DSM to ORD. I do like flying before dawn during the colder months. The ride was smoother than most interstate highways. And before the sun was visible the eastern sky was a very pretty deep red.
The plane for the long flight approaches. I could not feel the terminal shaking or anything, but could feel *something* amiss as that much power pulled up to the gate.
First photo of Emily.
Yuzu, my favorite citrus fruit. Imagine a soft, fleshy texture like a ripe peach, with a flavor between that of a pomelo and a lemon plus a bit of spruce or other conifer mixed in, and with an overpowering strength like a lime. Superb. I save the rind and throw it in the kids' bath. Smells divine.
Yuri's birthday!
Just another day in December.
Went for a walk with Yuri and saw mochi being made in the traditional way. We bought a pack of mochi balls.
Collecting acorns.
No plans on a Sunday morning so we made cookies. Emily wasn't sure what to do after cracking her egg.
Emily's holiday concert. She's somewhere in the group on the far right.
Holiday illumination.
At a city art exhibit.
One of Yuri's hobbies is caligraphy. So she was especially interested in those.
Most mornings when Emily wakes up she comes to the living room and does her impersonation of a burrowing animal. There are days that i can relate.
Christmas!
The house rabbit. I found that if i put treats on the floor he stays still enough to photograph.
One of the local department stores brought in the 12 animals of the zodiac for a New Year's event.
2017 is year of the rooster, so there were lots of chicks that kids could hold.
I found a guide to picking up chicks in Japan. I can confirm it works.
Yuri on ice. It was a bit too dark to get clear pictures easily.
Emily being pushed on the ice by one of the girls' friends.