All good things must come to an end.

Today is November 26, 2017.  I'm finally getting around to finishing the blog, 2.5 years later.  I'm motivated since Bryan's birthday present to me was to print it as a book.  That was 1.5 months ago.  I'm more recently motivated by the fact that for Black Friday, the publishing site is running a 40% off sale, which is a big deal.  I've really enjoyed going through our pics again and it's difficult to pick out my favorites.  I'm sad to find that I can't find the pics from the last few days, including my going away dinner and a few other things.  But in good news, we've kept in contact with the majority of our friends there, have happily hosted them in our home, have made some visits, and have more visits planned.

The last few months of our time in Japan was quite full.  Full of packing, getting in last minute trips to our favorite places and restaurants, and spending time with our friends.  We were also trying to start getting our ducks in a row for our lives back in Ohio.  Bryan was especially busy with trying to figure out how to properly buy and run a dental practice.  I was trying to find a teaching job, find fun places to see/do in the Cincy area (so to avoid freaking out about not really knowing much about where I was going to spend at least the next 20 years), and research new home projects.   So here is one last run through of our adventures.

One last camping trip!  It wasn't actual camping for Emily and I, since as you go up into the mountains, it gets pretty darn cold.  But we went up for the day (which involved me having a major fail at trying to get on to the toll roads), did some hiking and exploring, enjoyed the campfire, and was lucky enough to have Kat ride back with us.  

Trying to stay warm!  Emi made an excellent starfish on Bryan's back during our hike.

Emi had a bit of a non-traditional Easter basket.  And she (and now Drew) still loves the blue bike.  I remember I took this pic down the street from our house and then I parted ways to go out with friends.  Bryan sent me a pic later where she had fallen asleep on the bike.  Poor gal!

So little!  I love those little rainbow booties.  And the picture on the right just makes me laugh.  I had the sheets off to wash them but after a really rough morning for us both, Emi needed to nap earlier than normal and then I found her like this.  

Love the Yamato sakura!

We took advantage of the beautiful backdrop and had some professional shots done.  Thanks, Suzanne!

Hey, cutie!

We started  my first Mother's Day with brunch at the O Club with some of my favorite people and then had a nice afternoon stroll through a local park.  

Strawberry picking.  (With a side of sweetened condensed milk, of course!)

Emily and Julia got to go to the Yokohama Zoo, also known as Zoorasia.  It's pretty similar to our zoos.  In the pic on the right, you can see Emi got excited about seeing the polar bears swim.

Our household goods move was packed out April 30th.  Emily and I flew back June 12th (our 5th anniversary!).  So we lived with rented furniture and kitchen kits for awhile.  I won't lie:  I do not miss that part of military life at all. My hat goes off to all of you who still do this every few years!

Some distinctly Japanese sightings in the neighborhood.  The top left is just a cute little entryway to a business, the wisteria at the park is stunning, the koinobori fly for Children's Day, and the rows of posters is how Japan deals with political campaigning.  

I believe it was the clinic that organized a lunch cruise on the Yokohama Bay.  We had a bento box of sushi, karaage (fried chicken), and tempura veggies.  We saw some good sights and then ended with some karaoke.  Always a good time with that crew!

Soon after we took another Yokohama Bay cruise (2 in one month after living 30 years without any!), but this time it was Bryan's Hail and Farewell.  I miss those fancy times!

Lindsey came to visit us!  She was coming over to our side of the world to do some studying in Mongolia, so she stopped by for a quick visit.  I think I exhausted her a bit and she saw my crazy planner side.  But I'd like to think she still had a good time.  

I had been wanting to see the temple in Kamakura that is famous for being so pretty during hydrangea season.  Turns out about 1 million other people had the same idea.  The hydrangea were plentiful and were indeed beautiful though.  

I always get excited to see the ladies in traditional yukata or kimono.  And here is a nice pic of kids at another shrine in Kamakura.

Lindsey also loves sushi, so we were happy to show her some of our favorite places.  We took her to see Nakamura San for a real treat and of course we had to go to our local kaiten sushi as well.


2.5 years later, we still love to talk about Japan.  We were just constantly amazed at how nice the people are, how oishii the food is, and how beautiful and clean everyplace is.  We can't wait to go back.