Homeschooling

Some of the fun things the kids are doing at home these days:Annabella LOVES coloring, and spends hours a day in her coloring books. :)
Here, Olivia shows off her architectural potential.
Olivia made this diorama after reading Charlotte's Web with Momma. Wilbur is "Some Pig"!

Here is Calvin showing off his particularly impressive animal sounds. Check it the excellent elephant noises (plus a few bonus noises if you watch 'till the end!)

Hotcakes (A mom's and kid's class) Matsuri (festival)

Once a month we enjoy going to Hotcakes,
a mom's and kid's class at our community center.
I use this time as a good chance for me to use my Japanese,
and for the kid's to learn Japanese from native speakers. In July,
we had a matsuri, a Japanese festival
(similar in my mind to 4th of July in America).
Here are some pictures of our time...

Olivia and Annabella with their friend, Akari-chan.

These were some of the treats we got to take home from the festival.
The box on the right is a traditional obento box (lunch box).
These things are all made of paper and string!
A tomato, some pasta salad and a
onigiri (rice triangle with seaweed wrapped around it). So cute!

This was Calvin's favorite.
Catching fish and squid with magnets.
Can you spot my child?

Calvin getting a paper ice cream cone from his friend, Ryu-kun.

All of the children together. Most of them are dressed up in
yukatas for the girls (traditional summer kimonos)
and jinbeis for the boys. We went out later that day to
buy yukatas for the girls and a jinbei for Calvin.

Our three kids loving dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing!

Olivia - 5 1/2 years old

Annabella - 4 years old

Calvin - still the baby at 1 1/2 years old

Aunt Molly's Birthday

Aunt Molly turned 17 while she was visiting us.

It was such a joy to celebrate her birthday with her in person!

The kids all have really enjoyed their time with her this summer.

This was our attempt at making party hats for the celebration.

The party - Molly made many friends while she was here and
they all wanted to celebrate her birthday with her.

We played a lot of the game Settlers while she was here,
so it was only appropriate that we have Settlers cupcakes for her birthday!

And after we ate the Settlers cupcakes we
finished off the night with a game of Settlers.
Happy Birthday, Molly! We love you and miss you!

A waterpark with Aunt Molly

We were so blessed to have, my sister, Aunt Molly,
come visit us for six weeks this summer!
This was our day at the water park...

Our picnic lunch on our mat.

Annabella reminds me so much of Aunt Molly when she was little.
I have sometimes called Annabella, Molly, by mistake!

What happened to Olivia?!

Calvin and Daddy

My kids and their love of all that is dirty.

The elephant trunk water slide.

So fun! I wish the summer didn't have to end!

Crossway Homeparty

We had a lot of fun this summer with college-age interns.
When college students come from America during the summer
they can be effective in college ministry because
Japanese college students are still in school.
The first semester starts in April and goes till the end of July.

The traditional Japanese picture with everyone doing the peace sign.

During the school year this is what my kitchen table
looks like on Thursdays...
lots of paper cups, cookies, and
friends enjoying being with one another.

Jenga seems to be popular on Thursdays ...
a great game where you don't have to use Japanese or English!

Fun at the Pool

We spent some summer fun at our local pool. We can all go for just $3!!!
Yea, something cheap in Japan!

An interesting fact is that Japanese pools seem to open around
July 15th and close on August 31st even if it is still warm out.
Only six weeks of pool time!

All three of our children just love hanging out at the pool!

A beautiful wedding

The new ...
Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Ai Kueh

It was such a joy to celebrate the wedding of such a special couple!
This was our first wedding at Honda Chapel and such a great celebration!

The new couple

My attempt at an artsy photo at the pool-side reception

Beautiful bridesmaids and a sweet friend

The tables at the reception

We look forward to spending time this fall as couples. :)

Japanese Worship - Oyumino Alive Church

Here is a 2 min clip from a recent worship service at Oyumino Alive Church. Atsushi on drums, John on piano, Keisuke on guitar and vocals, and me on bass. :)

We lead worship bilingually, but I figured you already know the songs in English so I just posted clips of "Hosanna", "Once Again", and "Blessed Be Your Name" sung in Japanese. Enjoy!