Snowy Mountain tops

We are having some very nice November weather in Japan. It is very clear and sunny today and we can still see the mountains with some snow on top of to the West. The temps are down to 26 up to 44 degrees F. Mike may have played his last golf game of the season yesterday depending on if it stays nice; otherwise, we will be getting out our snow boots soon and getting fitted for our ski gear.

 

Family Football - Tidy Bowl II

We played another post Thanksgiving family football game with our friends to include the Marcinkevich, Poirier, Schooley, Vercellone, Rockwell, Sites, and Thonnings families. It was very chilly out and we had allot of fun. Thankfully there were no major injuries happened and it ended in a tie game. Brock played very well and caught 2 pretty long touchdown passes and was named MVK (Most Valuable Kid). Half time included some good warm apple cider. We hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family, too. 

Off We Go...

I got the chance to take an hour long F-16 familiarization ride with my boss Brigadier General Angelella. He was scheduled to fly on the day of my ride so he took me up and showed me around northern Japan. We were supposed to do a similar sortie for a down range combat mission but one of the other planes had a maintenance issue.















We took off from Misawa and flew west to the Sea of Japan and around North to the Bay and around to the East on the Pacific Ocean side. We flew approx 8K feet above the weather and clouds while he did some rolls and banks and bobs and weaves. He let me take the stick for a while and I ended up doing a 5.5G turn into a barrel roll. I was a little nervous when the g-suit inflated and I was upside down heading towards the deep blue sea. That was pretty exciting and I did not need to do any more fancy flips or wheelies from then on...

...Into the...

Here we are in the hangar getting ready to taxi out. The Airman in the back right is the Crew Chief in charge of maintaining and getting the Air Craft ready to fly. He works in an Aircraft Maintenance unit that liaisons with the flying squadrons and the Maintenance squadrons.

Now I have a new respect for the pilots and all the behind the scenes work needed to generate a sortie. The fly boys go through many training sessions prior to flying a jet. They also go through many mission planning sessions and briefings, wear many pieces of equipment and are challenged daily by the weather. Living in Northern Japan brings in some unpredictable weather and it is difficult to say the least to plan around the sea fog, snow, & clouds for precision bombing. Also, it is amazing how many gadgets, screens & buttons there are in the cockpit. They barely seem to have much room to manuever around to que up weapons and fly with their hands, feet and eyes while deciding which targets to go after. 

...Wild Blue Yonder

Here I am climbing out of the jet looking forward to stepping on firm land again. It was very exciting to take off like a rocket. When we got above the clouds it seemed like we just seemed to hover at 500 MPH and it was very smooth flying that day.














The General had the photographer take a victory photo of us at the end which was funny because all we did was go up and take a joy ride. He did joke with me before we took off that he was going to take me up and get me sick until I agreed to pay a $60K bill for a requirement that we don't have money for. I just told him I'm sure I can find the money somewhere.

Tsunami Warning

Another first in our Japan adventure. Last night around 8:30-9:00 we got a warning about a potential tsunami. Please add this to the list of natural disasters that we had previously never been exposed to: earthquake, typhoon, blizzard and now tsunami. (Please note that the Vaughn family immediate action plan for all of these is still "Huh?"!)

We got our best tsunami information from the local Japanese news stations. We are fortunate that one of the stations has an English translation on some news events, so we could keep up. Japanese news is always interesting but it is a little worrisome when you actually are trying to figure out if there is a real problem or not. Fortunately, there was not much of a wave at all and the crisis is over.

Much love,

4Vs

Gracie Bowls!

Gracie went to a bowling birthday party last weekend. Her friend sent over this picture this afternoon. She is quite the bowler isn't she?!

Love,

4Vs 

First Snowflakes!

This afternoon we saw the first snowflakes of the year! There weren't many and it didn't last long, but there is no denying the first flakes :)

It was a windy and cold afternoon. After a while it started raining lightly. The temp must have dropped just enough- and here came the snow! Kind of pretty and kind of exciting... Here comes winter!

Love,

4Vs

Swan Lake

Yesterday I made a trip to the local swan lake with Angel and all the kids. I have to admit, since the bird flu scare, I have not been a fan of the swans, but I did not see them last year, so we went.

The swans are just arriving to the area. I have been told that they migrate here for the winter from Russia/Siberia. I am surprised that this would be the area where they would winter, but I guess it is a lot warmer than Siberia and they must not mind the snow. (Don't you know that if they knew about Okinawa, they would keep going and spend the winter lounging on the beach!)

The swans are not alone on swan lake. They have lots of company with ducks, herons and we also saw one lone sea gull. (He was trying to blend in!)



The birds swam around the lake to keep up with us and we fed them bread. There wasn't too much bird poop and we sanitized hands and shoes after the trip, so I felt okay with it... I know I might be the only person left worried about the bird flu, but I can't help myself!

Love,

4Vs 

Winter is coming....

I have to admit-we have tried to ignore all the signs....

It has been getting colder- we were relieved when the heat was turned on at the house.

Everyone in the family has already picked out their favorite stocking cap, has worn it a couple of times and knows to keep it in their own locker.

The base started putting up the snow poles along all the streets last week...

And yet, we have had several beautiful autumn days lately and it seemed like we might get away with an extended fall.

But sadly, this morning, we saw it. There is snow on the mountains surrounding the base. Not a lot yet and not covering all the mountains, but it is still there. Folklore states that once you see it on the mountains, it won't be long till we start getting it here.

The whole base is kind of melancholy over it..... Winter is coming....

I'll keep you posted!

Love,

4Vs

Halloween 2006

Grace V was a Hawaii hula girl. She had coconuts and a grass skirt.

She also dressed up as a skeleton and handed out candy to our many Japanese visitors.

Grace's friend Sydney was a pilgrim who was ready for Thanksgiving. 

The Price is Right

I almost forgot about this fun piece of mail! In late September, Mike got a large envelope from "The Price is Right" in Los Angeles, California. I have to admit it got my attention.

I waited till MSV came home from work and he opened it.

Yes- we have an 8x10 black and white glossy, autographed picture of Bob Barker. (???)

Mike can't remember requesting this, so we are forced to believe that a good citizen requested it on our behalf. Thanks to you good samaratin and thanks to Bob for our unexpected gift!

Love,

4Vs 

"Twick or Tweet"

Happy Halloween All!

If it is possible, we had even more trick or treaters than last year! Trick or treating was from 6 to 8pm. The streets were filled with American and Japanese kids. It was perfect Fall weather and we had a great time.

Here are a couple of shots of our front yard-

We had around 10 bags of candy. By 7:20 we were almost out. Our kids dug thru their candy bags and gave us anything they didn't want to eat.

Sadly, by 7:45p we were out and had to start turning kids away.

Happy Halloween!

Love,

4Vs