Majestic...

Today as we were driving along the lake to Ray's game, I noticed something sparkling on the beach. I couldn't quite make it out until we were returning home this afternoon and spotted the huge ice sculptures that were being formed by the wind and water. I have never seen anything quite like it. They truly captivated me by their beauty and unique presentation of God's creativity...

Morning in Kyoto...

Jill's friend Sara arrived last Thursday for a visit of a week. Us girls went into Kyoto Friday morning, leaving the kiddos with the hubbies, for a couple hours of down time together.

We started at my very favorite coffee shop, where you can choose your cup from a wall of beautiful and unique ceramic tea cups, and the coffee is second to none.

I chose this cup and saucer this time... and I think it's my favorite yet!

Next we walked to Fushimi Inari Shrine, where I have been so many times before but always seems to amaze me...

Lovely company: Sara, Jill, Sarah...

Beautiful Jill Marshall...

Today, apparently the gods are receiving a fried piece of tofu, a boxed sake and some dried squid...

We stopped at my favorite udon noodle place to enjoy my personal favorite- kitsune udon. We were the only ones there...

A dried snake snack anyone? Anyone??

This sign cracked me up. It's warning foreigners not to sit on the hump that is at the front of the squatting toilet. That sign is there because its been done before... :)

A woman sorting flowers...

Win Weekend...

I realized I haven't written much about basketball since we've been here. To sum it up, the Lakestars have had a really good season, and after these two wins from this weekend, have regained their spot at the #1 position. This weekend they played the Saitama Broncos, and Ray unquestionably played his best two games of the season. He had 20 points in the first game and 18 in the second, earning him MVP of the first game. He had two gorgeous dunks in the second game too, which is always fun for the crowd.

The babes seem to love the games and keep thoroughly entertained. I usually don't see them the whole game because people are always more than willing to take them off my hands for a bit!

2 victories this weekend!!

MVP, Ray Schafer!!!

GREAT pass, Ray!!

Dunk #1. I decided to set down my camera for one second and missed his second BIG dunk- probably the best I've seen him do yet. A little disappointed...

Half time mini-cheerleaders...

Half time taiko drumming...

Groovin' to Garrels...

Josh Garrels woke us up with some good beats for our new dance moves. Thanks Josh!!!

New Dance Moves...

Let is suffice to say that she can't sit still if she hears music. Neither can Sol, which is so cool, but we need to get him on video!

A walk in the woods...

On Monday we went to visit our new friends Vanessa, Taiji and Kaito. Vanessa is from Australia, and we met them at an international Christmas party. They live in a very cool area of Kyoto...

We walked through an incredible area of rich farmland, then up to a small shrine overlooking the valley... We had to take a photo of this little tiger made out of bamboo. Last year was the year of the tiger- the year our kiddos were born!!

The tall, thick stalks of bamboo never cease to amaze us. What an incredible natural resource, not used far enough to its full potential in the U.S...

Thank you for a wonderful day!!

We'll See...

Hello All!

Sooo, it's kind of a blogger trend that works: some friends over here have opened our eyes to a very easy way to make a couple of extra dollars. All it takes is allowing google to place ads on our page, and each time they are clicked (by one of you!!), we receive money. Each ad varies in the amount it will pay out, and they will send a check to our home address. Despite not wanting to make our blog tacky in any way, I thought that this may be a simple effort on my part to earn a couple extra dollars!

SO, if you see an ad that catches your attention, click away!! You won't be obliged or prompted to do anything further if you do! We'll see what happens!!

Our Little Man...

...as I've come to refer to him, almost always. At just over 10 months old, Sol is definitely our more active and determined babe. He is standing up on everything and scooting his feet, so soon to walk. He has 6 big teeth, and even though his sis will eat everything, he's become a bit of a picky eater. Thanks to Ma and Pa, however, we just keep feeding him the same thing until he finally gives in! That'll show him!! :)

He has a weakness: tickles! Whenever he's on his back, we have the best chance to steal from our little boy the most amazing belly laugh. His ribs are his weak spot, so we bite and nuzzle, until our little guy belly laughs to exhaustion. We love it! ...and we think he does too...

Bamboozle...

On Monday, we took Ray's day off to walk in the hills above our town of Otsu. Ray had a goal in mind too, to find some bamboo to build Soph and Sol a bigger crib...

We found some downed stalks. He went to work with his little saw, cutting off the outer shoots...

The babes and I lazed in the sun...

They loved feeling the textures of the leaves and sucking on the sweet stalks!

I seem to love every moment with these three!!

Rocking Horse...

This is - without question - Sophie's new favorite past time. Except blogger won't let me post the videos of her doing this for minutes at a time...

Simple Pleasures...

Hello...Goodbye...

It's come to this...

Papa got creative, and provided a much needed solution to our babes' night time pow-wows. Sorry you two, it had to be done...