Visitors from KY

Gramma and Grampa came out to Japan to visit us for a bit. It was great not only to see them, but it was nice to be able to show them the places we have grown to love over the past few years. 

They were able to take LC and E to their last day of school. The girls now have a two week spring break and then its back to school. LC will be in K5 (dark green - pine tree) class and E will be in K3 (yellow - stars) class. They are super excited to get back to school although LC and her BFF Ava will be not in the same class together (not a coincidence).  

E going to her class.

After school, everyone stayed late to take photos and give extra love to their sensei's and friends. Here is LC's class and her Sensei, Miyu. 

Peace out - Fuji Class! 

E waiting in line to give her final hugs and 'goodbyes' to Yuka Sensei. 

Sayonara! 

Kotori Class.

LC hugging it out with Miyu Sensei. 

And of course, they left the playground area open for kids to play with their friends a few more times before saying goodbye (for 2 weeks). 

Some of LC's buddies

And to cap it all off - a Parents/kids photo 

After school was out we took Gramma/Pa around the area to check things out. We made it to Yokohama and strolled through a mall where we noticed a lot of women dressed up in their fancy kimonos. We stopped for some pictures but they only wanted the girls in their photos. 

We went to the Cup of Noodles Museum in Yokohama where we learned their history and how they were made. At the very end of it, we all got to make and take home a Cup of Noodles.

Another day we went to Hakone hoping to see Mt Fuji, but it was chilly (and snowy) and we were not able to see it. We hiked around the lake and looked at the temples and the Torii gates. 

LC and E with the Fu Dogs. 

We took the gondolas up to the top of the mountain to check things out. 

It would have been a spectacular sight it it wasn't snowing/cloudy. 

But there was still plenty of neat things to see. 

We also took a boat around the lake that the girls really liked. 

A few of us took the train to Kamakura to see the giant Buddha. 

The cherry Blossoms (Sakura) are starting to bloom which is bringing the Japanese (and tourists) out and about. 

And of course a trip to Kamakura would not be complete until we bought and consumed a freshly made octopus cracker

Easter Sunday! 

Easter Sunday Picnic. Yum! 

A few days in Tokyo... LC and E trying to get us a taxi.

The Sakura is currently at 30% bloom so a trip to the river was in order.

We jumped on some boats and took a stroll down the river to get up close with the Sakura.

We joined boats to eat a snack. 

Even at 30%, they were still awesome. 

Sakura (and chocolate pancake face).

LC kept asking Mom if she knew what she was doing. 

E approved the boating trip. 

And of course a trip to the hotel pool was a perfect way to end the trip to Tokyo.

Thanks for visiting us, Gramma and Grampa! 

Winter Wrap-Up

Japan is wrapping up the winter months with sunny, warm days followed by several days of cold wind and rain.  We are all anxiously awaiting the bloom of the Cherry Blossoms, which are due in the next week or so.  Ellis and Leyton are wrapping up their school year.  And we just hit our two-year Japanniversary.  So you know what that means.... time to move again soon.  And time to check as much off our Japan-bucket-list as we can.

Leyton LOVES playing with her school friends.  She bugs us all weekend long for playdates.

Usually they are stuck playing together.  Sometime it goes well... often times it doesn't.

On warmer days, we head to the park.

Miss Independent loves to walk to school, help in the kitchen, and give us a heart attack by trying to keep up with her sister.

And this monkey.  Too smart for her own good, I'm afraid.

On a totally different note, I had the chance to visit a brewery and have a sake tasting with some friends of mine.  I am not a huge fan of sake, but the food was AMAZING.

Side dish

Sashimi

Main dish

Dessert.

That's all I have for now.  But Gramma and Grampa are coming to visit next week, so stay tuned for plenty of tourist pictures and sakura!