Grandma and Grandpa's Visit

My parents, sister and two other brothers visited us here in Okinawa for three weeks

It was great fun to show them all of our favorite sites.

 The exotic BX food court

The pineapple park, butterfly park and aquarium were mandatory stops

This was the longest we've gone into summer without a typhoon and there were so many butterflies

 The weather was beautiful the entire visit (two typhoons missed the island)

 the touch pool

it was a pretty crowded day, with bus loads of Japanese vacationers, but they are so polite it was ok

 I can watch the big tank for a long time, but the kids usually cannot.

 We timed it to arrive at feeding time.

The whale sharks swim faster and faster and then go vertical as their feeding time approaches.

A great and full Motobu peninsula day. These two are playing in the hermit crab while wearing their crab outfits.

 

We spent a family night on Torii Beach; most excellent.

Then it was the 4th of July. We started the morning with a branch breakfast run by the youth then we took our family to American Village, followed by a BBQ at Uncle and Tia's

With the summer turnover, lots of people are leaving the branch. Our oldest said goodbye to his best friend at the 4th of July breakfast.

The pirates of American Village

We had to take the boys to a Japanese arcade

 sharp shooters

intense drivers (Aunt helps reach the pedals)

somewhere over the rainbow...

Much to everyone's delight, Grandpa grilled a lot

 Then a day down south to Shuri castle and Okinawa world

 A shisa at Shuri.

In front of Shuri castle gate

On the castle steps

cute kids

The king and queen and court at the castle

 Posing in the throne room

The castle dragon

Then we made our way to Okinawa World for the cave, snake show and dress up pics

 How is that for an unusual family picture?

 My good looking family

 The hats are what make it.

These hats rock, too!

 The obligatory ice cream stop

 Another great day

Then it was off to the Turtle Nest cabin at Okuma, the mil resort up north. It was big enough for all of us to be together under one roof

 scene of another BBQ

 This was the view out the front door, and as it was after the holiday weekend, we had the beach to ourselves.

 Not ugly

 

 My parents had a great time and even got up one morning and went swimming as a couple.

 Our idea of camping. If you look closely you can see us, but I wasn't kidding when I said we had the beach to ourselves. It was like our own private paradise.

 

 Amazing sunsets and beautiful family

 sunlight through the rock arch

 

 

 The next day we drove to Nakajin castle by way of Kouri island, a beautiful place connected to Okinawa by a bridge over turquoise water.

 Grandpa was kind enough to take these pictures.

 Then at Nakajin castle there was no festival or cherry blossoms, so parking was easy, but there were no people dressed up on the grounds. It was a beautiful day and we had the place almost to ourselves.

 My kids sure miss their Uncle Bob-Wah

 Up the steps to the amazing views

 My wife was sweet to be the photographer.

 now that's a view

 other islands in the distance

 We love these guys

 My sis got to celebrate her birthday while here.

 

Ending the trip with some American Village Fro-yo. It was a fun and fast visit. We loved being able to show this beautiful island to family.