Japan 6/28/2011

Arrived fine in Tokyo on Friday, and made it safely to our hotel. Everyone was pretty tired, but of course jet lag had us up early. So on Saturday morning we headed out to a place called Sunshine City... a good place for kids (Junior) to burn some energy. Great food as always (dumplings and beer).












And let the button pushing commence...




















































Great desserts as well.
































That night we went to Kana and Nagai-san's wedding dinner. It was a course meal with lots of good seafood dishes.












Anton and Mako-san helped Junior back to the hotel.












The next day we went to Yokohama to Anton and Mako-san's new condo. There is a park nearby... another great place for a 2 year old to burn some more energy. I don't know where he gets it.














I wanted a picture of both kids, but getting Junior to sit for a picture is simply not possible...














... because wouldn't you rather be chasing a turtle?






























... and riding on motorbikes?





















On Sunday we went to another park with great places to run. Sensing a theme yet?

















































































In Tokyo.














Junior outside the hotel with his new favorite drink. Liquid yogurt.















On Monday hight we went to a local shopping mall for dinner. It is there I found the most useless toy I had ever seen. A hand operated lollipop spinner. Complete with a crank. It lets you turn the lollipop while you lick it. Huh? Well, some negotiations later and Junior was the proud owner of a red one.














Junior found the camera.















And began on his photo quest.

Orange County 05/28/2011

Last week (Memorial Day weekend) I had a training class at my work's corporate headquarters in LA. It was a great chance for the whole family to come along. John likes traveling and has become very helpful.



























It was Nikki's first flight. For us it was kind of a test trip for our upcoming Japan trip, i.e. how do you travel with kids.

















Of course, John is used to it. Here he is, looking cool in the rental car.













When in LA, why not stop by Disneyland!































It still may be too soon for the kids to really appreciate this place. John enjoyed playing with the trash can.
























But he also enjoyed the rides...












On the boat into "It's a small world" ride.












Nikki was serious as usual.
























Then she loosened up a little.












Apparently John was surprised to learn of a few countries he'd never heard of.
























We got to see a Disney parade.





















































This was on a safari ride.


























And here is John spending significant time turning a crank in this big treehouse.












The next day we went to the beaches, starting at Newport beach.












Hiroe and John on the ferris wheel.













John enjoying following the pigeons.
























It was pretty windy, and there were some massive waves at the beaches. We decided to find an inland beach instead... a bit more calm. This was near Seal beach.





































































































This is on the Seal beach pier.


























Great views of the surfers from the pier.