Pictures from my trip to Japan

The Talmage family: Kory and Yukari, Linn, Ann, and May, holding a picture of Helam

With Kory and Lillian

With our Aunt Naoko, Uncle Kazuo, and cousins, Rumi, and Hiromi

Three generations represented, displaying one of our grandmother's beautiful quilts

At Sendai station, my mother's home town

Ann and Linn

Linn

May fell asleep while we read some books

Ann took this picture of  her mom with my camera :)

The three girls all ready for bed

A group picture before we left for the airport

Lillian and me at the airport before we went our separate ways

It was under very tragic circumstances that I went to Japan, but I was so glad I could be there to attend Helam's funeral.  It had been 4 years since the last time I was in Japan, so I took this opportunity to visit with my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and of course my grandmother while I was there.  It was great to see everyone, but of course the highlight for me was spending some quality time with Kory and Yukari, and their three adorable girls.

As I look back on my trip I am grateful for so many things.  I am grateful for family, and the love and support we can show to one another.  I am grateful for an understanding husband who, despite his busy work schedule and the expense of traveling overseas, knew that I had to go and stayed home with the kids without any hesitation.  I am grateful for neighbors, friends and extended family who helped us in so many ways while I was gone, and I am grateful for our knowledge of the gospel which comforts and guides us, especially during difficult times.

Until We Meet Again

It was a very sad day for us when we found out that our sweet little nephew and cousin, Helam, passed away unexpectedly.  He was a happy and healthy 7-month-old boy, but last week he was taken in his sleep with no notice whatsoever.

It was doubly hard for us since we live so far away from them and hadn't had a chance to meet Helam yet.  We had been planning a family trip to Japan this summer and really looked forward to finally meeting our new little cousin and nephew.

As I struggled to make sense of this very tragic incident, Brighton showed me this drawing he made for his cousin:

 

We know that Helam is in a happy place with our Heavenly Father and Jesus.  Although we are heartbroken, Brighton's picture is a wonderful reminder that through our Savior's great sacrifice, we will meet him in person and get to know him someday.  

Just Some Funny Pictures...

Siena found some chocolate when I wasn't looking

Chelsea was mad that Brighton kept trying to get in her picture

Brighton's attempt at a "serious" face

I was playing around with my camera this afternoon and got a few shots of the kids.  I have to say, they're pretty accurate depictions of each of their personalities.

Sledding

We had a pretty big snowstorm last night but we woke up to a beautiful sunny day, so we could not have had more ideal conditions for sledding.  There is a park here in Centerville with the most perfect snow slopes, and it is awesome to have a sledding park so close by.

I couldn't get very many good pictures of Brighton because he was cruising down the hills so fast!  What a fun, fun day.

A Japanese Feast

Today my friend Kayoko, her daughter Norah, and her mom and sister came over for a post-New Year's lunch.  We had quite a spread of Japanese food, and we all had a great time eating and talking and laughing.  

It has been so great having my mom here visiting and cooking for us, but I've probably gained 5 pounds in the last three days!  And I wish that Lillian was here with us, too...

Happy New Year!

My mom slaved all morning in the kitchen to make us traditional Japanese New Year's dishes.  It was so tasty, and it brought me back to my childhood.  Justin and the kids enjoyed it too.

And then we sat down and wrote out our New Year's resolutions and Obaachan gave each of the kids their otoshidama (money in a special little envelope), another one of the fun Japanese New Year's customs.  It was fun to be able to share these traditions with the kids. 

New Year's Eve

In keeping with Japanese tradition, we had soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) on New Year's Eve.  Actually, you're supposed to eat it right at midnight so that you will have a healthy and prosperous year, but we didn't think the kids could wait until then, so we had it for dinner instead.  Obaachan made us some yummy tempura to go with it.

After dinner we watched a movie and let the kids stay up as late as they wanted.  Although Obaachan and the kids only made it until about 10:30pm, it was a fun evening.