Tanabata 7/7/2011

Before we left Japan we went to Tanabata, which is based on a chinese lady that made fabric, a very hard worker. There was also a man who had cows. He was also a very hard worker. God noticed how hard they were working and decided they should meet. Well they met and fell in love. So much in love that they stopped working. I guess this was a bad thing, because they were then told they could only see each other once a year. That day is July 7th. But only if it's a sunny day and if the Milky Way is visible. No Milky Way, no meet. It's celebrated in Japan via festivals, parades, and food. We went to eat the food.

Even more Takasaki 7/2011

Back at Hiroe's parents house, Nikki decided that she REALLY likes Hiroe's old rocking horse. We would have taken it back to Minnesota, but weren't sure how.




































Junior continued to play with his cousins.












And Nikki just hung out trying to look cool.












Writing out wishes for the tree. I really didn't have a wish to write, as I have what I need. After some encouragement I wrote that I'd like a new camera. By coincidence, that wish was hung on the tree by the front door such that it's the first one you see. Great, now everyone knows that the materialistic American wants more stuff.
























It's really hard to catch a good picture of just Junior and Nikki. This is close.












On the morning before we left we walked with Kaho and Tiger Joe to school.

More Takasaki 7/2011

Back at the house, Saiichi pushed the kids around on an old cart.












Then Kaho pushed.












Then Junior pushed.












Then everyone but Junior became bored with the cart.

























Later in the week we went to a friend of Hiroe's house where there were lots of kids. Ironically all of her friends have boys.




























































Still later in the week we went out for a Soba noodle lunch. Yummy.












Back at the house Junior watched fish.












And Nikki collected pacifiers.

























We also went to a local department store where Junior pushed more buttons for about an hour.

The birthdays - Takasaki 7/2/2011

The evening after the funeral we celebrated Junior and Nikki's birthdays. Of course, the cousins continued to play together.
























And we had a great meal.
























And a cake for Junior and Nikki.
























Junior took care of the candles.












And tasting it first to make sure it's acceptable for the rest of us.




































Then we went outside to play and light some fireworks.







































































































I think Nikki enjoyed her birthday.