almost there....

OK, ok I've been really lame. Haven't posted anything since we returned to Takayama. But I been busy son! getting baby gear unpacked and installed, hosting the folks for Thanksgiving. More on all this tomorrow, I promise. In the meantime, my lovely and capable wife has posted a few pics at her blog. Take a look.

Countdown

Miyuki's brother, Yuichiro and his wife Yumi, drove down from Takayama yesterday to help us haul most of our stuff back up to the mountains a few days before we head up ourselves on Thursday. We had a nice stroll, a good meal and great weather. Today we pack the van.


Clockwise from me: Yuichiro, Kiyomi - Miyuki's mom, Yumi, Miyuki and lil' Nico.

Packing it up

Oh yeah, we're heading back to Takayama in a few days so we're packing everything away, all the great gifts and toys we've received during the last few months. It also means I won't be posting for a few days.

I'm psyched to get back to Takayama... and not. It's been great being down in civilization again these last few months. I'm going to miss my twice weekly trips into Tokyo for Japanese lessons. The classes were great (here's their website if you're planning on taking any, I highly recommend them), but also, just being back in a major metropolis on a semi-regular basis felt a little like being home. On the other hand, it'll be nice to be back in our own space (the in-laws are great, but 3 months IS a long time) and back among the trees.

Also, we have to get ready for Thanksgiving and my parents visit. Hi Mom and Dad! (I know you read this....) We're looking forward to seeing you.

Happy 2nd Month of Being Here

It's Nico's 2nd month birthday and our lil' honey is doing great. She's tracking us with her eyes and just starting to crack REAL smiles when we play with her. Which is enough to turn me into a giant puddle of goo.

Now if she could only find that missing right hand...

The Flatiron has nothing on this place

Wafer-thin, right side, originally uploaded by mckibillo.

Just one of the many unusual bits of architecture filling any and every available space here in Japan. This building is just a little wider than an average vending machine.

Here's the other end. Actually in the first photo you can see not only the whole width of the place but the entire length as well.

The Whole Famn Damily

The Whole Famn Damily, originally uploaded by mckibillo.