New Year's Eve

Japanese New Year

Louis tried his hand at making mochi for the Japanese New Year at a local farmer's market.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve

Looking out the window for Santa

Setting out cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer

Chilly morning at a garden & Christmas Choral Concert

The problem with taking 3 months to post something to your blog is that you have no idea where you were 3 months ago. So, here's some garden we visited one very chilly morning:



In the evening we went to a Christmas Concert by the British Embassy Choir. Afterwards we got a family picture....both boys sleeping/half asleep :)

Ice Skating and the Dingo

"The Dingo ate your baby!"









We went with friends Guna and Phoebe to a local ice rink. This was the first time for Louis and Phoebe to ice skate. I think Louis was really tired - he fell asleep at the table at dinner!

Tree of Santas and Watching water

Christmas is coming! We saw this 'Tree of Santas' at Tokyo Midtown shopping mall.

Louis and friends at the Tokyo Midtown park

Six weeks left in Tokyo!

Last week I confirmed our flights for the return trip to NC. On January 18th at 7:00 PM we'll be taking off from Japan and our 11-month adventure in Tokyo will come to an end.

Six weeks from today. It's hard to believe.

We've had a fantastic year and I wouldn't trade a minute of it - but it is still nice to be coming home.

Inba Marsh Hike

We hiked around the Inba Marsh - a relatively flat and easy hike, with lots of farmland, birds, and country scenery. Louis did very well - did a LOT of walking this trip! Beautiful weather.



The start was a bit muddy but we all managed to avoid falling in.


Windmill from the Netherlands & cool bridge.


Little forest we walked through and stop for lunch.

Jamey sits & Electricity Museum

I can sit!


Derek took the day off work so we headed to the Tepco Electric Energy Museum. This is one of Louis' favorites - lots of hands on stuff for kids! They even had Jamey-size stuff too.

Stop in at a coffee shop during Louis' nap on the way home. As we arrived home I said to Derek that I didn't know if we had a shot of the outside of our apartment so here you go.

Derek and the boys watched 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' while I went out for dinner with a friend.

Playgroup Christmas party

The kids were entertained by a magic show and then "Santa" handed out gifts (puzzles) for all the children.

Happy baby

Please do it at home.

In the subway stations, they put up these amusing posters telling passengers what they should 'do at home' or 'at the gym' and other places not the subway. We found this one particularly intriguing.

Update...Derek found a website with a few other posters...

Louis turns 3 today!

Happy Birthday Louis!
Today we celebrated Louis' 3rd birthday...fittingly enough, his gifts included a wooden sushi set. He loves his new books!


I think his favorite is a radio control helicoptor. Jamey's favorite is the Green Toys tea set Louis received!


Birthday brownie!


Louis said he wanted to go to the science museum for his birthday - so off we go!

Several friends joined us at the museum - the kids had a blast!

Lunch time!

Pearly (China/U.K. Her mom Coco is off to the left); Jim, Liam, Lynette, Kyra (Chicago)

Justine, Inara, Jason (Australia)

What a big boy :) And proud parents & baby brother!

Baking fun & Fall colors

This morning, Louis, Jamey and I made cookies for Louis' birthday tomorrow.


Later, we met friends at Arisugawa park. The colors were gorgeous!

I think this is the largest dog I have ever seen...