TRAINS!!!!

Our neighbor that we get our tree from, this year surprised us with a gift as well. It has been killing us not knowing what is in the box.

So we decided on this sleety day to open it!! 

OMG A Lionel Horseshoe Train Set!!!!

We were all freaking out! 

Rich said as a little boy he had always wanted a train set around the tree!

When we called George to thank him, he said when he was a little boy, his mother worked for a very wealthy man who bought him a train set for Christmas one year, and it meant the world to him! Needless to say, we are speechless with awe in the incredible kindness and love this man has shown to our family!!  

While we were packing to go to Toyko, Maggie was reading a story to her baby.  She sat there for a long time so content and happy to be reading.  

This was our hotel in Toyko, which is set aside for military people.  It was very supper deluxe and Jason said quite reasonable.  

After we found the busiest intersection in the world, we found a restaurant. I will get some pictures from Lavena of that intersection.  It was amazing 1000s of people waiting to cross the street.  The people pile up while the cars are crossing and then when the light changes the people start.  We crossed the street and entered a land of shops where there was everything you could imagine.   We found a Susie Go Around, which made Lavena very happy.  The chef kept cooking and putting more plates on the conveyer belt.  You take a small plate off the belt and enjoy. The fish or shrimp is over a small portion of rice. You keep taking plates until you are done eating, and then they charge you by the number of plates you have.   We had some white fish, salmon, shrimp and other things!!!!  Jason or Lavena would take something and then  say try this.  It was very tender and not fishy tasting or smelling at all.   Melissa is not crazy about susie so she took the kids to another restaurant.  When we tried to find them we hunted for a while and then Jason said look for the stroller.  The stroller was parked out side the restaurant, and with all the 1000s of people walking by no one bothered it.  It seems to be a very trusting society.  At times we even left packages in the stroller and never lost a thing.  Actually while we were visiting Buddha,  Melissa and I set our purses down and walked away- quite aways and they were there when we got back.    

The hotel had a wonderful pool with hot tub. 

Jack this shot is for you.  He wanted me to take a picture of him underwater.  

I guess  I should have dried the lens.  It was a nice way to relax after being on the busiest street in the world.  

Still smiling!!!

Jack is showing his dad a card trick.  

Maggie was dressed to go out on another outing.  

Kamakura
This was a large park with trails to different shrines and temples.  Also 

There was a wedding gong on while we were here.  Along the right side were several men playing instruments.  We say several ladies and young girls dressed in kimonos.  

We climbed a long stairway to another temple and museum.  

This little boy saw the camera and thought that he should get ready for it.  His mother was on the side telling him to get out of the way.  

The Great Buddha Kamakura 13.4m including the pedestal  and 121tons.  The temples had been destroyed twice by strong winds in 1334 and 1369 and rebuilt after the 15th century.  

And his shoes.  The kids where so happy to find a water fountain.  

Everyone had to try to carry Buddha!

These folks where a wonderful treasure for Jason and Melissa to find while in Japan.  Koji-San and SoKoji-San were neighbors when Jason and Melissa lived off base.  They were right across the street and do not speak very much English.  But over time J&M learned some Japanese and they learned some English.  It was so much fun to watch J&M and J&M interact with them.   Koji-San is a retired architecture and designed his home with a rooftop garden.  We went up to see it in the dark and it was so beautiful all the city lights.  There is a fish pond,  olive tree and other plants.   

They had so much fun trying to converse.  There were a lot of topics covered and a lot of rephrasing.  They pickled these olives on the table and insisted that Jason take the bottle home to enjoy.  They were good and I hope that they are being eaten.   We had tea and fruit while visiting.

Green tea is very different there.  It is more opaque with floaty stuff in it.  So I asked how it was different.  Koji-San brought out this bamboo whisk which they use to mix the tea with.  The tea is powered leaves and is different, but full of flavor.    

This was a fun night, and I am so glad that J&M J&M had the opportunity to meet them and share family and food together.   

The rooftop garden.  Plants were past their prime at this point, but you can see that it was an interesting place.  He has plans for improvements.  

They have an elevator in this building so they can stay here as long as they need.  They live on the second floor.  This was a needle point that Koji-San's mother had done for them.  Beautiful art work and culture.  

catch up!

Girls comedy night!!

Dinner with Artie =)

this is my fav!!

Mary Lou Who came too!

And the girls had a BLAST with Nick!

This was our Thanksgiving feast!

And a couple days later we got our tree from our wonderful old neighbor George!! We adore him and he the girls!