The fearless deer at Miyajima The monkeys at the top of Miyajima--

The "Chicken Shack"--

The "Chicken Shack"--

A Pagoda at Miyajima--

A Tori at Miyajima--

The Kintai Castle--

Some noteworthy new: ALL 4 kids were healthy enough to go to school yesterday, and I got to take my good friend Jen to lunch for her b-day!! Today both boys are sick again. I woke up at 4:00 to Luke having a coughing fit, finally got him back asleep by about 4:20, then just as I was slipping into unconsciousness, Isaac climbed in our bed. After a few minutes he sat up and said he didn't feel good. Since I was under the effects of NyQuil, my reflexes and judgement were a little slow and I didn't react. Luckily Adam recognized the little swallowing sounds Isaac was making, and grabbed him and dashed for the bathroom. They almost made it, it was a heroic effort. But I did get to clean up chunky puke on the carpet just outside the bathroom at 4:25 am. So, my day got off to a great start. I was able to go back to sleep before Jacob woke up at 5:30 w/diarreah. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING! Enough of this winter sickness!!! Anyway, both boys are home for the day, then the girls have the next 2 days off. (didn't we just have MLK day off? what's up w/the schools these days?) Yesterday was SO nice while it lasted.

Oh, speaking of school, Emma, my little competetive one, is very determined that her class win the box top contest at school, and it's a close race right now, so she's a little nervous. If anyone wants to send her box tops, she would greatly appreciate it.

Well, the reason for this blog actually was to post a few pics of Japan to try to entice some of you to come visit before we leave. Will/Erika, you're running out of time!! Eric, only 5 1/2 months left!! Sarah is getting baptized April 7.....

Also, I have friend Trisha who has 3 kids and just lost her husband this past fall in a car wreck. He was a Marine and lived in Iwakuni for a year before they were married, so she wanted to see some pics as well. So, here they are...

Pic 3 & 4 are at a favorite local restaurant the americans call the "Chicken Shack". Pics 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 are at Miyajima, which is an island about 30 minutes from the base w/lots shrines, temples, etc. There are really obnoxious deer at Myajima, if you feed them they'll never leave you alone!! And a mountain you can take a tram to the top of (or hike) and see monkeys at the top. There are signs everywhere not to look the monkeys in the eye, or they'll think you're challenging them and you might be sorry. The last pic is at the Kinai Castle, which is near the Kintai bridge, which you are all very familiar w/at this point after 2 christmas pictures w/us standing by it.

Later I'll blog again w/some pics of Tokyo as well. It's only about an 8 hr drive or 5 hr. Shin ride from here, so if you came to visit we'd take you there as well.