Author: Kristel

We took a 2 hour flight to Okinawa to enjoy some tropical beach time. The rainy weather didn’t stop us from exploring and playing in the water.

We boarded the Shinkansen and made our way to Kyoto. Our first day was rainy, so we went to the movies and watched The Mandalorian in English with Japanese subtitles. Later, we explored the Nishiki Market and enjoyed dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant.

With a little bit of sunshine, we went on a bike ride along the Kamo River, passing through the grounds of the Imperial Palace and continuing on to the botanical gardens. Along the way, we stopped for some amazing gelato at Yuwado, delicious!

In the middle of a typhoon, we traveled from Tokyo to a remote village, Nojiri, in Japan’s Central Alps. We stayed in a traditional home with a sunken tataki entryway for shoes, woven tatami floor mats, shoji sliding panels, an irori stone-lined fire pit, and so many details that are uniquely Japanese. The futons were very comfortable, and the views from the back porch were stunning. We enjoyed a hike along the Atera Ravine and dining at some of the local restaurants.

We rented electric bikes to travel higher up the Atera Ravine, later stopping for a pizza lunch before exploring the nearby small towns. The views were absolutely stunning!

It has been a while since we last posted—apologies! We’re excited to share photos from our trip to Japan. Some of our first impressions: everything is extremely clean; toilets and showers are high-tech and electronic, yet the coffee shop only takes cash.

As Americans, we feel like giant, noisy people compared to the Japanese. Drivers are generally respectful and safe, and the food is absolutely delicious. Everyone has been very polite and friendly. We’ll try to add photos daily.

Our trip to Fuji-Q Highland had a few hiccups, but we still made it happen. The roller coasters were bigger and faster than anything we had ever experienced before. The park sits at the base of Mt. Fuji and the views were beautiful.

Animal cafés are trendy in Japan, and we couldn’t resist spending an afternoon with capybaras. These gentle, sleepy (and hungry!) rodents were adorable. Afterward, we wandered through the vibrant Asakusa area, taking in the sights, sampling delicious street snacks, and soaking up the atmosphere.

August was a fun month for us! We celebrated RJ and Chris’s birthdays with a family get-together, and RJ had a blast playing laser tag with his friends. The kids headed back to school and are back in the routine of classes, homework, and school events.

We took a trip to San Diego, spent time with family, hung out at the beach, biked along the boardwalk, and enjoyed the rides at Belmont Park. It was a great way to wrap up summer!

Although it’s exciting to travel far from home, we live so close to stunning scenery here in California. We packed up the car and headed to Mendocino for the Fourth of July weekend. Our primary goals were to enjoy nature, relax, and take a break from chores and projects at home.

We stayed at a charming, dog-friendly inn, went on long hikes, tried different restaurants, watched a small-town parade, and experienced fireworks over the Pacific Ocean. It was wonderful!

This year’s big adventure took us on an unforgettable cruise to the wilderness of Alaska. Surrounded by towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and pristine waters, we were constantly in awe of the natural beauty. We spotted bald eagles, playful otters, orcas, and so much more.

Life aboard the cruise ship was a delight. RJ made it a mission to visit the Cones and Coffee shop at least twice a day for chocolate ice cream, while Hayley indulged in countless chai lattes. The dining experiences were top-notch, with every meal feeling like a special occasion.

Entertainment on board was also great! We enjoyed a comedy show, trivia night (shoutout to Chris for leading the Schoeneman family to victory!), live music, and a dining staff performance.

Our shore excursions were just as thrilling. In Ketchikan, we cheered on lumberjacks as they chopped, threw axes, raced up poles, and balanced on logs in a high-energy show. In Juneau, we visited the Iditarod summer camp, where we rode behind a team of 16 spirited Alaskan huskies and cuddled with adorable puppies. Back in Skagway, we soared through the spruce and hemlock forest on ziplines, flying over waterfalls and taking in the lush scenery from above.

We are so grateful to have this amazing experience!

Our family trip to Washington D.C. was an unforgettable adventure! Hayley was thrilled with the museums. She spent hours wandering through the exhibits, soaking up all the knowledge and history. RJ, on the other hand, found his joy scootering around the National Mall. The wide-open spaces and iconic landmarks made it the perfect playground for him. After our D.C. adventure, we took the train to Nana and Grandpa’s house for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to reunite with family and share Thanksgiving with extended family.

Back in California, we set up the Christmas tree, arranged the stockings, and put lights on the house. We enjoyed festive events like Glowfari, where the illuminated animal displays were a hit, and Carols at Grace’s Cathedral in San Francisco. Christmas Day was spent in Sacramento with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, and Beckett. It was a lovely day spent with family, creating memories and enjoying time together.

After Christmas, we set off for Morro Bay. We explored stunning coastal trails and beaches with Darwin. Visiting Hearst Castle was a highlight, with its grandeur and history captivating us all. We marveled at the elephant seals lounging on the beach and enjoyed the views of the gorgeous coastline. This holiday season was truly special, filled with exploration, family gatherings, and the joy of being together. We can’t wait for our next adventure!

This fall we enjoyed the traditional Halloween festivities. Both kids had a blast trick-or-treating with their friends, while Chris and I stayed home to hand out candy. RJ’s haul was impressive—11 pounds of candy!

For the long weekend, our family took a trip to Disneyland. We had an amazing time riding attractions, indulging in delicious treats, exploring the park, and most importantly, spending quality time together.

Our summer wrapped up with birthday celebrations for RJ and Chris, followed by a fun trip to San Diego over Labor Day weekend. The kids are back in school, joyful to reunite with friends and dive into their studies. Hayley is busy with soccer, volleyball, and rowing, while RJ enjoys playing with friends, spending time with our pets, reading, and indulging in Minecraft. We’ve welcomed another litter of foster kittens into our home. Life is wonderfully busy.