On the way back to NC

We had a wonderful summer in Japan. And also great time with Paul's parents in Virgina Beach for a few days before coming back to NC. It was very nice 7 hour drive back. We took a few pictures at the "Rest Area" on the highway.

It feels like autumn is right around the corner!

He is much better walking now. But still I want to hold his hands!!!!

Goodbye to Japan for now!

Today we are leaving Japan. My Mom wanted to come with us to Tokyo to make sure we are okay! I think all mothers are worried about children, even when her kids are already 35 years old --- hahaha We also contacted our good friends (the Mayhews). They were always there for me after my mission, and when my life was up and down. It was so nice to see them and introduce them to Luke!

We would love to spend more time with them next visit!

Fun visiters

My Mom's parents visited Luke and I, before we leave Japan. My grandma (on my mother's side) is very thoughtful for to think about staying for few days with us, and a day after we leave --- She was worried that maybe my mom will get lonely after we leave. She is so nice, isn't she?

Do you remember? This is our traditional picture taking spot. Here we are again take a photo ----hahaha

I had to boxed up all the hand-me-down clothes for Luke. My Mom, Aunt and Grandma were helping me (oh my goodness, I'm glad that they were here to help me!!! So many things to pack...) When we were sorting out, we found a cure tiger outfit! Of course this outfit is in the "NOT take" pile, but it was so cute outfit, so I had to put it on Luke! Here you go --- what do you think?

My Grandpa (on my Mom's side) was taking a nap in warm sunshine. But Luke decided to play with him!

We had a wonderful time with them! Thank you for coming and staying with us.

Visiting IUJ

Today Paul and I went to IUJ (International University of Japan) which we met each other 10 years ago. It is very memorable place for us (^0^)

It was very nice to see our old coworkers and introduced Luke to them. We would love to visit again!

During naptime

Paul had a chance to experience Japanese calligraphy (Shuuji) during the Japanese program at the Yamasa Institute school this summer. I wanted to see his writing, but he didn't bring it with him. Well, Luke was taking nap, and we had some time to do have fun --- we decided to do Shuuji together!

My Mom was a teacher for us today! Usually, my grandpa's job (he is very good and professional), but he got sick early this month and staying at the hospital since then (we visited him at the hospital, and he is already got better. But he decided to stay little longer there. Yes, he had too much busy time for three kids chasing around the house! I won't bream him to seeking peace and quiet --- hahaha).

Very good, isn't it?! I will frame this and pit it in our house (^-^)

My mom and I were trying to write Luke's middle name in Kanji --- Two similar Kanji characters together, so it was hard to make it right. We decided to wait until my grandpa comes back from hospital and write Luke's name for us!

Friends reunion

This is our 1st friends reunion!!! All of my good friends who I went to fashion design school years ago came over to my Mom's house for the day. It was so fun! I haven't seen them for ages. They also brought their kids, so we had seven kids in the house. Of course me and my friends were non-stop talking, so Paul was the one that kept an eyes on those kids ;-) --- he is so nice, isn't he?!

We decided to do this "friends reunion" whenever I am back in Japan again. And next reunion, Paul said he will organize some games or an outdoor program for kids, so that we keep them busy and have a fun time! I can't wait to see them all again (^0^)/

How did he getting in?!

This morning when my mom and I were making breakfast, Luke was playing by himself. Usually it is not a good sign when Luke is very quiet --- he is always doing something that I won't like....
Today I realized that I didn't hear any noise, so I went to see what Luke was doing... And I saw this!

I have no idea how did he got into this bowl. But he fit very nicely, don't you think?
My mom and I were laughing so hard! --- he keeps brighten our day everyday (^-^)

Karaoke night

Every year our hometown in Niigata, Japan organizes a Karaoke show. This year our neighbors are participating in the show, so all of us went to see them perform. They were not singing, but danced to Michael Jackson's music. It was pretty good! We also met some nice people from town, and they enjoyed smiling at Luke and holding him.

(This picture is not our neighbors... I forgot to take their pictures....)

Obon

Obon is the Buddhist festival of the dead. Usually all members of a family get together around the 13th of August every year to visit their family grave site. Paul and I are not able to join this family event every year, but this year we were. So this summer, most of our family members are here in town and my mother's relatives also join us to visit our family grave. It was very nice to introduce Luke to my father and grandma in prayer. I know that they will always watch over us where ever we live!

Will they one day be good buddies?!

These last couple of days, Yuuma and Luke have started playing together. Sometimes we hear them laughing and other times I hear someone is crying. It is so funny to watch what they are doing! This is typical things that they are doing everyday -- Luke plays with Yuuma or Kie's toys often, so Yuuma comes to Luke and says "NO! This is mine (or Kie's)." Yuuma really enjoys saying this phrase, so even though he originally gave his toys to Luke, he comes back and THEN he says the phrase... hahaha.

Also, Luke is interested in Yuuma, he likes to try to touch his short hair or grab his shirt, and sometimes he pinches Yuuma. Of course Yuuma doesn't like any of these things, so he starts pushing and kicking Luke. Yes, both of them don't know how to be cooperative or be gentle, or how to communicate with each other yet. My sister and I say to each other "Do you think they will get along someday?!" I hope they become best buddies one day!

He is a challenger!

Usually Luke is playing around in the kitchen when I'm preparing dinner. Lately he is not just playing with his toys or kitchen items... He picks up any kind of vegetable from inside the bucket that we gathered from the garden -- tomatoes, green bell peppers, eggplant and goya (a bitter Japanese squash), etc...

I'm proud of him for trying new tastes and he seems to enjoy doing it! The only negative thing is that he makes a big mess every time -- hahaha

Today he tried fresh green bell pepper (^-^)

Summer festival

This time of year in Japan there are summer festival everywhere, every tiny town has its own festival. Our hometown festival was on August 1st and 2nd this year -- the 1st night had a traditional dancing parade and the 2nd night had fireworks. It's been a long time since I when to the festival here, so I was excited and had a great time, especially since this is Luke's first time to experience a Japanese festival -- of course he has no idea and won't remember much! but it's okay --hahaha I took some pictures and videos to show you what a Japanese summer festival looks like (^-^)

We were planning to go to the festival around 4:00 pm, and have dinner there. But then there was a rain shower and thunderstorms in the afternoon... so we waited and waited, hopefully it will stop raining. My mother suggested to the kids "Let's pray!" -- even though she is not really religious, but she thought it will be fun to do it with kids. And we did! But yet, it didn't stop raining for a long time, so we had to change our plan -- quickly making dinner at home. BUT! While we were eating, the rain stopped!! Even though it was already after 6:00 pm, we quickly changed our clothes and got ready for the festival!

Luke (right) and his cousins, Yuuma (left) and Kie (center).
The boys are wearing the traditional Japanese festival outfit called jinbe. I think they are so cute!

Summer festivals always have a lot of small vending stalls -- with lots of different kinds of food, games, and toys, etc. -- like at a county fair in America. And I found out that there are so many NEW kinds of stalls now!

But my favorite festival game has always been kingyo sukui (goldfish scoop). The idea is that you have to scoop up a goldfish with a paper paddle -- it is very difficult to do without ripping the paper when it gets wet! There are always different sizes and various colored fish. I felt young again when I saw the game stalls this year! I always had fun times at the kingyo sukui when I was young.

Every town has its own style of dance and music. If you don't hear this song, you won't feel the real summer festival. But the music was too loud, Luke and Kie started to cry, so we knew it was time to go back to home (^-^) It was a fun night!

I took this video in the 2nd day at the festival -- the Naoe Kanetsugu parade. Kanetsugu was a Japanese samurai of the 16th-17th centuries. And he was born in our home town. This year we have a popular series about him on TV. And that makes our home town very famous and, believe it or not, there are a lot of tourists from all over Japan who visit here now. So, we had special Kanetsugu parade in this year's festival.

The last day of the festival, we always have a fireworks show! This is not a good video that I took in front of the house, but it gives you some idea. So many different colors and sizes of fireworks for an hour and a half. Summer festivals were such big things when my sister and I were young. When the last firework was done, we always felt a little bit sentimental, because we feel our summer was over -- little memories (^-^)