Bon Odori Matsuri

Camp Zama held their annual Bon Odori festival this past weekend.  It is one of the 3 times throughout the year where the base is open to the public.  Anyone with a government issued ID {doesn't have to be from America} can come onto base and enjoy the festivities.  This was our 1st time participating the the Bon Odori festival and we definitely had a GREAT time!

I finally had an excuse to wear the yukata {a lightweight version of the kimono worn in the summer months} I got in Ofunato last summer.  It took a team of awesome women to help me into that thing!

my bow

Jason, his cousin, and I, enjoying the festivities

I love these little guys! 

Aside from my husband, this woman has been my rock here in Japan!

one of my beautiful neighbors

um, it was hot and I was wearing shorts under my yukata so this is how I ate my dinner!

one of my ESL students and dear friend, Kumiko and I

I love spending time with this handsome devil!  He was completely content sitting in my lap, watching the dancers, while his mom walked around taking photos.

after some brief rain in the afrenoon, the skies cleared a bit just in time for some dancing

Zach even showed us his mad dancing skills

A gorgeous shot of the husband and I that one of the CZ PAOs {Public Affairs Officers} took for me {Tetsuo, you're amazing!}

I'm a bit sad this will be the only Bon Odori we attend while we're stationed here.  I just hope I paid enough attention so that I am able to dress myself in my yukata next time!