Here up to May 2009 and facebook after that
We are just back from our trip to Niigata to take Ty and Saki to the snow! Niigata is just over 2 hours virtually due north of Tokyo. We had a great time at the onsen and out in the snow.
 Winter on the way to Niigata, Japan |
 Sleeping Devils |
 Ty enjoys his first snowfall |
 Ty and Saki in the snow |
We enjoyed Christmas in Tokyo this year! We went to the National Azabu store to hunt down a small turkey that would fit into our small oven in our apartment. Is always funny to see some overly rich Japanese person taking their Ferrari to the supermarket on a terribly busy day. We actually ate the turkey for lunch at our party and then went out to dinner at Roppongi Hills in the eveneing. They have a wonderful illumination show. Today we are actually heading to the snow in Niigata where we will visit another onsen! Watch out Senami Grand Hotel Haginoya! The TNTTS crew is coming! (Tom and Tomoko, Ty and Saki)
 Tokyo Turkey |
 The famous and typical “Christmas Cake” |
 Party at our apartment |
 Our apartment (look for Santa hat in window) |
A year ago I updated this blog with the tragic news about Naoko’s passing. A year has passed and Tomoko, Ty and I are so lucky that we can travel to Japan and were able to attend Naoko’s one year memorial with family and close friends. I don’t have any pictures of that event but I have to say that the formal nature of the memorial really helps with coping with the loss. Although people were dressed in the formal black funeral attire there people were able to focus on some happy and fond memories of Naoko at the luncheon after the ceremony. Emotions still overcome Naoko’s daughter Saki, from time to time, but it must be very hard for a two year old to comprehend let alone cope with what has happened. We have been fortunate to spend a lot of time with Saki this time and she really enjoys playing with Ty.
On that note take a look at some pictures we have taken over the past week or so. We took Tomoko’s mother and aunt to the Gyokusuikan Onsen that we had to cancel last year. Everyone really enjoyed the trip.
 Ty posing as usual for the camera |
 Dinner laid out at the onsen |
 Banana Wani at Izu Atagawa |
 Ty & Saki on the train |
We’ve had a busy week filling orders for books. I’ve learned about Google’s advertising system called adwords and this is what started driving traffic to our site. Tomoko and Ty leave for Japan this Thursday. Can you believe it’s December!
 Hey there Ty! |
 Stack of shipments |
 Looking professional |