Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Sumire and I went ice skating last week. She did pretty well. It was kind of tough at first but she was walking and even sort of skating by the end of our session. We even did 2 and a half laps without a break during our final go at it!

We got a new camera just time for Christmas. The first picture with the new camera:

After opening presents we went to Sumire's pre-school for her Christmas party. Enjoy the pix. Christmas morning with Sumire

The Christmas party:

3-5-7

It is customary for kids to visit the local shrine for a small ceremony when they are 3-5 and 7 years old. Sumire got dressed up in a kimono that Yuki's mom sent up (Michan wore it when she was 3) and we headed off to the shrine last Sunday. Enjoy the pictures.

Halloween

Sumire had 3 Halloweens this year - that meant 3 times she got to dress up as a princess (there was also the Halloween party at her preschool but I dont have any pictures of that!). First we went to Disneyland with the Yokooji's to see the Halloween parade etc. Then the following weekend it was the Halloween festival at Jeff's old school in Tokyo. Then today we had halloween in the neighborhood. A good turnout this year - 15 kids from 9 families joined the fun. The weather semi-cooperated - a bit of light rain to add to the spookiness! Enjoy the pix!

The Halloween Festival at K

The neighborhood Halloween

Halloween at Tokyo Disneyland

1st Haircut and PearPicking

We visited the Yokooji's and Nao gave Sumire her first haircut. We also had a takoyaki party and stayed overnight. Sumire had lots of fun playing with Yuma and Amon.

At the end of September we went Japanese pear/apple (nashi) picking with the neighbors. The branches were very low and Jeff got a sore back but other than that everyone had fun!

Night at Yokooji's


Picking pears