Levi's fun day at the Beach

Levi had so much fun at the beach I thought he needed his own blog post to document it.  His only complaints would be that he couldn't catch any of the birds he chased, and I didn't let him go meet any of the other dogs in the area. But he liked splashing in the water, chasing things, playing with us, and rolling in the sand.

Beautiful Day at the Beach!

 We had some utterly gorgeous weather the week before last.  We took advantage of it and headed to the closest beach.  We went to the one we have our baptisms at.  We usually go to the public beach right next to it, but I thought the girls might enjoy the opportunity to beach comb in the area they never have a chance to play in.  Some of them wanted to wear swim suits.  I thought it too chilly for that but let them if they wanted.  The water was cold, and I only went in up to my knees.

Levi came with us and had a blast.  Since one part of the beach was only accessible by climbing over some rocks, we climbed over them and were able to let Levi off the leash to run free.  He had so much fun running around.  He went into the water, but only up to his belly.  Marian went into the water even deeper!  That girl is crazy! The air temp may have been 65-70 degrees, but the water was chillier than that!

Marian heading out into the water.

Oh yeah, she went ALL the way in! 

Callie and Levi had fun looking for shells. 

Rylee drew in the sand and posed for me. 

She also dug some serious holes. 

Delaney and I strolled down the beach. 

Rylee wanted to show off her hole she dug. 

Delaney also dug furiously.

There was rather a lot of sand flying.

She thought she was so funny, burying herself.

Trying to show me just how deep it is.

It was pretty deep!  She really is standing upright in it here.

Plum Blossoms at Hofu

 Just a few days after the frigid Kintai tour, the weather was lovely and warm.  Well, warm as in 65 degrees, which was pretty warm after the 45 degrees we'd had.  My friend Hope and I drove about 90 minutes south to the lovely town of Hofu.  There was a shrine there that I'd heard had lovely plum blossoms.

It was gorgeous! We spent a while roaming around enjoying the utter beauty of it all.  It was a delightful trip and totally worth the drive, even if we went the really long way home!

The blossoms were SO pretty!

Look at them, don't you just want to thank Heavenly Father for such beauty?! 

So much pretty! 

This doesn't do it justice. 

They were like weeping willows full of pink blossoms. 

It makes me want to swoon. 

The shrine (temple?) was also very cool. 

This was one of my favorite things there. 

Well, and this! 

Okay, I also very much enjoyed this! 

I love all the stone lanterns. 

There were a bunch of little shrines.  I wish I could read Japanese to know what they all were for. 

They are all so pretty!

Talent Show

 Our Branch had a Chili Cook-off and Talent Show a week or so ago.  My Whit Chili won "Most Original, FYI.

For the Talent Show, Callie volunteered to be the MC. Since we lack a cultural hall, or any other room of substantial size, the event was held in our chapel's main room.  I confess, had my doubts about Callie being up to the task MCing, but she did a great job.  She was dry and witty as she announced the acts and complimented them when they finished.  I was quite impressed, and she was adorable.

Delaney was the only member of our family who chose to show off a talent.  She played the pianica (yes, it is called a Pianica; it is a Japanese piano-ey instrument you have to blow into to make it work). Delaney plunked out a song for us and did very well.

I sure have cute and amazing girls!

Kintai Tour

I signed up to take a walking tour of Kintai.  I really only did it because my friend wanted to do it. I though,"I've been to Kintai 20 times, what else is there?"  I'm glad I did.  It was informative and awesome to have a Japanese guide to tell us all the stuff we don't know because well,  I don't read Japanese.

It was freakishly cold.  Maybe the coldest day we have had?  Certainly the coldest day I spent any time outside! Still, totally worth it.  I bundled up and had a good time.  We took the ropeway up to the castle and everything was so much more interesting with someone who could tell you about stuff.  I loved having my own personal question-answerer!  Our guide was really accommodating and didn't mind answering every lame question we had.

They took us across the street to the big hotel for lunch, and it was tasty. Then we went to the "Bamboo Forrest".  I didn't know it was even there.  It is pretty tiny for a forrest! But it was cool to walk through and I nearly brought some giant bamboo pieces home with me. Then I remembered I had zero need for any large bamboo pieces.

Going for the artsy photo with the gorgeous plum blossoms with the castle up there as well.

the sweet assistant guide girl offered to take my picture.  She was trying to get the castle in the photo but it is obscured by the tree.  Do you love my hat?!  I could not find my favorite one.

The castle.

The bridge from the castle.

The river, and bridge, looking lovely and peaceful.

The bamboo forrest.