Minnesota Zoo 7/26/09

Today we went to the Minnesota Zoo. It was Junior's first trip to the zoo.


















As usual, I think he liked the water/fish the best of all.































And my camera too.

Aiden's Birthday 7/26/09

Yesterday we went to Junior's friend Aiden's 1st birthday party. There were actually three kids celebrating the same birthday. They each got their own cake.













Aiden's on the left. He really had no interest in the cake.













The party had a mexican theme. It was pretty fun. Great tamales. And I'm usually not a tamale fan.


















They also had a pinata. This one was a hat filled with candy. Each kid got three swings at the pinata.





































Finally, one of the older blindfolded kids got it.


















As usual, the kids raced for the candy.












Junior had fun.

Japan 7/2/09

In July we returned to Japan for a 10 day vacation. It was a great trip... getting to see family, eat good food, and relax a bit. This was Junior's second trip to Japan. In general he travels well, but suffers from jet lag like the rest of us. During one of the first nights there, we went out with Hiroe's friends. Junior wasn't quite in this time zone yet.


















But the next night he did get to play with his uncle.



























While we were there we celebrated Junior's birthday. He got a puppy cake...














With 1 candle. Strangely, he wasn't interested in eating any of his cake.












A few days later we joined the star festival celebration. Kaho is holding a cake for the event.


















As part of the celebration, everyone writes wishes on pieces of paper to be attached to a tree branch in the house.





































































I think Junior really enjoyed bath time. He's a big fan of running water...


















Later, junior got to meet Hiroe's friend Omi's newborn son.



















They got to take a nap together.












We also went out to some of the local star festival celebrations.


















Junior really enjoyed all of the colors.


























































































We also went to visit Kaho at school.














Another part of the star festival is a children's parade through town. We walked with them for the last part of it.
























































There is no doubt. Junior is a popular guy.






































































And when we returned to our house, both Junior and dad had jet lag.