Math Night

The kids school hosted a "Math Night" this week! There were 20 stations with games for all ages! The kids had a blast and Maddy won a game of Bingo! And she won "guess" the marbles in a jar!!

This school provides so many extras!

Friendships

Maddy has a personality that has friends screaming her name everyday!! For the good reasons!! They just want hugs and time with her on the playground!!

Our school is a melting pot of cultures and people come and go OFTEN!! Regardless friends are friends!

Here was the gang this week after school!

Lucky Mom

Mike's been traveling all week and the girls and I had a fun week at home together! This summer together is sure to be fun! They keep me laughing!! 

This night we were cooking dinner and dancing in the kitchen at the same time!!

Turning Japanese.....a little

I went out to a Japanese version of a flea market today just up the road  (by myself.....ahhhh) and had a blast and made so many great finds! Including these cute kids kimonos in perfect condition (used) which are usually costly and hard to find! Kids are in love!!

New version of dress up here!! No more princess dresses....we have outgrown those sizes!!

Smarty Cutie

She's a little bit too in love with her new glasses....even if they don't have lenses!! 100 Yen store find! 

Day Out in Tokyo

I had the opportunity to attend a military spouse luncheon in Tokyo yesterday. We had a Japanese guest speaker who informed us about Japanese culture and specifically on the special red lip dye they use called "Beni". 

This kimono is a special creation with an Americana theme that will be showcased in the next olympics. It features highlights of America subtly integrated into the pattern- Lincoln memorial, eagle, Liberty torch, astronaut and more. 

Day Trip to Nagano-- Matusmoto Castle

After our morning with the Snow Monkeys, we stopped for lunch and then headed on for our final destination of the day! 

Matsumoto Castle!

 This was a neat building with vines growing over the sides

 The moat at the castle

 Matsumoto Castle (real swan and all!!)

 One of the six levels inside the castle

 These two made this LONG day on a bus (9 hours riding....) and hiking in the snow over a mile look easy! They have come a long way in the past year of being active and stroller-free! They said this was their favorite trip so far.

 Side view of the castle and the different levels

 Everyday between certain hours there are ninjas and samurais dressed up to pose with you

 Castle family selfie!

 After the castle we hit the road for home, with a brief break at a rest stop (in Japan rest stops are WAY more than just vending machines and bathrooms-- most at least have one restaurant and usually more plus a grocery store!!)

 Mike tried his first hot food vending machine (since the restaurant was very authentic Japanese with limited "American" choices.....Abby said the fries were horrible.....)

Other hot choices were fried rice balls, hot dogs, Octopus balls!!

 Also here is a panoramic of what a typical selection of vending machines looks like in Japan.....and this is just at a small rest stop! Every type of flavored water, or coffee you can imagine!

Day Trip to Nagano! SNOW MONKEYS

Yesterday we took an amazing base tour (probably my favorite yet.....) to Nagano!

(about a 4-5 hour drive away.....so we left at 4am and returned at 9pm)

We went to see the Snow Monkeys in the Onsen (natural hot spring baths). 

Its truly an amazing sight, with them in their natural habitat! They come down for the day to enjoy the hot water. Only the facility workers feed them during the day at certain points to make for good viewing, otherwise tourists are NOT allowed to feed or interact with them. Just be among them!

The kids did amazing considering we hiked in over a mile in the snow!!

It is always hit or miss whether or not you actually see the monkeys in the water.....so I'm considering us lucky!

 

At this point Maddy asked how much farther.......but she did great!!

 

This is what the trail hike in looked like! Ice, snow and slush!! With a steep drop off on the mountain side.

 First monkey sightings!!

 There were monkeys in the water!! Lots of grooming going on

 This cute baby monkey was ADORABLE!!! 

The girls got up close and personal. He didn't move until his mother came over, tapped him on the head and he jumped on her back immediately for a ride!

 See no EVIL.....Hear no EVIL.....Speak no EVIL!!!

 Natural geyser that spews up and creates this huge icicle!

 

My monkeys......and the snow monkeys

 At the bottom of the trail there was an amazing Japanese cafe.....if I had the time I would have stayed and eaten everything! Instead I grabbed some treats to go! These fried sweet potato chunks were AMAZING!!! Sweet and salty, warm and delish! 

Votes anyone?

I found this on Abby's bedroom white board when I put her to bed last night. I guess we have been watching a lot of the election coverage!! 

Fuji skyline

I went on a walk to the flight line today and enjoyed beautiful views of Fuji

Masks

Japan stores have these funny themed beauty masks. They are coated with gooey collagen and other ingredients, but are just fun to play around with. 

Mt Fuji Sledding

We went on a base your yesterday to play in the snow near the base of Mt Fuji! 

The kids went up this people mover platform over and over and over!!!

Lunch after a few hours of fun sledding! Then they were back at it again 

After the snow we went to dinner! There was a winter illumination still going on so we enjoyed part of the light display! 

These goldfish bowls were hanging as decor!