100 Yen

Of all the amazing things we've had the opportunity to see so far my kids favorite thing would have to be...

...the hundred yen store! Seriously, we've seen some cool things here in Japan but if they had to choose someplace to go it would be here, over and over again. The hundred yen store is the equivalent of the dollar store in the states, only much better.

There are three hundred yen stores here in Misawa. We've been several times already and it's like Christmas for the kids every time. Our lastest trip found Rayce a rubber band gun, Avie a very noisy toy trumpet and Danielle several accessories for her room.

Hey, they're easy to please and I'll take it.

I Am...

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, also known as Mormons.

Coming to live in a foreign country I knew two things for sure. I would have an instant network of people who share my same beliefs and also that the teachings of the gospel are the same no matter where I was in the world. I love the church! I believe it to be true. I love the Book of Mormon, I love reading it and the peace that I feel every time I do.

I know my Heavenly Father loves me!

Hirosaki Castle

We made it! Last weekend we ended up having to stay on base and take care of some car business (a story for another time), besides it was a little soggy last week. This weekend was beautiful; the sun was shining; it was the perfect temperature, so off we went. The drive took us almost exactly two hours.

Hirosaki Castle was hosting it's annual Chrysanthemum Festival, so there was amazing color from the flowers and the changing leaf color. The symbol in the middle of the flowers is called manji, it looks like a swastika but does not have the negative connotation in Japan as it does in the west. It is used frequently as a positive symbol in the Buddhist religion.

First, some ice cream.

Next, a ride on the mini bullet train.

A zen garden. The grounds are huge; there is sooo much to see.

Rayce won a couple toys by shooting them off a shelf with a cork gun, he was in heaven.

Amazing fall color.

There are five of these castle gates on the property thought to date back to the Edo Period (around the 17th century). They are massive.

The castle tower. The original castle tower was struck by lightening and burnt down in 1627, it was re-built in 1811. It is the only castle tower built in the Edo period in northeastern Japan that remains.

From the top of the tower. I don't know what happened but I started feeling woozy when I stepped in. Maybe it's because the building slants to one side, understandable given the age...but still I walked through there as fast as I could. Then my family made fun of me.

Mt. Iwaki

The park is home to the 120-year-oldest Somei Yoshino Cherry Blossom Tree in Japan...can't remember if this picture is it or not but there are several throughout the park that are roped off.

I am smitten by the beauty of Japan.

Halloween

Halloween night on base was a great time. The kids made off like bandits with gobs of candy. It was a little chilly, but all had a great time.

It's surprising I know but Rayce was a ninja. Again.

Mario and Luigi, Danielle and her friend Ashlyn looked so darn cute.

Avie always seems to take off her costume before I can get a picture. This picture was from the Med Group trick or treat at the base hospital.

Jack O Lanterns

Tonight was pumpkin-carving time. I was relieved that the commissary had many pumpkins to choose from. The kids got to each carve their own minus Avie who fell asleep shortly before we started. My job was to scoop out the seeds.

She was overwhelmed with excitement.

Danielle did the Mickey Mouse pumpkin and even drew her own template! Rayce did the middle one and carved it by himself, with some close supervision. Dan did the last one right before Avie woke up upset that her pumpkin had been carved...we might have to go see if they have anymore left.

Just a Pic

Just another picture of some beautiful Japanese countryside.

As I am typing this a small earthquake is rocking me in my chair. A strong typhoon hitting the Tokyo area is sending strong rain and wind our way. There is a lot of interesting and unfamiliar weather here in Japan. Just another thing to get used to. Depending on the typhoon we may or may not go see Hirosaki Castle this weekend for their Chrysanthemum festival. I'm crossing my fingers we can go!

Mail

These are our mailboxes here in Misawa:

They're kinda fun, although it takes a while to get anything in the mail, Amazon has been the fastest so far at about a week. It's usually more like three weeks.