Bryans - Rokko Chapter

Gee, it's heavy!

May 7, 2008

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Got a load of Makuragi, railroad ties, through Sugimoto-san's connection.
They will make nice retaining walls/dividers in our steep sloping garden.

Garr's visit

May 5, 2008

Garr came to visit us!
Isaac looking at photos on Garr's computer.
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Garr and Nathan pulled down the deck and its stairs (half torn by a typhoon back in 2005) of the annex building of our house yesterday in just 3 hours!

Isaac was watching them work and calling "Papa" and "Garr" from the deck outside of the living room.

The Daily Show time

April 30, 2008

We watch the Daily Show a few times a week. When we say "Daily Show" or "Jon Stewart", Isaac sings the opening  music and comes to the table to watch together.

Lego Education Center

April 7th, 2008

We found a LEGO Education Center in Kobe! It offers programs for kids from 3 to 10 y.o.
Still a bit too early for Isaac. Will see if he likes it there next year!

Sakura - cherry blossoms

April 4, 2008

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom! Going cherry blossom viewing is a national event/obsession here.
Went to nearby Oji Zoo which was very crowded even though it's weekday. The zoo has many Sakura trees and is extremely popular Sakura viewing spot!

Love Penguins!

March 31, 2008

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Isaac took his penguin for a walk. That was awfully cute.

In his genes...

March 12, 2008

First thing he did this morning after waking up was...
Yea, we have a very serious skier in our house! He must have got it in his genes surely from his grandma in the States!
Neither Nathan nor I use poles (we use short skis), so Isaac must have picked it up by looking at other skiers in Hokkaido.
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Went to a nearby zoo (30min. drive from our house). Rather small but Isaac enjoyed it very much.
Left: mimicking a koala.
Middle: At the elephants' place. Mama elephant greeted the crowd.

Ornaments for Boys' Festival

March 11, 2008

In Japan, we have the Girls' Day (aka Doll Festival) which is March 3rd and the Boys' Festival (commonly mentioned as Children's Day) which is May 5th. People celebrate and pray for the healthy growth of their children.
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It is a little early for the Boys' Festival but we are already celebrating and praying for Isaac's healthy growth displaying those cute ornaments (above).
Isaac will turn 2 in May. We are so grateful for his being healthy, happy, curious, adventurous, sweet and tender and everything!

Hokkaido

March 9, 2008

Went skiing in Niseko, Hokkaido (northern island of Japan).
Seems every household is not complete without a bulldozer there.
"Papa, we've gotta get one too!"
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@Kids Snow Park
First encounter with a real penguin! (from a zoo in Sapporo), ducks, pig, goats, lama, emus! Isaac had fun visiting them probably more than skiing...

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We also did a short horse riding in the forest. That was a great fun! Nathan and Isaac rode a big horse called Mathew and Kayo on Cheyenne.

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Isaac's first skiing! We took a gondola up and did a wonderful (slow) run. We had a great time!

Penguins and Goggles

February 13, 2008

Isaac grouping penguins - collecting penguins from different places: magnets, Lego, and blocks. He calls them "Peh". He does the same for his favorite animals such as horses, elephants, and lions.

He also likes to flip through encyclopedia and National Geographic magazines for animal pictures. When he sees pages with no picture, he says "Nah, nah".

We go for a walk every day in the neighborhood.

Exploring the land no man has set foot in...

Wow, snow is getting deep...
Is Mama following me?

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Got a nice pair of goggles!

But I don't like to wear them over my eyes!  Feels weird! <crying>