Japan Day

 

Today was Japan Day. It's where the locals come and show us different things about their culture.

 

 

 

There was a 30 year old Maple Bonsai tree. It was pretty cool.

 

 

Tons of different musical performances.

 

 

Dan got the chance to play a Koto, a traditional Japanese Instrument.

 

 

Our neighbor Kyla helped Sydney bob for water balloons.

 

 

 

Dan enjoying some Bacon.

 

 

Sydney loved the Chocolate dipped Banana.

 

Hot Ginger Ale

 

I found this in a vending machine, it's really yummy and YES! It comes out warm. I love Japanese vending machines - they're amazing!! Dan didn't like it. He said it tastes like mahogany. LOL

When I asked how he knows what mahogany tastes like? He replied: I can only imagine THAT'S what it tastes like - hahahaha

Snow Corridor

 

We let Danny skip school so we could drive up to the Snow Corridor.

 

 

At the highest point, it is 18 meters (59 feet) high.

 

 

It was really cool! We've NEVER seen SO much snow!!!

 

 

 

On our way down the mountain, we had to pull over to getting a better look at this gorgeous view of the ocean.

 

 

Snuggling with my little bit.

 

Ryusendo Caves

 

This weekend we went to the Ryusendo Caves. It was really cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's really pretty in the caves. They have colored lights shining on the walls to make everything more colorful.

 

 

This is a pool of water inside the cave, that they've dropped some lights down.

 

 

 

 

Lots of stairs for us to climb. The kids did great! Sydney only complained once about some of the tight spaces.

 

 

They gave us these little speakers that clip to the hood of your coat (it's a little chilly inside, so coats were a good idea) and would talk to you in English about the different parts of the caves and pools.

 

 

 

 

 

After the caves, we went to an Amber Museum. We were given a piece of amber to shine and buff into a piece of jewelry.

 

 

It was an amazingly nice day out today. We only needed our coats in the cave. After that, we left them on the bus.

 

We are having LOTS of fun exploring new things while living here in Japan.

 

 

Danny's Baptism

 

 

Danny was baptized today. It was a VERY special day and we were blessed with friends and church members to have come out in the snow to join us.

 

Danny's Birthday

 

Today we woke up to 15" of snow and NO SCHOOL!! They don't close anything around here for snow, but today was different. Danny got the only snow day in the past 5 years to happen on his birthday.

 

 

 

Danny's party was cancelled due to the snow, but not even that could discourage this kids spirits. He was just glad to open presents and spend the day outside playing with all his friends. I made special birthday brownies to celebrate with today.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY!!!

 

Hachinohe Wooden Horse Factory

 

We went to the Wooden Horse Factory today to see how they make these famous souvenirs.

But they weren't open! They did let me take a few pictures though.

 

 

These are some of the beautiful wooden horses they make. I just wish we could have seen them being made. The kids and I came down here on a weekend and was told in "broken English" that they aren't open on weekends. So, we decided to come back during the week, only to be told again that they aren't open. Well, at least we got to kind of see where these horses are made. LOL