Snorkeling in Atami

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On Island

Well, we made it to Japan! We are so happy to be here! We are loving being with Nana and Grandpa! It is especially fun to hear Grandpa speaking Japanese to people everywhere we go! Saturday we celebrated Tyler's birthday by going to Showa Park. There were giant, bouncy, cloud-like trampolines to jump on, dragons to climb on, and snowcones to eat. We played 9 holes of mini-golf, too. We've put some pictures from the day below. Today we went to church - right next door to the mission home. We got to wear earphones and listen to a translator during Sacrament Meeting - pretty cool! Grandpa went to Primary with the kids, and they loved that. They sang the same Primary Program songs they are learning at home....but in Japanese. Tyler was brave and went alone to Young Men's. The boys in his class were practicing their English on him, and he said they knew more English than he did Japanese! It was just so neat to experience the gospel and feel its same sweet spirit here all the way across the world. It is true wherever you go.

Tyler opening his birthday present from Nana and Grandpa - an ipod shuffle! Yippee!Grandpa showing us "the transfer board." Then he presented each of the kids with a famous oinking pig keychain with a light! Devin is showing his off.We read Tyler's book in the van on the way to the park. We rented bikes and rode around to all the things all day. The giant trampoline was awesome!

We saw a gorgeous field of poppey's. The kids liked climbing on the dragons.

Group picture: the Office Missionaries, Nana and Grandpa, and us!

The kids on the sun-dial rock, and Ty with his Grandpa!

Going to Japan

Our plane had hydraulic problems so we had to wait for them to fix it.

About 2 1/2 hours.

For most of the flight the sky looked like this as we chased the sun.

Zach did is homework on the 11 1/2 hour flight.

Here's the New Car

We found a good deal on a 2005 Honda Pilot last month when the engine in my van died....and boy, it's sure changed my image! I used to be "van woman" and now I'm the cool lady with the sunroof and leather seats! We are having fun with it, but mostly it feels so nice to know I am driving a reliable car.

First Day of School

Better Late Than Never! Here are my cute kids on their first day of school. Tyler started 7th Grade, Amanda is in 5th Grade (and a Patrol/Crossing Guard, too!), Zach is in 3rd Grade, and Devin - my baby - started Kindergarten! Mommy took it harder than the Kindergartener! Devin is going to Spanish Immersion, and he gets to ride the bus and go to school with several of his good friends. He's had fun with that! He comes home to me at lunch time, and runs into my arms as he gets off the bus. All the kids like their teachers, and the school year is going well so far.

R.N.C.

Here are some photos of Spencer at the RNC