General Pictures from December / January Shutdown

This blog update is just a jumble of pictures that we have taken throughout shutdown. They didn't quite fall into specific activities.



Landscape on one of trips.







Another picture of the landscape. I think this was on our trip to Nikko to go to Tobu World Square.






Can you guess what this is? They are all over Japan. The answer is listed backwards below.


(egnar gnivird flog)



On my way to Narita to pick up my Dad, I saw MANY people playing sports on fields along the river. They were mostly playing Soccer and Baseball. Remember, this is late December.





I also saw some type of running event. If you look closely, you can see all of the people running along the river.






Oh no he didn't!!! Looks like he got his outfit on the set of "Clash of the Tartans". I saw this guy at Narita Airport. I know it is polite to poke fun, but I can't help myself. He had a mask on so I will give him the benefit of the doubt since he was sick... but still...









A picture of Tokyo at sunset with Mt. Fuji in the background.







Another shot of Mt. Fuji with the Tokyo Skytree in the foreground. You can see the cranes that are on the Skytree. This is the reason I think it is still under construction. It is supposed to open this year.




One of the restaurants at the Utsunomiya station always has this heated container outside. I have never seen them using it to cook until a few weeks ago. I think they are making melon pan which is a type of bread.





Another picture of the mountains near Takanezawa.









Another landscape picture. I can't remember where this is, but it was on one of our trips.








Picture of one of the train stations on the way to Narita.









Dad's flight left on January 1st. We had to leave fairly early to get to Narita Airport. I saw this couple sleeping at the station. Looks like they had too much New Year's 'Cheer'.







Savannah reading her Animal Almanac that she got from Uncle Wayne and Aunt Kathy at Christmas.










Picture of the kids at the store. We were shopping for Elin's Birthday presents. The kids used their own allowance to buy her presents.

On the last day of shutdown, we decided to have a barbecue. We had Steak, hokke, vegetables and more. Savannah decided that she wanted to take a few pictures.

Savannah got a shot of Denny drawing with chalk outside the house.

Savannah warming up by the grill.

Again, Savannah taking pictures. These are the large rocks that are in our yard.

Denny posing on one of the rocks.

This was my first attempt at grilling hokke which is a fish. You can buy them split down the middle and all you have to do is grill them for a few minutes. It doesn't look that great, but it was delicious. Even the kids thought it tasted good which surprised me. There wasn't much left except skin and bones after we were done with it.

Savannah trying on some hand-me-downs from one of our friends. They came just in time. She is out-growing her pants and we were having a hard time finding any that fit her properly. We thought this pair was funny... "I love tears"... (???).

You cannot buy American style sausage in Japan - at least we haven't found it yet... McDonald's is the best we can do. I think I mentioned this before, but typically, McDonald's here usually serves food that actually looks like the pictures. This was my sausage sandwich and all I did was open the wrapper. I didn't alter is at all.

Elin saw a sign at McDonald's indicating that you can buy hot dogs for breakfast. The fillet-o-fish is also a popular breakfast choice.

Elin opening her gifts from the kids. Denny bought her a set of canastas.

Elin opening her kokeshi doll. She collects them so it is an easy present to buy for her.

Savannah checking her party plan. She organized the whole day - food, games, music time, etc. Great job Savannah.

Denny hanging out at Mama's party.

We also went to our local ramen shop. I ordered the spicy tofu ramen. I was literally sweating as I was eating it. It was really good, but spicy.

Elin ordered tan tan men which is also a little spicy but not as bad as the tofu. tan tan men has a peanut based sauce and is very tasty.

The kids with their scooters.

Another shot of the kids riding their scooters in front of the house.