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!

Dada is home!

Paul had really busy schedule for this summer. He were in Indonesia for a month an he spent a day with us, he went to another business trip for a week in Japan. And today, he finished all the trip and came home!! We meet Paul at my sister's house, so he had chance to spent time with Yuuma and Kie-chan :) Paul brought Batik shirts from Indonesia for all kids. They love it!

Welcome home Dada!

Fun with cousins

We visited my sister's house for a week. Yuuma and Kie-chan are already attending schools, so they can visit us to grandma's house until late July, so we decided to visit them! We had such a wonderful time.
 

They took us to "Round 1" (very popular game/entertainment center)

 We visited my cousin's house. Luke and Ian had fun train ride with their cousins. 

Here are the rules in the train (my sister made this for her kids):

1. No running around

2. No screaming       

3. No crying            

We had great time with my aunt (my dad sister) and cousin! Thank you for making delicious lunch and fun time. See you in 2015!!

One the way to my sister's house. They kept the train ride rules--they were "pretty" good ;-)

This is what we eat at home!

Today we went to grocery store and we found food that we like.

Mushroom for me, soy beans for Luke and Ian, Myouga (kind of ginger) for Paul 

and squid baby for my mom.

Bon Appetit!

Helping Baba's (Grandma's) garden

It's getting warmer and my mom said "It's time to plant vegetables!"  I heard Boys screaming "YEAH!!!!", they are so excited! Luke asked Baba if he can plant his own flower somewhere are garden. Of course she said "Yes!" Now they are extra excited and boys were beg to take them to the store to get flowers. Yes, we wet to quick stop at the store and boys choose flowers!

Luke's flower garden. He choose all purple flowers.

This is Ian's flower garden.

Somehow my boys always end up like this when they go outside... muddy, muddy, muddy! I know it so much fun to get dirty---hahaha    I guess I just need to change their clothes four times and they need take bath twice a day--that's all, not big a deal, right? Hahaha

Kids usual day in Japan

It's still cold in the night and morning, but if there is little sunshine, 

kids usual day start with "Park" in the morning.

 

Today, there are more children in our near by park.  Luke and Ian were little shy to talk to them at first, but some of the girls and boy came over and showed Luke and Ian a bag--full of "Frogs" in it!

Now, Luke and Ian were so excited and look for more frogs.

Here is the one that they found.

After the park, we noticed that cherry blossom is almost finish. It was so beautiful when the strong wind come, cherry blossom petals are in the air just like snow--it was snowing in the spring time! Petals are all over the place. Luke and Ian asked me if they can sweep them.

They are working very hard.

 But of course, they end up play with water--as usual :)

It was another fun day!