Friday, January 29, 2021

Date Night

Jan 30, 2021:
We took a date, in Japan! I can count the number of dates we have taken in Japan on one hand in the 4+ years we have lived here. Our friends watched all the kids and was so fun to get out for a couple hours and eat ramen and take pictures without kids clinging to my arms. We went to "Kamata" and it had all the japan feels to it. I love the backstreets and little shops. I didn't get any pictures of us together but got plenty of our surroundings. We talked about how much we would miss Japan and love it here. Riley has been applying and interviewing for new positions lately (eek!). It is so exciting to think about our new place and next adventure, but also just makes you realize how good it is right here and now. 

The cute karaage shop, 2 minute walk from Andrus's home
 Loved the umbrella holder on this bike

books

happy road









our ramen, which hit the spot! 





these people inside, oh i will miss japan. 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Chronicles of Clay- 1st Birthday!

January 27th, 2021: 
Clay turned ONE! We had a great day celebrating our little man. We started the day with our traditional pancake breakfast and then played and pumped up one million yellow balloons for Clay's present this year.  Then when Dad was working we went to park and walked to baskin robins. Luke helped me pick out the perfect cake for Clay and we of course tested out the icecream there together too. We celebrated the night with pizza and cake with the Andrus family. 

'my sunshine' pancake, which Clay was obviously a huge fan of. . . ha

He also had quite the reaction to the singing and cake, literally screamed.
but changed his mind quickly:


Clay months 0-9

 

Friday, January 1, 2021

Andrus Family!

Flying back to Japan was hard after our great long America trip! The only reason it was a little exciting was because the Andrus Family moved back! We met them four years ago when we moved to Japan and they moved and went to grad school and now are back. Lots of great times already, we started a weekly wednesday pizza night and switching off date nights and its so great to have them here! We love this family. Also fun facts-
 -Natalie Kirton and Nichole Andrus served in the Tokyo mission together. 
-Parker Andrus was a MTC teacher at the time and they met.
- Natalie introduced Nichole and Parker! 
- The Andrus family and Hartley family became really good friends in California and Ellie decided she was marrying Grey
- Now being back in Japan, Ellie is now going to marry Luke :)

they are the BEST!