Merry Christmas

Despite our best planning and ordering Christmas cards in early November, the post office is way backed up and we did not receive our cards to send them out. So, Chris and I would like to wish all our friends and family a virtual Merry Christmas.

                         
                             The Lilley Family featuring Sophi (We are puppy sitting for friends)

Happy Birthday, Chris

December 23^rd is the Emperor’s birthday here in Japan. It is also Chris’ birthday! Being that it is his 23^rd birthday, I surprised him with a special surprise flight around Tokyo!

The tour of Tokyo by sky is a program that the Aero Club on base has. For a reasonable fee, Ray, the pilot, flew Chris and I around for approx an hour. We flew from base to Tachikawa, to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Bay, then up the coast past Yokohama, Enoshima , and got a fantastic view of Mt. Fugi before landing back at base.

                                            Tachikawa                                       Tokyo Dome

                        Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge                  Rainbow Bridge

I thought it was amazing how fast we were able to see downtown Tokyo and Enoshima since it takes 2 and 3 hours respectfully to get to those destinations. Getting a ‘birds-eye-view’ of all the tall buildings was really great as well. Chris’ favorite part was seeing the train tracks as well as how fast we were able to get to Tokyo.

                 Chris and Tokyo Tower              Tokyo SkyTree                      Tokyo Tower

At the beginning of the flight, Ray couldn’t get to plane to start until about the 4^th try. He said it was because the engine was so cold… but it sure made me a bit nervous :)

Once we were in the air, it was smooth sailing (If you will). Totally worth it.

           See the Christmas tree?                        Yokohama                  Enoshima Island (Jen was there!)

Now Chris is snuggled in with Sophi (the little dog that we are dog-sitting) and a giant beer while he’s watching a documentary he got for his birthday. His pick of dinner: chicken cordon bleu roll ups, and mashed potatoes are cooking. Not a bad day :)

Happy Birthday, Chris!

                          Ray taking a pic… who's flying!!                    Just beautiful

                                      Me and Mt. Fugi                               Stunning Mt. Fugi

                                              Coast                                         Tachikawa at Night

                                     Lighted golf course!                              Fussa at night

Prepping for Christmas

Time to take down the turkey and put up the tree!
My very own lumberjack got me a great tree :)

I broke out the Charlie Brown Christmas record and we put lights on the tree and a few ornaments, and hung our stockings!

On December 17th, Chris and I rode the train to Akishima to the movie theatre in Mori Town and saw the new Hobbit movie a week and a half before it came out in the US :) Afterwards, we went to Showa Park in Tachikawa to see a Christmas lights display. They had a tree that changed colors along with music, a light maze, and a crane to lift people up and see an areal view of the park. Also something that I thought was really cool… changing lights below a bubble machine!

It's hard being away from family, especially around the Holidays. I just wanted to let everyone know that even if I don't post on the blog or email much, we think of you all often.