Cherry Blossoms

A week after out last outing, we realized that though we had been too early the weekend before, we were now too late.  Cherry blossoms, sheesh!  Such a short time to see them at their best.  Near our apartment, strong winds and persistent rain showers had conspired to knock down most of the flowers without a chance for us to go and see them.  So, we decided to head north.  At the northern edge of Okayama Prefecture is Tsuyama City, with a beautiful castle park famous for their cherry blossoms.  Being a bit north, the cherry blossoms there were still in full bloom, and we had a lot of fun walking around and enjoying the day at Kakuzan Park, Tsuyama.

Huzzah!  Cherry blossoms!

Petals and juice make a happy boy...

The only part of the castle that has been reconstructed.

Hiding with Papa!

A very old, twisty little tree...

They sure are pretty, Mama!

And as we drove out of town, a little kappa was waiting to see us off!

The weather was wonderful!  A great way to take a last look at the cherry blossoms...at least until next year! April 12, 2014

Too Early

As spring got closer and closer, our little family was really looking forward to having outings to the park, walks in the sunshine, and general silliness that comes with warmer weather and a long winter stuck inside.  Spring in Japan brings with it many beautiful flowers and comfortable temperatures before the brutal humidity of summer.  So, even though it was a little early, Hubby and I decided to take Tigger to see the cherry blossoms... though, perhaps it wasn't really time yet.  So, off to Miyama Park in Tamano City, Okayama we went!

There were ducks!

And a swan...

And more ducks.

Even a wild boar came out to play!  Wow!

Mom!!!  What's that??

Peek-a-boo!  I'm a boar!

There were a few cherry blossoms... we were about a week early.

It'll be beautiful then with the little shops making delicious smells!

But too early doesn't mean we can't still play!

So back home we went, looking forward to the next weekend for a view of the cherry blossoms! 
March 30, 2014.

Last Leaves of Fall

As winter drew closer, Hubby and I decided to try one last outing with Tigger to see the beautiful leaves.  We decided to take him to a beautiful little park in Ashimori, where Hubby and I first went to watch the cherry blossoms together several years ago.  Sadly, just like at Kofuku Temple, we missed the light by just a little... the photos didn't turn out as well as we had hoped, but at least we have the memories!

Memorial stone and leaves!

In front of Nene's school in Ashimori.

Pretty!  Can I touch?

The last leaves of fall.

Playing in the fallen leaves!

And then, after a little sit in the leaves, the light faded, and it was time to go home!  November 23, 2013.

Fall Leaves

Japan is famous for it's changing fall leaves.  The foliage is truly beautiful in the middle of November, and one of my family's favorite yearly outing is to see the beautiful leaves.  Often we go to Hofuku-ji temple in Soja City, not too far from where we live.  We managed to arrive on a good day when many of the leaves had changed into vivid color, but unfortunately the day was pretty cloudy, and the lighting wasn't very good.  Tigger didn't seem to mind, and enjoyed his first "momiji gari."

Hofuku-ji Temple and the lake in front of it.

Leaves and moss take a rest on a Jizo statue.

Mommy, can I touch them?

Smile for the camera, Tigger!

Beautiful fall leaves!

And with that, we lost all the light and had to head on home!  It was a chilly yet beautiful day, November 17, 2013!

Park Time

Out by the Okayama airport is a wonderful little park.  It's a fun place to relax with the family, and there are a lot of services the park offers (for older children).  You can borrow unicycles, badminton sets, jump ropes, and so on.  There is a little waterway with a fountain for kids to play in to beat the heat.  There are a multitude of slides, jungle gyms, monkey bars and so on to play on.  And there is a nice little view of the runway, where little families gather to watch the planes take off.  All in all, it's one of our favorite parks to go to as a family.  And the beginning of October was our first time to play on all the park equipment, and we brought Tiggers first pair of shoes to take a little walk on the grass (of course supported by Mommy and Daddy).

Plenty of other boys playing in the fall sunshine.  (Note, this is not my son!)

Teru Teru Bozu to wish for good weather hang from the park center.

So, Mommy, what do you do on this "slide"?

"Monkey Bars" eh?  Why is that?

What's on this side, I wonder...

Planes!!!

Snack time!  I love Bolo!

Looking forward to the next adventure!  The the planes, weather, and excitement of a fun day was enjoyed by all, but soon it would be time for a well deserved nap!  October 6, 2013

Bubbles

As September began to draw to a close, the hot, humid Japanese summer began to give way to fall, possibly the best season to be in Japan, in my opinion.  The temperature is still warm during the day, but cools down appreciably in the evenings.  Gentle breezes accompany the daytimes, and the hillsides are a riot of color as the trees start changing color.  With how comfortable the weather has become, my husband and I decided to take Tigger out to the park and introduce him to the wonders of bubbles.

  Of course, there are still plenty of flowers around!

There are so many other people, it's hard to concentrate!

A boy's first sunflower...

Bubbles!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bubbles as big as your head!

I think I like this!

Let's play together, Mommy!

That was great fun!  But we'd used all our bubbles, so it was time to go home!  We had a wonderful time, Ohmoto Chu-oh Koen, September 23, 2013.

Until next time!        

Say Cheese!

Hello, all!

I have always loved taking photos, but since I moved to Japan, the occasional urge to take a shot or two has blossomed into something more.  I took my camera with me everywhere, to work, to the store, on vacation, wherever I went, my camera went with me.  I took photos of everything!  People, things, events, you name it, I shot it!  I love traveling, and every time I went off on my adventures, my camera was along to document the stories I found.  And after years of waiting, debating, and researching on what models were available, I finally made the big purchase... a DSLR.  And just when my new camera and I were getting acquainted, it happened...

My son was born.

                                                                                                My and my Tigger

Nothing can describe my joy at the birth of my healthy, happy baby.  He was everything I was hoping for... and a whole handful more than that!  And before I knew it, months had gone by, and my camera was doing nothing but collecting dust.  Oh, I was taking photos of Tigger, but mostly with my smart phone, or my husband's compact camera.  The photographer in me began stirring, and as my son and I would take our daily walk, that little voice in the back of my head would say... "Now there's a nice shot."  "If only you had your camera." And so on.

And so, here we are!  Mommy Camerman, that's what I am!  Time to dust off the camera (the good one) and take it with me on our daily walk.  You never know when the perfect shot will come along!

Let's begin with one of our first family outings, at the end of June.  We had decided to go searching for hydrangeas, a very popular early summer flower here in Japan, known in Japanese as "ajisai."  We found ourselves at Matsutaneyama Park in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, with a hillside FULL of blooming hydrangea.    Tigger had recently reached 6 months of age, and we decided that we should take advantage of the nice weather before the heat and humidity of Japanese summer set in.

He's not quite sure what to think about them!  (^o^)

So, these come in different colors, huh?

Some butterflies came by to say hello.  They don't stay still for long, so we had to be quick!

Some were just starting to fill out.

Other flowers were also in bloom,

Including some roses!











Thus ended the Great Hydrangea Adventure.  It was a great day! June 6, 2013
On to the next adventure!