Japan 3.0

Ok, here is hopefully the last Japan post.  There were just too many good pictures to leave out.

December 29th was my favorite day.  We drove to a city named Chiba and visited the Nihonji Temple.  It was a far drive but surprisingly on this day we didn't have any traffic which was awesome!

 At the entrance to the temple there was this massive Buddha that was carved out of the side of the mountain.

Then we got to walk up about 700 stairs to the top of the mountain.  And when I say 700 I probably mean more than that and I am not even exaggerating.  I am pretty sure I lost about 3 pounds this day.

The view from the top was beautiful, even if it was too bright to open our eyes and super windy.  It was weird to not see any tall buildings around us.

On the way back down there were a few more carvings that we stopped to see.  It was such a cool place.  For sure worth the drive there.

Poor Emma got so sick on the way home and threw up a few times.  It was really sad to hear her sit there and say "I am sorry, it is all my fault" after she threw up the last time.  Poor little girl had to climb all of those stairs while she was sick.  We all thought she was just car sick, come to find out that Tokyo had a viral outbreak of the "norovirus" and we were all blessed to experience it, Emma was lucky to be the first to get it.

Later that night we went to dinner at a tapanyaki restaurant.  My mom had to stay home with the girls because they were both feeling sick but we still managed to have a little fun without them.

Sunday, the 30th was the only day that it was cold and rainy so we lucked out there!  Jeffrey and Brooke had to go home and the rest of us went to church and just hung out around the house.

On the 31st we were supposed to go to Disneyland Tokyo but during the night we were all so fortunate to come down with whatever Emma and Katelyn had a few days earlier and so we were all worthless.  Honestly I think that Todd and I only got off of the couch a total of 5 times all day.  Good thing my mom and dad didn't start really feeling sick until Todd was starting to feel better so someone could take care of our girls who were wondering why their parents were being so worthless. 

Luckily the virus only lasted for 24 hours at the most so we were all up and running the next day.  We went to Asakusa with the rest of the city.  It seriously was so crowded.  New Year's is the big holiday over in Tokyo and everyone tries to make it out to Shrines or Temples to offer their New Year's prayer.  Honestly I think that people stood inline for at LEAST 3 hours to get to the alter where they could pray.  It was amazing how many people were there.  We decided not to wait in the line and just walked along the outside and enjoyed the sights.

 I am not going to lie, my pregnant self just about lost it when we saw these.  I don't care who you are or where you are from, to me, that should never be eaten.

Got a lot of people?

This nice man was making sure we didn't go the wrong way.  Love that Emma raised her hand too.

Enjoying some dinner after sight-seeing.

Tally and Kimberly went home on the 2nd but before they left we all walked down to the Mori Tower to see the lookout of the area my family lives in.  It was the perfect day to go, so clear. The orange tower you can see in the picture is the Tokyo Tower.

Since we all were sick on the 31st we didn't finish our New Year's puzzle so I spent most of the night finishing it, with a little help from Todd in the end.  Everyone always likes to help at the end when it is easy right?

The 2nd was our last day.  We spend the morning walking around the neighborhood before we had to head off to the airport. 

A big thanks to Mom and Dad for the best trip.  It was so fun to all be together and to see where they live! We were sad to have to go!

And maybe I had a little jetlag when we got home.