Japan... to LA... to home (at last!

One of the best naps the whole trip... at the Tokyo Narita Airport.

Jaime, our good friend from California, got to meet Connor (we had a 9 hr layover, and the Scotts were gracious enough to pick us up and let us stay at their home).

More friends from California - including all the babies that have been born this last year!!

Back home at last - with our good friend Judy.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival was the last day we were in Japan. It was moved up this year because the blossoms came early. We were so thankful! It was a few hours drive from Misawa, in Hirosaki. This is part of the castle of the lord who owned all the land the park was on.

Many, many Japanese had this tasty treat, so we had to try it (along with quite a few other fun novelties.) To the best of our reckoning, it's a gelatinous substance that is "fried" in a hot goop (soba sauce maybe?). Quite... shall we say... unusual. In truth, it's not too bad, but we didn't think it was too good either.

"Ethnic" Food

Yes, people actually eat this fish. (not me though!)

Here's the group at the fish market. We got some TASTY treats there (lots of samples), we brought home squid ink treats and lots of seafood for dinner.

This style of eating is called "Yakiniku" (sp?). You get raw meats and veggies and bring it back to your table to cook (except the sushi of course which we ate raw - YUM).

This is Daddy eating a whole octopus (quite squishy, I understand). Mom ate sea urchin sushi, but she spit it out before we could get a picture (she can normally take a lot of weird food, but apparently that was just too much).

New experiences

We saw quite a few shrines while we were there (some Buddhist, some Shinto).

I learned to grab and bring toys to my mouth (and I have enough drool for all my toys!)

I got to see my first beach. (I only had time for a quick glance before I was STARVING)

I enjoyed story time with Daddy for the first time. *sigh*

Man Boobs

Whose are bigger? You be the judge.

Happy Boy!

Austin' and Me

Oops! Austin sneezed while eating his cereal!

First, Austin tried to bully me around.

Then, he tried to hog all the toys.

So I came up with a solution:
"1,2,3,4, I declare a thumb war" (I won.)