Hakone

This past week we went to Hakone for a little vacation. Hakone is a whole little region up in the mountains and is a famous hot spring resort area for tourists and locals. They call the hot springs onsens. It also offers great views of Mt. Fuji. The weather wasn't quite as cooperative as we would have liked (it was rainy and foggy the whole time) so we had to change our plans around. We had planned to do a loop of the Hakone region by train, cablecar, ropeway, boat and bus, but since the weather was lousy we bagged that. We just ended driving around and exploring so next time we go we have a better idea of what is there. I do have to say that it is absolutely GORGEOUS up there. So Wednesday night we spent walking around a little town, walking through stores, etc. It was a lot of fun. The big thing that they were selling were these pastries filled with bean curds--there were tons of shops selling them. Eric and the kids love them, I haven't quite acquired a taste for them. We had a lot of fun in Hakone, but it was a lot different than the other places we have been. Hakone is very traditional, so not a lot of things are in English and the food is very traditional--meaning, you have NO idea what you are eating. On our way home, we were dying for American or just to eat something that we knew what it was. We passed a Denny's and were like, something we recognize. Needless to say, we won't be eating at Denny's again--not like American Denny's. Again, we had NO idea what we were eating and there were just so many unusual and interesting flavors. Luckily we had ordered the kids pancakes and they didn't eat them, so Eric and I ended up eating them and thought they were the BEST thing we had eaten in a long time. Besides Hakone, everywhere else we have eaten has been great and we eat out a lot, I think we just have not eaten really traditional. Anyways, here are some pictures from our little vacation.

So Wednesday afternoon we drove up to Hakone (it is about 1 1/2 from us). The drive up was so scenic--we drove right along the ocean. We drove through this fun little city called Enoshima (which we had been to before). It reminds us of southern California--big surf town. So the weather was cold and rainy, but we passed by hundreds of surfers--they are diehards. It was fun to see.

View from out our hotel window. We stayed in a japanese hotel which was an interesting experience. Oh for those of you who don't know, I am pregnant, if you can't tell--my fat belly isn't from eating too much yummy japanese food!

View from the window--this river ran right next to the hotel--it was such a gorgeous view!

Looking the other way out the window.

Our hotel room. So we had reserved a western style room and we thought we were getting two double beds, but no we got two twin beds, which Eric barely fit on and a couch that Ethan slept on. Also, being a japanese hotel, they had kimonos and slippers for you to wear. When you are in the hotel you are supposed to wear the slippers. So, with our room we got offered a japanese style breakfast. We had no idea what to expect--we knew it wouldn't be muffins and juice, but we were shocked when they placed our trays in front of us. We had a fish that had been filleted open and cooked, with bones still in it, a raw egg, rice (thank goodness for rice--we never go too hungry) and this soup and all these other little things that we had no idea what they were. I am proud of us, we did try it all, but now we know why the japanese are so skinny.

Our upcoming stay in Hakone

We made hotel reservations tonight to go stay at a Japanese bed&breakfast next week. We're very excited about the area. It's in a historic resort town up in the mountains called Hakone. (Picture at right).

As we were making the reservation, though, we had to go through a series of screens where we "agreed" to a number of conditions by checking boxes (there were little reminders next to each box that said "you always checked the boxes to proceed"). Anyways, the "conditions" we were agreeing to sometimes seemed a little weird. We were particularly dismayed that we had to agree not to bring in the one which emits a stench (that's often Kailey) and no ability to use firearms for cooking.

In all, there were about a dozen list of conditions, but one was more interesting than the rest. Behold, the sixth list of conditions that we had to agree to:

In staying period ,when there is the following act, we refuse can refuse your staying.

(1) When making an animal and birds bring But, it excludes a guide dog, a nursing care dog.

(2) When trying to bring in the one which emits a stench.

(3) When trying to bring many articles remarkably in.

(4) When the one of the ignition-quality and the flammability tries to bring in.

(5) When using firearms for the heating and the cooking, and so on, in the guest room.

(6) When doing act with the complaint which goes out of the other guest with the loud voice, singing and the noise in night.

(7) The time ( at the lobby of the meeting ) to have tried to tow an outlander in the guest room or When made to make use equipment.

(8) When trying to leave personal belongings at the lobby and in the corridor.

(9) The time that you installed alien substance in the equipment, that it was enough and that it shouldered to process as it changes the present situation of the facilities.

(10) Besides, it is when not following note, the warning of the staff at our hotel.

Costumes, Costumes, Costumes

So our kids are very lucky to have 2 sets of the most wonderful grandparents! Both grandparents were so nice to send the kids really fun packages that included tons of fun toys and some costumes. Also, here are a couple of pictures of the kids in their halloween costumes--Ethan was a monkey again and Kailey was a pumpkin. One funny story, when Eric took them trick-or-treating, they saw these 3 japanese ladies that were dressed as pumpkins and they went crazy when they saw Kailey and took tons of pictures with her. I was so sad, I would have loved a picture of the 4 of them, but we forgot to take the camera. Speaking of Halloween, we had a great halloween. We got TONS of trick-or-treaters. I bought $60 worth of candy (I know what a waste) and only giving one piece to every child I ran out in less than 2 hours. About 90% of our trick-or-treaters were japanese kids. It was funny, because so many of their parents followed them around videotaping them! Anyways, here are cute pictures of the kids!

Kids dressed up in costumes ready to go trick-or-treating!

Kailey trying to steal some of her candy--she is so sneaky!

My cute pumpkin!

My little ballerina--Grandma Nelson found this for Kailey--thank you Grandma!

Checking out the wand

ARGHH matey--my little pirate--Grandma Tolman sent these next costumes for the kids!

Her BYU cheerleader outfit--she has to help Daddy root for the Cougars!

Stop! No more pictures!!

My little firelady!

Yokohama-Part 2-Giant Ferris Wheel

I know I am a little slow posting the rest of our outing, but here it is FINALLY!! I hopefully will be catching our blog up to speed within the next week. Anyways, so last month we went to Yokohama. After going to Chinatown we walked along the waterfront to the Giant ferris wheel. This is one of the largest ferris wheels in the world and also doubles as the world's largest clock. It takes about 15 minutes to go all the way around and you get some SPECTACULAR views of the city.

As we were walking along the bay, we saw a ton of interesting things. First was that they were having a huge Octoberfest. It was kind of funny to hear German music and see tons of Japanese drinking beer and celebrating a german holiday. We also walked by and there was a HUGE crowd around this guy. We thought he must be pretty good, but Eric and I just laughed because it was about one of the worst street performers we have ever seen.

Giant Ferris Wheel--it is at a little amusement park.

This is a famous spa--you can kind of see all the people on top of the roof soaking their feet.

Japanese are notorious for building things on top of roofs. Here is a mini golf course on top of a roof.

Team Nelson in the giant Ferris Wheel--look at Ethan and Kailey--don't they look like they are having TONS of fun!!

We thought this was a funny game to have--you had to throw things into the cup of noodles

Kailey playing in Anpanman

Kailey riding Anpanman--he is everywhere!

Eric thought this was cool, so he took a picture of it--it is a wall that has grass growing on it.

Kailey--Where's your pants??

Yesterday I was busy helping Ethan with something and Kailey was off playing in their room. She was playing nicely and being very quiet-not unusual for her, she is so good. Well several minutes later, she comes walking into the living room where I was with Ethan...

and Kailey comes walking in and all I see is her chunky little legs and cute little bottom walking around--I know I put pants and a diaper on her that morning, but somehow she got them off, but managed to leave her shoes on--she loves wearing shoes!!

So I ask her "Kailey, where are your pants and your diaper?" She points and I follow her to her room...

and nicely put in her dresser are her pants and her diaper!! I guess I can't complain at least if she is going to take her clothes off, she puts them away!

How can you possibly ever get upset at this innocent face?? Kids, you just never know what they are going to do next!!

Yokohama-Part 1--CHINATOWN

On the Columbus Day holiday, we decided to head out to Yokohama. Yokohama is about a 45 minute train ride from us and is Japan's second largest city. Yokohama has tons to do in it--great restaurants, great shopping, the tallest building in Japan, etc. We decided to first hit Chinatown, which is the largest chinatown in Japan and one the the largest in the world. After just walking around for a little bit, Eric and I decided that we LOVE chinatown and can't wait to go back and explore more. First off, the food is amazing--they had tons of street vendors selling food and next time I think we will just eat as we walk. I have noticed since we have moved here, we eat out all the time, because the food is just AMAZING!! Another funny thing that happened is that we had about 3 people stop us and want to take pictures of their kids with our kids. It is so funny, I told Eric we need to start taking pictures of our kids with Asian kids! Anyways, here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what it is like!

Eric and Kailey in front of one of the many temples. I couldn't believe how ornate and colorful everything was!

Ethan posing in front of the lion statue

They had these really fun tiles on the sidewalk as you walked along. I thought they were so unusual.

The doorway to a chinese gift shop and restaurant. Everything was SOOO ornate and so colorful.

Almost every restaurant in Japan has a window outside where it has plastic examples of the dishes they serve. For us foreigners it makes it nice, because we can tell if we want to eat there or not. We thought this restaurant window had some interesting things in it. Notice the duck, fish and lobster at the top.

Back by popular demand...Ethan and Kailey

Well, a couple of people have complained to me that I haven't put any pictures up of the kids lately. So, here you are. I thought most people would enjoy seeing the sights of Japan and what cool things we are doing, but I guess pictures of the kids are most important! Here are some from the last couple of weeks.

There is this street right off base called Blue Street because it has blue tiles going down it. Anyways, everything is on Blue Street-tons of restaurants, shops, etc. As you walk along they also have lots of these bronze statues and Ethan ALWAYS stops so he can take pictures with them. So here is one of his pictures.

Kailey is a girl--she is OBSESSED with shoes. She is always going into her and Ethan's closet and bringing me shoes to wear. This particular night she found the Elmo slippers.

Ethan's first day of preschool--don't you love his posed smile--it is almost a little scary! A bunch of us moms got together and are doing a little co-op preschool. So far it is working out great.

Kailey loves crawling under everything. It is amazing what I can find her wedged under. Here it is just a chair at the table, however, other times she is under my microwave cart, or the bed--I don't know how she does it.

Kailey in her apron--she was helping me make dinner. So cute!

Daddy left his shoes out--Kailey not only loves to wear shoes on her feet, but also on her hands. She is always going into Eric and I's closet and putting our shoes on her hands and either crawling around or walking around with them--she is so silly!

I was brave one day and let both the kids paint--Kailey didn't last too long--I took my eyes off her for a second and when I looked back she was trying to eat the paint--she ended up with a blue mouth and green tongue!

Ethan wears his monkey costume at least twice a week and occasionally Kailey wants to be like him. So here she is being a monkey! It is a good thing Halloween is coming up soon so he actually has an excuse to dress up!

Apple Bottom Jeans, Boots with the Fur...Flo Rida Concert!

So, Eric and I are great parents, we really are. While other parents take their toddlers to see 'The Wiggles' or Disney on Ice...Eric and I took our 2 1/2 year old and 15 month old to a Flo Rida concert two weeks ago and they LOVED it--okay maybe not as much as us, but we had a great time! For those of you who don't know who Flo Rida is, he is a rapper that has a couple of top 20 billboard hits. He came here to the base and performed a free concert and we are not about to pass up a free concert with a semi-big performer. We went with two friends, Rachel and Rachele. Rachel is also a JAG and works for the same command as Eric and Rachele is one of my good friends here who I met in this orientation the base makes you do. She has a daughter named Kaiya who is a year older than Ethan. Anyways, we had a great time, next time we decided we needed to leave the kids at home, because they made it hard to be in the mosh pit at the front--just kidding!! I have to admit, the concert started out slow. They had this lame girl come out and rap who had no personality and all her songs sounded the same. She seemed to perform forever, but they the real act came out and Flo Rida was great--he is such a fun performer. Surprisingly we could get really close to the stage, so Rachel and Rachele and I ran up there a couple of times to try and get good pictures of Flo Rida. Here are some pics from our fun evening:

Flo Rida--you rock!!

It was some junior high school girl's birthday so Flo Rida brought her and a bunch of her friends up to sing and dance with him. It was pretty hilarious, because they were gettin' down!

Our friend Rachele and her daughter Kaiya

Our friend Rachel

You can't really see too well, but this is Flo Rida with his shirt off and the guy is RIPPED!! Even Eric was impressed! I thought this was a good image to end the blog with!

Pimp My Ride!!

So in the states I was driving this:

A 2008 Mercury Mariner--fully loaded, black leather interior...it was beautiful and I almost cried when we took it down to Jersey to put it in storage.

Now, that I live in Japan, I most definitely have upgraded (not) and am driving this:

A 1995 Mazda MPV--I know, I know, I always swore I would never drive a van, but now I am a van driver and have to admit it is not that bad. So our car, you can kind of tell from the picture, is a piece of junk, but we love it and the best part we only paid $700, that is right--what a steal!! For being so junky, the car runs pretty well and doesn't have too many kilometers on it. The best part is, we don't care what happens to it as recently happened to me. The kids and I were going to visit a friend off base. The road to their house is SOOOOOO tiny. On one side is a fence covered in tons of overgrowth and on the other side is metal fence. Well, I missed the turn to her house and came back and was turning onto her street and remember ALL the streets in Japan are very narrow, anyways, I cut my turn too close and my car scraped up against the metal fence. Well, I tried to back up and fix it and again my car scraped, so finally I was like, who cares and just turned in scraping up the WHOLE side of my car. I was kind of embarrassed, because there was a japanese lady sitting there watching this whole episode and I know she was thinking, "stupid, gaijin (that means foreigner)". Well, I was telling my friend what I did and she showed me their car and it had scratches all over it. Anyways, that night, I fixed a nice dinner and over dinner I told Eric I had something to confess and told him about the car. I didn't think he would be upset or anything, but his response surprised me a little. He just laughed and said, "Who cares--that is why we have a $700 car!" What a great husband--anyways it is know a nice little laugh we have with others. Also, it is kind of funny because so many of my friends have similar stories about scraping their cars--it is pretty funny. So, moral of the story--it is nice to drive a beater!

On a side note, I have become very accustomed to driving on the other side of the road. I have a feeling when we finally move back to the states, driving will be a BIG adjustment--so watch out!