The Holidays

We had a great trip around the east coast, visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Of course, we spent a few days over Christmas with Mom and Dad in Virginia Beach.

Christmas Tree

One benefit of living here in the mountains of North Carolina is that there are Christmas Tree farms all around. We bought our tree this week and both Ian and Luke helped with trimming.

We have now been in our new house for almost a year. Since we moved in just after Christmas last year, this is the first tree we've had here -- it looks great through the big windows in our "music room".

Hiking at Mount Jefferson State Park

We found a beautiful hiking area near us here in Ashe County, North Carolina, at Mount Jefferson State Park. Luke and Ian particularly like the trail guides produced for children, encouraging them to look for things like animals, plants, and insects -- and them check them off of their lists.

Luke's 5th Birthday

Hard to believe, but our dear Luke turned 5 years old. We enjoyed a dinner party with friends, and Yukari made special Ninjago (a popular LEGO toy and kid's TV show) cupcakes.

Happy birthday Luke!

House painting

Since being back from Japan and a vacation at the beach, we have been busy with small jobs around the house. Yukari is the most productive, taking on cleaning and painting the front porch.

What a beautiful August this has been!

A garden for Luke and Ian

At the front of our new house, Yukari created a garden for Luke and Ian.

Virginia Beach - August 2013

We have no lack of posts from visits to see family in Virginia Beach, and we enjoyed a couple of visits in July and August this year, after returning home from Japan.

It was wonderful to spend time with Liz, John, and the kids at the beach!

Both Luke and Ian started to enjoy the ocean, and we couldn't get them off the boogie boards. Not long before they will be surfing :)

It is always sad to say goodbye to family, and the boys miss their cousins.

Last days in Japan 2013

We had a wonderful time, as usual, in Japan this summer. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short, but we made the most of our last few days.

Ian and Luke enjoyed an afternoon in the local park with their cousins.

We visited and cleaned the graves of their family members.

Found some interesting samurai statues around Yukari's hometown.

And, of course, our traditional photo of the "hotdog guy" at Narita airport on our last day.

Koguriyama neighborhood, June 2013

Just a few photos around the neighborhood of Yukari's house in Niigata, Japan.

BBQ and Firewroks

We had Japanese style BBQ for dinner today. At least one we do the BBQ when we visit in Japan! I like it, because it reminds me when I was kid. Nice memories :)

After the BBQ, Luke and Ian enjoyed fireworks! 

When I was kid, we do fireworks almost everyday after dinner. Summer tradition and fun for all kids!