The Stevenson Ohana

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Gala Yuzawa Day Trip

Our second day trip was to Yuzawa! We wanted to see the snow and 'Gala Ski Resort' is a resort that has a train station right to the front door. We had a good day sledding, playing and eating snow (mostly mom)! Luke was in love and every time he went down in the sled he would say "LETS GO AGAIN!" We were also a big fan of the gondola and rode up and down a few times.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Nikko Day Trip

For 'New Years', Riley had an entire week-off work! We couldn't air travel because less than a month before baby (YAY!) but we also felt pressure to do something and take advantage of these rare days off especially before the baby comes. So we invested in a '3-Day Tokyo Rail Wide Pass' and went on three different day trips on the bullet train and explored Japan more.

The first day we went to Nikko-- Nikko has been on my bucket list of places to see since we got here. I've seen so many beautiful photos of this area. Although early winter isn't the prettiest/most iconic season to see Nikko, we still had a great time and got to see some snow for the first time this winter.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Luke Lately

Just a few quotes lately from my favorite two year old:

- (While eating minestrone soup, that had peas)
Luke: "Look mom, a baby watermelon!"
(We obviously don't eat enough peas in our home.

“Let’s laugh about it” .... “fake laugh together”

- (while singing “I am a child of God”)
“With parents KIND-OF dear!”

-(after dropping toe in his foot)
“Ohh my toe! My toe! My toe is soo worried!”

- (While pulling the beanie over his eyes)
" It's too sunny"

- (Running laps back and forth in house)
Mom: "Luke, how did you get so fast?"
Luke: "NIKES"
(funny thing, he wasn't even wearing shoes).

- (Luke LOVES ice, but prefers the "sonic" type ice. At a restaurant with huge chunky ice. "Cut the ice, peeze"

Mom: Luke... what do you want from konbini (7-11)?
"RICE!" (everytime, kid request a rice ball for a "snack")

- I was putting him to bed and told him we need to pray. . .
Luke: "I am FULL of praying"
(He says he is "full" when he is done eating/doesn't want to eat. . . so didn't want to pray).

- Luke wanted to eat all 7 yogurts (kid loves yogurt, and they are miniature in japan)
Mom: "Can we save a yogurt for dad please"
Luke: "Not save for dad, save for a smoothie. Not Dad."

Mom: "Luke take this diaper to the trash please"
Luke: (looking at it in disgust) "No, I'm scared!"

Dad: "helloo..."
Luke: "I'm not charles" (Riley says "hello charles way too often... for fun)

Luke: "I want sushi!!!!!!!"
(not too many two year old pick sushi over french fries and hamburgers)

Luke: (tapping my belly) "Mom's belly getting big! Baby coming soon!"

first vending machine hot chocolate of the season!

Saturday, December 28, 2019

December Magic & Christmas!

This is officially our THIRD Christmas we have spent in Japan (4 total living here, but one Christmas was spent in America). It has been the best one yet!! The weeks leading up to Christmas 'felt magical' too-- filled with john legend, gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, and we got our first ever Christmas TREE as a married couple (that isn't made up of paper stuck on the wall ha!) Luke was way more into it, and understood more about Santa coming and Christ's birth.

It has been a great month! December is still late "fall" and no chance or snow in Tokyo but was great and loved the crisp air. Lots of good memories this month and thought I would just unload my camera roll from this month here. . .