The Land of the Rising Sun (a.k.a. Japan)

I got to go to the land of which I love,

the land of Japan.

My sister wanted to take her new baby and asked for volunteers to go with her. I had to jump on I really wanted to go. I am always homesick for my parents and really wanted to see them. 

I am so very happy my sister invited me to go. We got to watch some of General Conference twice and got to see friends we had met from our previous trip. We ate dinner with the Yamaguchi's who every family in the world should meet. And meet with the missionaries.

Here are some fun events we had. Warning there are a lot of pictures. 

POTTERY MAKING:

The day after we arrived my parents took us to make pottery. It was hard and kind of stressful, but at the same time I loved the experience. I don't think the guy who helped us left my side. ha ha. My mom watched the baby (nora) as we made our pottery. I'll have to post pictures later of the finished products. But we each made 3 to 4 things. 

 Takayama: 

We went to a festival...kind of. It was all pretty much done when we got there.

We had delicious hamburgers and shakes. YUM! 

You don't find those often in Japan, actually never.

We saw cool things. The second day in Takayama we went to a village and had fun looking at things, and of course buying things!

 HANG TIME:

We had some fun relaxing time, even if there was a few frustrated words said trying to find puzzle pieces.

 Kanazawa:

We had an opportunity to go to Kanazawa over night to attend Sunday meetings.

Saturday we stopped in at one of my mom's favorite parks. Here are some more fun pictures.

 GLASS BLOWING:

One of our Japanese friends (Megumi who is amazing) told us about glass blowing. We decided to give it a try, and here are some pictures. Just to let you know it is a lot harder then it seems. But I can't wait to get my glass. My mom said it turned out great. I'll post an after along with my bowls/cups when I get them.

I can't wait to go back and take Micah with me! He will love it I know it.

The Dears...

Dear Sara Bareilles, Your videos have entertained my family and I the past 2 weeks. Your "Gonna Get Over You" is hilarious. We all laughed and admired your sweet dance moves. We were also very impressed with your cover of "Single Ladies". Did I mention part of the crowd was my dad. You have a great talent. I love listening to you! What great lyrics you have to your songs. 

Dear Nicki Minaj,  Thank you for sharing your talent and creating a song like Super Bass.

Dear Sophia, Thank you for sharing your video on you tube so you got on ellen. Your video makes me so happy. 

I did it.

Last year, when my sister and I were in Japan our first night.

In a hotel that was so nice. We met with the Area Authority of Asia.

With all of their efforts and their wives, they tried to keep our poor tired selves up (mom, dad, whit and I)

We had a seven course meal. It was like the seven course meal of death.

We were so tired. We wanted that sleep so badly. 

When we got to sleep it was late. They were good to keep us up.

We actually slept in late, Whit and I. Being in our own hotel room. 

We got a phone call, me picking it up wondering who could be calling me. 

It was a voice telling me that we were being loud that we needed to be quiet.

I apologized and then realized that voice was my mothers. 

She laughed and laughed. 

Well...

Yesterday morning. We went to Takayama for a festival and some fun. 

We woke up in the morning, early because we are still on that time frame. As in we I mean Lindsay, Cydne and I. 

I told them the hilarious story of our mother and that phone call our first morning.

One of my sisters thought it would be funny if we did it to her.

So I called her, I practiced my line I was going to use. That I have perfected.

Watashi wa ondori ga dai kiri des.

(I hate roosters)

When my mom answered the phone. I lowered my voice and made it raspy.

I repeated my line I had practiced several times to say it fast like the Japanese. Which lets be honest...it wasn't that fast.

After I said it to my amazement my mom bought it.

She replied with her "Oh one second".

My dad then got on the phone saying "moshi moshi" (how you answer the phone here)

I was dying of laughter. I couldn't stop. My mom bought it more then I did last year.

My sisters and I were are all dying of laughter and my dad put my mom back on the phone.

Where my mom said how she believed it because she is so use to answering the phone and hearing Japanese. That when she does she just passes it off to my dad.

But I did it. I got the prankster. Wa ha ha ha

SHOUT OUTS!

 SHOUT OUTS!

WHO: Sierra Baird and Kimball Manning!

Sister-in-law and Nephew

WHEN: October 5th

SIERRA:

1. Loves what she does for her career.

2. Very creative, hands on person.

3. A nice personality

We love you Sierra! Happy Birthday!

KIMBALL:

1. He always makes me laugh.

2. Is so sweet and welcomes me with hugs.

3. Loves to play.

We love you Kimball! Happy birthday!

JAPAN!

"I'm here with my dad (and mom) and 

I love ('em) I love ('em) 

I LOOOOOVEEEEE ('EMMMMMMMM)"

You've guessed it, ( I hope) 

I am in Japan!

With my sisters Lindsay and Cydne

and new little niece Nora.

The fun has already begun.