (hence all the dogs), and a meat market at the bottom level. Dogs are strolled around in carts, large wooden ones for Akitas and Dobermans, regular shopping carts (don't forget the pee pad) for the little guys. So, amidst the 80's music playing in the background, is the yapping of probably fifty percent of the store's customers' furry friends. The kids loved it. Especially the goat . . . yes, there was a goat in his very own pen at the pet store. Who would of expected that? Certainly not me! Monday Walter returned to work. It sounds like he is going to enjoy the job aspect of his assignment, I am thankful for that. It's always nice to like what you are doing everyday. Plus, he gets the biggest hugs from two of the cutest kids when he walks through the door. I know he likes that part best! The kids and I have been hanging out, playing in the front yard with various rocks and sticks, and inside the house with our little toy animals and play dough (shout out to Kate) . . . so glad that got to us. Oh, and I made my debut driving off base on Sunday. I do not remember being this nervous driving off base when we were here before, but this time I feel like I am going to drive into on coming traffic at any moment! I'm sure with time my nerves will subside, I just hope it's sooner than later!

Homecoming

The past two days have been very busy. We made got into our house and officially have a place to call home. Seems like we run here and there and while we don't go far, we get a fair bit accomplished. Most of it is gathering up stuff you need, like cleaning supplies, pet supplies, and household items you just need to have. One thing for sure is that moving sure can make the credit card get some exercise! Fortunately, Walter recognized some programs available and we were able to return some purchases, like linens and basic kitchen supplies. Thank you loan closet and linen closet. The kids were troopers as we dragged them here and there . . . thanks to our DVD player we probably squeezed a few more trips out of them than otherwise possible. We should have our first shipment of household items on Monday, and in the meantime, we've been able to start eating at home, sitting at a table, at the same time. What a nice concept!

The kids had a fun time playing in the snow, they still are enjoying it since it hasn't totally melted away. We notice they are slowly returning back to themselves a little each each day. Having Snoopy and Joey around make the house feel more like home too. The kids were ecstatic to have their pets back. Sory even allows herself be picked up by the kids if it means more physical attention. There's still so much to figure out. Picking up a phone and dialing isn't that simple on a base, gotta know the proper codes to dial this number or that. I have only made one voyage off base, I admit I am intimidated. People drive a lot faster here in tiny spaces! Perhaps tomorrow I'll try again . . . we'll see. Fortunately, Walter is totally at ease behind the wheel, so tomorrow we plan to go exploring. I'll close with this. The cold weather cleared the air and we have had some fantastic views of Mt. Fuji, or Fuji-san. I asked Walter just the other day, "So we have literally climbed up there and stood at the top of that?" The answer, being yes, made me feel like there are some exciting days in store for our little family here in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Hello Yokota, Ready or Not

Week One. Boy, what a change from Everett, Washington. I blinked and we are living a life not previously visited since 2004! Talk about culture shock. Perhaps more so than simply living in a different country, is the fact that we are back on a military base, living the military life style. Brown roofs and beige walls . . . and come to think of it, the grass (asleep for the winter) even matches this color scheme. Hmmm . . . .spring will be nice.
Since we landed and have managed to purchase a little van that seats eight (score!)AND is GREEN (double score!)! We purchased cell phones, and as of tomorrow, we'll be moving into our new home. Three good things about this are: 1) the house backs up to the locally famous street lined with cherry trees, 2) we can get our pets out of the kennel, and 3) it's on a corner which means more outside space. Then it's kind of a waiting game for our stuff to arrive. Genna's Big Mickey is highly anticipated!
We have managed a few trips off base. Gabe has used a Japanese style toilet (go Gabe!) and Genna has discovered the joy of the escalator. She. Loves. Them. Need more be said? Not only that, she insists she must do it by herself. SCARY. Need more be said? Plus, they are right at the entrance to the commissary! A perfect location for an independent two year old to pass by on a regular basis! I'm hoping her love affair with the escalators will ware off. LOL
Another fun fact, it does snow in Tokyo! I honestly couldn't remember and looking at the weather before we left the states, it looked pretty mild. Well, there is indeed snow on the ground this morning. I guess my research wasn't quite adequate. Thankfully, the previous owners of our van left their ice scrapper! Came in handy for Walter this morning!
I think the best part so far has been having good friends to welcome us in right from the start. Our friend's, Yuko and Mike, came to the airport to join our little welcoming committee. Seeing them made me feel like I had a little bit of home nearby. Their son is three and Genna has already deemed him, "My Kai." The three kids are pretty cute together.
Well . . . I guess that'll do it for a first post. Gotta start somewhere. I feel like there's so much I'm leaving out but I realize the point of these are to be brief. So for now, I'll sign off, but promise to have more pictures to share next time.

Oh, and one final note to share . . . the "Miller Family November Birthday Tradition" has been broken! #3 will make their debut this September!
Hugs to everyone! We surely do miss you all!