Shinagawa Aquarium

Hearing about the Shinagawa Aquarium from some friends, we decided to check it out. The tunnel through the large tank was great, sea lion show amazing, but the highlight for everyone were the "hand cleaners"...

Back to School

The kid’s first day of school was Monday and it was the day the typhoon was going to hit! How exciting for all of us. There were rumors that the school would not open, because of the storm, but everything stayed open. The kids all go at the same time this year and got a ride from Mom. The wind was too strong for umbrellas if you wanted to ever use it again! As it turned out, the storm didn’t hit our area until later that afternoon, so after an early dismissal, we all made it safely back home…didn’t even lose power!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of Devon (13, 8th grade), Alex (8, 3rd grade), and Katie (6, 1st grade) dashing to the car!

Another Tokyo trip

At the last minute, we decided on a day trip to Tokyo. Our plan was to have brunch at the New Sanno hotel and try to find the 59ft "Gundam"... a huge robot display that is part of the campaign to bring the Summer Olympics to Tokyo.

After brunch, we took subway over to the park where this guy was supposed to be. The concierge at the hotel gave us great directions so we set off, knowing that if we just got close, we could find the guy...after all, he is 59ft tall! There were posters everywhere for him...even on the train.

Well, it proved to be a challenge so Alex proposed we take a ride on the ferris wheel and look for him at the top...so that's what we did! And, as luck would have it, our gondola was pink with Hello Kitty!TM so you know it's safe!

At the top, we could see him on the other side of the park...if you look close, he's the guy near the water, top right of the island, next to the tall building.

Once we got down we headed in his direction as the crowds steadily got larger and larger. The path leading to Gundam was surrounded by trees, so once again, we lost sight of the guy, but we just followed the crowd. As we got closer and closer, we could hear the people up ahead "oooh!" all at once when they rounded the final corner and could finally see him...

You have probably already scrolled down...the anticiaption is agonizing, I'm sure. We felt the same way...must see the Gundam... must see the Gundam....

More people...this guy must be bigger than Hasselhoff. Can't wait to see him...

And here he is....

Yes, that's it. A long way for that. Sometimes, he shoots steam out of his helmet. Not today, though. Today, just get the eyes...

Yes, it was sad...at least we got to see the Statue of Liberty! This was outside of one of the malls in tha area.