December 2010

You know December is here when the Temple and Visitor's Center are all lit up.


Our ward Christmas party was the first week-end. There were dancers, singers, and the nativity players. Can you find Ken?

And Tammy?

The next week-end we celebrated Bill's birthday by making Sand Tart cookies and then going to dinner.




Very busy, intent elves.


We had snow, several inches, and lots of wind.


Christmas Eve with Bryce--

Ken--

and Isabella!

Bill, Carol & Pam spent a quiet Christmas at home.


Three pretty mermaids!

Ben, Desi, and Rhys put on a show when we celebrated with them on Dec. 27th.

Tammy & Bryce--worn out.

Ben in armor!
The girls all decked out.


One last shot of the lights at the Visitor's Center.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

November 2010

We started the month with a three day trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Drove up on a rainy Thursday--checked into our hotel and spent the evening being grandparents to Rhys, Ben & Desi.

Three goofy kids!!

Friday we went to the new (2008) National Park Visitor's Center. It is really nice--good film, museum and circlarama.

We also visited the Eisenhower Farm.

That afternoon we wandered around downtown Gettysburg and soaked up the historical buildings and monuments.

That evening we saw "My Fair Lady" presented by Gettysburg College--Eric was in charge of the set and staging. It was a great production!!

Saturday was the twins's birthday and they had a "Pirate and Princess" party.

Pirate Ben

Princess Desi

Ben on drums and Desi on guitar!


The whole month we enjoyed incredible fall colors in Pennsylvania and around our home in Virginia.

Thanksgiving was quiet--Bill, Carol & Pam. On Friday--Rich, Pat, Joanne, Chris and his two boys, Caleb & Ethan came for a visit.

On Sunday Eric & Jenni and group, joined the Virginia Dixons and we had dinner that night--no photos, though!

Tokyo, Japan October 2010

We arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, October 12th. Took the train to the Shinagawa Station and found our hotel across the street. The Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex--four towers, lots of restaurants, bowling alley, pools, tennis & golf areas, an aquarium, and surrounded by a shopping mall. Quite the place--for $105 a night!!

Our hotel entrance at night.

7-11, conveniently

20-feet from our hotel entrance.

Wednesday-10/13

Bus tour of Tokyo

Tokyo Tower looks like the Eiffel Tower!

Meija Shrine to Emperor Meija I, grandfather or current emporer.

Messages to the gods.

One of the torii gates.

Washing ritual.

Guard house for the Imperial Palace.

Massive wall in the east garden of the Imperial Palace.

Building in the east garden of the Imperial Palace.

Headquarters of Kirin beer, their gift to the city, a modern sculpture, the flame of promise,

which everyone calls--"The Golden Carrot."

Akasaka Buddhist Shrine

Giant wooden shoji

End of tour--Ginza

Thursday-10/14--Bullet train to Kyoto

scenes from the train.

Shinto shrine

Shrine of 1001 Buddhas.

Kimonos and ice cream.

Steep street below the last shrine, up the mountain.

Friday afternoon-10/15,

aquarium in our hotel complex

"Small" swordfish

Huge Ray

Dolphin Show.

Audience at seal show, groups of children in different hats.

Saturday morning-10/16 A walk around the neighborhood.

Shrine around the corner.

Catholic Church--memorial for first Christian martyrs, from 1600s.

Ethiopian Embassy

Morter-less stone wall, moves with earth tremors without falling.

Saturday afternoon bus tour-10/15

Hama Ryukyu gardens

300-year old oak tree.

Boat ride from Tokyo Bay, up the river, under about 12 bridges, each different, to the Akasaka area.

Our second visit to Akasaka Buddhist Shrine.

Ginza--at night

Sunday-10/17 Bus trip to Mt. Fuji, Hakone & Lake Ashi.

Mt. Fuji

My favorite picture

Shinto shrine at 5thstation.

Silver grass

Hanoke Area
Lake Ashi--boat ride.

Duck/swan peddle boats

Cable ride to the mountain top--Bill rode it.

Monday--10/18 The other side of Shinagawa train station.

Modern, western feel--

serene Asian influence--

The busy street beyond.

We ended our stay on October 19th, took off from Narita Airport at 11:30am and landed at Dulles Airport at 10:01am on October 19th--1 1/2 hours earlier than we left!!