Why Did You Come To Japan?

I was lucky enough to go to Tokyo with a friend for a few days.

We took a subway right out of the airport to where we were staying.  This is the first thing I saw after that trip.  We had a little walk ahead of us, and it started snowing!

That night we went to the temple.

This guy was just hanging out.

We made lots of stops at the 7-Eleven.  I bought my kids all kinds of sour candy, which they loved, and I got some "double nut chocolate".

Bridges.

Sweet potatoes.

This is a temple too.  A different kind. :)

Memorial for babies.  Some of them had little toys sitting by them.

These vending machines were everywhere.  So clean!  So orderly!

And then we had sushi.

Best sushi ever.

Seriously.  It was so good.  It was nothing like anything else I have ever had.  We liked it so much we went back the next day.  I'm pretty sure it spoiled me for sushi forever.

Imperial Palace.

Here's where we had Japanese curry.  We ordered by vending machine.  You push a button, put your money in, and then the waitress brings your food.  Very Japanese.

Here we are!

We were lucky and got to see a wedding procession.

Shopping.

We were amused by all the gadgets you could buy to make your face look different.  There were gadgets for everything.

I hope I can go back with my family someday!

When Kelli and I first arrived, we were walking around the airport looking for somewhere to eat.  A lady approached us with a microphone and started asking us questions.  She was closely followed by a man with a camera and another guy who was telling her what to ask.  They asked us what we were doing there, and what our plans were.  We told them we were just two moms on a quick weekend getaway.  Apparently they thought we were pretty interesting, because they wanted to follow us around and put us on their TV show!  We said that was cool, so they hung out with us while we ate (udon noodles) and then found our way to our accommodations.  The whole time with the camera rolling.  It was a long train ride and a little walk.  They kept the camera on us like we were celebrities!  They even miked Kelli!  When we got to our place, we told them our plans for the evening were to go to the Mormon temple.  I guess they weren't sure what to make of that, or they thought that would be boring, because when we called them, they told us they decided to not follow us anymore.  It was fun while it lasted, but it was probably better that way.  The name of the show is "Why Did You Come To Japan".  It's on youtube.  I wonder if I can find the footage?

Day Out

Dare during her performance of the "Shark King".  She played the mom.

Nate took that day off of work so he could see her performance, and Rhon had a basketball game later. We used the time in between to explore a bit and buy BA a guitar.  I took a few pictures...

Hahah!  You really don't want to get board and road mixed up.  Totally different meanings.

Rhon is #3.  I'm happy she loves basketball.  She is so fun to watch.

It Was A Real Pain When I Couldn't See Through The Windows

G had a little performance.  It was so awesome.  He was Wee Willie Winkie.  He pretty much stole the show. :)

Snow Ball Fight

We got snow!

There was even enough to make a snowman.  Snow lady?  They're so weird.

The Wood Horse

For Chinese New Year we went and stayed at they Hyatt downtown.  We were there for New Year's Eve, and the next night.  We were told the fireworks were amazing, and we needed a little break.

The steps in front of the hotel.

Year of the horse.

We took a walk the first night.  It was fun being downtown.  We have never been there before, so it was like vacationing in a whole new city.

We walked to Tiananmen Square!

There weren't a lot of people there that night, but we still got stopped for pictures.  That little girl looks less thrilled than my three.  After that we hurried away before anyone else took courage and asked for a photo.

The pool at the hotel was really fun.  It is in the basement, but it is made to look like a tropical island.  There were stars overhead and plants everywhere.  They even had sound effects of chirping crickets and frogs.  If I closed my eyes, it felt like I was in Jakarta again!  This is the best picture I took.  It was pretty dark in there.

We actually spent the rest of our time just hanging out at the hotel.  Dare got sick.  It was a bummer for her.  We were going to go to a market fair on New Year's Day, but it was cold outside, and she didn't want to do a lot of walking.  It was okay though.  We all enjoyed the time at the pool, and some relaxing time hanging out with one another.  We'll try again next year!

Spring Festival

This was at the Chinese New Year celebration at the kids' school.

There was a parade, and the older girls played these big drums.  It sounded awesome.

During New Year, there were these lanterns everywhere.  I took this picture just outside the neighborhood grocery store.

"N"

One Saturday in January, we went to Goose and Duck Ranch.

:)

Pretty winter day.

This bridge was scarier than it looks.  Notice how there is nothing on the sides to catch you if you lose your balance.  And it was swingy.

We chatted with some ostriches.

And counted sheep.

And fed them.

If there is ever water and rocks, the rocks will always, ALWAYS, be chucked in the water.

It was even fun chucking rocks at ice.  Of course they were trying to break it.

Seeing these on the mountain sure reminds you you're in China.

We went with the Bs.

We were waiting in the car, and I took a picture of Nate's beard.

A statue I know nothing about.