Travel log: Day 4

On Saturday we got up and drove to the city of Himeiji where the famous Himeji castle is located. Wow...this castle really lives up to all expectations. It's size is so impressive, when I got my first view of it as we drove up I was blown away. By the time we arrived, it was lunch time so we ate at a restaurant right in front of the castle grounds. I took a picture with a view of the castle in the background. Kazuko joined us for the outing. The kids love her and think that she is their "Japanese Grandma"

Family picture with the castle in the background.

This is a view from the top of the castle.

Travel log: Day 5

On Sunday Shane got to have some more trips down memory lane. We went to church in Kobe with Kazuko where Shane served for 6 months of his mission. We got there early and looked around a little bit. He recognized a few faces, but after 15 years a lot has changed. The bishop of the ward told an interesting story during sacrament meeting. He was converted about 15 years ago and living in Kyoto as a student. When he wanted to get baptized he needed permission from his parents who lived in Kobe. Shane was one of the missionaries who visited his parents to speak to them about the church and get their permission. Shane didn't remember the visit, but it is nice to know that the everyday things you do as a missionary help others.


I have to mention what we had for dinner on Sunday night, because it was wonderful!! Kazuko made Sukiyaki with Kobe beef. Beef in Japan is very expensive, and this beef was delicious. I wish I would have taken a picture of the meal, but I didn't. Sukiyaki is a meal that is cooked in a large round electric skillet. Beef, tofu, leeks, mushrooms, onions, etc. are arranged in the pan and cooked with soy and a bit of sugar (which make a really good glaze on everything). When it is cooked each person takes what they want and (the true way to do it is to) dip it in raw egg and eat it with rice (Shane and I passed on the raw egg).
This is a picture of the Shimizu's, Keiji and Kazuko.

Travel log: Day 6

On Monday we went to an aquarium in Osaka called "Kaiyukan". Since "Finding Nemo" was one of the only movies that we had in Japan for our first 2 years here, the kids know it well! It really paid off at the aquarium because they were excited to see all of the fish they recognized from the movie. Here is Mr. Ray...


We also saw little "nemo's", jellyfish, sharks, star fish, the fish that puff up, and sea turtles.

One of the coolest things there was a whale shark. It was a pretty fast swimmer, but we got the best shot we could:

Travel log: Day 7

Time to head back to reality. We packed up and said our good byes to our wonderful hostess Kazuko. We finally rolled out of Kobe just before 10:00 am. The Shimizu's helped us find a better way to drive home that saved us a lot of time. Near Kyoto there is an Express way called Meishin that is under construction and we wanted to avoid it. We found out that there is a new road called "shin meishin" that is not even on our navigation because it is so new. We took this road and it ended up being not only faster but extremely scenic. We passed through some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. The road went through mountains that are untouched by man except for this road. Right before we left Shane asked if we should leave the camera out and I told him to pack it...big mistake, so no photos. We also got some really nice views of Mt. Fuji as we drove past. (kick, kick, no camera) We arrived back in Yokohama at about 4:00 pm.

A truely memorable family vacation.

Yochien (Kindergarten/Preschool)

The school year in Japan starts in April, so Cailey just started a new year at yochien, and Bryant started going too. There are 3 years of yochien. Nen sho (youngest-3 year olds), nen chu (middle 4 year olds), and nen cho (the oldest, 5 year olds). This year Cailey is a nen cho san and the first day she came home and told me "Mom, they don't call me "Cailey chan" anymore, now I'm "Cailey san." Which basically means that she is really cool now. Kind of like the senior class verses the freshman. Both Cailey and Bryant are doing really well so far this year. Cailey seems to really like her new teacher and is making a lot of friends. Her Japanese is starting to flow naturally, so I think it is easier for her now. Bryant also really likes it so far. The best news for me is that he magically became potty trained when he started going. Thank you yochien!!

Here is our very handsome Bryant in the uniform on the first day school.

This is a picture of Bryant sitting with his class for the opening ceremony on the first day of school. They wear the color coded hats to tell which class they are in...very stylish I think.
Cailey and Bryant posing together.
The kids walk to school in a walking group with other yochien aged kids that live near us. One of the teachers comes and meets them and takes the group to school. The meeting spot just happens to be right in front of our house, very convenient for us! Each morning before they leave they say a morning greeting (asa no goaisatsu). Here is a video of it.

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Trip to Sendai

Our trip last week to Sendai was very nostalgic for me. This was a business trip for Shane, so he worked the whole time, but the kids and I had a great time visiting friends and driving past old places. We stayed in a small town called Funaoka that is close to Shane's work. It is about a half an hour drive from where we used to live, but we were only about 10 minutes away from where our friends, the Shepards, live. We spent a lot of time hanging out with them, which is always fun. Our kids have so much fun together. (We will be very sad when they return to the U.S. this summer.) We also got to have dinner with the Karlinsey's, a senior missionary couple for the Sendai mission office who were in our ward. I didn't get a picture of that, but Sister Karlinsey is in the picture of the Nagamachi ward friends.

On Thursday, Imano shimai from our old ward invited us over for lunch with several other women from the ward. I can't express how much I love these people. I just feel such a bond with them, even though I can't communicate very well with some of them. It was so nice to be with them again.

On Friday, the kids and I went to Shane's office and had lunch with him there and met some of his coworkers. Afterwards Katie Shepard and I took our kids to Michinoku park. This is another thing I really love about Sendai. I LOVE this park. The picture on my blog sidebar of Josh and Teresa and the amazing flower garden in the background is of the same park. The kids love this place too, because it has some very fun things to play on. There are a few pictures of the kids playing on the slideshow.

We have lived in Japan for over 2 and a 1/2 years and I have never been to a karaoke joint. On Friday night Katie and Lane decided take us and show us how it is done. Mine and Katie's version of "Material Girl" was definitely the best of the night! I got a great picture of Bryant singing with Shane. Like father, like son.

Saturday morning before we headed home, I went on a great run. It was one of those runs that I will probably always remember. There is a big hill in Funaoka with a huge buddha at the top. I have great memories here because for the last two years this is where we went cherry blossom viewing. It is really beautiful. From the top of the hill you can see a river. A road runs along the river that is lined with cherry trees and the road has been closed off to traffic. This is where I ran. The perfect run: nice weather, beautiful scenery, no traffic to deal with.

So now we are back in Yokohama. It is strange, but as much as I love Sendai, this really does seem like where we belong.

さくら - Cherry Blossoms 2008

When the cherry blossoms (Sakura) in Japan are in bloom it is absolutely beautiful everywhere you go. They are planted all over the place. I took my kids to Mitsuzawa park, which is about a 5 minute walk from our house, to take some pictures. They were taken on March 28th. Notice how my kids are doing the peace sign in every picture....they are becoming Japanese!