2018 December Random

I started the month of December with high hopes that we would have a special devotional each day accompanied by a challenge that they kids would do and then an advent treat.  The first devotional was wonderful and the challenge was to write their testimony.  I took pictures so we can always remember.

Eliza

Bolton

Bolton

Bryant

Jonas

Levi

Abraham

December started with a big "exercise" on base.  Basically where they practice real world catastrophe like things.  They get on lockdown and have to wear special gear.  I had a physical therapy appointment one day and stopped by to say hi to Ethan and found him ready for action.

I didn't get to chat long, since they got called in to action soon after my arrival.  But it was fun to see him in such a different state to his norm.

One night we went to the club for dinner and no one could resist they giant throne in the midst of the Christmas trees and gifts...

Ethan and I spent a lot of time out and about shopping for Christmas this month.  One day we went in to Veedol Plaza and decided to try this unique dish for breakfast.  It was called a Okonamiyaki.  This specific version was Hiroshima inspired and it was AMAZING.  Seriously, so good.

I made treats for a special missionary feast that our ward hosts each December.  All the missionaries in the Sendai mission gather in our town and are treated to an American Christmas dinner.  I think its so awesome... being so far removed from western culture is hard and I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be as a missionary without any of your family and being fully immersed in the Japanese culture.  It feels good to be a part of serving them since they sacrifice and serve so much of themselves.

Bryant hurt his finger before a basketball game.  Can you tell which one?

I figured he just jammed it, but the coach wanted us to take him in to get it checked out, so we went to the UCC.  We were grateful that it wasn't broken and there didn't appear to be any tendon/ligament tears.  Whew! It actually got better quite quickly and he was playing ball again in no time.

Fisher loves to talk and everyone loves to try to get him to repeat stuff... even though there's no sound, this little clip make me giggle just imagining the little sounds he makes.

The base does a 12 days of cheer before Christmas and every year they've made some sort of cup that you can get at certain places on base... and every year I've been too late to get one!  But not this time! Hooray!  I actually ended up getting THREE, but Ethan donated one to his squadron gift basket for the Med Group Christmas party.  But I love my cute pair of Misawa mugs!

One more music concert before the winter break... this one at the International Center.

The kids did a fabulous job.  The high school choir is seriously lacking in boys, but Bryant does pretty well holding his own.  Jonas continues to impress us with his horn skills.  And Levi is ready to start an additional instrument this winter...

Mom getting in some photos with her lovies.

This little snowsuit is to die for!  Is he not the cutest?  Finally he wasn't going to be left behind, but was going to get to go outside with the big kids!

We found a favorite treat... cream puffs unlike any cream puff I've ever had... they are amazing!  Crispy on the outside, filled with a silky smooth custardy cream.  Hmmmmmm.

For one of our services in December we decided to sing Christmas carols in the lobby of our building.  We made treats to have out for those passing through as well.  We sang several songs and (unfortunately) made several people uncomfortable.  Ha.  But a few people seemed genuinely happy to be greeted by the happy tunes and spicy cookies.

And we had fun.

Trying to snap a picture by hitting the phone with a ball...

Kawaii!

I had a great opportunity to go experience a Japanese weaving class.  Its called Sakiori weaving and it was a really neat set up!  I now want to create my own loom and start weaving all the things!

This cute lady got me started and was pretty firm with me when I was figuring out the process...but once I got it she left my side until I was ready to be done.  She came back and told me over and over how I did such a good job.  Made me feel happy. Like I'd made her proud.  Isn't that funny? Ha.

Wow. That's a lot of Christmas sparkle.

For scripture study one day, Fisher came and put his arms up to Bryant who picked him up and sat him on his lap.  Fisher just kept looking up at his big brother and smiling and it made my heart swell. Having this baby was the best decision ever.  He makes us all smile all the time.

Ethan and I exchanged Christmas ornaments again this year.  I got him the Alamo to commemorate our trip to San Antonio and he got me the coolest egg/origami ornament to commemorate our last year living in Japan.

Poor Abe got sick.  He looked almost as bad as he felt.

Ethan and I went shopping one more time before the big day and we had dinner at our favorite Pia Sappido in the mall.  This was my dinner... Yes, in the top left bowl those are little crunchy fish.  I was a little nervous to try them, but I was so glad I did!  They were yummy!

Abraham's 6th Birthday

Abraham's birthday happened to be on the same day as the National Day of Mourning for Pres. George H.W. Bush so Dad got to spend the day with us!  We were supposed to have our friend's with us, but their dad got the day off too.  We made last minute plans to get friends together at the indoor playground on base, but then remembered that with the day off... it would be closed, too. So we just had a family celebration.  

Abe got to choose where we went to eat for dinner.  His choice: Cheese Roll House!  We stuffed our bellies with cheese rolls, gyoza, and yakisoba.  Hmmm. I love all these faces.

As we were leaving he wanted his picture taken with the cats that live in the entry way to the restaurant.

He wanted a candy cane cake with Santa on it... It sure tasted good, despite the marshmallow Santa not being very stable. Ha.  He really wanted a sleigh and he got that!

 Presents!

He got some beyblades and a Darth Vader mask/voice changer.

And what he was most excited about... MONEY!

I adore this 6 year old more than I can possibly say.

And a close-up...

Abe's teacher has the kids provide snacks for the whole class for a week at a time.  Abe's week was the week of his birthday but since the school was closed on the actual day (and I had extra kids the other days of the week) I took treats in to his class on Friday.  I brought in swig sugar cookies and they were delicious.  The kids got to sing to him and he received the special birthday hat.

He was really happy and I was so glad that I had the opportunity to do this for him.