tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36268556121434412292024-02-18T19:00:51.993-08:00a little place in japanBrandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-53431155651485525492012-12-30T18:52:00.003-08:002012-12-30T18:52:59.086-08:00The Sayonara Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four years ago when we were preparing to move to Japan we stumbled across a few great blogs about living here in Japan. There was one thing they all had in common; they just stopped. It's like the people writing the blog just got too busy or something - wink, wink. While my posts have also died down this Sayonara post is one thing I will most definitely not forget. </div>
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It seems impossible to predict the emotions we will begin feel upon our return to the good ol' USA. Each time I start to think about it I allow myself to get distracted by something less meaningful, like thinking about cleaning up my computer files at work or sorting and packing all of the things that we've bought here. I'm working up until four days before we leave and we are keeping Ella in school until the last minute. I'm basically setting myself up for an airplane breakdown at this point. </div>
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To sum it up, there are just a few things I want to say about living in Japan. </div>
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1. I will never, ever not help someone that is struggling or looking lost. Never. Ever. There are a few certain people that have helped our family along the way. From helping us get an apartment to translating important documents from Ella's school, we could not have survived without them. However, there was also the guy in the suit that showed us how to buy a ticket at the subway on our first trip to Tokyo. There are the two guys that helped me carry Ella's stroller up the subway stairs in Shibuya without me having to even ask. The guy at Family Mart that showed us we had walked 6 blocks in the opposite direction of our hotel, during a typhoon. The flight attendants that carried our bags all the way to our seat while we were traveling with Ella. The list could go on, but I think you get the point. </div>
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2. You learn to appreciate western things more: western toilets , conveniently located elevators, not feeling guilty about changing up your order to include no mayonnaise, ovens, 4-burner stoves. Things like that. </div>
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3. You learn to appreciate some not-so-western things: No talking on phones or talking loudly on public transportation, multiple parks within walking distance of your home, tiny dogs in clothing, vending machines with coffee, fast noodle shops...heated toilet seats...chu-hi's...</div>
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4. Respect. If you allow yourself, you can learn a lot about what it means to be a positive citizen of the world. I suppose that could be said of moving by yourselves to any place, not just Japan. We felt so welcomed by everyone we met, we learned to respect each other in a whole different way and we learned to respect the (sometimes goofy) customs of our host nation. </div>
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We hope you have enjoyed keeping up with our little adventures and our beautiful Ella! Who knows what will happen next! Sayonara! </div>
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Our last day in Japan. Finally, a photo with the Autumn maple leaves!</div>
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<br />Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-36289449875918208292012-12-30T18:51:00.003-08:002012-12-30T18:51:43.188-08:00Moving Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Good-bye to our first family home! </div>
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Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-26282455931438871522012-12-30T18:47:00.002-08:002012-12-30T18:47:59.296-08:00A Bundle of Sayonara PartiesElla made some really great friends while attending school here in Japan and we were so humbled when the little New Balance wearing gang decided to throw her a "Sayonara Party". It was a great day full of food and baby fun. We are so lucky and we will miss them all so much! <br />
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Then we went to the Dugan's for a festival to celebrate not only our friendship, but my 29th Birthday! </div>
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<span id="goog_2092629109"></span>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-22897416480480003372012-12-30T18:36:00.000-08:002012-12-30T18:36:00.290-08:00Ocktober Fest!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year we stumbled upon Ocktober Fest at the Red Brick in Yokohama, but this year we went there on purpose. We grabbed Reggie and Manami and headed into the Japanese version of Germany. The beers are expensive and HUGE, but you don't really think about it while you dance and sing to a real German polka band with thousands of people! </div>
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Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-85827801930072218222012-08-30T05:28:00.002-07:002012-08-30T05:28:49.885-07:00the mt. fuji climbWell, how do I really say this? I guess I should start with, Mt. Fuji climbed us and not the other way around. <br />
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Let's dial it back to the day of departure. There was a bad storm on the mountain and some roads were closed so we immediately started formulating a back up plan. Should we go? Should we stay? Little did we know this would become a trend. <br />
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We had a friend visiting from the states and this is "the one thing" he wanted to do, so whenever we began to question our next course of action, we most always chose: go! <br />
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We had pretty good plans (very well researched by yours truly) to drive up to the Marine base, Camp Fuji and stay the night. We would then wake up super early and start our hike at 3:00am with the intentions of being at about the 7th station by sunrise. However, the previously mentioned storm changed all of that. While doing research about the storm we found out they were closing the toll road up the mountain due to a Japanese holiday. This was disappointing because we specifically planned to hike at the beginning of the season to avoid toll-road closures. After calling the toll road office (yes, we did that) we discovered the road would remain open until midnight. So, we quickly canceled our reservations at the Marine base and headed up the mountain to climb through the night. I mean, wouldn't seeing sunrise from the top of Mt. Fuji be better than half-way up? So, we changed our plan to begin hiking at 10:30PM so we could make it to the top by about 3:00am.Yea....</div>
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We got to the parking area happy to find about 40 other people doing the same thing that we were doing. We ate some sandwiches, put on our hiking shoes and gear, drank some water and started our 1 mile walk to the trail head. We stopped in and bought my Fuji Stick and a few extra pairs of gloves, used the restroom, saw a lot of people stretching, did some stretches too and took off for our hike. </div>
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Slowly but surely, the rain came. And then more rain came. Decked out in full rain gear we trucked up the volcano in a complete down pour. We checked in at the 6th station right on track for our goal and we kept going, soon checking in at the 7th Station. At this point we were 100% wet. We were completely soaked, our cell phones and money had transferred to the plastic baggies that used to carry our sandwiches and we were getting used to the complete blackness. The rain was coming down so hard that we had to follow the reflectors on each others shoes because we could see no other markers! Every once in awhile one of us would run into a chain fence and realize we were hiking in the wrong direction. Let's address for a minute that we are in no way recreational hikers. Luckily, our friend Jesse is, because other wise we might have died. The aforementioned Fuji Stick saved my life about 5 times as I pounded it into the ground during high-gusting winds. I must have shaved about 1" off of the thing.</div>
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At the 7.8 station we took some time to second guess ourselves, but with Jesse's support we decided to push though. Slowly but surely we saw everyone we began hiking with begin to give up. Paying crazy amounts of Yen to get out of the rain and wind, some even huddling together inside the stinky bathrooms. We didn't think too much as we push through and passed the 7.8 station, but after about 10 minutes Jesse made the executive decision to stop for the night. Winds were blowing at about 40mph and there was so much rain that it was almost white around us. I pretty sure it started snowing at one point. We made our way back to the 7.8 Station and paid Y5,000 each for a place inside the station's hut. We were each given a futon mat and bean-bag pillow, along with the opportunity to dry our clothes in a electric camping dryer. So basically, we didn't get to dry our clothes. <br />
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We made the most of it and decided to get up at 4 to watch the sunrise. After a 2 hour nap we woke to our sunset. There are no words to describe it, I will just let you experience it for yourself in the picture below: <br />
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At this point the winds had not let up, but indeed they were worse. The rain was pelting sideways and people were dropping their Mt. Fuji summit dreams like flies. Knowing that this was "the one thing" that Jesse came all the way from Connecticut for and that we would never have a chance again we just couldn't leave. While everyone from the hut at station 7.8 (including Fuji climbing guides) formed back into their groups and began to go back down we waited around in hopes something would change. <br />
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After about 2 hours of standing around a group of 60--->? year old's came up through our station. We listened to their guide and we could understand that they were going to push through and see if they could make it to the next station. So, we filed in behind them. After all, they were much older than we were and if they were going to take on the volcano than we surely couldn't give up! <br />
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After about 30 minutes of rain and intense winds this happened: <br />
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Our reward from Heaven for sticking it out? I like to think so. Onward to the summit! Everything was great. The winds died down and the rain held off. It was at this point I realized how freaking hard the hike was. Mentally, I felt like my legs couldn't make it, I felt like I couldn't lift my knees anymore. But, if survived the night before I surely wasn't going to give up! Plus the view was beautiful, no it was breathtaking. <br />
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We made it to the summit! <br />
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As you can see, Mt. Fuji has a mind of it's own. Once we reached the summit there was no visibility and again, there was pelting rain. It was so foggy I couldn't find the bathroom hut! We did however find hot bowls of udon and curry. It felt amazing to sit at the top of Mt. Fuji, whether we could see around us or not. Everything we went through, from the almost road closures to the Y5,000 futon mat seemed to fade away as we enjoyed our HOT soup and milk sake. <br />
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Then we went outside again. <br />
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However, as we descended down the volcano mother nature calmed down and the hike was more amazing than any one nature related thing I have ever seen. For the entire 5 hour hike down the volcano we enjoyed breathtaking views and perfect weather as we were greeted by the hikers on their way up. There was a slight jealousness knowing that if we had stuck with our original plan we would have had a perfect hike with them but in the end, we wouldn't have had nearly as great of a story. <br />
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Did I mention it was all in honor of Brandon's 31st birthday? Oh yes...what a birthday?! <br />
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Just a few more photos! </div>
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Jesse, super happy and loving life. </div>
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<strong>Our top tips for climbing Fuji:</strong> </div>
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1. Rent shoes and rain gear no matter how cool and awesome you think you are. </div>
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2. Bring lots of Yen, you never know when you'll need a Y5,000 futon mat!</div>
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3. Put your change or clothes/spare socks inside of a plastic bag. </div>
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Oh and here is another great part of the story. I forgot to close the car door the night before! Luckily, we live in Japan and people don't break into easily accessible spaces that aren't there's AND I had turned the dome light off for some weird reason. It would have been ridiculous to come back to a dead battery! So, our fourth piece of advice: check your car doors! </div>
Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-3742427500178366642012-08-30T04:12:00.000-07:002012-08-30T04:12:43.905-07:00summer festivalIt's never too late for a summer festival! If you remember from last year, Ella didn't do all that much for her summer festival. This year was a whole different story. They spent weeks rehearsing and more importantly, she wasn't sick like last year. Hope you enjoy!<br />
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Ella's favorite teacher, Fujiwara Sensei. She just left to have her own baby. We are so happy for her but will miss her so much!</div>
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Ella with her best friends, just missing LaLa-chan & Jin-kun. </div>
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We're so proud of our Japanese baby! </div>
Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-74503863962214341772012-08-28T03:26:00.000-07:002012-08-28T03:43:44.792-07:00a mid-summer nights postHow is every one's Summer going? We have been busy polishing off our final Japan wish lists and soaking up every bit of our favorite Japanese things that we possibly can. We've started going out to eat more, braving our nearly two-year old and her "moods". We've added morning walks for coffee, trips to the beach and more visits with treasured friends. For awhile we thought of them as "new friends", but now they are a close kind of family. We will miss them. Oh, and we started selling our stuff - so there's that. <br />
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Enjoy these photos from our summer, thus far! </div>
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We made it up Mt. Fuji!</div>
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Evening baseball game, The Yokohama Baystars</div>
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Staycation at The Park Hyatt, compliments of our visitor, Jesse.</div>
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Zushi Beach</div>
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We had a Nephew! Welcome, Henry!</div>
Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-65572653040677350302012-06-06T05:29:00.002-07:002012-06-06T05:30:18.520-07:00Anpanman Playland<div style="text-align: center;">
Brandon took Ella to the Anpanman Museum last week and naturally, she was thrilled. </div>
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Ella's friends Hayato & Nina, also very excited.</div>
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ANPANMAN!!!</div>
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With her favorite, Cheesu.</div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-17772808041518216082012-06-06T05:23:00.000-07:002012-06-06T05:23:06.123-07:00Current Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A cool graffiti wall in Yokohama. </div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-80585455360468505362012-05-26T02:04:00.001-07:002012-05-26T02:04:47.961-07:00Sakura 2012A little late posting these photos, obviously. I was traveling in all of the wrong places during Sakura season but happened to pick up the tail end during a work trip to our Japanese homeland, Sasebo. Hope you enjoy! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nnWJ_sEumkEKy1bfXcbgifb6P0Q2AJ3iVn6AQtWG8B-JxYJyBOdIESdHqATo6nkTbcKgLXfgC4d9CDaAknT7nlYSXEw9Rin4oMOJsgc9niatx2UF0DgtoGHxrGkwMck-6NuQwXQ2K9U/s1600/DSC07071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nnWJ_sEumkEKy1bfXcbgifb6P0Q2AJ3iVn6AQtWG8B-JxYJyBOdIESdHqATo6nkTbcKgLXfgC4d9CDaAknT7nlYSXEw9Rin4oMOJsgc9niatx2UF0DgtoGHxrGkwMck-6NuQwXQ2K9U/s320/DSC07071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-5961742026758885642012-05-20T04:19:00.000-07:002012-05-21T18:54:20.285-07:00School Field Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We took a field trip with Ella's school over the weekend and it was one awesome baby-fest. 20 something kids from ages Baby to 4 all running around screaming, "ANPANMAN!!!" All of Ella's friends made it out and had a great time together dong baby things and stuffs. </div>
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<br />I couldn't tell you the name of the Marine Park because we lucked out and ran into the teachers during the train-to-bus trek. So, like rookie's we paid no attention to our surroundings. Naturally, this would have been a recipe for disaster but we were lucky enough to catch a ride home from one of Ella's friends. </div>
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Good times in the summer sun! </div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-73323444199500323682012-04-20T23:51:00.001-07:002012-04-20T23:51:24.048-07:00time goes byWhen I have nothing to write about it REALLY means that we live a real life here in Japan. What happened to the times when everything was new and different?<br />
<br />
I suppose I will break the news! We have made a family decision to move home to the States. Our plan is to pack up and move out in time for Christmas this year. There will be so much to do before we leave, my mind gets foggy just thinking about it. More things to see; making sure that we cross everything off our list that we keep putting off. Currently that list is: <br />
<br />
1. Climb Mt. Fuji this summer. <br />
2. Spend an night at an onsen hotel, one that over looks Mt. Fuji with person onsen's. <br />
3. Go to Osaka. <br />
<br />
Who knows what will really happen, but I do know that we will make the most of our time left here in Japan. Maybe I will get around to posting a thing or two about it if we're lucky.Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-24350586722088678952012-01-21T20:54:00.000-08:002012-01-21T21:00:57.866-08:00current happenings<div align="center">Well these homes are more than awesome.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_n_OgtN0QNlSFwzqtdnd632xKVz5UUZoQzHBigZFsa2sA712ds43Aca0ZXO-tMAYou2JvYnsFvcP7U0D84LxPaQ634GKhZZOMkweC8ZhE7rWBM088AV5TVrRFbn03fBCAEdpcpkANwFG/s1600/DSC06008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700315608674480562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_n_OgtN0QNlSFwzqtdnd632xKVz5UUZoQzHBigZFsa2sA712ds43Aca0ZXO-tMAYou2JvYnsFvcP7U0D84LxPaQ634GKhZZOMkweC8ZhE7rWBM088AV5TVrRFbn03fBCAEdpcpkANwFG/s400/DSC06008.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwgS68q1dDB4YAkDVf1ClQRYvcINZLe2BttqspfTBnyAVXPW5eIrGMgbXV8AfwaifxcfeisG3xpcXvsfRu6AUC2C_vFPiyHNYHOmWPXxYGFK90efP6ISvVUFDyB-tRUHXcSRKEiXMB9ZS/s1600/DSC06006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700315601377599922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwgS68q1dDB4YAkDVf1ClQRYvcINZLe2BttqspfTBnyAVXPW5eIrGMgbXV8AfwaifxcfeisG3xpcXvsfRu6AUC2C_vFPiyHNYHOmWPXxYGFK90efP6ISvVUFDyB-tRUHXcSRKEiXMB9ZS/s400/DSC06006.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoTtSwj_fs1aGzUtIryb7XrJfNi-DUU6GKkF6nO46FUa94PR11skkdVXXYftAvblQBGKa3tnM6TZH9Pz-OZNFqup719VerW8zykRBCWuJFjN7IC_HJ0oSLauPK5FRwzSdR2h0o4yZ5fW-/s1600/DSC05999.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700315595471215522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoTtSwj_fs1aGzUtIryb7XrJfNi-DUU6GKkF6nO46FUa94PR11skkdVXXYftAvblQBGKa3tnM6TZH9Pz-OZNFqup719VerW8zykRBCWuJFjN7IC_HJ0oSLauPK5FRwzSdR2h0o4yZ5fW-/s400/DSC05999.JPG" /></a> Walking around in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kamakura</span> neighborhoods. Apparently they have a knack for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">modern</span> architecture. </div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-36460807213293580222012-01-21T18:32:00.000-08:002012-01-21T23:21:05.452-08:00pounding the mochi!We have been dying for a true mochi experience since we arrived in Japan. We LOVE mochi and have been known to prepare it many different ways (check out other mochi posts <a href="http://littleplaceinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-kitchen-mochi.html">here</a> & <a href="http://www.littleplaceinjapan.blogspot.com/2011/02/in-our-kitchen-chickpea-curry-nutella.html">here</a>). When we interviewed at Ella's school and discovered they held a mochi pounding event we were over the moon! In fact, I'm pretty sure they were creeped out by our excitement. Flash forward to last weekend and we finally got our chance to <em>pound the mochi</em>!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700313058892560466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PbDcgg2-xtJ5VJoKTGipqL2XTWFkExjeoqRuKy6pebFW4ygTRl3TX-xJBw3KbfEqzh88OOFGdfnmKjwtOAOQrMrwItdzwQAZaaBmUfDrpLpja9tlwF-rrBvwQK7Z_ETFW9x66xIquecK/s400/DSC05882.JPG" />The fathers took turns pounding steamed rice in a large mortar & pestle while the teachers splashed warm water to keep the rice moist. After the rice was pounded into a smooth ball they removed it and placed it on a table of flour. While the kids got to pull the mochi apart and roll it into balls the parents prepared the edible mochi for eating. We made balls of warm mochi covered in soy bean power (which is also amazing on vanilla ice cream). We also dipped warm mochi into (soy?) sauce and rolled it in seaweed. In the end we all sat around the table and feasted on mochi, tea and pickled cabbage.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700281430440619218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhXtHHPT4POORhWjPzSQsU4kFj_LRvvuUhwUyIxyLvo3vcGsAKv0phheiSZ_bdjhxQTvdO6aF5kH7s9aUHc9WI1ztIssEfRWb5KLxFe2cwL2s-VKVPD38OtYR48Lw2pKlli_fttIrvOvR/s400/DSC05852.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700281446240891826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOSqU7qKq1fyMBLb9ZfiGxOGV5Ynx9fuaPxH-mL2q2wu3pDOgYvrA3c5UcivxVOiGjoEiV7s185sILMcNXsN0HjONTFiYM0dYTxnzLUl9OphZsiN3iUu6S6txO_k9IZX4gEuBDyVk6mDF/s400/DSC05895.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700313068152467186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOQiurdPchqyAAPNrIHgkWOq6ynScSCWR3Lh6ZNiwsmghI_y5AvXXaXbuAUf_dm3JEMT-4c0EApza0Ph_gd7A4PAesKvCPQ-sHMq_8a8UmEkD9x06-AIwHjx7MHDQbLN6CanC6BuGLGs2/s400/DSC05931.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700313236260204610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy2hqr3QLwSopgBAwf2qlBAxg2T7CR5EXHb04fxz21scSPEZJF-dmKJYFnuTmie9nNVGkyWxhw52tkHuPKVSCAczj5FFDFX_NmYSCii4vmlS7C2fdhxYTTeTGvC2DtpoTsWDNMlShTpf5/s400/DSC05935.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700313070571833042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNK5YARCdW-tICBGcl4b_3KsLwDCuJ5YF0ECD1K-Bb6d53ZfXMx2LWYxfJhHStCIBih5jVCC_sJLwFzQHCJkT_NlvEoVUiS2ndk_O6UpJCvwm-mppwzb_q8rA1iQMDqAZQn6FEeT2Arn2/s400/DSC05921.JPG" />It was a great experience and as always, the cute babies running around in tiny people aprons and bandanna's made it all the more enjoyable! </div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-81710097318975276992012-01-01T02:30:00.001-08:002012-01-21T23:34:20.720-08:00hello, goodbye.<div align="justify">2011 was quite a year. It's strange how quickly a year moves when you are documenting a little person's every first <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">something</span> in their life. Looking back through pictures Brandon & I can see that we had a very successful year. We taught a little person how to crawl, sit, walk, dance, eat, wave bye-bye and blow kisses. We took a baby on two international flights. We taught a little person how to brush their teeth. I got a promotion too. It was a good year. Sorry, but I couldn't pic just one - here is this year in photos! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">xoxo</span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">A new city for living, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yokosuka</span>, Japan. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692621333341346210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78YJZS0tmxdfljA3fs-hGmVhYjUJ1T_pVW5KTc_IYTWfD-ZwA2z4axTLIf-n0UWcXDY3JgEOHFDNPFvsC_ftPbszuh_6NLXPGnjDoGUK8dxPVPqytyDxagkF6geSkkex5jYCcY6lX250V/s400/1.JPG" />A new city for discovering, Tokyo, Japan. </div><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692623518207534722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z2uCJgCYehQ243_NFeTznSZi5HNet6PzdUMTY7YjGjL3cl613wqy3tvDWiR5s-UaQ1ZzlOdIUXNSt7z29jeuucpMiNCYbPwjOszptC-GdEFaP2fWrB-FRyWYW45cxvU6fRkId16FrDX8/s400/3.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Jiji & Grandma visit for the 3rd time. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700353362987873650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJowS6A5U6-wGKRTbSFKG7b_StdqTHUl6oQ6ZGrIHDIKyEOLaBBe95YYPRbm_0NYUXU4LulvT7qBXb1JYu1PbiR8xU-sbMBvcwcZaAB1KUpzCM9bOgfF8oFCKXIl5lvEFjVnYy41SAXLa/s400/4.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692621317574146594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBzGz0upVAVQg22kaI2CnJivjn-WHycgoNU7SYuIwQEKXC8zCmEDuqJz8GFI3x9O0RY-YA9ngy4dUEkSJXFkjrcbtj7_qtqjrrbut_j3dAddfB13cHBf1pW6r7IxNX9ukdvk1zMtd0CLm/s400/2.JPG" /> Aunt Stephanie visits from Okinawa.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692621117120231378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUnVVRGpf5cglFD5wClC28K5Wk5UnrdqOTozr0b-wa7zcvb-jy1j0MkJTtV4Z9hIZ6bxWcRoPwTGOMOrUczlXccmMx4hvq56XoHWlhYl18Cs3yvInzGwghkNW8INe2W2nnI5GY3q4FLQ/s400/6.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692621118518461538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXShVBEVKyJ9yhio_UjoDsS2umqixfoNhoHmnylxndmK12U6k-Lic8g7i5GaWy0Fu1-hIrKADBEdQyxIs0DkCHTn56aXFo22H-mn2jfuOUpRe7nisMIledJKaEdIBRN2WPePzm4tYD6lb/s400/5.JPG" /> We visit Aunt Stephanie in Okinawa.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692621109478317810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYJuAk4I2dB8OG2fvzN2uYyMR6zGAnMOIN49ja07UB7JsVdw4ORDIZ3ePHi5mNugM6D8X2wc23P0Z2q7vnD5Ul1UCP11CRnv43vOGOGMfg8T2nT7cDh6VjMYkcKtiQ1Vb4o1HLslBEDH5/s400/7.JPG" /> 2011 Cherry Blossom's.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620965512523154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aAPs3XzjlGCx5Ek-gntoLkz34PNAE5Gxor3L0b8qGWqX2DhQK7ih61zsCZ_dzRb1nACNt5PusO3ns75f7mVPSuSn1XITnHhVV3ose-481KCiMTJxGVh_pDetkhIak06Yh7ax4DTv_9IF/s400/9.JPG" /> Meeting new friends.<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shie</span> & Nate at their pop-up shop in Tokyo.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692629097093464450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZPrHFdcFn68RQsEMKVExnLqDJyzpTm7kmjrNFKF0x3x0Xn1BJTWvG1P7GFP_QVHYMHMNM5dy0Ho9R4w-CI_RDn6WhBHg7T2VJxy8UCjBxh-uMiFO1qt-1jyPKZ5tAyvmvsTng21WTXkQ/s400/10.JPG" /> Ella and Cypress play on a hot summer day.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620093530434690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtvZOwtndgRSYLUTHGi-etv7vFRfXAIo6NPLlpgqMSHORb4cm-73dPjVlxXVij1WVahvQ5T4wKZKljcWew-BPuPO-h9-hxZRmXw8WZ1c8RdKK_ZolOO1AS1DBvhHSm6JcH1hdSsHV7C6y/s400/17.JPG" /> Seeing old friends: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620796501116818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsQfB6xRMjMWYHTEaFR0x4PaB9wcKf6hNd7D49GyLxxicQhyphenhyphenvFgkVCQCTAx2v1F4kXIVnCKQCz68gj4k4KfVdYlwZLnj9tHgyuiwcjgnzPBI-PdO0Zu8oAQHUD3IM66A1ZYDWXzvPztBI/s400/11.JPG" />Kent a friend from high school tours through with his band, Letting Up. </p><p align="center">Laura visits Tokyo for business.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620779475723442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAdH4RS_IPI3RLSCq5VSXOB682kqz4XYsBLgz4vhz2S6zHZ8VD6olPax6AV0x5I0sHdfGOJ6eIrXaqfnpWxlZcLLeUr7fzsC3T09uLAA_reQ-NfIJJbuaJsa9z4rCbupgo1y9rdanIRZ7/s400/12.JPG" /> </p><p align="center">A trip back home to Texas <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620773167493378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6tVrM85Mbs-ySgTPC6FuNgSC9C4BBtpoG7StclweU57xhsIcRrx5U3nIZyJNeB-U81oCVPRPlBv616JGc2ViMAcfftpUywfY5OzdCPOOlaS0PYddI8XUy-AuRxsnC1PaVeZJyh5uuHxH/s400/13.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Brandon with great, best friends Ty & Sean and Sean's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rehearsal</span> dinner.<br />Ella meets her Nana Elaine for the first time. Tear. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620356434075602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLjJf03S8s5v16EeVQppFTWxXKE9lmDHYvJ-iqvFG6FEVBS5BNVRD8sneWje7D2mopBDj6xWEeheznMiHu4fU73hKHLvlqn29X3W0mL8GWaZKIbqs9Judmqzamdg7qKghh6vgwt4uvL08/s400/14.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Marine Day, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zushi</span> Beach.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620062852908946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglk1zxHvhx8lP-x0Lf14RPzgUE-Frw7zx0T_hx25C2YS3dG-k7ladkWI9IvnGyyfpk5f6hpCg5SakDQYW2HWnziCHuOIVzc9jXlQmMWiNZnHOeW-6iQ3EZYvjXcE1uMe1NyPToHpAyBc35/s400/18.JPG" /> <p align="center">Ella begins Japanese Day School in May and by her birthday, fits in great! </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692620060286489842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1ZDuUDp80TxRxncgam00m07l5UZwdmdByWAHvlvuneSs-U7Br9aaulu-bdUE1lM9pzHhyphenhyphenaGiBw-NJQq_0jgrzCUvpsmThsEIcBgZa6ZnYpYYrRSwhZQ8p6OAADKqrBNNIqHMdVWuEFy4/s400/19.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Ella's first birthday Party!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692619754678365106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Mf4mDSAikwkcXEW82gJHZukha50YqNTwC0C3UxV0xo-gzohK13M8-t9jGhbBIJ4MDjhkUYmj9L6amdvsHXLP48KDZtTRBOuJXkA1wj1wtdBjJcH6VsjjViax6ceP0Cyaf0vuZlyPxSKu/s400/20.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Yokohama Octoberfest & Jiji & Grandma Willett visit for the 4th time!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692619459901164242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-CuT9Xuv6TLq1z7OJlLERzWLtcbpyJVN2_5UWoNAt4tEY5H9JpBVt22EBz6TOYjIDxh7ps7gn8Tl3yx1R7UUruXyzNOKRENeTe5IaxJh0YGJF8VAXvKb2_CEBsDONNyI3aXijTuLOEju/s400/23.JPG" /> <p align="center">Sumo Championships.<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692619445356646290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uR-Y4TDydIR3NIla0lF9VHOfUkwr72Ez6gGtnDtRTj_vJd5sdKzYThJmgbrlnvz5lrNtcG5U72FGHPY9B-HbTNWwcha5dtMZFpKFKab1pfq-UU0NquhWaP1vcZ53NoJn7yosZpjhsIb2/s400/24.JPG" /> <p align="center">Out first time to Mt. Fuji.<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692619440733479666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt33HlI8DOhdQctLpWaulXjXBGro9FPIJAoBCBx5begJLTC9Us_EUbx_ZON-ABnJCzcQofTayTZX_NhxPE7letKlbl66cLPxgYjp8hMee2yj2LGyRqCQinjXbmPbv6ohLIzjUXhvRc4jTk/s400/25.JPG" /> <p align="left">And we should never forget the over 15,000 people who lost their lives on March 11, 2011 to the great Japan earth quake and tsunami. And we should never forget the thousands of people who selflessly came to their aide.<br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692842222791313554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MEpNJoKoJ1ipV7sw5A5rTE7OA6lGhBni91eBVcG4tj2_SjZRZgYy8qRJfoID3jnvdjjUJHfSeWzGO7DEYPFYtkRzjfVKaMBkyxww9PTlCpo7SlQ71eG21x_MPPyBIphL-4XL7V9ZpYWI/s400/oki19.JPG" /> Good bye 2011. Hello 2012.</p>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-5330063216612898052011-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:002012-05-21T18:59:52.759-07:00the truth about taking your 13 month old on a plane that passes the international date lineWe did A LOT of research to prepare for our trip to and from Walt Disney World. We were looking at 11 hours from Narita to Orlando and 14 hours back in the same direction, with layovers in each direction. What can you say, we flew the cheapest way possible.<br />
There is so much information out there and it's hard to know who to trust. I wouldn't say you should trust us over anyone else, but just in case you need a little more advice or just a bit of encouragement feel free to read on. It's best to lay out what we found most encouraging and then let you know what really happened.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Some research (that we found helpful): </div>
<ul>
<li><div align="left">
EVERYONE, even the most holistically organic, natural people said to invest in Benedryl. <em><strong>Advice taken.</strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
EVERYONE said to buy 1 new toy for each hour you expected your child to be awake. <em><strong>Advice taken - mostly</strong></em>. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
At least 3 bloggers said to individually wrap each toy. With the intentions that unwrapping would eat up some time. <strong><em>Never got around to it.</em></strong></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
3 bloggers recommended this toy: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lauri-2116-Toys-Toddler-Tote/dp/B00006JBKT/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1324708764&sr=8-18">Lauri Toys Toddler Tote</a>. <em><strong>Advice taken</strong>.</em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
EVERYONE said to buy Gerber Puffs. We bought these instead: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HAPPYBABY-Organic-Puffs-Sweet-Potato/dp/B003SBU2CO/ref=sr_1_3?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1324708856&sr=1-3">Happy Baby Puffs</a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HAPPYBABY-Happy-Tot-Spinach-Mango/dp/B0030VJ79Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324713049&sr=8-4">Happy Tot </a>meals.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
EVERYONE said buy a big water after security. You will use this to not only keep your baby hydrated but to clean their sippy cup. DO NOT clean sippy cups with airplane water. Airplane water is NOT SANITARY and the crew usually only stocks enough for service. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
Many blogs said to spend the extra money and buy your baby their own seat. <strong><em>Advice not taken. </em></strong></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
Every blog had a great packing list. We'll let you know below what we packed and what we actually used.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="center">
Our experience:</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
We bought the Benedryl and we used it. We gave her a small dosage right before her usual bed time and she slept for 6 hours! One the first flight. On the second flight, not so much. The dosage helped, but she only selpt for 4 hours. However, she naturally fell asleep later and slept for another 3. <strong>DO A TEST RUN AT HOME.</strong> </div>
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</div>
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We only bought 3 new toys:</div>
<ul>
<li>The Toddler Tote (mentioned above) is great because it doubles as 3 or 4 toys. Ella loved the puzzles, but the pegs were a bit too difficult for her tiny hands.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ohio-Art-Classic-Doodle-Sketch/dp/B001TL0CCK/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1324733816&sr=1-1">Doodle Sketch</a>. AMAZING.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-63076-Tag-Junior-Bundle/dp/B0057QY0Z8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1324733726&sr=8-5">Leap Frog Junior Tag Reader </a>and 3 books. However, Curious George Colors was the favorite. </li>
</ul>
We got an iPad. We had been toying with the idea for several months, but this trip finally sealed the deal. We bought a cover that lets you stand the iPad on it's side like a TV, loaded up a handful of her favorite Yo Gabba Gabba episodes (and a few of our favorites too) and the rest was history. On the first flight she watched the three episodes, twice. This ate up approximatly 2 hours. Amen.<br />
<br />
Never got around to wrapping the toys because of, well life. However, I could see this would be an excellent idea for parents with children who understand what opening a toy means.<br />
<br />
Snack food = awesome. We always bring our own snacks like bananas, nuts, etc. Plane food is so boring and full of sodium so adding in some natural favorites always helps. It just made sense to pack Ella the same goodness. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_grocery?_encoding=UTF8&node=16310101&field-brandtextbin=HAPPYBABY">Happy Baby</a> products are our favorite.<br />
<br />Buying a seat. We are indiffrerent on this idea. Here are the reasons. For this flight, we didn't even think about it. If you buy your own seat (on American Airlines) for a child under 2 you must have a car seat. Since we don't have a car, we don't have a toddler car seat. On the flight back we lucked out - we were sat in a row with an empty seat. However, Ella still needed to switch from lap to lap to keep her entertained. It was great for sleeping hours because she was able to stretch out, but if we had paid we would have had the car seat; so she wouldn't have been able to lay down. If you are an American living in Japan with no car this could end up costing you more hassle (and money), but if you have a car seat and your kid likes sitting in that seat for 10+ hours, go for it!<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Now for some things we discovered on our own: <br />
</div>
<strong>TOYS</strong>: Everyone tells you to pack plenty of toys, but no one talks about what happens when your kid drops those toys on the ground. We all know those airplane rows are cramped - but imagine being a 6' tall guy trying to bend over and pick up a toy in a dark isle while the guy next to you is sleeping. Not a good situation. So, be prepared to drop toys - and to loose toys. It sucks. If you are lucky the person behind will pick them up for you. Thank you random person!!<br />
<br /><strong>SOBA NOODLES</strong>: If you fly a Japanese airline you will most likely get soba noodles at some point. Don't eat them - save them for your child. We gave Ella Soba and she ate/played for 1 1/2 hours! Not flying Japanese? Pre-cook some of your childs favorite noodles and pull them out about 2 hours into the flight.<br />
<br /><strong>ASK</strong>: Ask for everything and anything that might help your experience. Ask for the crew to hold your food until your child is asleep. Ask the gate attendant to hold a seat in-between you and your husband in the hopes it will stay empty. Ask for the last row in the plane - you won't feel as bad when your child is craying because there are less people around to bother. And once your child goes to sleep, ask for a glass of wine.<br />
<br /><strong>DOWNSIZE</strong>. We bought ONE large piece of luggage that doubled as a backpack. It was key that we packed as few suitcases as possible. We bought an small stroller so that we could check it at the gate. We bought a new carry on BAG. Bag is key here. If you bring everything in a bag you can stuff it under your seat which equals easy acess for toys, food and diapers.<br />
<div align="center">
Packing List for the Plane: </div>
<br />
As promised: what we packed and what we used.<br />
<ul>
<li>1 diaper for every hour on the plane, this left plenty for layovers. <strong><em>Just enough.</em></strong></li>
<li><div align="left">
1 package of wipes.<strong><em>Plenty</em></strong>.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
2 sippy cups. <em><strong>Used both.</strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
5 small towels . <em><strong>Used all. </strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
pair of PJ's. <strong><em>Didn't use.</em></strong></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
2 plain white onesies. <em><strong>Used 1.</strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
1 extra pair of pants.<em><strong>Used.</strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
3 bibs.<strong> Used all.</strong></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
snacks (mentioned above) plus a banana, cheese sticks and pre-made grilled cheese & peanut putter sandwiches. <em><strong>Everything was eaten</strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
toys (mentioned above<em><strong>Used all. </strong></em></div>
</li>
<li><div align="left">
iPad.<strong><em>Used!</em></strong></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left">
Well, we hope that this provides you with some helpful bits of advice. If nothing else we'll never forget what we read on one blog: <em>Just remember that your flight will end and the plane door will open. You will get off and you will have a great vacation.</em> If all else fails - just tell yourself that! </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689689294952354338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY182AMyhViIxM78JkZASpW2YYh6eqPvRKlUCs8NOiLDQdIT-UQ05-q93TWWmCGM_5SZsvWrf-EvCVpdCUVYQZUPp4hCvhzGtIWVMrUKcfRe6ywTN6qNOkh__Rbptq7pIiqZi0HyYPMmF/s400/381558_10100511965459150_23902732_50389766_914631792_n.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" />First day at Magic Kingdom! Proof that your flight will end, the door will open and you will have a great vacation. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-91331507087898075252011-12-16T19:02:00.000-08:002011-12-16T19:10:59.444-08:00uncle nate walks!<div align="left">Congratulations to Uncle Nate! He graduated today from the University of Little Rock. Keep your ears and eyes open for his documenting, reporting and general awesomeness!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686928915150303554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLZ_mwqMYF2DSKeVGK2-2U_aMyU7t6FAnqO48RWbIAy-pDExcj2hPDUsIGJDfMRyIMleAqCPo0bFu-FeYE56sAI91lPc64VCkpFt6DfrAxrvMWOCio71utTtOxEQBOtE6cEPmZwFRrxAQ/s400/293329_2295387857169_1023240070_32563078_1758997302_n.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Workin' hard amidst Occupy Protestors</em></span></p><br /><p align="left">In case you were curious, we purchased a <a href="http://www.kammok.com/Default.asp">Kammok</a> as his graduation gift. No better gift for an outdoorsy, earth and human respecting adventure guy who needs to take a load off! Buy a Kammok today! </p>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-76035576667852157662011-11-06T04:29:00.000-08:002011-11-06T04:31:22.981-08:00follow ups are good for happiness<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://littleplaceinjapan.blogspot.com/p/ella-elaine.html">Ella Elaine</a> is updated. I hope you enjoy my follow up thoughts on joining Mommahood. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671859312001803538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAH6fs5gOZ4qVNdLbrjAiRiqTop5vWv3qsVeoHm0ptOyWNElK78LnsaVM_5IYvVKaiPLlXYo9801YzrlhiOQH4LIbcy_vsG8qPWKM84qjwwpiEJE9crwYwk5pTqXm_rqGJA89-DLh7Z2vK/s400/DSC04226.JPG" />Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-55864775403678429072011-11-05T00:23:00.000-07:002011-11-06T04:07:32.143-08:00Mt. Fuji<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671851428917554898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXf-dUV1MKfO_bPznsgy3wq6vL86nbPT5XUinnnTuOUbEHGW7gU8gssz5iS9AiE-qZ8OJw1TcFNNq2AfEVoMox_TPIlYSjTZKLlX0ww1hL-cHCPtJ7_VhV_SfKNQpmbZRcIGIsr6iM2TG/s400/DSC04861.JPG" /> The saying goes, "A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji once, a foolish man climbs Mt. Fuji twice." I would extend that to say, "An even more foolish man drives 2 1/2 hours with a 1 year old for a picnic at Mt. Fuji."<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671852007250089218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd270bhar0y7Whl0tUaiMKCnxRYViQC-0GOwaIOClzNg1TCG1w7dG89ysMwtmvhl4KVlybW4MsOeie_xrFqXmMaJAlESSMNjmw-e6_kU012yfV6P2GYLyes5KCoHfdM1mdVAZ6PGPefTn/s400/DSC04868.JPG" />Well, that is what we did! On Ella's first (!!!) birthday we rented a van, packed snacks and drove almost 3 hours to the 5th station on Mt. Fuji. The 5th station is the point where all of the trees dissapear and you feel as if the whole world is below you. We ate lunch as the clouds swirled around us and believe it or not, we did something even more magical - we toasted our sweet little girl's first year of life.<br /><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671851408250515874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNFhWCqeMnorAXvJyNFBxNkJyfQ80BBnzIQHza9dvyWFCxlvmKoyIVCrEAvR3XISs_gnPh6OVDmwW4IQCPyAKXs7fDMKsKrnjWNPCWCdaWg2qHwploC20VZpDzVoszyZrsMiGenjvK_Wu/s400/DSC04837.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671852016560681042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wlIzjJDxDVoUMvfCp7aiyd4C076d6AYk_i64MV3cqiosA5bx-im03Qy6KbwkFRGDfE6v7I4YnvLECiyqLg6RJ1kVtQ1mUQ9H-eEgm2hmJnyP-p1_taM3ppubgUMksLy969UEezhZYmQB/s400/DSC04874.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671851419156698130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PLyfNwc97fwpaWFoGqDwkpzkX2IkosomYwGUF99aJqH33ciVIwA702mPB397E1YJsu84HuIn8x4t21fKhtKBy8wzWauTgTp8x2X1an0CDFnj9PRZ0YizWKaMtc_KniKdUm9WqoGY5mO3/s400/DSC04850.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671850940407341602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqStYwCE7_mK4Onj5HSpEaZna8JOi6sVVVxPz-OzLe6YOZv5wBOKUPf0F2mVl3gULCNm8S8tknxu8sKevtzUvP8Qd4WGlfIDkfPmK7AoR5Hq-ZlbdvkxZwMqFvgP_l5x42ClZq9BLW_w2e/s400/DSC04843.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671852018116475362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOeiE7p_lAaxHvHjGKR_xopYjWgDXk36BG4ra9lFCLI21v4OPjf3TbM6XFMfgzDuI_3NnpI9ZqCZ3numzDAEFjDaKGT-lox8ZotnnePZET-uNxBKwfSylULHdDUtkxd1ROtuonyW3uk29/s400/DSC04830.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">{sweet Ella}<br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-41540644607996234962011-11-01T02:51:00.000-07:002011-11-01T03:33:47.421-07:00Nagashi Somen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMvL6XiJ5eZZNHXqNmVNuCxXaQvQeWOoJPB3VKLtPOQvDiBjSweEatgBn13qbQaKCCF82hMAqimHDYAIE2dW-Q-zGipb-KdYimyu7pQ_XFxd5072Dhpsk_WrAiBCjl1WKU2hhbdmyqORv/s1600/DSC04306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669968039301273522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMvL6XiJ5eZZNHXqNmVNuCxXaQvQeWOoJPB3VKLtPOQvDiBjSweEatgBn13qbQaKCCF82hMAqimHDYAIE2dW-Q-zGipb-KdYimyu7pQ_XFxd5072Dhpsk_WrAiBCjl1WKU2hhbdmyqORv/s400/DSC04306.JPG" /></a><br /><div>If I had posted about this food adventure when it happened I would have started off with how miserable the heat was that night. Now that some time has passed I can't remember the heat all that much - but I can remember how great it was to have our first bamboo somen noodle eating experience, or "splashing the noodles" as Ayumi calls it. The actual name is <em>nagashi somen</em> and you can read about it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dmen">here</a>, if you like. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We all sat in front of the Chiba house (Ayumi's family home) on our little yellow crates and watched as Ayumi's Mom and niece splashed somen noodles into the freshly cut bamboo stalk. Little by little they came down the bamboo "slide" and we picked them up with chopsticks. After which, we dumped them into our bowls (pictured above). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was speed eating at its finest. We thought we'd grown accustom to eating quickly but couldn't begin to keep up with slurping our noodles in enough time to grab the next. We quickly learned, like many eating exeriences in Japan, it wasn't so much about how fast we ate but the time we spent while eating. As the sun set, we splashed noodle after noodle, toasted sake and listened to Ayumi's Mom tell us story after story-understanding every 5 words or so. It was one of the best nights we've had in Japan, thus far.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669967630601429986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTM5EAn6nJJPheLFPhMRzfqxrFyxWos7Kx4c0v-81JXdzh6DW0uLgfyjDoGQ0qyyAvAb1qVj5uO9u1kbzpURSCVuzXqXOsDR9RBZf2jURn7HIJ40I0-jZZ9K5uSy_fIMJ6NzXSftewULHK/s400/DSC04289.JPG" />{Our hosts: Ayumi's Brother, Sister-in-Law, Mom & Niece}<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669966970191874178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K5MD41hC1XCSttnI-aqS3sCWGqOLW1PdnIp7W2mo6os7f45Vq-xoG6z6a_yxyc3qLrm8b_ySceJl0vd5pSWK0Eqculw7Llu7lS5SCI6SOF4qJfXKWS0mN8I89wk4gunT0GFkCTgo67r1/s400/noodle+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669967734240973090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6NqncSlyCuKKjR5FAsNxdntAGrosHsPsjDE6FzavPVRUNqv1OwvvZH63Rv_qSxVyQoF1huyB7P4ZsE-z_kh_Ho7WckNyzyyWlT09fVg2mPmydMKUqZFYqeMhNg0_1B6scks6fKCdB6Cr/s400/DSC04321.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">{Ayumi & Ella-chan}</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669966592137492818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJWueir-2Y2yheEVE_O3Gq5_c30UWirw_NiNaQiG7rkoR5JtVx3QIejgD4g8xeyVYzKTs4Pj8T4fGRL94n8jR0-mT6p2q0XQkDeem9dQBc2aQUjBOvP81Ddrnkr45bbmBvZkTQGyQ4fzT/s400/noodle+3.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F22r8RIZAZMIycyuN8US1G3LLKoqW11s_AY9ujngC_fVp_V8mHXXEebxCFY29DDuPbvBXbwCfe6PeH4BaU3vK-I43F3bbeC8tStNxoeEnrZS1kqdhUZ4mYW51MT2wUVkltFh3gINWKQN/s1600/DSC04272.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669966326246699890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F22r8RIZAZMIycyuN8US1G3LLKoqW11s_AY9ujngC_fVp_V8mHXXEebxCFY29DDuPbvBXbwCfe6PeH4BaU3vK-I43F3bbeC8tStNxoeEnrZS1kqdhUZ4mYW51MT2wUVkltFh3gINWKQN/s400/DSC04272.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p align="center">{Something looks farmiliar!}</p>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-71484036102387864482011-10-31T05:50:00.000-07:002011-10-31T06:05:16.431-07:00we ditched the picnic......and hung out on the lawn instead! One day we packed up sandwiches and drinks and walked to our local park. Amazingly enough, it was the same day some classic rock, English singing locals showed up at the random amphitheatre for a Sunday afternoon practice party.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669640800856950546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX6jGOeCcIlKBzivh0OGRvYXKWm1hEJt-EefET9GZ_p_DY-I5O4wSEh-M5Bc3Ty7ZSclpfa7ye4DEKxer445BDWaaKly09xEZME7gS0hldxC4qFXA1ScUejSKi-bSJlgnfvqXVmngwCIc/s400/DSC04271.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669640500369653826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYeD8xKFfl1Cjr2URKAQuZfQlJr26soFnrl7a37Echb2_W3mE7zbRFOIz0fs4C6HNBv_XJthms6FM8428gQmyGsxx5V4VWRSBPoliFMARFqTx56w0vjv2xBulQXAT99KuQEqbqKyoEuhyphenhyphen/s400/DSC04263.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669640285270411314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVFBZlWHX80lTaUB0EWzZ2vxZ51_a5sIcwNKXQ0v9oT2EDmGz7pryHGmVdUreK5V24jXwq0tc5lnA-9jUzUEUy9CcsvQSou_G2gib54T5UNKnO_250aJFMYN8vt1UMNHZTm-VUHsN0D_w/s400/DSC04260.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669640506200628066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaTX-RZzDn2S3BpSroHYozjDJuR6tdkzaARMkfsIt_uABIfe38L8MuD2ZxDgDIJp-PvCCA2rVsgRtivCZ2Z3GrfvUGMMOjVeaEZuiJrNw6HLho7IH6qVKl8hRm9VwC8gOrTGfumKYO2dF/s400/DSC04269.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{Hanging out in <a href="http://www.google.co.jp/search?q=Mikasa+Park&hl=ja&rlz=1T4TSNA_en___JP351&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5pyuTqj2BeGimQWKlun7Dg&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1311&bih=512">Mikasa Park</a>}</span></p>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-56474736014508156092011-10-31T05:43:00.000-07:002011-10-31T05:50:25.181-07:00We're back!There are a few things I am trying to get back into, one of them being posting about life! So, I will spare all excuses and I am just going to start a series of posts to catch our dear friends and family up on life! In the midst of our workaholic lives we have managed to get out and discover some great things. Maybe that is why I haven't blogged...I've been too busy discovering what to post about, yea. . .that's it. Anyhow, hope you enjoy the posts throughout this week!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669636841202145586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSOAh6xDzjIN36P1lP80tIv-fZByb23kj_ogAD3biI1VXa-RBK658fWdARCEqKUqNCCkBgC9sDSlHXUykXXErBlicePbf6w-mXMggoobJECQe51kSyWQa89Ih0gp6DNnsWB88wJXW4Djv/s400/DSC04906.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">{<span style="font-size:85%;">Ella-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">chan</span> looking out over Yokohama</span>}<br /></p>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-6215535854985265352011-08-12T16:58:00.001-07:002011-10-12T06:19:55.899-07:00Current Happenings<div align="center">Check out these awesome new vending machines! Spotted at Shinagawa station. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640123737646466594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi15vpThbsIUcJimYzBMwPZWOKmZkR1iAkN3YzTkVz-keupGLpXfIU5Byov4BrD6wEdeBm0b6XsNGEYIED_RDRBlC1qV27Iu0gG_ph_uq-BCvgl7DnRSi4QB_1YWoeVkrpwAj5h1fhxqwZ/s400/DSC04118.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640123733978000354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMb5tFWOw6B5ka8vfdNWjHIHAwj-JbbMuBcearEgw4qwUJQfzNTNSuu1F2WduDTiTuAj0qCSmJfIJq12-j5Hu-X-i-jKXbzBzcat71jhHb6gEp4kvb-_2zA57qjv3OqNvNzPRVEhDgARK/s400/DSC04117.JPG" />Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-32342833904495796742011-07-31T00:37:00.000-07:002011-08-02T04:42:39.658-07:00Summer Festival<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220956075287762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHMDPDfXlFE25fXfIPPeYfk4OIqkGMmRjCVLktJ6_Nf9bRRH0X88rMB5qIH2DtIMjy-VYxqbyNfAoIpVV72xz77CtEykXN9fhc9UfQjirLa9YSupdn0jlVxmcKoU3tXOBrcTD91Y-uiEq/s400/DSC04009.JPG" />Ella-chan's school hosted a summer festival this weekend for family and close friends. Two great things happened. Ella got to wear her first Jinbeh, a summer style kimono (altered into a tiny person size) AND my co-workers son won a giant (real) live beetle. Gross. I felt so bad, but he seemed pretty happy about it. Most Japanese boys seem very happy about beetles and bugs in general. The older kids did tiny people versions of ceremonial traditions and then everyone played games and won toys, lots of fun toys!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636218413836462274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zr1_Pyrp-QuaDjBiop09y1s6kam0kqzv0MNrWL5aAMMQwmcnBm6ev-i63yteDfw-7PZ9g7fuwBzanjrDDXWRb263LOfm5yH2e3EeLNrc1sfLsF6TGlIwph3yuW-yAwGv4ma97BpgDOdD/s400/DSC03972.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636218413061299650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WsO97JVsHQz8M4XUPFqhE4ZMfBZQ-ZlJnsMjLv9gPEHFIoWDmN_-lQEcPhVfA02nRIiYAFFQQg2ZwsLTlVbT9z4VBjiJF7ahdWMgW_oPJqM1pRpcv-F96xZ7nDd_BmO6oQ-PXjWvr28n/s400/DSC03969.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220075827399794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MaxxgEs0WVI9C63dFd3VwTNLLeMdlzgkoV0mFL0_ZrWxUcbxBPYFOHMsMjahg613Y37eeeRR_pTEyntvBydCOHUGowNKwGY5_s1kRYml8dCHkAy1IR8nUT8lGRZMSYdoQ_Tk1UNovEsY/s400/DSC03980.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220081801484786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcXa8GWxcp6r-nmmLeiLexqK2tBK-xqfSNKggw02rYqwb5QK72cumcM8r1Jox_8mJuwpMYn0sqUbSf0FURQa50b1YHFWpS2-H0euHFcxOPnBEg9X2dSVC1kG3WGdnF3kdJXfzNVIZssT0/s400/DSC03988.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636218418838733170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtYPogbL8PDwmmr0Q_9OT-2LSLnPCrhL6HyXfv7xlT3XJtZklolO8QoJUS7NJCVj5x2cuFohFeTRx03n4Fdsk-iBnYE56TABZwCX_1HCjk5KJ4ntZ62itJno1N6LQteVUzq7hsDdVwPz1/s400/DSC03978.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220939008076130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyeerl5AuNquxx8cuPURHUxTjTFnV6wVIOuWZfpwZkRwS0eaVOjArvZVI3g-Ji1BWPFoBr5R8apPN76rEoEd1BTG0xxB9tcih1BSJ4iaqxsuCf_xDrIOCB2cr0wcK679IqtpwgwGpiEIp/s400/DSC04006.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220084757626690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsbwLJ5rfmXD5JPK4XwqQwQJt-2O9tTwJ9P3jcs3c47bh7ipASm1kEeL331ZbPgKOHPcI8Zp8Q2QxYqstHn501V2UhtUOAOWp8OAmdxt8mFrRLxvU39ZqIvyx6ngQrEJZ-aGK2RYMlM3y/s400/DSC03995.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220946187211826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yKNP00gjLX2kB9W8aWTGSxizKawch6DExBr7xlwBDVZk4Z6Q_y1p5h1_5vr4FaQdqpDIyFIn9zRpk12Hf3irjtx3sOWLADMvD3T9ZjNmjikyeIq8K2b5I7Ec29ku62yu0VC_4ASBVVpE/s400/DSC04007.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636220960409523538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBILkGcfOvEJbtUcWttI6AMvQt86P0MlxW4gddAu55JnHDGmOkv2XVtyThWyxwvyLDxhWzAZohcgnTZ0zHzMX03alzXvO25Sk2ANJEjA7ybc3J3e4y1XEUhWKQF7QePSnDKXEGsojkoAV9/s400/DSC04021.JPG" />This is Ella's favorite teacher! </div>Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626855612143441229.post-50285884987845513292011-07-29T20:39:00.001-07:002011-07-31T00:37:32.771-07:00Zushi BeachRemember how I stated: I promise to get out and discover more of Yokosuka? Well, I ventured out to Zuzshi Beach one day. Bags packed and ready for a fun, relaxing day at the beach. It didn't occur to me that it was the worst day to head to the beach with no plan. Marine Day. I love that Japan pays homage to the mother mother nature that surrounds it! Too bad I didn't get there in the morning...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635011890658165122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtOpWRVS6qhU-RlfcLKcLLKAStt8pVus-6QhckIsimOAolF5yVLu8UaDNfs5FzoVWenxvqsvNnqR0zFecHtuNKYzVdUOlb5AJMIe0UVG5UTkPhELl7CP2Kg-spflLMBRrYeTZ76QfOEWd/s400/DSC03947.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635011897254969634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmm9QLvXzTDrvxY3Z7AgENPVEk40pGwJ1RlCx7uwslMNzOcxkOr_Tot0prKiv-5H74vsrSQp8w3lV2b7UiUrmxbcSt6lD0FUNX86CVIKZnaz6GaYOabFX-Lv4SIuJ-2JjugCtKYZ3EQo5/s400/DSC03948.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635011887562932722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKLNdyXYj0Gytf8MnhKZaiEAycdgXKrQmqVOZyMhAJScpAkBbR892Z3uf7ftslpBXnLmz1s1OORUTIHkVy9PMKQwXPBD_g7HMNo8GZoxUMJA-PKD2hJ-ZJzphKHvut9FFtSDyxfEIj7XD/s400/DSC03944.JPG" /><br />...as far as the eye could see.Brandon and Jewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04241073398237722292noreply@blogger.com0