Winter Vacation - Tokyo Day 1 (Mt. Takao)

We arrived safely in Tokyo and were quickly on our way via airport limousine (bus) to Ila's mom's house where we were going to be staying for the duration of our trip. Once settled in, we were treated to a wonderful dinner experience at a restaurant nestled in a valley near the sacred Mt. Takao. Ukai Toriyama Restaurant is no ordinary restaurant -- it's an experience completely opposite of what you would encounter touring the busy Tokyo city. A bus takes you through small windy paths to this treasure...thatch-roof buildings are scattered throughout perfectly kept Japanese gardens that seemlessly blend with the natural scenery of the surrounding woods and bubbling streams. Before being escorted to our individual dinner room, we took some time to walk the grounds and soak in all beauty before sundown.Along the way, we followed a path that led to an outdoor tea-sipping area where you can help yourself to some sobacha (tea made from the kernals of roasted soba, or buckwheat). You can see we're all bundled up, so it was perfect to help keep us warm! Danno thought he would also try their fresh spring water...well, no he didn't actually drink it (at least I don't think!)Our last stop we passed by a hut where we saw a chef cooking part of the meal we were about to eat -- river fish, skewered, salted and grilled over hot charcoal.We finally settled in to the warmth of our private dinner room. Our server, dressed in a traditional kimono, brought us an array of tasty appetizers.For the main course hot charcoal was placed at our table so we could cook skewered chicken and veggies on our grills. When the chicken is almost cooked, you drench them in a sauce and finish grilling them. Everything was delicious!...including these lil guys we saw roasting earlier......the last dishes of miso soup and sticky mountain potato you could choose to eat with barley rice. Although the flavor is fine, the potato dish is very gooey (yes, just as slimy as it looks, it's like the consistency of snot), so those who are picky about textures may not enjoy it. Danno was the brave eater...We had a fantastic time. What a perfect setting for some family photos, a relaxing dinner and a great warm welcome to Tokyo! Thanks Kyoko!Next stop...Tokyo Disney!

Winter Vacation - Day 3 (To Tokyo we go!)

The final day in Oki we took Ila and Danny to browse the bases, along with running some last minute errands to prepare for our flight to Tokyo. There's not much to show about the bases here since government buildings aren't very interesting and they all look alike. haha. Although we did take a stroll to admire the Air Force's display of various aircrafts, meanwhile couldn't ignore the sounds of the real ones flying by. The time in Oki flew by and before we knew it, we were venturing to the mainland! It was Danno's first time to visit there, and Leyna's first time riding on an airplane. Packed up n ready to go. Checking in I was eager to use Leyna's passport for the first time...ya, I didn't need it since we weren't leaving the country, but afterall, it's her only form of i.d. at the moment. Well, they didn't bother to check anyways (surprisingly, not justLeyna's but any of our id's)...Security check point, Leyna was metal free =)My carry-on luggage seems to be enjoying the ride...me too since moving walkways mean well, I get a break and don't have to walk.Last photo before we board...we were keeping Leyna awake as long as possible so she sleeps through the flight!Hey we couldn't risk getting sick, so we sported face masks. It's so common out here, there's nothing strange about it. And look, Leyna knocked out just as we had hoped! woohoo! That was easy (then again, it was a short flight)Next up...a great to escape Mt. Takao

Leyna Lead Foot

I have less time to sit at a computer, sort photos, make videos, and post blogs thanks to our active baby girl. She's a bit too adventurous for her own good, so I have to keep close watch, chase her away from the kitchen, prevent her from eating all the electronics, picking up every speck on the floor, and from climbing the tv stand...meanwhile keep her entertained and not frustrated! Her transition from crawling, to standing, to cruising is tiresome! Her naps are less frequent and unpredictable durations, so I'm lucky to slip in any time for myself (prior to midnight when everyone's definitely asleep). By the end of the day, I think it's me that wants a nap more than she does. This is one of those "napping" moments where I can get away for a bit, so I'm going to blog this quick!

She hit 8 months old yesterday and it was a long day out and packed full of fun with her Baby Time friends. I will be back to post photos. Until then, here's some quick clips of her trying out a walker toy in the kids play section at a mini-mall nearby. Grandma just shipped one out to us, so we're anxious to get it so she can practice in a larger space (as you'll see, the space was small so she takes a few steps and hits a wall haha) Anyways, watching her take steps with the walker is as if she's pushing the car accelerator with a lead foot. Looks like she loves it!