Hanami - April 2010

It's hanami season, cherry blossom watching season. During hanami season many people gather at the parks to picnic all day under the cherry blossoms. We shared a relaxing Saturday at Hachimanyama Koen enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Our good friend Marc was visiting on business and was able to share the day with us.



Many vendors come to the parks to sell their goodies. The chocolate covered bananas are the girls' favorite!

Hachimanyama koen is know for it's large suspension bridged and tall viewing tower.

View of Utsunomiya from the center of the bridge.

Fun kids play area at the park.

More yummy festival food, fried chicken on a stick.

Rainbow ice cream....oishi!

Kids Karaoke - April 2010

Karaoke is such a popular social activity in Japan that they even have children's karaoke rooms. We had to try it once before we left. My girls love to sing, so I figured it would be a good time. We went with our friends, Laarni and her two children Aimie, Lewy, Noriko and her two sons, Dai-chan and Ko-chan, and Mioko.

Above: Avery, Rylee, Ko-chan, Aimie, Noriko, and Dai-chan

The girls thought is was so cool to have a real microphone!

The children's karaoke room included a fun play area with toys and a slide. How awesome is that, I love Japan!

Avery taking a break from singing to play the saxophone.

Baby Lewy was getting into the songs too! So cute!

The karaoke place also serves food, so we took a break to eat dinner.

Avery loves Mioko!!

Ko-chan and Noriko singing together, so sweet!

What a fun experience we all shared!!

Porcelain Painting Class - April 2009

I have been taking porcelain painting classes for last 9 months. I really enjoy it and feel so blessed to have such a talented instructor, Yoko Mohri.

Above: Mioko, Yoko, and Kwan

Mioko and I

Sue and Becky

Mioko and Kwan

Traditional Japanese Lunch - March 2010

Once again, thanks to Mioko, the girls and I were able to experience an authentic Japanese meal that was very interesting and so delicious.

Mioko not only teaches Japanese to us Americans, she also teaches English to Japanese families that are preparing to move to America. Mioko was so kind to set up this lovely lunch so that Becky and I could meet two of her students that will move to America this April. My hope is to be able to help these ladies when we return in May. Plus, I am eager to continue relationships with Japanese families. I feel so blessed by this experience, it will be hard to let it go.

Above from left: Asami-san and her daughter Kyoka-chan, Fumiyo-san, and Becky

In back: Avery, Mioko, and Rylee

This restaurant was so beautiful on the inside. This lovely hallway was lined with small sliding doors that led to private tatami eating rooms. Rylee and Avery loved the small door openings, they were just their size!

Our meals were presented it these neat cases. Rylee and Avery's meals were served in a small dresser drawer set and the adult meals were served in stacked jars. Love the presentation in Japan!

Yummy Dessert!!

Karaoke Ladies Night - March 2010

Once a month our ladies group meets for dinner. This group consists of a mix women from around the world, not just Japan and America. Nearly all of the 30 or so women have lived or are currently living in a foreign country. This is our ladies support group. It has been a lot fun to meet so many different and fun women, each with a unique experience to share. This month we decided to go karaokeing. Karaoke is very popular in Japan and it's a lot of fun!

Yoko singing her heart out! She has a great voice!

Tomoko and Becky

Laarni and Diane

Mioko and I