Road Trip to Kobe!

We went with Micah on another road trip to Kobe, Japan. It's a beautiful city. The weather didn't cooperate very well, but we did have one beautiful day that we got to go to the zoo. We also had a visitor. Mr. James Speer, from Carthage, came to visit on his way home from doing a Christian camp in the Philippines. We were SOOOO glad to see a familiar face from back home. He got to see Micah play two games and we all got to ride a gondola above an herb garden. It was beautiful.
On Good Friday, we got to see our friends, Matt and Stefani Murton and their two kids Micah and Macie. It's been almost 2 years since we last saw each other. Micah and Matt played together in the Cubs organization. They are so special to us. Like Stefani said on her blog "In baseball you meet some families that you will keep in touch with forever and they are one of those families!!" we feel the same way. When we were throwing the idea around about coming to Japan, Stefani is the first person I talked to. They played here last year so I knew I could trust her with all my questions and concerns. Of course, the team we are on is as far north in Japan as you can get and they are in southern Japan! What luck! :) HA! That's baseball for you! The kids had fun playing together at lunch and we hope to see them again soon!

Off Day!

Yay for Japan Baseball! They have tons of off days, unlike the states, especially in minor league baseball. Micah has at least one every week and sometimes two. Some are used as travel days but some we are actually home and get to spend it together. Thursday Micah had an off day so we took the train to a mall that had an indoor kids pay area. It's two stories of fun for kids. Addyson has a blast. It's very easy to get to, so when Micah is on the road and Addyson and I are here alone, we will be frequenting it I'm sure. Poor thing keeps asking all the Japanese children, "What's your name?" They just look at her like she's crazy because they have no idea what she's saying. She thinks they are just ignoring her. She then says, "Ok" and moves on. HA!
We played for a while, then came home for a nap. For dinner we tried a Japanese steakhouse that is not too far from our apartment. One of Micah's Japanese teammates said it was his favorite. A chef cooks in front of you like a Japanese steakhouse in the states, but you don't get near as much food, which is a good thing! We always leave Shogun's feeling so full. Addyson was so good and kept telling the chef "I love you." Not sure why. I guess she REALLY enjoyed his fried rice. It was hilarious. He said it made his night!
We weren't sure the menu was in English or if anyone could speak English there, so our interpeter, Hide, came over and read us the menu online. He had other plans so he couldn't go with us that night. He called the Steakhouse and ordered for us over the phone before we got there. HA! So different. When we got there our chef spoke a little English. He asked us where we were from and when we told him Texas I thought he was going to die. His response, "REAL LIVE COWBOYS?! I've never met real live cowboys." Oh goodness. All we could do was laugh. :)

Opening Night of Baseball

Tuesday was the opening night of the official season. FINALLY! They pushed it back because of the earthquake and tsunami. We were so excited to go to the game and get the season started. That means we are closer to the off season, right?!! I know, I know. But it's so true! Games here in Japan are very different than in the states. First off, we don't know a word the announcers are saying for 9 innings. Crazy. Practically every person in the stadium has a pair of sticks that they hit together for EVERY BATTER for out team. They have chants for every batter also as they are banging these sticks. Interesting. In the outfield there is a band that has horns and drums that they play during our at bats also. The whole stadium is into the game. It's pretty cool. Micah is 4 for 8 with a homer so Japan baseball has been nice to him so far. We hope it continues. Here are a few pictures from opening night!

Maruyama Zoo

There is a zoo that is about a 10 to 15 min. walk from our apartment. So, we went today with our friends before Micah had to go to the field for practice. Most of the snow is melted on the sidewalks and walkways so it wasn't too bad getting there. It was a "tad" bit warmer so it was a perfect day for the zoo. We were so close to most of the animals. So different than the states. Addyson of course loved it. It cost 600 yen (about $6.00) to go one time, or 1000 yen (about $10.00) for a year pass. So, we bought the pass and might go every day since it's so close. We may get to know the animals REALLY WELL. Here are a few pics!

Road Trip to Fukuoka!

We went to Fukuoka on Daddy's first road trip since we've been here. We were so excited because they had a Mexican food restaurant and a Hard Rock Cafe! WHOOHOO! We have nothing like that in Sapporo, so we were so happy to eat something that reminded us of "home." Addyson ate the cheese quesadilla like someone was going to take it from her. Ha! Yay for quesadillas and yay for friends! This is Addyson's friend Teagan. They LOVE each other. So funny. Here the girls are at Hard Rock Cafe! You can see their excitement! I was just as excited, if not more!
One night when Micah was finished with the game, we went BACK to Hard Rock and ate and then let Addyson play in a play area that was in an arcade. So cool. Wish the states had stuff like this for kids. The arcade is in the mall, so it's perfect for moms, dads, and kids! Micah and Addyson played, and I went to GAP. YEAH!Our last night in Fukuoka, we went to Canal City and walked around the mall, ate Chinese food, and rode the Carousel. So fun.
We flew out yesterday about noon. Addyson didn't nap on the plane so she was exhausted last night. Micah went to lay her down and decided to lay her in the bed with him. In 15 minutes he came to get me and this was how Addyson was. Anyone that knows us, knows that Addyson has to be in her bed to fall asleep by herself because if she's with us in the bed she thinks it's play time! Not last night! The road trip wore her out!

Goodbye Gran and Poppy...Hello Chocolate Factory

Gran and Poppy left us this morning heading back to the good ole' USA. We will miss them terribly! We lived in some close quarters the last week and a half but wouldn't change it for the world. They don't know how much we will miss them! Thanks for flying here with us and helping get our place to feel more like a "home." We love you both!!!!!

As Gran and Poppy got in the cab headed to the airport (yes, the tears were flowing), we headed to the Chocolate Factory. Micah had an off day so we decided to explore a little.
There is a cookie that is made here in Sapporo and they famous for it. They make them with a chocolate center and also a white chocolate center. When Micah found out for sure he was going to come play in Sapporo, they sent us some. They weren't my favorite, but now I like them! I guess I don't have a choice. We went and saw the factory today and watched them make them. It was neat and of course we came home with some!


Addyson and Daddy are napping and I'm blogging. Fun stuff! I did find a blender yesterday so going to make taco salad tonight and homemade hot sauce. I can't wait! Yum!

Some new things

Daddy had this for Addyson when we arrived. Her first Kimono. I don't think that's the right word for this particular outfit, but it works for me! It's too cold to wear it outside but it we can wear it inside. It snowed pretty much all day yesterday. It's beautiful, but it can stop now. It makes it so cold to walk anywhere.

We went to Toys R Us yesterday and got Addyson a few new toys to play with. We didn't ship many things because it's so expensive. Poppy and Gran are still here and bought her this tent. She loves it! It's a bake shop. Here's a pic of her playing in it.

One more thing...the portion sizes here are SO SMALL. When we buy a loaf of bread it comes with ten slices, the hamburger meat is so tiny, and the bacon has six slices in it! Here are some pics of the tomatoes we bought and the lunch meat! Poppy and Gran leave in 2 days. We will miss them!