Adventures in Japan - four (chi)

The past four weeks have been busy!  Here is what we have been up to this Fall in Japan....

We had a neighborhood block party to carve pumpkins before Halloween.  Hayden did this one all by himself.

Eric outdid himself with this Japanese happy cat pumpkin.  Unfortunately it rotted before Halloween.

The boys trick or treating at the hospital

Family of ninjas

Eric also carved a Mt. Fuji and Kokeshi doll pumpkin.

Oh happy day!  Our household goods arrived on November 7th.  It took us about 2 weeks to feel completely unpacked.

I am part of a Japanese culture group.  We take turns hosting each other and doing things related to each of our cultures.  We hosted the Japanese women in November and decided to do a service project making Operation Christmas Child boxes.

Eric and I did an ITT trip to a Japanese winery.  Here we are wine tasting at 9am.

We were also able to visit Shoshenkyo Gourge.  There were many beautiful views on the hike up.

Fall in Japan is absolutely beautiful

We rode this cable car up the mountain where we had lunch and enjoyed many beautiful Mt. Fuji views.  They packed us in like sardines.  Luckily it was a short trip.

This view made the ride worth it!

Hayden was off school so daddy took the day off and we rented bikes at Showa Park.  Lincoln was at school so it was nice to have a day with just our Bo.

Hayden enjoyed it too!!

About a week before his birthday Lincoln got to ride one of the ponies at his school.  He had been talking about this since starting school.  Each child gets a pony ride during their birth month.  The school sent home pictures.

He also made the newsletter for having a birthday in November.  Here he is with his Senseis.

We were going to have an outdoor party for Lincoln's 4th birthday but the weather did not cooperate.  We moved the party to the bowling alley.  We had fun celebrating with friends.

Lincoln ready to bowl.  The bowling excitement did not last long. 

He was too excited about the awesome ninja turtle cake in the party room!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Thanksgiving Day it snowed!  We got about 3 inches and the boys spent most of the day outside playing in it.

Snow fight with the neighborhood crew.

Eric pulling Lincoln on the sled.  No hills on base.

We had our neighbors over for Thanksgiving dinner.  We shared in cooking the meal and everything turned out great!  Hayden ate a whole turkey leg.

One Christmas item that did make it to Japan is our elf on the shelf.  Here is Hayden reading the book to us this year.

I was so excited our tree was not damaged in the move.  We got the tree up Thanksgiving weekend and Boo started off in the tree.  Funny how a silly tradition can make it feel more like home.