Japan: Day 2

On Saturday, we visited Tokyo Tower, a Tokyo Giants baseball game and go-karted around downtown Tokyo, Mario-Kart style. This day was one the busiest of the trip, but also one of the most fun.

At the train station by where my parents lived. My dad navigated public transportation incredibly well. I could not believe the amount of people. There were lots of people, but everything remained very clean: trains, streets, buses, taxis, etc.

Passed several shrines and temples on our way to the baseball game at the Tokyo Dome.

I cannot begin to describe what the atmosphere was like at this game. Each player had their own chant. The fans would loudly chant it each time a player came to bat and continued until they were no longer at bat. Sometimes this proved to be a long time! I had these catchy chants and actions stuck in my head for the next few days! The highlight was when the Swallows (the opposing team) would score and they would bust out a different song/chant and wave their mini-umbrellas around in the air to the beat. 

After making good memories of finding the go-kart place and having them try to tell us they were closed, we persevered and cruised the streets of Tokyo on a Saturday night as Mario, Luigi and Mushroom. Tom definitely stole the show as Mushroom. His gun show was my favorite part. It was insane how people would line up to take our pictures every time we stopped at a stop light. 30-40 mph, no helmets, no waivers, it was hilariously dangerous! We did have a guide and that made ALL the difference. 

We couldn't convince my parents that any press is good press for the church.  :) 

They opted not to participate in the Mario-kart adventure. I would love to say, "next time," but I bet the lawyers will catch on to this before another opportunity rolls around!

It was a great day spent with family.

Konichiwa!

DAY 1

After much planning and anticipation, I was able to visit my parents on their mission in Japan. They are just shy of living there for 18 months. At times, it feels like they left yesterday and other times it feels more like 18 years! I am grateful for their example of devotion, testimony, service, love, endurance, power of prayer, the list could go on and on. I love my parents and realize the older I become how incredibly blessed I am because of their choices. I read this quote awhile ago, and feel the truth of it even more after visiting my parents," If I turn into my Mother, or even half the woman she is, I'll consider my life a successful one." (The same could be said of my Dad.)

My oldest brother, Dan, was already in Tokyo for work. Tom and I flew out the same day, but different airlines and arrived in Japan the next day within an hour-ish of each other. It was a 13.5 hour flight from Dallas for me. I quite enjoyed my solitude on the plane. :)

It was wonderful to see my parents and give them a big hug.  How I have missed them! Tom was a "little" jet-lagged (he couldn't remember anything about that night the next day), so we visited on the train back to the area where we stayed, grabbed a quick bite of sushi and called it a night. It was about an hour and a half from the airport to the apartment we stayed in. My parents' apartment is very "modest." We stayed in a different apartment that was currently unoccupied, but would soon be when the next missionary couple arrived to take my parents' place in a few weeks after we left. Not too many pictures this day, but there are definitely more pictures to come!

I strolled by the uppity sleeper pods on the way back to the lower class section of the airplane.  

Lots of blue for lots of hours. 

This is actually the next day, but I felt that I couldn't do an accounting of the first day without a pic of the gang.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

On Luke's actual birthday, I was MIA as I was at the airport heading to see my parents in Japan. Bryan made sure Luke knew how special and loved he is by us! The morning started with breakfast and opening presents. Bryan FaceTimed me so I could enjoy watching Luke open presents. Luke is in such a Lego and Nerf guns stage right now. Although, Bryan really knocked it out of the park when Luke opened up a "real bow." His eyes lit up and he quickly asked, "Does this mean I can go hunting with you now, Dad?!?"

Bryan met Luke at his school for lunch and stayed through recess to play. Bryan said Luke was loving having him there and may have teared up when it was time for him to go! Elizabeth picked up Luke from school and took him for a treat. That night the family went to Freddy's to celebrate the big day!

Fun things about Luke right now:

He LOVES: Legos, Nerf guns, anything that resembles a weapon, playing with friends and cousins, screen time, treats-especially ice cream, hunting for golf balls, teasing his sister :), camping, hiking "Castle Rock Mountain," swimming, Tebow-his bear and many more, but those are probably at the top of the list.

He DOESN'T LOVE: chores, vegetables (other than carrots, peas and corn), missing out on anything resembling fun, flu shots.

He is a smart, goofy and kind-hearted boy who feels emotions deeply. We can definitely go the rounds and I wonder some days if anything is sinking in, but he has such a fun personality and sense of humor that I truly enjoy being his mom. Crazy to think he is 6! Time does fly. Love you, Luke!

Lego Party!

Luke requested a Lego party for his 6th birthday. This was a fun and easier to pull together party. There are so many ideas out there on Pinterest. Combine that with my friend who threw her son a Lego party just a few years ago and let me borrow some supplies---I was good to go!
It is so fun to set up and decorate for these parties. The kids become so excited and make me feel that my (and Bryan's) efforts are appreciated. In the past, I have done the number of invites to correlate with how old Luke is turning. We decided to retire that rule this year. As much as it helped me not be overwhelmed with the amount of kids, it was hard because I felt like we were always exclusive. A few more kiddos made it a little crazier at the party, but we enjoyed having a fun, rambunctious bunch! We live in such a great neighborhood with lots of kids.

While we waited for all of the party guests to arrive the kids played and assembled Legos.

Next up was Lego Bingo. This was a hit!

We headed to the garage for Lego races. The first team to fill the jar up to the line won. Crazy, it was a tie! :)

We went to the backyard to practice target shooting at Lego heads and a "friendly" Soccer game. Man, boys are competitive!

After the games, it was cake and ice cream time.

I learned that our grocery stores do not make Lego cakes. I had to improvise. Elizabeth let me borrow her molds and I made Lego gummies. Luke helped me decorate his cake. He told me, "This is the BEST CAKE EVER!" It's nice to be appreciated. 

The grand finale was the Lego piñata. Bryan and I stayed up late one night creating this had some good laughs. 

I think Bryan may have enjoyed controlling the piñata just as much (if not more!) as the boys liked trying to destroy it.

Such a fun party celebrating Luke turning 6!