Callie likes Cats

 For Activity days a week or so ago the girls got to hike the path up to the Iwakuni Castle.  The castle and the hike were not the most interesting part for Callie.  The cats roaming the area were the most exciting part of the trip for her. She found a few that were friendly and quickly named them and wanted to keep them. I'm pretty sure the one cat would have been quite happy to go home with us!

Happy Doggie

 I feel very blessed to have some great friends here.  Recently one of them was away and in an area with more shopping opportunities than we have.  An offer was extended to obtain such things as we could not acquire in Iwakuni.  I mentioned that rawhide bones for Levi were not available here.  I was delighted that upon his return, he delivered a giant bone for Levi.  Levi was even more delighted than I was.

Levi carried his  bone around for a while before deciding to start on it.  He was a happy boy!

He was so happy with it he even took his naps with it.

Yasaka Dam

 Tuesday October 13 was a no-school day.  We decided it was time to go out and do something.  In the interest of full disclosure, it was a toss up for me as to whether there was going to be mass hair-pulling and screaming.  When the kids got up that morning I said we were going either to 3 Falls or the Yasaka Dam, whichever one was closer and Dan wanted to drive to. Dan chose the Dam.  Callie whined that she wanted to do 3 Falls.  Delaney cried that she didn't want to have to do any hiking.  Joshua said why was this the first he was hearing of this (It definitely wasn't!).  Marian whined that she just wanted to stay home.  It was getting ugly.

I told them all that we were going whether they wanted to or not.  I grabbed some snacks and filled water bottles and said yes to bringing Levi.  And we drove off.

It was about n hour drive to the dam.  And there was a lot to it, kind of like spider legs creeping out from the dam.  We drove till we reached a spot that looked useful, and checked out the map there.  Then we drove to another area and finally on to a third.  The view was lovely.  We enjoyed the event, despite the rough start.  Levi had a marvelous time and we did do a bit of hiking and it was nice.

A map showing where things were.  But alas, all in Japanese.

Callie was delighted to bring the dog. And he was delighted to sniff new smells and pee on new shrubs. 

Ryle just wanted to pose.  You can't see, but the rock is covered with Japanese writing. 

I was getting a tad nervous as we spent 10 minutes driving through roads like this. 

See that red bridge?  That was the first stop we made and we ended up making a giant loop!  But it is pretty, right?!

And more of this.

And we stopped at the dam (before walking and then driving over it.) 

All my minions. 

There were a LOT of stairs, and we climbed a bunch of them. 

Marian found this praying mantis, and everyone had to touch it. 

Ryle held it.... till it scrabbled up her arm, and there was some shrieking and leaping. 

Rylee sneaking into Callie and Levi's picture! 

So pretty! 

Rylee was afraid to walk through the tall grasses without an escort. 

Callie thoroughly enjoyed the bushwalking aspect. 

Joshua was unenthusiastic, but a pretty good sport. 

Can you spot the Callie?! 

 We hiked a bit down towards the bottom of the dam, but we couldn't get too close.  So the kids posed in front of the dam for me.

And they climbed this retaining wall. 

And Rylee posed some more cute poses. 

We wore Levi out!  He had a marvelous time.  The weather was beautiful and glorious.  But after running around in his shaggy coat, he was hot and tired, so he took a break.

Family Photo

 A weekend or 2 ago we were at the beach for a baptism.  I decided that since we were al there and we were all dressed nicely, that a family picture was in order.  I'm pretty sure this is the only picture containing our entire family that has been taken in the last 18 months.  I'm sure you can see why we don't attempt this more often.

I think this may be the best one.

It was a gorgeous day an the beach was lovely.  We certainly could have used some assistance in positioning.  But whatever, everyone is present and no one is crying. 

 Not a bad one.

And our silly shot.  Love these guys!

Love my little Girl Scout

 Delaney loves being a Girl Scout.  I signed her up again this year because she enjoys it so much.  One of her favorite events is marching in the High School's Homecoming Parade.  She had a good time tossing out candy and walking with her friends.  I sat on the side and cheered her on.

I adore this kid!

Waving to the crowd. 

Levi enjoyed the parade because he loves everyone. 

And Callie really wants to take Levi everywhere we go.