Photo Shoot

I took some family pictures on Sunday. We were all a little sweaty, but they didn't come out half bad. I couldn't coax Lottie into smiling while I was also handling the camera - next time. I did manage to get her hair to sit down. Kind of. It was crazy again after her nap.

Bon Odori

We celebrated Bon Odori this weekend. There was a festival, with little rides and lots of food, then bon dancing and fireworks. Adam and Daddy rode a train.

Adam and Lottie show off their Japanese jinbei.

Adam drumming with his new friend.

Mommy in yukata with the kids in their jinbei.

New Lottie Developments

Lottie is doing lots of exciting new baby things. She can now rip down her giraffes when she's playing in her bouncy chair. She can also move her hanging mirror, all the better to look at herself.

Lottie and Nani are good friends. Even when Lottie is sleeping, Nani wants to be RIGHT THERE with her.

Lottie has figured out how to coo loudly. Also, check out the Japanese girl's hair behind us.

Disney, Again

Somehow, we got roped into going to Tokyo Disney, for the second time this summer. This time, Travis's cousin, Carolyn was visiting and wanted to go, so we went with Carolyn, Maryl, Calum, and Baby Tate. This time, we went to Disney Land, so it was all new to Adam. Luckily, just like our trip to Disney Sea, it was a great day. Overcast, so not too hot, and not as crowded as we expected, since it was the Japanese school holiday.

Since it's almost Obon season, there were quite a few women in yukatas (summer kimono). You have to love a yukata accessorized with Minnie ears and bow.

Adam and Calum can't wait to ride the Teacups.

But it's a little loud! Adam did love the Teacups. I think they might have been his favorite. He loved to get spun around fast.

Adam and Calum pose in front of a playing card at the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. The card was slightly scary, but not as scary as Mickey and Minnie.

Riding in Mickey's car. We did NOT wait 1 hour to see Mickey or get his autograph. The Japanese are fanatical about getting the characters' autographs. Maybe they don't understand that the characters aren't real.

Adam and Calum pose with Cousin Carolyn before the Micro Adventure movie. We only lasted until a 3-D cat scared the pants off both of the kids, at which point we had to leave. Oh well. The boys had a great day, and were extremely well behaved. Adam was especially good, considering that he never got a nap, and that was his first day ever without a nap. He didn't fall asleep until we got home at 10 PM! They liked the Small World ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Dumbo ride, the train ride, and tolerated the Haunted Mansion. We're planning on taking them again for Memorial Day 2009!

Firetruck

Adam just loved this firetruck ride at Yokota (Air Force Base). He never actually got to play the game, he just hung out, jumped around, and tried to invite other kids to play with him.

Nonscary Pig

Adam and Calum ride a nonscary pig - a wooden one!

Hair

This is the most I can get Lottie's hair to settle down. After a nap, it goes right back up.

Or we can just pin bows all over it!

Grate Dancing

The boys just love to dance on the grates. I don't know why, but it's sure funny.

Japanese Grocery Store

I don't post enough about general life in Japan, so here's a good one. Little televisions with advertisements on the shelves of the grocery stores! Only in Japan.

Sunday Afternoon

Lottie modeling her new bows.

Adam wanted to visit the blue elephant near the train station. At first he was scared, but then he decided the elephant was nice. Then he was concerned about the poor elephant's welfare, since he didn't see the elephant's mommy or daddy.