December 2008

December 2008

OK, so it has taken a huge amount of time for me to get December's photos up. I have my excuses (trying to get a painting finished for an exhibit, Katelyn had pneumonia, now we have the stomach flu), but the important thing is, the pictures are here now!!!
We've also not sent out a New Year's photo/newsletter yet, and will probably still do that sometime soon (if you're reading this blog, you'll most likely get an email version).

This is at the public square just outside of the base. They set up Christmas trees (Andrew called it the "Christmas Village." From the road, it looked like glass structures. When we got closer, we realized it was plastic bottles.

These next pictures are at a really big Buddha statue that the Americans call "Big Buddha." More information to follow below. It is maybe an hour's drive away, just outside of Aomori, the largest city near to us.

Tons of little pinwheels--not sure why.

A Dragon at a washing fountain


A structure with a giant bell in it.




This is Big Buddha (actual name "Showa Daibutsu"). The statue is large enough to have a whole building underneath it.
"Showa Daibutsu (Aomori)
Dainichi Buddha Daibutsu
Bronze, H = 21.35 Meters
Weight = 220 tons

Built in 1984 (Showa 59), the Showa Daibutsu is a giant effigy of Dainichi Nyorai, the central deity of worship among Japan's Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. Located at Seiryuu-ji Temple (Blue-Green Dragon Temple) in Aomori City, the statue is taller than the Nara Daibutsu and Kamakura Daibutsu (see above for details on these latter two). The temple itself is new, with construction launched in 1982."

Erin and Katelyn, standing in front for scale. Did I mention that we chose to visit on a very cold and snowy day?

Inside of the Big Buddha.

In the building underneath the Big Buddha.

People write messages on these wooden cards and hang them on the structure. I'm not sure what they write, but a primary purpose of visiting temples like this one, is to remember and pay homage to your deceased loved ones (so maybe it has something to do with that!).

Happy little Buddha statues just outside the gates for the big statue.


Dave and the kids shivering in the cold. It sure was pretty, though. Above they are standing in front of a very nice pagoda style building.


More views of the pretty building.


The Building at the entrance, by the parking lot.



These photos are from our Branch Christmas party. Andrew was very excited to see Santa and sit on his lap. Notice that there's no photo of Katelyn with Santa...she screamed and clung frantically to me when we even suggested she go near that strange man. I laughed so hard I couldn't manage to get a photo of it.

Special marshmallow snowmen that the kids made.



Christmas Eve

We invited the missionaries over for dinner on Christmas Eve. Dave makes a polish dinner for Christmas Eve every year.

The Elder on the left is Japanese, and the one on the right is American.


Some pictures of the kids on Christmas Eve.





Katelyn was sick. That's when she developed the cough that eventually turned into pneumonia.




Christmas Day!




Andrew's new apron from the 100Yen store.






Our attempt at a quick family picture.


This is our friend Emily--we had her family over for dinner on Christmas. She is pointing to the corner of our cupboard that she accidentally ran into and split her head open on. Dave fixed the injury with crazy glue with some assistance from me and Emily's husband.

This last video is just for Sean and Sian, to remember Thanksgivings past.