Okinawa, Japan

Although I always had the intention of doing this sooner, I finally am posting about our AMAZING trip to Okinawa, Japan. Jordan, my brother, and his family live there, so we thought it was about that time to take a vacation. Even after being in Gunnison for a month, as well as having Christmas vacation for 2 weeks, we were not ready to go back to normal life. Danny had his 4 week break, so we decided to take advantage of the situation and head over to Japan. It was honestly one of the best decisions we have ever made.

So Okinawa is definitely not "real" Japan. I understood that and am still super sad that I flew half way across the world and didn't really get to see it, especially our family farm. But...I still am very grateful that I got to go. :) It was amazing! The food was incredible, the island is absolutely gorgeous, snorkeling almost every day was awesome, I loved seeing my family so much, and did I mention that the food was AMAZING?! Oh, to eat like that every day of my life?? It would be absolute heaven! Jordan and Nats were the best hosts and their kids are the cutest kids, ever. I miss them all so much. So does Charlie. So, if you ever have a chance to go over there, DO IT!!! And eat lots of food for me!!!

The best part of the trip was being with Jordan and his family and getting to know them better. Jordan and I are 8 years apart so we've never been able to spend a whole ton of time together. I was only 10 when he left home for BYU, and by the time I got to BYU, he was in med school down in Arizona. I think we've always had a special bond though because we apparently look the most alike. We have more of the "Lew" genes. Jordan is an amazing example to me and I've always looked up to him so much. Funny, I don't think I've ever told him that. I guess I should be telling him these things. We're just kind of an awkward family. :) Anyway, Nats is equally amazing. She is hands down, one of the kindest people I know. I am so grateful to have such wonderful siblings. I love them so much! I cannot wait for them to move back to Utah so we can spend every weekend together!!!! Jordan and Nats, if you read this, I love you!!!

Here are some of the highlights from our trip: (I uploaded a bunch of pictures, so feel free to stop whenever)

Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom). We barely missed the Festival. So sad.


My nephew, Yuki. One of the cutest boys, ever! You should hear him speak Japanese!


Me, Charlie(asleep under the blanket), Natsume(my sister-in-law), and my niece, Aisa.



Me, Danny, and Jordan truckin' out to go snorkeling. Please don't look to close at me in that wetsuit. Not the prettiest sight.


Charlie and Aisa eating apples together. They are only 6 months apart and had so much fun together! I'm not going to lie though, Charlie was a little nervous some of the time. Ai-chan is very strong willed.


Tonkatsu with a miso sauce. Oh, so delicious! My mouth is watering at this very moment.



Charlie and Aisa at another beach.


The hunter Danny has finally come home successful!! What kind of fish did he spear???


A beautiful, but nasty, Parrot-fish!





Jordan's family on the Suspension Bridge on our hike to the Falls pictured above.




Eating spam musubi for lunch. Look at these kids. Aren't they the cutest?



We happened to be there for Jordan's 32nd Birthday. Nats and I made the delicious chocolate cake. Yes, it was very delicious.









Danny and Yuki bonding. Yuki loves to watch himself on videos.