The Murata Family

We have LOVED living out in town and away from the base for the past three years. It has proven more difficult the last couple of weeks with all of our possesions packed up and gone but we are managing. The one thing that has kept me going is our sweet and wonderful neighbors and friends, the Murata Family. They are an amazing family with so much heart and we have really bonded over the last couple of years. If there is anything I will miss tremendoulsy it will be this amazing family. I know we will be friends for a long time. Tonight they brough over our "last dinner" consisting of tempura. It was absolutely delicious. I am so grateful for their thoughtfulness but mostly for their friendship. They truly made our time here in Japan that much sweeter!

Abby's 5th Birthday

Abby turned 5 years old this year.  Since we were in the process of moving back to the US and most of our possessions were gone, I hired someone to make cupcakes for Abby.  It was a small family gathering in our Japanese house but what 5 year old doesn't love cupcakes and presents?  It didn't matter to her that we didn't have balloons and other party decorations.  She was just happy to be turning 5.  This year Abby wanted some new friends LEGOS and a princess tower.  She was so excited that we let her put together and play with the tower.  The LEGOS ended up getting shipped to our new house so we didn't lose any of the pieces.  It was a great day for our cute little Abby.

End of the School Year

The kids had a great school year.  Emma finished her 1st grade year in the multiage K/1 class that she was in last year.  This year she had Mrs. Switzer instead of Mrs. Edwards who moved to the regular Kindergarten class.  She was lucky that Mrs. Arandia stayed on as the aid.  We just loved Mrs. Arandia and she loved Emma and Abby.  Mrs. Switzer really helped Emma excel in her reading and also in her writing.  She was a great fit for Emma this year.  

Peter was super lucky to get one of the greatest teachers at Sullivans this year.  Mr. Applegate was the coolest 4th grade teacher.  Not only was he incredibly knowledgable about everything but he was nice, fair and he could do magic tricks.  Peter not only excelled in Mr. Applegate's class this year but he showed even his teacher how a 10 year old could exhibit such high moral character.   In one of Peter's report cards, Mr. Applegate commented on how Peter was the most honest kid he had ever had the pleasure of teaching.  That is saying something because Mr. Applegate has been teaching for many years.  

Andrew finished his first year of Middle School.  It was definitely challenging for him to stay organized this year but he learned some valuable skills and came away with some pretty decent grades.  This year Andrew learned how to play the trombone which he loved and he ran on the cross country team.  He loved being able to have his own locker and the extra freedom that middle school allows.  Overall, it was a good year for Andrew.

Andrew's 12th Birthday Party

We decided to have a friend birthday party for Andrew right before school got out so some of his friends could attend.  Since Andrew has a summer birthday it is often hard to gather friends for a party.  Even with our good planning only a few were able to show up.  Still, Andrew was extremely happy to have a day that was devoted just to him.  We all enjoyed the glorious food, games and some time outside in the great weather.  Andrew was most excited to get a Kindle for his birthday this year.  As an avid reader he enjoys reading before bed.  It was the perfect gift for him.

Tokyo Temple

Today was our last session in the Tokyo Temple and part of me was so sad about that.  We have loved living only an hour away from the Tokyo LDS Temple.  The Tokyo Temple was actually the first LDS temple I was able to go into as a youth.  I remember doing baptisms for the dead and thinking how cool it would be to see the rest of the temple.  For the past three years we have  faithfully attended the Tokyo Temple as often as we could.  What made attending this temple so unique were the wonderful friends from my youth that I would see there.  Between temple workers and full time senior missionaries, I was able to reconnect with some great people.  It was the first time I realized what it meant to be united as friends and family eternally.  Even though these people were not related to me, they were my family and there was no place I wanted to be more than inside that temple.  It was the most amazing experience to be part of something like that.  I know Mike and I will always have such fond memories of this temple and the spiritual experiences we had there.