Nara

We spent our Saturday visiting Nara, one of Japan's old capitals. It is home to historic temples, shrines, nice parks, and lots of sacred (to the Japanese) deer. This sign features some particularly angry deer!

Adam checking to see if he is enlightened. This is a small hole in a beam at the Todaji, the biggest wooden structure in Japan. If you make it through the hole, you are enlightened.

Going through...

Made it!

Jenna was interested, but wouldn't go through, even with Adam's example. Both kids were of interest to all the Japanese - check out the guy taking pictures of Jenna on his camera phone. The Japanese also let both kids cut the line. Benefits of being little and cute!

Here are Heather and Jenna with some of those sacred and nosy deer. You can buy deer cookies to feed them.

We thought Adam would be scared of the deer (just like the pigs!), but he was interested, then excited to feed them deer cookies. It probably helped that he was above their level.

Overcoming his fear and touching a deer nose.

Chris was approached several times by schoolgirls who interviewed him for their school assignments. I think it's because he's the tallest and blondest of all of us.

The family in front of the Todaji.

Kyoto

We spent one rainy day in Kyoto. We took Andy, Heather, and Jenna to our favorite spot in Kyoto - Kiyomizo Temple. Here we are at the entrance.

Andy and Heather with the kids. We love this temple because it is set into the mountains. So beautiful, but you can see the rain in the background!

Part of the temple, along with all the people taking pictures.

The other big part of the temple.

Adam inspecting the important cultural relics.

Yunessun

Here are more pictures from Yunessun, the hot spring/spa/water park in Hakone (near Mount Fuji). Lottie and Jenna getting ready for the water.

The coffee spa (hot spring water with coffee). They also give out coffee at specified times if you are in the spa.

Andy and Heather get a massage from the hot waterfall. You can see it falling above their heads.

The wine spa. They also gave out wine (you cup your hands and they pour it right in) here.

The green tea spa.

The whole family in the main area.

Everyone!

Tokyo

After DisneySea, we spent the night in Tokyo, then hung out in Harajuku. Here are Adam and Jenna at Meiji Shrine.

Here's Jenna playing in the traditional Japanese hotel room.

Adam, Jenna, Aunty Heather, and Uncle Andy in front of the giant tori gate on the way to Meiji Shrine.

We found a few soccer stores in Harajuku, and Uncle Andy just had to visit all of them. Here are Chris and Andy with our potential soccer players.

More DisneySea

Here we are on the Disney Line train on our way to DisneySea! The windows and the rings to hold onto were both Mickey-shaped. Disney thinks of everything.

Jenna and Adam look out the Mickey-shaped window to see the water.

Daddy and Adam at the park entrance.

Jenna and Aunty Heather with an Aristocat. Notice Adam was NOT in any pictures with Disney characters. They are "very scare."

Jenna and Adam took a nice nap in their strollers, allowing all the parents some time to go on a few less child-friendly rides, like Indiana Jones.

In front of Mount Prometheus, the big landmark for DisneySea.

Just like Disney Land, but with 90% more Japanese people. Also, this Minnie Mouse is Arabian. Do you like the girl's Minnie ears with tiny hat?

The Japanese love to buy the mouse ears and other fun things to wear on your head. Here, one has a headscarf with attached ears, and her friend has a big Minnie bow.

Adam just loved all the rides. Here he got to ride the elephant on the carousel.

Stroller

Lottie tried out Adam's stroller while we were at DisneySea. She thought it was interesting; he was upset. It's "mine!"

Dancing

Cousin Play Time

Lottie's Baptism

Lottie was baptised on Friday, while godparents Andy and Heather could attend. We attended daily Mass, then had the Baptism afterward, so some friends (the Sommers and the Carlsons) could attend. Lottie did much better than Adam, who cried during his entire Baptism. She only cried after she got wet!

The aftermath of getting wet!

Lottie with Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Andy, and Aunty Heather.

Family picture after Lottie was changed out of the slippery gown.

Hanging Out