Japan/Iwo Jima

Hello my beloved family, it is ole Matthew once again. All of you who are reading this are in a very different climate than myself right now. Here in Okinawa, it averages 92 degrees with 105 percent humidity daily. That's when it's not raining, because right now we are in rainy season and we just started typhoon season. Here everything is swell, just hanging out doing the deal, taking over the world one sushi and one curry house at a time. My headaches are not as nearly as bad as they used to be. I am not fully healed, but I am near. I miss all of you and hope you are all doing amazing. I figure its time to update with some photos to show how different a life in another country can be....Saddle Up....

This would be considered a storm drain system from a long long time ago. The culture and architecture is super old, and everything is so efficient they just leave it how it is.
This cool dragons head is a drain for a tiny canal out the side of a hill that is next to a main road. It's amazing how they take something so simple as a creek and add an amazing stone dragon. It is common to see these walking down the street.
In the U.S. we are so used to what we think is "regular" trees and really its just what we know because this is a very common sight to see walking the streets of Okinawa. And, NO, this photo is not flipped, he is supposed to be driving on the left side of the road.
Let's test some knowledge? Can any of those many Denny photographers tell me how this photo and how I made the water run continuous and not stop in the photo.
Believe it or not, this little area is on base. A couple of us went treking through the jungle behind my barracks and found it.

These next few photos are from a story I went on for work. About 100 Marines and sailors from Okinawa got to visit and pay there respects to the battle site. Because of my job, I was asked to go along and take photos, so I got to go to one of the most famous Marine Corps battle sites and it was breathe taking. We flew to Iwo Jima, it's an island of Japan about 2 1/2 hours from here in the middle of the ocean with nothing surrounding it. For those of you who don't know, the famous symbol or photo of 5 or 6 Marines planting a flag in the ground happened on Mt. Sirabachi, Iwo Jima. The battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most gruesome and remembered in Marine Corps history. It took place in February of 1945 during World War II.
This is the landing strip on Iwo To (Iwo Jima). The only way to visit it is with military ties. It is not open to the public. It is an island that is now operated by the Japanese military.
This is 2 miles into the hike. We had to hump it all the way from the air strip to Mt. Sirabachi, hike to the top then head back and we veared off to the left to the beach to see were the Marines assaulted.
These are ships that sunk on the coast of Iwo Jima during the assault. When I first saw them i though they were rocks, but if you look close, you can see the holes in a couple of the ships, from rust over the years.
Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial. The dog tags hanging on the left are some of thousands left by service members throughout the years. Leaving of ones dog tags is a sign of utmost respect.
Even though I was the photographer, I was able to get someone to use my camera and get a decent photo of me. Going to the top of Mt. Sirabachi was an amazing experience. Anyone who has a chance to ever go to Iwo Jima, or any battle sight, do not hesitate to go. Because it is a different feeling walking the ground that 30,000 of my fellow service members bleed and died on. With all the surrounding noise around me, I was still hearing silence remembering my brothers and sisters who died in order for me and my family to be stay free.
Imagine having to seize the shores of Iwo Jima, with no trees, or rocks or any cover to protect you from the enemy. We were able to see where the machine guns were posted and imagine being an 18 or 19 year old Marine storming this beach having missles and machine guns pin pointing your every move.

Visiting Iwo Jima was one of the greatest things I have been able to see so far. It was humbling standing in the stand of the beach where my brothers fought. I have never felt so close to those Marines before me. I know you all here me talk about the military all the time and how much respect I have for it. But unless I would have seen and felt these things for my self i could never have known what I know now. I guess it is right that I am making this post on memorial day, the day to remember those who have fought and fallen before me.

I love you all and hope you all get as much out of this as I got out of sharing it with you all.

Love and Peace from the East,
Matthew

1575 CROSSES----2010

Willeys put up 1575 crosses in the Bountiful City cemetery!
It was fun, rainy, sunny, cold, warm, and we had a good time.
It also took a lot of work.The main foreman of the project!

#1 donut eater :)

Organization crew---they kept things rolling and on track, plus they
are the cutest girls there!

The main hole digger---I think Shane dug at least 1300 of the holes, whew!

Grandma is head of the support crew---and donut watcher!

These were the cutest children to attend. Quinn & Tim were there
also.

My cute girls!!

So we sent to the doctor the other day and Kendyl only weighs three pounds less than laynee! We got these pictures done while my mom and Jenn were visiting and they turned out really cute!

Capitol Reef - by D

My dad, Mason, Rylie, and I went on an awesome hike in the Upper Muley Twist canyon of Capitol Reef last weekend. There were several arches, a section of narrows, a small waterfall, and an array of beauty to behold - not to mention, an ample supply of great company. While the weather was a little windy, we couldn't complain too much with +80 degree temperatures. I sure enjoyed the time we were able to spend together.(Check out the kids sitting in the cool shade of the arch.)

Congratulations Emily Howell

Sorry this is so late but I wanted everyone to know that Emily graduated with her Batchelors in Dental Hygiene on May 7th !!! She also passed all her boards and is ready to go to work.

We are proud of you Emily!

We Love You, Bern and Em!

Family Campout Update

I guess it's time to give an update and more info on the family campout. the dates are: July 14 (Wed) to July 18 (Sun) at smith's trout haven at lava hot springs.

I reserved pavillion #5 and 5 sites with electricity (3 on one side of the pavillion and 2 on the other) and told them about 6 tent sites. No money has to be paid until we arrive. Every family, couple, etc will just need to pay their own fees when they arrive, for however long they'll be there. Trailer sites with electricity (only, no water or sewer) are $20+tax per night and tents are $15+ tax per night.

The campground is all grass, with little dirt, but not much shade, so bring some. there's a fire pit at the pavillion, but we'll need our own wood or buy from them.

We can fish at the campground without a liscense, but the fish are expensive by the inch or pound. we'll swim the river, the pools and the hot pots. there's also fishing in other spots with an Idaho Liscense. I attached a link to the pool with hours and rates. You can buy passes online if you want or pay there.

http://www.lavahotsprings.com/swimming_rates.pdf

for those interested, church is at 10:00 on sunday a.m.

I haven't planned any meals together, but as we'll kinda be circled in wagon train style we'll probably do some pot luck sharing, etc. Anyone can reply with other ideas if you want.

Mostly, we'll get together to remember what family is all about. We'll laugh, sing, eat and bond stronger relationships.

I hope many of you will be able to make it and have a great time!

Love ya all, Dave

Here's a map for directions

Bibler Update

Laynee & Kendyl love playing together! Kendyl laughs at Laynee all day long! These are the cute matching dresses that Aunt Em got the girls!

We have 9 little puppies right now! Anyone want a really cute puppy?

Take me home!!!

Laynee and the Flamingo's!

Once again this is the best family photo we could get!

Laynee has her Dad wrapped around her finger!!

It's the Little Things

Imagine how ecstatic I was to find a HEART SHAPED LEMON growing on my tree in the front of the house. This picture was taken before it was ripe, which it now is, but I can't bring myself to pick it. I'm imagining some very special lemonade.
Dr. Love has taken up YOGA. This is a shot of her between poses at a doggy yoga class we went to recently at the beach. The class was part of an event our agency put on for Petco. We now do all their natural and organic products. She's definitely mastered the DOWNWARD DOG.
I installed a new fountain in the front (under the love lemon tree). Now I get to go to sleep hearing the combination of the waves and the tinkling water. Can you tell the theme of this post is BALANCE?
Look what I'm growing!!! Artichokes! If you're like me, you've never seen them growing before. They are a big, thistle-y type plant and the artichokes grow up like flowers. They will bloom if we don't pick them and they are GORGEOUS when they are in bloom. Purple!
Lastly, a gardening find. These little TOMATO COZIES get filled with water in each channel and then the water heats up during the day and keeps them snuggly warm at night. Also a study from Clemson University shows that the color red increases tomato yield by 20 PERCENT. My plants are THRIVING like I've never seen before.

That's all.

Love to you all.

Look who's one!

Jonathan turned one yesterday and Mason turns one tomorrow. I can't believe it has already been a year!

I hope they're always good buddies. Happy Birthday guys! We love you!

(Jonathan is the chubby one and Mason is the mischievous one)

Mom's day flowers--THANKS

I HAVE AWESOME KIDS!
THANKS FOR MAKING MY YARD MORE BEAUTIFUL!
I LOVE ALL OF YOU.....THANKS CALIFORNIA KIDS FOR YOUR PART TOO.