Spring Break 2015

In the car, ready to go1

We stopped at Matsumoto castle on our way. This is an area Tommy served in on his mission. 

The boys love the real samurai 

Looking out the castle lookout points

Tommy has a picture from on his mission sitting in this exact place. 15 years later with his 4 boys

Cooper isn't too sure about the guy in this picture

Family photo in front of the castle

Our home away from home for the week

Fun house with heated floors 

first day of snowboarding!

They are all ready to go!

Because who wouldn't want to jump on a trampoline in the snow?!

Weston riding a panda

Snowball fights!

Ashton and Tommy at the top of the mountain

Me and Weston riding the lift

Stopping for some lunch

Yes, we had ice cream everyday!

Me and Weston getting ready to ride!

Cooper stayed in this position digging a hole in the snow for about 45 minutes

Fuji-san on our drive home

Hakone open air museum 

Hi Cooper!

Nixon at the top

Nixon all tangled up!

All of the boys enjoyed climbing in the nets

Rest time!

Hot spring foot spa :-)

We had a really fun spring break this year. We rented cabin and headed to Nagano to snowboard. On our way to Hakuba, we stopped at Matsumoto castle. It was a great way to break up the car ride and the kids enjoyed touring the grounds and castle. 

Once we arrived in Hakuba, we unloaded the car and then grabbed some pizza for dinner.

The next morning we got up to snowboard and play in the snow. 

There was a kid area with sleds and snow toys. It was a fun place for the twins and also Ashton and Weston when they needed a break from snowboarding.

On our 2nd day there, we put the twins in the daycare at the ski resort so that Tommy, me, Ashton and Weston could all board together. It was a fun day and the twins had a great time as well.

We took a break back at home in Tokyo on Thursday. 

Friday morning we drove out to Hakone to the open air museum. A lot of sculptures and paintings and 2 areas for the kids to climb and play. 

It's been a fun week and now begins our countdown to our move. 

Only 2 months left in Japan!

Ashton is 8!

New skateboarding attire 

More skateboarding gear

and of course, star wars Vans

 Ashton and his friends eating dinner (Luke, Brendon, Luke, William, Ashton, Benjamin, Lucas and Weston)

 All of the boys watching a movie with popcorn

Ashton is 8!! 

He chose to have a sleepover with his closest friends. We did a How to Train Your Dragon 2 theme.

Both Ashton and Weston had modeling jobs after school but since they did so well, we finished early and were home an hour before the party started!

Friends arrived and the kids played until dinner. Ashton chose baked ziti and bread and it seemed to be a hit. After dinner was a few games on the Wii, then p.j. time to get ready for popcorn and the movie. 

It was a fun night and all of the kids had a good time! 

Happy 8th Birthday Ashton!!

Here are some of Ashton's favorites as of now...

Favorite color-----gold

Favorite food-----steak

Favorite movie-----Avengers

Favorite book------Tom Gates series

Favorite school subject-------PE and math

Favorite car-----Bugatti 

Favorite dessert-------Hershey's cookies and cream chocolate 

Favorite sport------soccer

Qian, me and Kiyomi

Out to lunch with my boys!

We walked from Qian's house to a pizza/ pasta place. Thanks to Kiyomi for snapping a quick picture!

This dog was seriously the sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever been around. She was amazing with these three year olds chasing her, teasing her and stealing her toys. When she would get tired, she would go rest under the dining room table:) The twins LOVED this dog!

Cooper and Ethan

Nixon, Ethan and puppy

Thanks to my friends Qian and Kiyomi, we had a kimono dressing day and it was awesome! Kiyomi came and picked me and the twins up and we headed to Qian's house. Qian's son Ethan is exactly the same age as the twins, so they were excited for a play day with him (and his dog!). 

We opted to go to lunch first and decided to walk (about 20 minutes) to the restaurant. No stroller, just big walker boys! 

When we got back to Qian's house, the twins were thrilled to find the elevator in her house! I think they played more on their personal elevator than they did in the playroom! And of course we can't forget about Ethan's dog. She was the kindest dog I have ever met. She loves kids and is so sweet and gentle.

While the kids played, Kiyomi took turns dressing (and teaching us about) us in a kimono. She brought about 7 for us to choose from, along with different obi's and accessories. I hadn't quite seen one like the one that I had picked. I loved the blue!

It was a fun, full day and I got home just in time for Karate. The twins on the other hand barely made it to 6:00 before they fell asleep for the night!