Family Time!

Steph, Ben, and Morgan flew in on time, and we have had a great time since. We started by going to the Churaumi Aquarium, the second largest aquarium in the world (the first is in Atlanta, GA). We saw sharks, and rays, and dolphins, and manatees. It was a great time! That night, I took them to my favorite restaurant- FAB CURRY! Morgan was not as impressed as I am with it.

For Father's Day, we went to "our" Officer's Club for brunch- the Butler O Club! It was wonderful.

Next, we spent 3 days relaxing at an US Air Force owned beach resort in northern Okinawa called Okuma. We kicked back, played games, watched movies, hung out on the beach, went diving, hiked to a waterfall, went parasailing, and enjoyed spending our 20th Anniversary together! On the way back, we went to a pineapple farm and sampled all kinds of pineapple drinks and food.

After a couple of days back on base, including my last shift of work, we finally arrived in Iwakuni, Japan, successfully managing Space-A travel. We are planning a full week, including a trip to Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kamakura Beach, and Tokyo. Hopefully, weather permitting, we will hike Mount Fuji!

Until I blog again.......

LCDR Butler

STEPH, BEN, & MORGAN ARE COMING!

Finally, Steph, Ben, and Morgan arrive in 2 hours! I can't wait to see them! I will post some good pics after they have been here a while. We have lots of plans (including "planned relaxing" at Okuma Beach Resort for 3 days over the weekend, Father's Day, and our 20th Anniversary!

Steph told me I only show that I am having fun here so I wanted to show a picture of me being "miserable" running on a day with a "Black Flag." Those are days that you are not supposed to exercise at all, for any length of time, under any circumstances! I actually find it funny as I regularly run in Phoenix at 4pm when it is over 110 outside (although I will admit the humidity is a little brutal here!). Just so she doesn't think I only have fun here, I also just finished working a string of 8 night shifts in 2 weeks, with meetings and lectures thrown in, too! I was miserable, Steph :(

There, hopefully that makes her feel better.

I've got to get going to the airport in my "mini-car!"

Until I blog again.......

LCDR Butler