Disney

We had been planning to go to Tokyo Disney from the time we got to Japan. We were all counting down the days, and, I'm not ashamed to say Dan and I enjoy it as much as the kiddos! We stayed at the Hilton that is right outside the parks.

Our fist day was at Disney Sea.

Riding in the Disney train to the park you never would guess this is what is inside.

Waiting in line for 20,000 leagues under the sea.

Going into Arial's Castle. I swear we didn't tell her to pose like this, it comes natural to this girl.

Tower of Terror.

Pretty at night.

Four days here and I don't think we got close to seeing everything...guess we'll have to go back.

Tokyo

Our Tokyo trip came and went at lightening speed as usual, but we had so much fun. We did a couple of days exploring Tokyo and then four fun-filled days at Tokyo Disney and Tokyo Disney Sea. Both parks were amazing!

The Imperial Palace; this was about as close as we could get.

We couldn't get close to the Imperial Palace but could walk the gardens. There are several old samurai houses there.

Huge Torii Gate to Meiji Shrine.

Hard to believe this is in the middle of a huge city, it's very peaceful.

Meiji Shrine

Prayers left by visitors.
Tokyo is an amazing place. I am so glad we had the chance to visit. More to come from our trip!

Spring Break and Conference

Spring break always goes by so fast. I think I dread it being over just as much as the kids. It's so nice to not worry about getting to school on time for a week, or making lunches, or homework!

We went to the Tonami Clan Park not far from base. They have horses to ride and go-carts, neither of which were out yet for the summer, so we hung out at the playground.

No leaves on the trees yet.

Japanese candy.

We also went to the portal museum in Hachinohe. I don't even know how to describe this place. It has a bunch of wood-carved things. Also, a lot of miniatures including a miniature replica of the city of Hachinohe.

Wooden ball pit.

At the end of the week the weather got cold and rainy so we went to the Air and Space Museaum. This place is a gem and right in Misawa!

We had a fun family week here in Japan and now we prepare to head back to Tokyo in a week! Yay!
To top the week off we had the opportunity to listen to our Church's General Conference! I love hearing from our Church leaders. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! The talk that stuck out to me the most was from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland entitled "The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship." He was talking about standing up respectfully for what you believe in, he said:
"And therein lies a message for every young man and young woman in this Church. You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our “houses” left unto us “desolate”—desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods, and desolate nations."
"Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them. A long history of inspired voices, including those you will hear in this conference and the voice you just heard in the person of President Thomas S. Monson, point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall."