Ikebana

Amy has been taking an Ikebana class (Japanese flower arranging). This week the students had an exhibition. The flowers are beautiful.

Amy’s arrangement


Isabel’s arrangement


Ginny’s arrangement



Misako-san’s arrangement

HIS Sports Day

The kids at HIS all slit up into 5 teams and competed at Sports Day. Hailey’s team (the white team) took first place. Nathan’s team (the red team) took second.

Run Nate.



Pull Hailey.

Hailey's First Piano Lesson

Hailey had here first piano lesson. Makiko will now be teaching both kids and Amy.

International Festival at HIS

The kid’s school had there annual International Festival. It was a fun time. There was food from all over the world, Korean, Australian, American, Indian, Japanese, and English to name a few. We spent the whole day at the school.







Nathan and Trent were playing military games.

Nathan enjoyed the TP Hoops game.

Piano Recital

Nathan and Amy had a Piano Recital. They both played very good. Nathan played The Harp Song and Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. Amy played Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas, and The Start of Something New from High school Musical. We are proud of both of them.

Our two artists.

Nathan looked very comfortable on stage.

Japan?

I came across this picture today. It was taken the first day our family was in Japan. I have not looked at it in a while. It has almost been a year now, but I have to admit I still feel the same. There is a whole new country out side to discover. I wonder what Hailey was thinking?

HIS Science Fair

Nathan entered the Science Fair at school this week. He made a fan car.

Hanami

Hanami means flower watching. It is the most important season for the Japanese. They have cook outs under the trees and party till late.
As one friend told me the sakura is a perfect representation of beauty. It is simple, beautiful, fragile and very temporary.




The view from our kitchen window.





This picture was taken on my morning run, too early for most of the locals. They rent out tables by the hour. Looks like it would be a fun place to hang out.




Kids in their school uniforms headed to school.

Hanami Party

Last week end we enjoyed Hanami. We joined in on the fun and had our own party. Thanks to everyone that came. The weather was a little over cast but it didn’t rain. The kids played in the park until dusk.


I'm with my friends Isabel, Ami, Tomoko-san, Misako-san, and Yoshiko-san.


Corey is enjoying great food Warishi-san and Con.




Everyone brought food to share. My Japanese friends prepared beautiful bento boxes of food. They take such care in details of presentation - it was quite awesome. The food was oishii (delicious)!

Hailey is with her friend, Asahi. They are in kindergarten together.



Asahi with her Dad, Hamada-san.
They enjoyed grilling their food.





Carl, Warishi-san, and John just shooting the breeze.
Carter is ready to fly his kite.

A beautiful view of the park behind our apartment.


Little Minna. She belongs to Carl and Michele. She's adorable!

I'm with Stephanie.

The boys hanging out. Nate with Eduardo, Trent and Caue (pronounced Cow way).

John and Carter getting ready to fly a kite.

Ed, Phil, and Kristoph enjoying a beer together.

John with Sean, who is 5 weeks old. He's so sweet!

Trent and Nate relaxing for a minute.

Hailey and Rissy posing for the camera. They're such hams!


Everyone enjoying Hanami!
I love this view from our apartment.