Over the holidays we had the whole family together for the first time in quite a while. We were able to welcome Erika home from a wonderful mission and see Julie off to start hers. While everyone was here we tried to schedule some family time in between all our missionary duties.
We took a quick trip to Tokyo to go through the temple with Julie in preparation for her mission. It was also the first time we went through the temple with Erika. We were not able to go through with her before her mission because we were in Japan and she was already in the US. On the way to Tokyo, we had a clear shot of Mt. Fuji. A couple years ago the whole family climbed to the top!
Upon arriving in Tokyo we drove directly to the Temple and got a shot of everyone in the courtyard. I then took the boys to the hotel and we attended a session together with the girls that evening.
Julie with mom and dad.
Three of our returned sister missionaries met us at the temple and attended with us. It was wonderful to see them. Sister Yamashita, Tsuda and Kogawa.
My mission president, President Inoue and his wife, are now in the Tokyo Temple Presidency. We were able to get a photo with them. He was a great mission president who had a great influence on my life. I am constantly remembering how he did things and trying to be as good of a president as he was. I served as his assistant about 28 years ago.
Ricky had a Basketball tournament while in Tokyo so we had a chance to see two of his games while in town. We also met several of Erika's friends she knew from her mission in Sapporo.
We found the Krispy Kreme shop before one of the games!
After leaving Ricky with his team to spend the night at the school we went to Outback Steakhouse and happen to sit next to Bob Sapp. He is the former NFL football player now actor, boxer and wrestler. He has a reality TV show in Japan. He is huge!
We also found time to visit Devi Fusion, the girl's favorite Indian Curry Shop in Roppongi right near our old Tokyo home. Love that butter chicken and nan! The girls wanted to do everything they could before leaving. They tried but could not fit everything in!
Great view from our hotel room looking out over Akasaka towards Tameike and Roppongi. Tokyo Tower can be seen straight ahead. We used to see it out of our window in our old place in Tokyo. Natsukashii!
Right after Christmas we took the family and Pypers to lunch at IKEA on Port Island (had to have some Swedish meat balls) and then visited the Bird and Flower Park. Everyone loved it and had a great time. Erika with her new friend.
The Toucans are beautiful and quite friendly if you have some fruit to share.
He was a little scary even for Ricky and James.
Elder Pyper made a friend too!
Sister Pyper and Sister McIntyre got to pet the owl.
Back in the office we celebrated Elder Ito's birthday with the district.
He got his face cookie which had a good resemblance.
Took the girls to Harbour Land one afternoon and couldn't resist a picture with Kewpie at the the Kewpie store. Kind of resembles Elder Rasmussen.
The girls at Dotonbori Osaka doing the Glico man pose!
We had a fun time while everyone was here. Julie is now in the MTC and Erika is back at BYU. The boys are back in school and we are off and running again!
The next morning in Niihama, we visited the Aoba family and had the chance to make some pottery and learn from a Master Japanese Potter. 
Everyone made something and we are excited to see the final fired pieces.
Erika working on her ceramic light.
The boys working on their art.
We took a short walk down the hill to the river for a family picture - minus Julie.
The boys shot a few baskets with President Aoba's son. It was a very hot day.
We had nagashi soba which was really fun. You have to catch the noodles and food with your chop sticks as it comes down the shoot. Noodles are pretty slippery.
Here is a twilight sunset shot while we were on the road one evening. It is really pretty country.
We stopped in Kouchi for a couple of nights and relaxed. Here is a famous rock formation. The rope signifies these rocks are married. There are only 11 of these "married rocks" throughout Japan.
The light house near the rocks in Kouchi.
Our hotel was nice with a pool and views of the ocean and countryside.
There were a lot of people playing at the beach.
The kids enjoyed the pool more and everyone got pretty sunburned.
Sunday the whole family visited the Yahatahama Branch Conference where I presided and we both spoke.
The church is in this rented building right on the main street through town in front of the train station. It is a small branch.
The train station view from the church.
After conference we enjoyed a nice meal with the members.
We then travelled to Uwajima, further down the west coast of Shikoku where we attended the baptism of Brother Ii. This is the Uwajima church building.
Brother Ii with missionaries.
On our way through Shikoku, we stopped for a few hours in Matsuyama and visited the castle there. We love the lift up the mountain to the castle. It beats walking in the heat.
Photo in front of the Matsuyama Castle. It was an enjoyable and busy few days!
