Howie Hayman

A story about an international couple raising and home educating three young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages are about pretty much anything and everything all guided by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes, Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our ongoing crazy adventure.
Rocket Launch

- We began this month with another rocket launch, this time at night. The rocket took off and lit up the sky like it was daytime.

Picture - Lael enjoying a relaxing time in his bed.
Home Relaxing

- A nice and relaxing day at home with all his favorite toys.

Picture - Home - Lael home and relaxing in bed.
Picture - Home - Lael home and relaxing in bed.
AAAAHHHH

- Shai has had his top two front teeth loose for quite some time now, until today. He made out really good with the tooth fairy. 1000 paper money yen, a couple of American dollars, and a bunch of metal Japanese money.

Picture - Shai missing one of his top front teeth.

Picture - Home - Shai missing a tooth.
Rocket Launch

- We watched another rocket launch today at our favorite park. This was actually the first time for little Lael to see a night launch. This turned out to be spectacular. When the fuel ignited, the sky lit up like it was daytime. This rocket was transporting supplies to the space station.

Picture - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched.

Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 1.
Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 2.
Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 3.
Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 4.
Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 5.
Picture - Hase Park - Us waiting for the rocket to be launched 6.
Fish Festival

- Today was the annual Minamitane Town Fish Festival. Temperatures were not really warm but the sun was out and it made the day tolerable.

Picture - Us hanging out together at the fish festival.

The town turned, what could be a 2-3 hour event, into a five hour, basically meeting of the town folks....to be expected on such a small island. Anyway, there was good food, nice performances, lots of friendly people, and of course, the fish catching contest for the kids.

Picture - Fish Festival - The poster with the schedule of events today.
Picture - Fish Festival - The venue for the fish festival.
Picture - Fish Festival - Us hanging out together.
Picture - Fish Festival - A bowl of really delicious crab soup was served.
Picture - Fish Festival - A really nice and traditional taiko performance.
Picture - Fish Festival - A couple of girls sang many different songs.
Picture - Fish Festival - The fish all ready to be caught.
Picture - Fish Festival - A group of talented kids performing.
Picture - Fish Festival - Us hanging out together again.
Picture - Fish Festival - A lot of really huge fish 1.
Picture - Fish Festival - A lot of really huge fish 2.
Picture - Fish Festival - The fish all ready to be caught again.
Picture - Fish Festival - Shai with gloves and already soaked before the competition.
Picture - Fish Festival - A bunch of nice lobster being added.
Picture - Fish Festival - The small kids now catching fish.
Picture - Fish Festival - The other kids now catching fish.
Picture - Fish Festival - Akiko with jeans rolled up is now catching fish.