Hanshin Tigers Game!

at the beginning of the seventh inning everyone blows up balloons and releases them into the air....to the great delight of all my children.

hear her roar?! although she doesn't have much of a bite! :)i love how his ears fold down a bit with his baseball hat on.....fan with a princess tiger!

Noa spent the entire time in motion.....baseball didn't grab her attention.

lovin' us some Jon Moore....

Yes, one of the very same "Moores" that Nykolas is named after. Jon came to work in the Sendai area for three months and on his way came to hang with us for a while. By the end of two days I was asking myself why again I was sending him up north when he was soooooo good with my littles? Oh yeah needy people, devasted areas in need of a Japanese speaking young man.......we had to let him go. BUT only have he promised a longer visit on his return home!!!

handmade crown fit for a princess.....

moviee.....

slightly disturbing what little ones learn from their big siblings......

unexpectedly wonderful afternoon....

A few Saturdays ago we were looking for something to do with some new friends. It was hot hot and I was not looking forward to being outside and the only somewhat coolish thing I could think of was walking by the Minoh River. So off we went....me with trepidation, imagining a day filled with whining and sweat. It turned into one of the most fabulous afternoons I have had in ages. Clouds moved in and a light rain fell..cooling things off considerably. There was a music festival right in front of the creek by the temple, we waded splashed and caught crabs AND we spotted the giant salamander that lives there! I know to many that may not seem very exciting....gross really. But we had studied them last year and had read on National Geographic that one lived in Minoh near the temple. So every time we go we are on the look out. Still cannot believe we saw it. This isn't a picture I took as of course I didn't have my camera...this is one I pulled off the web. He was longer than my arm!!!