Dan's birthday: Part II.

After stopping home for a brief time after our trek to Naha we decided to get back into our nifty Honda and find a beach. We also wanted to find a place to eat since we hadn't eaten since breakfast.

This was an advertisement featured on one of the first restaurants we drove by. Dan suggested that we steer clear of any establishment that has advertisements in which the patrons look suspiciously over-excited to be consuming the products. Sounds like a plan to me!

This was a building across the street near the restaurant with the advertisement in the first photo. I took the photo for my Mom, because of the poodle. Hi, Mom! :)

We continued to drive and drive, and then drive some more. The further we drove the further we got from the coastline which was frustrating to us so what did we do? We drove some more! All of Dan's driving paid off because not only did the road eventually bring us back around close to the coast but we found a nice little area that had a nice beach and an area across the street where we could eat.

We got out of the car and I wanted to try out Evelyn's "Baby Bjorn" carrier. I wore her throughtout our meal and next time I'll probably just agree when Dan suggests we bring the stroller in. I was worried about dropping some of my panther sandwich on her sweet little head. ("Panther sandwich?" you ask. Yes, panther sandwich. Continue reading...)

At the building we parked at there were at least two options for a meal -- Kitchen Farm and a steakhouse. We chose Kitchen Farm and it was a great choice! Dan had a bacon cheeseburger sandwich that he said was better than what he has eaten at Chili's and I had a "Jack Panther" sandwich. Dan said it was made out of "bits of real panther". Haha, yeah. I pretended it was made out of panther but really it was just chicken with a spicy sauce that was a gross color but tasted delicious. I did not spill any on Schmoopy's head. The portions were quite sizely and we had a filling meal for 1500 yen.

Contemplative Dan pre-Kitchen Farm meal.

After our meal we went back to the car and exchanged the sweet Baby Bjorn for the stroller and carseat. We then made our way across the street and onto the beach. I can't attest to this but I'll take Dan's word for it -- pushing a stroller through sand is trying work! I think he got a mini-work out out of the deal.

Believe it or not, this was our first time at the beach since we've been on the island. I know, I know! It was all my fault, though. Early on I didn't want to go anywhere because it was so darn hot and then later when it got cooler I didn't want to go anywhere because I was tired and felt like a small beluga whale.

Dan was brave and put his toes in first. It was shockingly chilly! I know that is probably awful to read for those of you who are battling winter right now... I'm really not trying to rub it in!

Evelyn stayed nice and cozy-warm while we tested the waters.

This is a typical picture taken by yours truly. I always cut off his head. :(

After spending some time on the beach we drove to base to do some grocery shopping. After grocery shopping we returned to our little home and spent the rest of the night indoors. The next morning Dan had a piece of birthday pumpkin pie, complete with 23 candles in it (that I accidentally put into the shape of a cross...oops!). I even sang him Happy Birthday - and I don't sing!

Yes, he had birthday pumpkin pie. Our lack of oven made it difficult for me to bake him a cake and when I looked at the bakery at the commissary on base there was only a big sheet cake available. Next year I'll have to either A) know how to use the oven or B) plan ahead and order a cake.

That was his birthday. :) It was a great day if you ask me and I think he thought it was pretty great as well.