tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27606924613792803832024-03-24T16:10:41.525+09:00Ackroyds in JapanAckroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-70601665275899710492011-05-29T21:49:00.005+09:002011-05-29T21:59:18.079+09:00April’s Mother’s Day Talk 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkZipCP0dxZGvwv0TSv82zlfYeUqML7AjoLivQmt_6LZn1Cd8lVFOURwtcji0H-S3dXmqv0kzHwhX7bi7Gw-GlLGXyn3FALx9Osmp4_YNClN0eDOq9OG5J9CBgcsadlarHFe6-SJ0QjAh/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612119922287832162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkZipCP0dxZGvwv0TSv82zlfYeUqML7AjoLivQmt_6LZn1Cd8lVFOURwtcji0H-S3dXmqv0kzHwhX7bi7Gw-GlLGXyn3FALx9Osmp4_YNClN0eDOq9OG5J9CBgcsadlarHFe6-SJ0QjAh/s200/IMG_3596.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Mother's Day Talk 2011
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">On WOMANHOOD:
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">**What I think Womanhood means is to highlight the good. Point out the lovely. Emphasize the virtuous, and decorate the plain. What a boring place the world would be without women to make it more beautiful!
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">President Hinckley has eloquently captured what the Lord has said of His precious daughters:
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">"Woman is God's supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth."
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">James E. Faust, "Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor," <em>Ensign</em>, May 2000, 95 :
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it.
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," <em>Liahona</em>, Nov 2008, 117–20:
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">"To me it appears that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities—they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">You might say, "I'm not the creative type. If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe."
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">**For some this means writing, others painting, music, some organizing, finding patterns in business, being a liaison, observing and research, fashion and highlighting our best physical aspects, and on and on.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">On MOTHERHOOD: Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?," <em>Ensign</em>, Nov 2001, 96 :
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">"Motherhood is NOT what was left over after our Father blessed His sons with priesthood ordination. It was the most ennobling endowment He could give His daughters, a sacred trust that gave women an unparalleled role in helping His children keep their second estate. As President J. Reuben Clark Jr. declared, motherhood is "as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself."
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Russell M. Nelson, "Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women," <em>Ensign</em>, May 1999, 38:
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">"During my professional career as a doctor of medicine, I was occasionally asked why I chose to do that difficult work. I responded with my opinion that the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that has had a profound and lasting influence upon me. "Motherhood," they wrote, "is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">**My mind certainly has been overwhelmed by the immediate joy and work of a newborn baby. I've often thought again and again about the treasure spoken of by President Packer, when he gave the parable of the two keys unlocking eternal inheritance. Because my husband and I have been faithful in keeping our covenants, we have been able to access priceless treasures (our children) together. There have been many moments over the last few months where I have gazed upon our newborn son and cried tears of joy, overwhelmed with the immenseness of the gift we have been given.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">In our small inner-city New Haven Branch I was called up to the stand in Sacrament Meeting about 11 years ago, just minutes after Colleen was blessed as a newborn. I was asked what I could say about motherhood. I don't remember a lot of what I said, but I do remember saying that I had only been a mother a few weeks, and that I really didn't know a lot about being a mother yet.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">I do remember a moment at our Stake conference a few weeks later, when the congregation sang together, "I am a Child of God". I looked down at a sleeping infant Colleen while sitting in those metal overflow chairs, likely because we were late in arriving, and thought, "<em>I'm</em> the one who will Teach and Guide. <em>I'm</em> the Parent, Kind and Dear." It felt as if I had stepped into a new era of life, and that I never could, or want to, go back.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">I have since related to those I taught Sunday School or Young Women lessons to that there have been two times in my life when I felt especially grateful for my own mother and father. One was when I moved out of the house to begin college. Not only did I realize all the small daily things that they did for me while I grew up, but I missed the feeling of wholeness that our family made together – the influence of our home life and the fortifications it offered.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">The second time in my life I was grateful for a mother was when I first became a mother myself. Scott and I had the luxury of staying home for at least 10 days in our comfortable apartment by ourselves, changing, feeding, rocking, dressing, and then cleaning, laundering, wiping, and somehow doing the other necessaries of life for ourselves during the time that baby Colleen slept. Then the morning came for Scott to go back to work, only for a half of a day. I cried as I sat in bed, still in pajamas, and I remember saying, "I don't know how I will do all of this by myself".
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">I had come to the realization that someone, at some time, had certainly done all of those many tiring services for me over a long period of time. That someone was my mother.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">One of the blessings of being here in Connecticut for this unexpectedly extended time has been that many people out in public have watched our family as we have, well, mostly gone out to eat. Many have given kind comments, such as, "You have a beautiful family," or "You are so brave to have so many children," or sometimes even, "you are so good at taking care of your children. How do you do it?"
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">I have to answer with the realization that I'm not the same mother that cried when Scott left me for just a few hours when Colleen was two weeks old. Just like any other Divine Calling from the Lord, my strength and abilities have been enhanced, my capacity has been expanded, and my efforts and service have been blessed to be enough when they were given in faith. My work hasn't been perfection, but instead of pointing out my faults or shortcomings, the Lord has blessed me with understanding.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">One of the things I feel is important for me as a mother is the ability to quietly recall events of the day or week after emotions are calmed. These are times when, if I'm able to humble myself and seek the Lord's help, I'm blessed with the guiding Spirit of Truth to find or try ways to lead each child toward their Divine Potential. I couldn't feel successful at all without constant Inspiration from a source that knows and loves my children even better than I do.
<br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">I'm grateful for my experience being a mother and I feel as though my greatest blessings are the members of my family. I say these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
<br />Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-51983586245445654522010-02-19T09:38:00.005+09:002010-02-19T10:21:23.069+09:00Watching their Testimonies bloom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DZxVEtaCGIPZQnlC2QbHWfQHAMkerL9AfNKyXBNrCvg9OJlpEjcX4TwPvCLT_ahWbY4FJfvot2FL_IlO6mcanJDwFQAGVTHNrPjZBsSfVow0cXrp-ZRcg4pj3kugwJS_2aRuyAxIn31X/s1600-h/April's+Iphone+007.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DZxVEtaCGIPZQnlC2QbHWfQHAMkerL9AfNKyXBNrCvg9OJlpEjcX4TwPvCLT_ahWbY4FJfvot2FL_IlO6mcanJDwFQAGVTHNrPjZBsSfVow0cXrp-ZRcg4pj3kugwJS_2aRuyAxIn31X/s320/April's+Iphone+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439757648636713106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkmch5Ug7fwFqhPg0ZVJhYRMV2pwyOYywKwHviXM1eIhtRPFUrAEzcTeT2IC5ZwAHwj1pB-q5WBlcfZ1-KI8hIIwtnxMWIbReP24MHFNTwo4ZEiWUfStmqIzHSDFCu5YAGW1GP-Gsuc16/s1600-h/April's+Iphone+008.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkmch5Ug7fwFqhPg0ZVJhYRMV2pwyOYywKwHviXM1eIhtRPFUrAEzcTeT2IC5ZwAHwj1pB-q5WBlcfZ1-KI8hIIwtnxMWIbReP24MHFNTwo4ZEiWUfStmqIzHSDFCu5YAGW1GP-Gsuc16/s320/April's+Iphone+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439757473693414642" /></a><br />I know it's been a while since I blogged. We sure have been learning a lot here, and I've launched myself into a whole new set of creative activities since Christmas, including Yamato-e Japanese Painting and continuing with piano lessons. I've already started to play simplified hymns, and I'm very excited. Shortly I'll start to hand-sew a Yukata (summer kimono), and I'll hope to blog more about these experiences soon. <div>What brought me to blog again was just another old Wednesday night, home with the girls in the evening because Scott had a dinner meeting (this happens quite a bit lately). Bridget was wanting to watch "Barbie and the 4 Musketeers" for the 3rd day in a row, and after accomplishing the necessary room-cleaning and toy-picking-up, and after moving the kids table in front of the T.V. to eat dinner to (this is a rarity) we couldn't find the Apple T.V. remote. (Does anyone else have one of these? Whoever designed them didn't have kids, they're impossibly small!) </div><div>Bridget was on the verge of breaking down into tears for the ump-teenth time that evening, when she got that flash of recognition in her eyes and went running into her room. I of course thought she had remembered where she had seen the remote last, but she came out seconds later, saying, "I've said a prayer, so now we will find it." After a quiet laugh, we kept looking, but no luck (or, apparently, revelation). And this is why.</div><div>Bridget did cry some more, and we reluctantly moved dinner back into the dining room, and sat down to say a dinner prayer and eat (by now it was already 7pm or so). But Colleen had brought the "Friend" magazine and had asked if she could read a story during dinner (I find meals are the best time to read scriptures, too, because everyone is eating and doesn't wander off). Colleen opened up this months' Friend and began to read, with great expression, the story of "Losing Apollo" (http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=8057b3d7e4b66210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD)</div><div>*I noticed that I can "share" the article on blogger, but I've never done this before: hopefully this link works.</div><div>The story summarizes a boy feeling confident that his dog would live after being hit by a car because he felt comforted after his prayer, but his dog didn't live. He was confused as to why he felt better, but the answer he received wasn't what he was hoping for. </div><div>Colleen stopped at this point in the story and asked very sensitively, "Bridget, do you see a connection with this story and anything in your life right now?" </div><div> I had been watching and munching from my chair, and it was a very growing few moments for me indeed. I was watching Colleen be a teacher, a reflection of the things I had taught her, but on the level of having her own testimony, and being able to fluently read a magazine article, and wanting to comfort and teach her sister in a way to create a life-lesson such as this one. </div><div>Bridget was able to make the "connection", and we had the sweetest dinner we had had in a long, long time (sorry Scott). </div><div>In order to keep the blog a little on the light side, I'll tell you the conclusion of the remote story. The next morning I found it in the pocket of my robe, and Bridget said, "Mom, Jesus put the remote in your robe pocket last night!" I think all of our prayers were answered, but my daily prayers that "I'll be able to help my children reach their divine potential and find joy in watching them grow each day" were probably answered the most.</div><div>Since I just wanted to get this posted, I'll caption the pictures down here. The first is the Apple TV remote, in comparison with two of our others. I told you. The second is Colleen's room wall, inspired and created by just her. She adds uplifting messages to it almost daily.</div><div><br /></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-39781800368006162282009-04-14T05:54:00.006+09:002009-04-14T06:12:07.673+09:00Cherry BlossomsWe made it through our first cherry blossom season. The blossoms are beautiful and fragile and don't last very long. The season seems to last about a week. The blossoms try to peak out and then it seems like all of a sudden they are in full bloom and about three days later they are beginning to fall off of the trees. We did manage to make it down to the Nagoya Castle on Sunday towards dusk and walked around. It was a really fun thing to do for a Sunday afternoon. We managed to get a fee pictures and we thought we would share.<br /><br /><br />Enjoy<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNWAsFAhooh9Wum21R011ddkI4IPAYV4kJDOe00d_IAxkUmv0Q6dr_9TzmaYB5nFlVWhZIPpk-yPfcJnz3ygTsnF5-Y_J1BtxZ00ziFQdmJEIaRmo0Lp0JvKE6HZV60KPkxPZg_Q_mFoT/s1600-h/IMG_6039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286279608380274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNWAsFAhooh9Wum21R011ddkI4IPAYV4kJDOe00d_IAxkUmv0Q6dr_9TzmaYB5nFlVWhZIPpk-yPfcJnz3ygTsnF5-Y_J1BtxZ00ziFQdmJEIaRmo0Lp0JvKE6HZV60KPkxPZg_Q_mFoT/s320/IMG_6039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2h3RTJ2s5ek7iwemZ6z6RLJf4PveG4iN9FVf7GSc8g0JpkUk_TUSFhPt4b70iJGBY5xuhSx7tZhEKALm24Qk6t34n2YoooJJHph-CqTINy_hJ93TDoBwvuSI2PtJpcCMA_IZiSaKI1Yw/s1600-h/IMG_6035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286019571369554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2h3RTJ2s5ek7iwemZ6z6RLJf4PveG4iN9FVf7GSc8g0JpkUk_TUSFhPt4b70iJGBY5xuhSx7tZhEKALm24Qk6t34n2YoooJJHph-CqTINy_hJ93TDoBwvuSI2PtJpcCMA_IZiSaKI1Yw/s320/IMG_6035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidI5rDfRk1qK3vnF8C-uZEjZu1JnhUDVym5sBWo4mqn9V54kpvk1bBDgnTDSEEeukC50cDMcoQfwrmWl6XKgCm3NLo_ITm6lhB2nxSvi2lKLPw_LWVoNlVz2k83PaIt5YEmaIx2iWG5wEc/s1600-h/IMG_6033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286015487272498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidI5rDfRk1qK3vnF8C-uZEjZu1JnhUDVym5sBWo4mqn9V54kpvk1bBDgnTDSEEeukC50cDMcoQfwrmWl6XKgCm3NLo_ITm6lhB2nxSvi2lKLPw_LWVoNlVz2k83PaIt5YEmaIx2iWG5wEc/s320/IMG_6033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETJPCbOjm0ZdUHyRNg-OedAkFBE7Uy-bJJZkKkpy2inQ0_aLHnd8j9lhlSqxH8sJXe8JQ1kueSyWarzGDnRnuvznId7uyy_KaQuT44T1VaOwGvQMcx8MDE5Q5cl5SLfpatXWex45UsES9/s1600-h/IMG_6028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286007797068674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETJPCbOjm0ZdUHyRNg-OedAkFBE7Uy-bJJZkKkpy2inQ0_aLHnd8j9lhlSqxH8sJXe8JQ1kueSyWarzGDnRnuvznId7uyy_KaQuT44T1VaOwGvQMcx8MDE5Q5cl5SLfpatXWex45UsES9/s320/IMG_6028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hlw_YGdV18T58YdcP9wuSl7DO4C4hNRsjlN61nq36CBTKIYG2zz708mXGm-Bkdg4gFkrSG2BoGkRodpHc5KwTe-jbGnozPiZvpvpKKPEQjnVAbazlf1vGxgDprwWiGbDw4eLv_5aqD5J/s1600-h/IMG_6026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324286005645345106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hlw_YGdV18T58YdcP9wuSl7DO4C4hNRsjlN61nq36CBTKIYG2zz708mXGm-Bkdg4gFkrSG2BoGkRodpHc5KwTe-jbGnozPiZvpvpKKPEQjnVAbazlf1vGxgDprwWiGbDw4eLv_5aqD5J/s320/IMG_6026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4YXtqj6_gNIPgdXHka5rzQUaVrwa__1lPwXPIdcKaoTWG1HrVbFCm-DprA9J_E_tJ7qFG2Gx5mtv6x2x5rGHSI3pCW8gxKo2dRn2zmPxhdjP_FKyECQCxsgjuvlSMDU4PSN7M58z7Zq_/s1600-h/IMG_6024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324285999521165730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4YXtqj6_gNIPgdXHka5rzQUaVrwa__1lPwXPIdcKaoTWG1HrVbFCm-DprA9J_E_tJ7qFG2Gx5mtv6x2x5rGHSI3pCW8gxKo2dRn2zmPxhdjP_FKyECQCxsgjuvlSMDU4PSN7M58z7Zq_/s320/IMG_6024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK77eXTaieWWscK1fgeIzBqpO_-1e_1Fyn4OvPQy33Xgm3tmpuWakQem4kCrKNU4d275BYUpt4Ku4ip6WBFcMI565Clrnj2g2vH_pe5zRN2HLMglFjwlPXOs6fFPAXk4Fs4Rp6057WCHPb/s1600-h/IMG_6018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284530893164050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK77eXTaieWWscK1fgeIzBqpO_-1e_1Fyn4OvPQy33Xgm3tmpuWakQem4kCrKNU4d275BYUpt4Ku4ip6WBFcMI565Clrnj2g2vH_pe5zRN2HLMglFjwlPXOs6fFPAXk4Fs4Rp6057WCHPb/s320/IMG_6018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrgcFnesJ0D112V9S9KDWqriG4cQ53U_7i8iDEOVp1DJyPqPwweVlYUovRSSkND3-Ej3VAZnnrC347R3Wv5dwhcWgK-D6CKJkWvCNhstdjd4BDSvZWnOicicWaboYgUSOswmAqbznd6GV/s1600-h/IMG_6011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284521330169042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrgcFnesJ0D112V9S9KDWqriG4cQ53U_7i8iDEOVp1DJyPqPwweVlYUovRSSkND3-Ej3VAZnnrC347R3Wv5dwhcWgK-D6CKJkWvCNhstdjd4BDSvZWnOicicWaboYgUSOswmAqbznd6GV/s320/IMG_6011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3MveCIkv15SpmkCdiIvCwx_hQBU8bGQiF5mNeYvb7o9OzLgrHaRbCY0IZHfQGfIrT7mm5v6DlvWyYG8RYuuq0j-BnIlcJGNWOMYiotAhKoLq13gw00Xdqi-BRWLPRgKsiynYpPRcNanp/s1600-h/IMG_6009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284517926073266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3MveCIkv15SpmkCdiIvCwx_hQBU8bGQiF5mNeYvb7o9OzLgrHaRbCY0IZHfQGfIrT7mm5v6DlvWyYG8RYuuq0j-BnIlcJGNWOMYiotAhKoLq13gw00Xdqi-BRWLPRgKsiynYpPRcNanp/s320/IMG_6009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLmNnlzeD8Km7HuovJIK0nqvQC9gPKGPWNZqIYxY5eAEeXugIqVEnpheBYYs71G3y7YkzPYUKxGq8ICyFqSzwko7ETFLbzGBaY59x7W0IAuuBycMnNzIqBQKnv92Z4ihFiOZaX6OJYyPp/s1600-h/IMG_6002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284514131132114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLmNnlzeD8Km7HuovJIK0nqvQC9gPKGPWNZqIYxY5eAEeXugIqVEnpheBYYs71G3y7YkzPYUKxGq8ICyFqSzwko7ETFLbzGBaY59x7W0IAuuBycMnNzIqBQKnv92Z4ihFiOZaX6OJYyPp/s320/IMG_6002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy28Xyrtd7f5N_HwsIGsQ7WpGT_ZRAkUWjvGgblyPhllU0h2ilAmMjFlVUGDHUm9vIlB_dh0TOmUyudtv5mG0pS9RkbY-GU4bImonarDdDFayboAOlLhTLI-5zJF8GsoaA9UT6h_e3Nwpt/s1600-h/IMG_6004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284511975273474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy28Xyrtd7f5N_HwsIGsQ7WpGT_ZRAkUWjvGgblyPhllU0h2ilAmMjFlVUGDHUm9vIlB_dh0TOmUyudtv5mG0pS9RkbY-GU4bImonarDdDFayboAOlLhTLI-5zJF8GsoaA9UT6h_e3Nwpt/s320/IMG_6004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-62249836731238118062009-04-12T16:21:00.004+09:002009-04-12T17:29:15.740+09:00A splitting day to remember<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo3ndnfgIoJVuG9qCzX2wtY-DzssrQFRgvIS_wPhSQPDOh0PnlLJ5z2MAk6q1h5iTy7KcKaaSLREJjtbtk0AlUMPiZ4Ib1SSA6HXfZKJMkanF95peowcRr03qn1DqOgv_QpeM3SWfokiw/s1600-h/photo-745090.jpg"></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Had an unforgettable experience at work. It has even taken awhile for me to get to the point where I could post it. It started off innocently as most events do a few days prior. April asked if I needed any new pants. I confidently responded that I was in great shape and proceeded to list off all of the pants that had. A few days later as I was going through my closet I came across a pair of pants that I had not worn for awhile. The conversation that I had with April fresh in my mind I decided to wear that pair of pants. They had been through a number of battles, various trips, and I don't know how many washings but they had stood the test of time and I wasn't about to abandon them now.</p><p class="mobile-photo">I dressed and talked April into letting my take the car to work that day and I was off. The day went along totally uneventful. We decided to head out for lunch and since I had a car I was volunteered to drive. Not a problem. We all went out and I got everyone seated and then I opened the door to van and swung in and ............... I heard a pop and what sounded like something ripping. I wandered what it was, everyone else was talking and hadn't seem to notice anything so I drove on still wondering what happened. As we got to lunch I was being a little cautious and let everyone get out of the van first. As I got out I did a quick double check, my coat was fine, my shirt was okay, my pants...........not okay. Needless to say it was a little breezy on my way into lunch. </p><p class="mobile-photo">For a logistics check for those who aren't familiar (which is probably everyone). It takes thirty plus minutes to drive home from work, it was already early afternoon and no one else had noticed yet (or least let on that they knew). We only have one car so April couldn't help I was on my own. I had a decision to make, do I try to hide it, or acknowledge the windy challenges I had and go home. I thought for awhile and decided I would work on getting through the day. </p><p class="mobile-photo">Once inside the restaurant I excused myself to the restroom, while most everyone else was off getting themselves some water to drink. I ducked in the restroom and took a look at the mirror, I thought might be able to pull it off, my jacket was about the same color as the pants and the rip was low enough there was hope. Lunch was uneventful and we headed back to work, throughout the rest of the afternoon it was an exercise of careful positioning. Making sure that I didn't lead any procession as we went through the various meetings of the day. I leaned against the walls as I talked to those that I needed to talk to and remained seated as people came to talk to me. As the afternoon wore one each time I would stand a sit you could a hear a little pop. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The day ended with at least no outward acknowledgement of my predicament and as we headed out the door to go home as I climbed into the van one last time and sat down the last final stitches let go. I was now completely unzipped from the waistband all the way down to the middle of my pants but luckily the day was done. I dropped my riders off and luckily pulled into the house without anyone in the building in the garage at the same time and I think I escaped into the house only to be meet by the laughter of April. However, I think I escaped the day. The only thing in question is what did the security cameras for the building see????????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo3ndnfgIoJVuG9qCzX2wtY-DzssrQFRgvIS_wPhSQPDOh0PnlLJ5z2MAk6q1h5iTy7KcKaaSLREJjtbtk0AlUMPiZ4Ib1SSA6HXfZKJMkanF95peowcRr03qn1DqOgv_QpeM3SWfokiw/s1600-h/photo-745090.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323701921897075458" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo3ndnfgIoJVuG9qCzX2wtY-DzssrQFRgvIS_wPhSQPDOh0PnlLJ5z2MAk6q1h5iTy7KcKaaSLREJjtbtk0AlUMPiZ4Ib1SSA6HXfZKJMkanF95peowcRr03qn1DqOgv_QpeM3SWfokiw/s320/photo-745090.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-46067693695133493582009-04-12T16:15:00.003+09:002009-04-12T16:17:49.828+09:00Bridget's Fast ShoesBridget was proud to put on her new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sandals</span> the other day for the first time. As we were walking to the bus stop she had to stop and ask me where the fast mark was on her new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sandals</span>? She proceeded to tell me that her inside shoes (the shoes she wears indoors and school) have a slow mark on them, so that even though she is fast those shoes make her slow in PE. However, her new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sandals</span> have a fast mark and now she is very fast. Which was a very good thing since we had to run the last 50 yards to catch the bus.Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-25101131949770663692009-04-06T10:32:00.002+09:002009-04-12T16:15:11.856+09:00Ashlynn out shopping<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8J3pMVSAhsky3CaQy_tBMmenXlmtr2F2OQSH-coxFfhW2nCaEGkJ4D2kpT-5o9gT3lT66eIjM72nxtyh3FLhiFEYBWJqLVjdzVhG506wVf6GK_ueUPl0zL62oRjCg0Y-_FikUshz_q_nA/s1600-h/photo-714162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321385515533841186" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8J3pMVSAhsky3CaQy_tBMmenXlmtr2F2OQSH-coxFfhW2nCaEGkJ4D2kpT-5o9gT3lT66eIjM72nxtyh3FLhiFEYBWJqLVjdzVhG506wVf6GK_ueUPl0zL62oRjCg0Y-_FikUshz_q_nA/s320/photo-714162.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"> </p><p class="mobile-photo">Bridget had the opportunity to star in the elementary assembly. She gave a talk about how caring is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">important</span> and told the story of when she helped one of her classmates with their coat when she was in preschool. She did a good job standing tall and talking to the whole class. I was lucky enough to not have anything pressing for work so I went in with April and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ashlynn</span> to see Bridget perform.</p><p class="mobile-photo">After the assembly we had to stop and the local grocery store because we were out of diapers (she is working on potty training and I think we are making progress). You could tell that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ashlynn</span> had been taught by one of the best. She immediately walked over to where the baskets are kept (they shop with baskets here not necessarily carts which makes it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">awkward</span> to shop for five at once). She grabbed the basket that was here size and promptly walked up to the fruit section, calmly grabbed a carton of strawberries and she was off. Before she was done we had to put back soda, ice cream <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sandwiches</span>, sweet bread, rice toppings (she thought they were candy). Not to mention that she did manage to make out with the strawberries, potato chips, and two different flavors of yogurt (I told her they were treats, she didn't know the difference).</p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-17234249620132670752009-04-04T14:14:00.002+09:002009-04-04T14:26:11.547+09:00Potty Training TrialsWe are currently engaged in all out war with Ashlynn over potty training. It is a battle of wills. The score today is Ashlynn 2 and parents 1. We started off the day with a bang and it has been downhill ever since.<div><br /></div><div>The battle hasn't been without its moments though. Some of the more memorable moments are</div><div><br /></div><div>- As Ashlynn is going to be on the opening night of the campaign "You be mean and I go peepy in the potty"</div><div>- Later after she had been allowed to wander naked for awhile she disappeared for-awhile and suddenly proclaimed that she went poop-poop. Sure enough there some in her potty and her pull up was no where to be found, but you can guess what really happened........</div><div>- Still later after April had thought she was making progress. Ashlynn had gone a number of times in one day, but only with April out of the room. Upon further examination (peeping through the door one time) it was discovered that Ashlynn was dipping her hands into the toilet and splashing water on her bottom and claiming she had gone peepy to get candy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wish us luck.........</div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-21015562325222003312009-03-18T05:59:00.008+09:002009-03-18T06:17:29.438+09:00Ashlynn's Birthday<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314266588415160306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rM21vdholsVNxeKmwXEObArCDIwU6h1Ca4MF8LVFEb1UGAwFioHC9ayIjwme41RNZdbF4GDPwk_0fSmvwUq3F2PBRhZYBKtURUfwjCmvjBrG3-u45lN5BIQDim0HT4m30W7MJkAf5e9A/s320/ashlynn+023.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Ashlynn had a great birthday. You can ask her how old she is now and she will proudly extend three fingers (usually starting at one and counting up) and announce that she is "san sai". She will also tell you that she is a big girl now (but that it is still too hard to go in the potty - still working on that one)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She had a great birthday with a day at the park with Bridget and her kindergarten class, a whole chair full of presents, and some guests. Couldn't ask for more if you wanted to.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gex5gfGpeud-0dsZAZAREE75ahNGReKduX6nFaO0WtewPDk8liBFUz_pqvDztKooBtawhzvP-Rcef-KGjVqK1YELH2hp18LR9WDhOyMQN8rCgY8d6TnH8RtUKj1zopkl-Y6YNttSy2xj/s1600-h/IMG_5911.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314267775283872178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gex5gfGpeud-0dsZAZAREE75ahNGReKduX6nFaO0WtewPDk8liBFUz_pqvDztKooBtawhzvP-Rcef-KGjVqK1YELH2hp18LR9WDhOyMQN8rCgY8d6TnH8RtUKj1zopkl-Y6YNttSy2xj/s320/IMG_5911.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314266599461542802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKyxfR18ns3yBuUllZQ9sJapHb-ShEgsw1U_Dx2kLe0oaVlPcXMHhRfM9c-tAbq2jmaduD57s1RjMNx7M3Wwz_1odMp-nBUBsWSTkl3lDwbIxPzc6eLuVKR7TaC0VO70l7wg0yZciyuSQ/s320/ashlynn+033.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsGzm0Slk54l15Aql03LJ3i5z2qjZq9FarLod_XIaimBvQKUfwVsjEO-FzapgCM2K6e8EHKml5AgMQo3pbcrogJcskNC_j_eR59aFPXohZJSAK_E6n1BSlswk5ViotePwbIYDdiitAfCz/s1600-h/IMG_5910.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314267769654946066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsGzm0Slk54l15Aql03LJ3i5z2qjZq9FarLod_XIaimBvQKUfwVsjEO-FzapgCM2K6e8EHKml5AgMQo3pbcrogJcskNC_j_eR59aFPXohZJSAK_E6n1BSlswk5ViotePwbIYDdiitAfCz/s320/IMG_5910.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314267781490734306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth8p35l5LqOQhAMcbGZ6tm0JHUew19LTenclhZB-YpkyDEP5tLUVgWh7TL3uAXixdvV8aqwRJwh1ZIaQqBy7yD_4RYzXU8NApH2fdx9MgzgvTYfIVzUeZnmn-FP7Y3o86tgeqKLctGlVN/s320/IMG_5917.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314267777152554098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0uhbo6pz6-2bSDaQZ4M80pkazrXNcn6M2OMIjOOZ-J9Ri4a7MhWA8TkyCdi-GRGwfQmLZD05Ye5Kw_a2Ba3wN36weDZOdvlrdEwfZMP51AnAWEJnPiq2Xk3bCwWflTqLv2EfyfLyu7mb/s320/IMG_5916.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1bspR-rfSrUVLkNpv2TclcgqWwirs-qoMIKjMlNMdvofQmp2RD8Mtwhj4SSLcaydsSZbzTlyWRyeP4oGzqf7O92e0z8D0COw_hMBKETiCskCS6SyStkMqxGGbQu6kYbqG5jCmbRRU9qW/s1600-h/ashlynn+061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314266599134872386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1bspR-rfSrUVLkNpv2TclcgqWwirs-qoMIKjMlNMdvofQmp2RD8Mtwhj4SSLcaydsSZbzTlyWRyeP4oGzqf7O92e0z8D0COw_hMBKETiCskCS6SyStkMqxGGbQu6kYbqG5jCmbRRU9qW/s320/ashlynn+061.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well the youngest child just turned three and I have mixed emotions about that. She is growing up and it is wonderful to see but it doesn't make you feel any younger when the littlest one is three now. By next year all of the kids will be in primary and we wont' even have one in nursery. Where is my excuse to stay out in the hall???????<br /><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-36544152978003195692009-03-18T05:34:00.012+09:002009-03-18T05:58:10.867+09:00Bridget's Field Trip<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZvKoH1RD7N0vfhRU2hPZXzXd4O40a2t5O5bFTqWWiQY7I6Byrf41XtXSIyftwiwAOBaDxWy0Eqavc7tlmAZI7uyZvxlPvUhbVfO1k3rMyN-bX4Xp3AYLyxbvMR8rLopWznLLL7qDjtvL/s1600-h/IMG_5901.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314262872602712066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZvKoH1RD7N0vfhRU2hPZXzXd4O40a2t5O5bFTqWWiQY7I6Byrf41XtXSIyftwiwAOBaDxWy0Eqavc7tlmAZI7uyZvxlPvUhbVfO1k3rMyN-bX4Xp3AYLyxbvMR8rLopWznLLL7qDjtvL/s320/IMG_5901.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8FP_SzmImn15VxRBBR-K6iMm4__HBzfiDTPsmugmnplac76L1JT1sVqxpzlR0Zygafl6yJ9LipeJ_n4vvLEEFP3g1yqlgyppkUHN9oG1LBC6AcYIAS7w4ONS6C3_CN5iN3eUZP7u1m0s/s1600-h/IMG_5851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314261391810747938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8FP_SzmImn15VxRBBR-K6iMm4__HBzfiDTPsmugmnplac76L1JT1sVqxpzlR0Zygafl6yJ9LipeJ_n4vvLEEFP3g1yqlgyppkUHN9oG1LBC6AcYIAS7w4ONS6C3_CN5iN3eUZP7u1m0s/s320/IMG_5851.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Since Scott missed the two weeks prior due to a business trip we decided to leave Colleen at school (she wasn't happy about it) and the rest of us went with Bridget on her kindergarten field trip. The destination of the day was Aichi Children's Park. We had no idea where it was or what it was but decided it would be a good family outing (along with about 35 other kids in the kindergarten and preschool)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314261410797390370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO00Hg5ROWivMLSZK-j4_6tGMy_RHmONznB4FI0iWpgkWLg1qKKgQMWqWrQVkXaW5QAgUU2Lem2DILeoIIuwAA4-fK_H3tzgEu_Lo7kgtbeNdOrPOtXJfC6BqOuYTssz8O-JHNqYrcS4ug/s320/IMG_5858.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314262852832689250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpXTvcWKkTbOj5NsumsNjumqY-xnu7w5QElj84U0NWks_Jz20fz102Vs9wfcR8EYJoCa5RkUryBiiAugc3wrhX2B1RuRJ86TbiPIxjyudPwSx8zZFVB49x33DfGmWJFso0rLhGEb233kh/s320/IMG_5873.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314262882157386146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FdGnm8wxUX3TO1aygXaP-TvoNTMQaCZjq087n-wmJNJ1wbZY5Qk_S4C4xvIivum5iZSQF-oP0OP7cgt7dPXddc6cDxDAGOH8NiyuAqf73BeBqX5cP2AGRe4GvAIe19sGRucuIkGppry1/s320/IMG_5866.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The day turned out great as it is approaching spring. The sky was clear and the temperature actually climbed above 70. The park was really fun, it had at least three separate play areas with some of the longest slides that I think I have ever seen. A couple of the slides was actually a series of rollers that you slide down. One of them was the longest slide that I think I have ever seen. It was at least over a 100 yards long and probably more. It was a lot of fun but I can tell you from experience it leaves your bottom a little sore after going down it a few times.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314262863761066146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3f7C9-ybYiJrFbXXvF3MoF9-b2Hlqyf4bwhqBheltUUEn66c0QvqZVxYzL7PZsFxKJ9gnzqxOlMRG5ICM0B6b_tyoz5isWV1dnAy1n8aMOBqJG9NUITvL2THfA4PLyZATQ4sZspMZ1HW/s320/IMG_5877.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314262874313864722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cnJOBehI3Mbb7139vFUunOtgwLCL6wWOgpqx0W2P4U3AXH6u41rdUbsqp8EZI1nkWzP__v_5T96MYP928vsHPgvXsp-p84or2JHZyvMUPWrsO72idQ_WHMEjMUNBdwpOp8YtJ9WnUhMo/s320/IMG_5883.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>We ended up spending a little over an hour at each area, along with about an hour for a picnic lunch. Bridget and Ashlynn had a great time and we ended up with only a couple of minor injuries. A scrap on Ashlynn's chin just in time for her birthday pictures later that evening was the worst injuries of the day (Other than all of the sore muscles for mom and dad)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-60808540219071388212009-02-22T20:59:00.004+09:002009-02-22T21:16:52.826+09:00Magic Camp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox3LUrnESI0hx7mlKBr4TMBwjhyBx8vvCrinReknA3eMKHReUfcXAaMBEHx8AXr8tvZ99hfURaXXKzhNUFx_QzYqwPUJIjRLltVyMaaOaiYmdcblVAyOK-tZbobi3CR0w6n5LjJtv9LMg/s1600-h/IMG_5802.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305593470311642098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox3LUrnESI0hx7mlKBr4TMBwjhyBx8vvCrinReknA3eMKHReUfcXAaMBEHx8AXr8tvZ99hfURaXXKzhNUFx_QzYqwPUJIjRLltVyMaaOaiYmdcblVAyOK-tZbobi3CR0w6n5LjJtv9LMg/s320/IMG_5802.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDiQOJc6p9Zudz7en0k53h5HJ3_RhJ-umdNMGchgkUvo1AotbXaDiEYrI75hPx5j0K9clPE2JcELc5D2NsWwWGNAxPFJi5z1MLolnyrfcxD0bN7_kq0D1QM0-X692jAJWAtw1JiuNc2f4/s1600-h/IMG_5803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305593460160784738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDiQOJc6p9Zudz7en0k53h5HJ3_RhJ-umdNMGchgkUvo1AotbXaDiEYrI75hPx5j0K9clPE2JcELc5D2NsWwWGNAxPFJi5z1MLolnyrfcxD0bN7_kq0D1QM0-X692jAJWAtw1JiuNc2f4/s320/IMG_5803.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtEdqL2qvfrIL1PWnH_9PoXHd00wJAGvT9C8lUVm8VRivVDnAg-e2XW362nX_gCwTx0mKK3gQJmXnoJvfLKaf3iO9DswXmP4onyIkY-V7vOVcPWVo_AXuuBCLFWJg37mWDHDHbD1IW3wd/s1600-h/IMG_5801.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305593455185656354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtEdqL2qvfrIL1PWnH_9PoXHd00wJAGvT9C8lUVm8VRivVDnAg-e2XW362nX_gCwTx0mKK3gQJmXnoJvfLKaf3iO9DswXmP4onyIkY-V7vOVcPWVo_AXuuBCLFWJg37mWDHDHbD1IW3wd/s320/IMG_5801.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_FPDx5x8frDjv2h2suLEjqValnEDG3rAabQQBr_-YdwBPNFuf5K0jtBlL36KXwGnwFqhJFDcEU0_mT0aY0hNVJH9kGhN-GhdvAIvVJtEy15DOPWNkMqGU7RQF4HkhEKfCKtyN4s2TPJW/s1600-h/IMG_5805.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305593458205358162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_FPDx5x8frDjv2h2suLEjqValnEDG3rAabQQBr_-YdwBPNFuf5K0jtBlL36KXwGnwFqhJFDcEU0_mT0aY0hNVJH9kGhN-GhdvAIvVJtEy15DOPWNkMqGU7RQF4HkhEKfCKtyN4s2TPJW/s320/IMG_5805.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_3a-b9iIvS-9eO-7zn7abEiKWbURGRmd3orx8Pxyhjb__qmONfYCv08NNx3fP5DZkSO_HRg5qKSAjqovQhnUjiEwIWiV5drufHqAyuoaQw6RhyphenhyphenANS_onsQ3sYviIzeIgfynfYBJTCO-8/s1600-h/IMG_5785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305593453317256290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_3a-b9iIvS-9eO-7zn7abEiKWbURGRmd3orx8Pxyhjb__qmONfYCv08NNx3fP5DZkSO_HRg5qKSAjqovQhnUjiEwIWiV5drufHqAyuoaQw6RhyphenhyphenANS_onsQ3sYviIzeIgfynfYBJTCO-8/s320/IMG_5785.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Colleen starred in her first real performance. She was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zana</span> in the local school production, a young witch with the ability to predict the future. She shared the role with her best friend Sydney. The two of them have become quite the pair and are becoming harder and harder to separate. The production was a hit and really quite impressive show with the number of scene changes and lines that they covered. Of course Bridget was not about to allow any theatrical performance to go on without a show from her, even if she wasn't part of the production.</div></div></div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-78060510323779889152009-02-22T20:52:00.002+09:002009-02-22T20:57:59.850+09:00Earthquake.............???????We experienced our first earthquake in Japan this week. It happened about 6:45 in the morning. The kids had just finished breakfast and were putting the final touches (or attempts to proscratinate - depending on your point of view) when we heard some rumbling. We didn't think much about it until a few seconds later it rumbled again and you could feel a little bit or trembling and then all of the sudden it was quiet. At first I just thought it was a large truck or something going by but the sudden quietness afterwards said it was something different. It really was a minor quake but a good reminder all the same that we should be prepared.Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-59288403253012943812009-02-01T15:52:00.005+09:002009-02-01T16:27:32.469+09:00Science Center Visit<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMalxBmbv3l-2p_zek0PHX4iDXJhIGja_lHDdDycon-tzOO9-Nks9gPnIr4XeR7psNu2jd3jdWjKLQA1QyqWT28b1gZ-_ER3eSuJqSigpSEFIjTUqYTw5EqvvTt5CGWvuj1NBMdmN0FGG/s1600-h/photo-793394.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297718434948190546" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMalxBmbv3l-2p_zek0PHX4iDXJhIGja_lHDdDycon-tzOO9-Nks9gPnIr4XeR7psNu2jd3jdWjKLQA1QyqWT28b1gZ-_ER3eSuJqSigpSEFIjTUqYTw5EqvvTt5CGWvuj1NBMdmN0FGG/s320/photo-793394.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">We went to the science center this Saturday for something to do and to get out of the house. So we loaded all of the kids up and headed into to town. We stopped for lunch at a Korean barbeque place called Yummy's, which in fact is pretty yummy. By the time we were ready to leave we had managed to scare most of the other customers away. We then headed over to Science Center. It was our first time to the musuem, it is a nine story building with lots of places for the kids to play. We bought our tickets to the planterium and then headed up to the fifth floor to play in the dynamic energy area. The girls had fun playing with the water tools, filling the car with gas, and in general just running around. At 2:00 we headed down to the second floor for our first visit to a planterium with the family. We didn't really know what to expect since it was going to be in Japanese. We shouldn't have worried, we picked a great time for the show. Before we ever entered the planterium Ashlynn fell asleep. As we picked our seats we discovered they reclined (a nice option for watching a show on the ceiling) and then the lights went out and so did the rest of us. Fifty minutes later as the show was wrapping up we started to stir and we after a nice nap we were ready to finish off the musuem. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The next area we explored was the human body. They had a number of good displays but Bridget was drawn to the area on child development and baby birth. Needless to say different cultures have different opinions on what is appropriate to display and Bridget probably learned more about how babies come than she ever bargained for. So far she seems to have recovered well. </p><p class="mobile-photo">For a break we then headed up to the children's play area where they had fun making bubbles, playing on the musical instruments, and building blocks. Bridget wasn't so sure about the stability of her seat but she was a good sport to seat in it while we built a castle around her.</p><p class="mobile-photo">After the castle was destroyed by a giant earthquake (fitting for Japan) we decided we were hungry and stopped by the local hang out for a basket of fries and a Brownie Sunday. Sometimes you still need a taste of home.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmOsnbJXivVAjULiK8qoF_pGBusJsTg2TUPADQsPGWZ54-pcXgxZoWEy91D3gohT_oCvaUY-g_m7VkZnghfjKJYlQ0Bo8Ys6Cw7Ri1U2H9fw05kdYucX6x2Me4pRbZNC7KCdnNXny1LOo/s1600-h/photo-767112.jpg"></a>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-69152073985513368912009-01-20T18:24:00.002+09:002009-02-01T16:29:30.881+09:00A brand new Bridget<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP9dXywk0wNy_wR2f5hVzxiFKpw48vd5wO0assCApqM72P-5oABJOQXu7Eia2LRoHtQdvtbHMhArL5RRj4aFdsEFH8nSV_kLpYBtFSl25pducsZSYWOeaDST-AIXx4bLb58T71-jqBhd3/s1600-h/photo-764482.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293304805800331026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP9dXywk0wNy_wR2f5hVzxiFKpw48vd5wO0assCApqM72P-5oABJOQXu7Eia2LRoHtQdvtbHMhArL5RRj4aFdsEFH8nSV_kLpYBtFSl25pducsZSYWOeaDST-AIXx4bLb58T71-jqBhd3/s320/photo-764482.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">Bridget decided that she wanted to try out her sister's wet to straight appliance. After some serious work April was able to get her hair straight. Many people including here kindergarten teacher were grateful the next day to see her curls starting to pop out again. It is going to take something beyond the wet to straight to conquer Bridget's curls. </p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-26814557041544327802009-01-10T15:24:00.005+09:002009-01-15T21:38:39.253+09:00Thanksgiving Dinner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJyVoAG6RBj1H5qLTS0wB1guC02vHh_ktW_BIp3i5wFyf0E0zPe8LwPzvS-p_CEHj9YV8EBkdo3lxUBJ4WOUmf2Sruby__C5oogzd-nreBcgLhzrCjowF62_E1EERskuAC3YCa4vjzntA/s1600-h/IMG_5473.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289548695102866978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJyVoAG6RBj1H5qLTS0wB1guC02vHh_ktW_BIp3i5wFyf0E0zPe8LwPzvS-p_CEHj9YV8EBkdo3lxUBJ4WOUmf2Sruby__C5oogzd-nreBcgLhzrCjowF62_E1EERskuAC3YCa4vjzntA/s320/IMG_5473.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvQMKzuOvRfLgAlwGz0QrDhraEkRKfHA9bXfo2dDYP2fYQXuMVisRgXR90xnssHVifvjhActcutesfge3EHllHfdK1lPWcVrQTq2B_OD85mdUOhQ6pOPqcdc_-wStZ8qnDlJGuvUOvh0J/s1600-h/IMG_5474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289548696782883522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvQMKzuOvRfLgAlwGz0QrDhraEkRKfHA9bXfo2dDYP2fYQXuMVisRgXR90xnssHVifvjhActcutesfge3EHllHfdK1lPWcVrQTq2B_OD85mdUOhQ6pOPqcdc_-wStZ8qnDlJGuvUOvh0J/s320/IMG_5474.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjBg9rTH1kbeNDj9qvhRO014a3YWiJqrVZUCvkslQ-APKw6Y3Z6WqKRUP12FcGVpviMVXhgt6fLl6FGSHyDZRAXi_Il2Q8QDGDSIT5_dWkEkjCm4bFPaLu_YIOlkzXPhkbE0PlVepwKpO/s1600-h/IMG_5468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289548692866287106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjBg9rTH1kbeNDj9qvhRO014a3YWiJqrVZUCvkslQ-APKw6Y3Z6WqKRUP12FcGVpviMVXhgt6fLl6FGSHyDZRAXi_Il2Q8QDGDSIT5_dWkEkjCm4bFPaLu_YIOlkzXPhkbE0PlVepwKpO/s320/IMG_5468.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Even though Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Japan we tried to keep as much of the tradition alive as possible. Scott stayed home from work and after sending the kids off to school we started out preparing the bird, trimings, and desert. The kids were picked up early by a family friend from the ward and we had dinner for fifteen and more over for desert. We were truly thankful as we had people from five different countries gather together for the common cause of giving thanks for the bountious blessing that we have received was a truly humbling experience. </div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-9697066692704243462009-01-10T15:13:00.004+09:002009-01-15T21:39:21.297+09:00Champagne Ball<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iw_jL4RJAJ8c9hFgQ0f1s_E8OfuHmdEfMgOb312WsEyr7YwQXAkvOjG38nLS0c88ccEfjLYGJ86fZ0plmemdEVRXs4z5bjwQi4nRY7sMy9m53gIUvZwW_SIPankrE2WgdXYMgm_n7s5V/s1600-h/IMG_5465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289545702078801602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iw_jL4RJAJ8c9hFgQ0f1s_E8OfuHmdEfMgOb312WsEyr7YwQXAkvOjG38nLS0c88ccEfjLYGJ86fZ0plmemdEVRXs4z5bjwQi4nRY7sMy9m53gIUvZwW_SIPankrE2WgdXYMgm_n7s5V/s320/IMG_5465.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kbRdMN2LRuqZ04RdcguRWhkoVIfF110tg4xhefbMZDDjDAb4KzjpbYQKVXSX7TvRWXOhAwC_hISOMeqeVYUrcj2jRJUPk_x6Z7JNYZGEuRKLxfdV_btx-C3d8bqsf6bQK3jzyROOJB6/s1600-h/IMG_5463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289545699191184242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kbRdMN2LRuqZ04RdcguRWhkoVIfF110tg4xhefbMZDDjDAb4KzjpbYQKVXSX7TvRWXOhAwC_hISOMeqeVYUrcj2jRJUPk_x6Z7JNYZGEuRKLxfdV_btx-C3d8bqsf6bQK3jzyROOJB6/s320/IMG_5463.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDV3lj-UMmRTxclmsQsKckgLrB-uVLlApRqjC5v1am-BliyAj_n-RwjBJnXFPuyq76KNr98A8mfnQ_FIgq5I2_K2jz04uAEXLI80yTNoZtjmxZXD1TYE8Dao4ylsEXEA_8Lv6xuqCeyI9/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289545692131167330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDV3lj-UMmRTxclmsQsKckgLrB-uVLlApRqjC5v1am-BliyAj_n-RwjBJnXFPuyq76KNr98A8mfnQ_FIgq5I2_K2jz04uAEXLI80yTNoZtjmxZXD1TYE8Dao4ylsEXEA_8Lv6xuqCeyI9/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We attended the local gathering of expatariates for the annual Champagne ball just before Thanksgiving. It gave an excuse for everyone to dress up and have a good time. April got to experience 3D art for her nails and toes. For many the chanpagne was flowing freely. The music was loud and the food was good. We had a good time (but when is a few hours without kids not a good time?)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-49009247857520836812008-12-16T18:29:00.002+09:002009-01-15T21:39:50.725+09:00Ashlynn and her chopsticks<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmGbUpSFSzStESIVJc68hJ1meqZeIepCw4CecdQGVs0DOdblPpgYaRbK2Sd_Z9uOJ-BYkaQ3Etj9ixQZCx63a-JG5wC-UP2RLvLbzRCG__h7l69GIYmhyphenhyphenqd2zTIVH0gd3Rln7Eux15TuS/s1600-h/photo-766279.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280318550640861170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmGbUpSFSzStESIVJc68hJ1meqZeIepCw4CecdQGVs0DOdblPpgYaRbK2Sd_Z9uOJ-BYkaQ3Etj9ixQZCx63a-JG5wC-UP2RLvLbzRCG__h7l69GIYmhyphenhyphenqd2zTIVH0gd3Rln7Eux15TuS/s320/photo-766279.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">Ashlynn is slowing being assimilated. She was asked by a local member of the ward how old she was and she answered ni-sai, or two years old in Japanese. She then further announced that she was having ningens, or carrots in her lunch. But the icing on the cake was when we stopped at a local noodle shop after an outing and she proceeded to start to use chopsticks to eat her noodles. Where will she end up after this all done???????</p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-48275806608729352042008-11-29T18:10:00.002+09:002009-01-15T21:40:05.948+09:00Colleen at the talent show<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cTSdgwVkOK7yszIGQSujc6X7XNC1OofM5Pdgiib6pCD9EkTpVHPeGi2rHo4E-5cTsbPLVyWZWRAAeYcZ3f-wj0dzAR411nT-r6mqvcJN3IazCzs_4RugswWVYXtKiD06gJbnsb22zqiR/s1600-h/photo-718230.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274004740459012418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cTSdgwVkOK7yszIGQSujc6X7XNC1OofM5Pdgiib6pCD9EkTpVHPeGi2rHo4E-5cTsbPLVyWZWRAAeYcZ3f-wj0dzAR411nT-r6mqvcJN3IazCzs_4RugswWVYXtKiD06gJbnsb22zqiR/s320/photo-718230.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">After Thanksgiving, Colleen helped us all get into the holiday spirit by singing When Christmas Comes to Town at the local ward talent show. She did a beautiful job and was joined by other members of the ward and the missionaries. It was fun to see her back on stage and signing.</p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-26375034509651466052008-11-24T06:58:00.013+09:002008-11-24T07:32:48.031+09:00Day Trip<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271979119280256546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoFTarBcY4qGLFA9DGj_3B2Ec2vvDkVqY0txaoqybzyVrL0vQjw59Up9oZsFU2DUOaSeJvQL3nMNNhnIA4F3mDmL6mq4CdSqvxcewB8pugDMZ2aPQqBavZ8mDWHNOifrB8oPrt19GgSCK/s320/IMG_5437.JPG" border="0" /> Fall colors in Kinkatsuji garden<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">We finally decided it was time to get out of the city so we packed the wagon (or this case the minivan) and decided to head out to Kyoto for the day, and to see if we can see some fall colors. Kyoto is the old imperial capital of Japan. It was the capital for about 1000 years before it was moved to Tokyo a couple of hundred years ago. We decided we would go and try to see the gold temple. It is an ancient Japanese royal residence that was turned into shrine. The exterior is completely covered in a gold leaf paste.</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271979105859227778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8DIQ5Cyf1ekwWSSY9bmvfNpUmU-m7pThJpFTd93pcmDGfuNtEPQ_FDAF9CZu_je1Pb2xbGswxuJIdpMU86YW2RP4UXREEz2e-ix6ILZyECeOd29UBCtZcrEdS8BfcNPSTpfe9GEjJ3kp/s320/IMG_5422.JPG" border="0" /> The Kinkatsuji shrine<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">As with all adventures we had to have something go wrong so about a half an hour into the drive(it was only supposed to take two hours) Ashlynn all of the sudden said she spilled, and needed a wipe. Looking back she had through up her breakfast of pancakes. Of course we had just got our brand new lease van (needless to say it didn't smell like a new car anymore) so we didn't have any of the essentials beyond a thing of wipes. No change of clothes, no extra bags etc. We decided to push on, and drive with the window down.</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271981025821509154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlrF2McJptu-5Q0zb-pK2KRm1HcQLvAisjueKfhBDyKdvp_oBFBSx3f1lCt0Fyw3IgO6P2NKWOPj5rXU-Bk9CTF6W5OgXIwXiM2Tw8OR7_z3iknjTRKslarGfFx-uhwJahQhK1Dx3IpaO/s320/IMG_5425.JPG" border="0" />We only caught Bridget's pigtails in this one<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271981028959882898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B9q3114izhy9k9mjuy5wf4q6BqQN4C9rr4XqdWzys09GmCZ7HGMO-XQhYllcWZxTaAzSsEIav5W9t5Igj3CZui-jrcpWipsPV6soAJ6tvxPp2WK9OgqQ4N7HekaVhKVVX0P1LySjB8T-/s320/IMG_5426.JPG" border="0" />We found Bridget<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">We arrived in Kyoto in the midst of a traffic jam, finally worked our way down to the train station and found a place to park under a department store. For some reason a four story department store did not carry any kids clothes. It was entirely teen and above, believe me we looked. We finally found an LL Bean store at one of the subway exits and we finally able to get Ashlynn some new clothes. Needless to say she was wearing the most expensive outfit of the day (including mom and dads outfits)</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271981048274554162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0U7HvwC1Dbthu-SDwvqw5PmyBymq7cgxr48HPqo3YIGd01QYNXqPFXdaHO7LM8XpdThM0Y6zlBCud0z5hEssR0SPt878TCOyfqtvFsXBNISVj3LYLsh5AJvsI0tViEuPz-YwUx351lv/s320/IMG_5430.JPG" border="0" />Ashlynn in front of the waterfall<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271981038156708738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrBER_ntNButDnpxusl5Rn38WQebUrsk43wRveXqOoQCFyE9jaCsqQWVRo-mppSQ5R7L6FFPj_93PQWjXGhpV4QceZg7Uib7c80nQjE4bWzvJZvlHN9D5r8BQF4fRG3b5kp7wyYln09fs/s320/IMG_5439.JPG" border="0" /> The kids<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">It turned out to be a really nice day and we had fun walking through the Kinkatsuji ground and looking at the grounds. There are a number of nice things to see in Kyoto but our dynamics limited us to one. Towards the end the kids were tired but Bridget could still be Bridget. You just have to look at the pictures in succession. It is a good characterization of Bridget</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271982159572992658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoZhPXljAzohu-pMIaeldWR32l3Bu3bdj96dNBvlVx5hV7CysEnapjOpysbxL7XPAY-RuoV1tZM0zHayV6EG5aQ3wEZxq9qJqKkDoWS6-qpjWDwqc7ix25y26kjchSE_Uy5Tn9kxDmNBT/s320/IMG_5457.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271982154126840546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKQ-Sg3cG_DsRiSSPaVyJLHloAOXCOJEeDwc5MVJc17yQVxKmXCL6lbkhwb2SDgKINfVG8Gd2pfauOx9iQZaCDvgNhFX2ivsDZOUBvQ3H3q0kNWe5ry65wUarTiVVRHEdHZCdhLrlUqGX/s320/IMG_5456.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271982143258268754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFg_oHg8zMMMtS7IvKgrXqt9__6YKtkfQt0f4rD3us9qAaygMXhC_auQ__InkE2DIc0tiNFFKU6zc64OIYKZK6K0-ZjwDIr8rDpA0Wim_XPUxnj4Abwc_h7wCkRXLhTZUKWbTRAHebTaS/s320/IMG_5455.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271982140281654066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32-rqCW31HNKdWyeHoP89793E5l1xj00HLGPjmhhjJZlNLaEwRVb3SHQChgNZfuPjqtf_XZEEU2Sz3YnoL7ast9Z47LMhHpL7r2c1x4VN8WkkU26lL4cOjZfy2y3qO1fzLZYCpLZIwLs8/s320/IMG_5454.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="left">After we made it back to the car, and some kids feel asleep for naps we decided to make the trip over to Costco. The closest one is about two hours from our house but only thirty minutes away from where we were. It immediately reminded us of the Costco from home. The place was packed and you end up spending way more than you ever planned on. However, it was very similar to home and it was a lot of fun wandering back through and picking up some things that we can't get elsewhere. We ended up getting most of the Thanksgiving fixings we were missing so it was a good trip.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">As with previous disclaimer Scott wrote this post so if you think it is brilliant it is due to my natural abilities, if you didn't like it I am sure I can come up with some excuse, just give me some time.</div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-43471323592191364082008-11-24T06:06:00.013+09:002008-11-24T06:50:57.819+09:00Sports DayIt is strange here that the school holiday schedule does not line up with Scott's holiday schedule from work. So far to date we haven't had either one line up, but this one worked out well as he had the day off and was able to attend the school's sports day. The school was split into two teams and they competed throughout the entire day for points, both in group events and age appropriate events, of course Bridget was on the green team while Colleen was on the white so no matter which team won the school flag we would have one happy girl and one sad girl. The weather was great and Ashlynn loved just running around.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br />A record of the events -<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271964004750824274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1JZ5XOlywRmi-_etaXLLgVjJqckXEm3Nta0TxoZqwLqUUVtf-cr9P9wcE6Ym2Gw7VBRgAN3faI2InjVMgJQnrtdCp7ifpanfBrSDPLYmpJZtNKhVclfVGus-0oJhYmpnIfXZFlRcWP6B/s320/IMG_5321.JPG" border="0" />Bridget trying to get through the hula hoop while holding hands with her neighbors. Bridget's team won this event.</p><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271965789392809458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSatLTo1dmcUiUM7agngp6bMTYlMvV191o3g3a8zekMCaOaq923EGwcvWbPCBfrTkWj7tfVvVd4G2wxQzoD0dhfXhz0qcugP8qkKDXPiJ-gdZlOTDs4DsMUyyaA4zoetcCQdQWyMKbge2R/s320/IMG_5339.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Bridget might need some help on her form but she competed well.</p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271965799100874754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE0FUWTP97nq4i57KHkrMkzHI4VHLKiBbReiRWnE0p4k-YaJYr_Eis_mOgEoTaGzCz9T-RtHIPd-0HJS8RfvcHIdfqw6RCIE9HAcxX6D0TxfA6W3BZzfSJFmRIuJFLnmWjPAt4O0_qx43/s320/IMG_5341.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Ashlynn was more than willing to collect the rebounds</p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271965810058678226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mvgUPVZJK4hG81nR29nWkrddwrrFaKRadVRgzabfmAEEcFON6r2evPqXTnEaKBbCXxAZacU4c8rKPt5qFl7o-fUvpl-MeKL049FznCxIfUGyzEnNMycwYI9ZUjAcIxWdLwbLAqgOI3tv/s320/IMG_5361.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Colleen of course has to spend at least some time socializing. This is her friend and cohort in chatting crimes and their Japanese teacher. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271965823358907186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKubsvGMmepQigjMuNMR2-1AWIpctkB4zr7XOvsjedA0Oaj72VCYFJHJ6urHLCsSjgjLNCwhE0Woy8P3outzXAd0vHVNr1x1Hp-G4vCRECVO9E9ZpmKcqLsFxf6f8jDK6pm-BoZLHspey/s320/IMG_5364.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div>Ashlynn wasn't interested in socializing, this was sports day after all, not chatting day. It was time to practice sports. Anyone need a goalie?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271967984424083154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF8adPF6qbJzlnt-FnGarqOMaIwfFYg4bOwIUY4sAyEsQdFnfLweTKjFWLLwKESg3xAoBiANmTxsA7VGa7REo09MyL_9N82oktJEeO2oWwmC8fsa1BIjrAvaesVhAVT9VahteWquIr5Qg/s320/IMG_5379.JPG" border="0" /><br />The second to last event was pyramid building. Fourth graders made the base, third graders the second row etc., until the first grade caps the pyramid. Colleen is wondering if it would have been better to be back in first grade and not towards the bottom. (Just wait next year she is slotted for the bottom)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271967988307173682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPCjMMKh2IgjTxREeK0cVZmlqRGhxQaEAC22j-8uzY2dSkLI6LWzUNQQqzfFakqa3N4w3MyNd5xm5jqrNFbQeIM6V5Bhozbd8XDq0OCehQdu68UeIbB10sPu3kG_VpyEut0Gs6sIyi4QI/s320/IMG_5385.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p>The pyramid is finally complete.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271967996917019554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7uHIhRc9OWk11-o1mSTuisAr4Gdb6JiXkuflLG5-fpvZRhtGHT6ne7Ik9FOQn6fqnHJ-3uqv35tfCGZrsEIUqNj_s4pCNbrsHCD50C50MwHVz__kKgs90CZFlOFSX-JC6N_BJZnRKRC9/s320/IMG_5388.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>The final event was the tug of war. Bridget's age group went first. There seemed to be a bit of confusion at first as to why she was just standing holding on to a rope.</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271968007333388114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQs6oB9H7vI_v_HyPEtK3XBpWMYjM42Rwtr7LaZmBpiFYkMiiSs-qpoDXAu1Vx99COKYIOhArbJf9gmF9OY59z69KticU3kXj_bRD9cRsGj_VLrIjz0Tsa4pWi8H4CjabqYpo7hrn9JzC/s320/IMG_5394.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>But she soon figured it out, even if it wasn't time to start yet.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271970964561186834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDwNt5P_mCYv-JmSfdL9978Rjj8_3KZ1ikr4lSGniImdzwduLtek8aipef9qXGi1ogzFWLRHFNvmp2G1LF4e4JTJPF3qELy__dBS81hD48e_SJu4WIIE_ebEwUGI1hJGfmll9W8b93VLH/s320/IMG_5403.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>After Bridget's example Colleen figured out what to do, but unfortunately they were outmatched and couldn't quite pull this one out for the white team.</p><p>The day ended with the green team sweeping the tug of war and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Leaving Bridget very happy and all too willing to remind Colleen that her team one. We had to intervene on that one after a few minutes.</p><p>Side note since it is six in the morning and I have been up with Ashlynn since four thirty I (Scott) do not take any blame for misspelled words and bad grammar, unless of course you liked and then the early hour had absolutely nothing to do with it.</p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-69554680553309755912008-11-14T06:32:00.002+09:002008-11-24T06:04:22.432+09:00Our dancing queen<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eqvyb3lRz4nz3Dn6IjTPkr6CubS6yveTiNUWCSTebtLEm14FuYR-ldpjkhX0ZnG0u3I8cppxxV848vxb7VaKDDfmF-NCydKJJBoc2GYNHHFMSqkqPIXtWxnyFwRJsKQzoSJipn9tsdkT/s1600-h/photo-742723.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268258183941416274" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eqvyb3lRz4nz3Dn6IjTPkr6CubS6yveTiNUWCSTebtLEm14FuYR-ldpjkhX0ZnG0u3I8cppxxV848vxb7VaKDDfmF-NCydKJJBoc2GYNHHFMSqkqPIXtWxnyFwRJsKQzoSJipn9tsdkT/s320/photo-742723.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p class="mobile-photo">Bridget was in rare form this day. She decided to dress herself in black diamonds and chains, complete down to black socks, black jewled headband, and dark blue shoes (she doesn't have any black ones). I am not sure what suggested this outfit to her but what are you going to do? Notice that she has to dance with one hand to keep the hair out of her eyes.</p>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-4237318771189207402008-11-01T19:48:00.000+09:002008-11-01T19:54:14.990+09:00Trick-or-Treating<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FOD_YDWgqObpAazxxDyXpoyDSUm8BBu3eAjRmrm5eWNfXNKjoihgP2I3R8thcB3CmETWOKcMddHSLvS9jJrzXCPZRng6ZuVEPnmUEv4_pJrHYPJnIiAY3x8ZK8dXfx1Q48lKnFgo6uLW/s1600-h/IMG_5314.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263639989232371826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FOD_YDWgqObpAazxxDyXpoyDSUm8BBu3eAjRmrm5eWNfXNKjoihgP2I3R8thcB3CmETWOKcMddHSLvS9jJrzXCPZRng6ZuVEPnmUEv4_pJrHYPJnIiAY3x8ZK8dXfx1Q48lKnFgo6uLW/s320/IMG_5314.JPG" border="0" /></a> We had fun last night; the girls went Trick-or-Treating with about 15 other kids to about, well, 8 houses. Most of the Japanese haven't caught on to this great tradition yet. But at least each house gave us handful of candy, so the girls were happy! P.S., can you spot them? Clue: Bridget switched to a more weather-appropriate costume.Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-87914700506832707732008-11-01T19:45:00.000+09:002008-11-01T19:48:30.820+09:00Bridget & Greta<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Rc0oglZG5vNoR9l9NYBK10o79lWdgf4VsDE_bvKoHNy62LjUgw0n9JPe0FEyCY_tOzTnKk74TFWb7w2i88OUzOUeXOF52iohc5M_ppfivek5Wf_X3JdCWz5V3vDbe5iou4AvotObN8A/s1600-h/IMG_0107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263638545112203170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Rc0oglZG5vNoR9l9NYBK10o79lWdgf4VsDE_bvKoHNy62LjUgw0n9JPe0FEyCY_tOzTnKk74TFWb7w2i88OUzOUeXOF52iohc5M_ppfivek5Wf_X3JdCWz5V3vDbe5iou4AvotObN8A/s320/IMG_0107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's been great that the girls have made friends so quickly. This is Bridget's friend Greta; her family is from the Cincinnati/ Kentucky area. Alot of the ex-pat families here are here for Toyota jobs.Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-44852942215173983502008-11-01T19:40:00.000+09:002008-11-01T19:45:19.202+09:00Halloween in Nagoya<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1-BkuBsoquhu1YDuyt5GCzqSYVdWglCWWHRqvEUIPnbIoxtua70HuzrcaTOJph_z_ffEbW9lIjbrpkZ7uaUSNsDEbcDAPkP-LeoJDQIsJpFjSbzpZWfv8W8p83J35UQeBB5LncfTdE5T/s1600-h/IMG_0106.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Lw_ltWV7XwItc3pUoMlnjwcrha1aZKuTGZfwxSskOUklx-mW5ocXhWvpARrBN7GO_lx7aGJKDY57Az30gXDfMEh4QgSwBnheHGfjs2eEI0U0Y-KhwKA7_CDkXSXwzdxLx37tRBPYiMB/s1600-h/IMG_0095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263637599331773362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Lw_ltWV7XwItc3pUoMlnjwcrha1aZKuTGZfwxSskOUklx-mW5ocXhWvpARrBN7GO_lx7aGJKDY57Az30gXDfMEh4QgSwBnheHGfjs2eEI0U0Y-KhwKA7_CDkXSXwzdxLx37tRBPYiMB/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Hey, being a day ahead of you all, am I the first to post Halloween pictures? Awesome! See if you can spot Bridget with her fellow kindergarteners....Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-24232105607602630142008-11-01T19:34:00.000+09:002008-11-01T19:40:26.631+09:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3eY8JklZ3Z_hEItwmYP4HbhAT7QxN-9EsvDqEsmzPLaHWO3MebZemDBGc1o-MKQxHl5Z5rGYqK-ZJQ3Yu4r-Af4HlJPzPk2MYa_IPV0QX_lwA-ezu9suxilaTAfEzblhvjCsj_HfF6N5/s1600-h/IMG_0080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263636022111205010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3eY8JklZ3Z_hEItwmYP4HbhAT7QxN-9EsvDqEsmzPLaHWO3MebZemDBGc1o-MKQxHl5Z5rGYqK-ZJQ3Yu4r-Af4HlJPzPk2MYa_IPV0QX_lwA-ezu9suxilaTAfEzblhvjCsj_HfF6N5/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" border="0" /></a> We live in the Yagoto prefecture of Nagoya, and we're a half mile away from one of the biggest and oldest Pagodas. It's five stories high and dates back to the early 1800's. This particular festival is one where the Japanese write the names of their ancestors on blocks of wood and cast them into a huge fire at the top of the hill. I think the idea is that the ashes then float into heaven... it was nice to watch them do this, as it obviously was meaningful for them. After the festival was over, the girls got to help blow out the rows and rows of candles.Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760692461379280383.post-77245160060202935592008-11-01T19:18:00.000+09:002008-11-01T19:34:15.337+09:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlRqVedrGjlIkNDopmXSYPruBYkmgHj6XPMYe1VbzeWWZpGO672DkOlAhcKMGgMjfPO8YOhSa_DmD9YD_mZdT6HEX6_5-RvX49GIVVd8C2k-0cImvHHFy5O0GUEaSEttaDyaS09Rps22O/s1600-h/IMG_5258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263634597108047026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlRqVedrGjlIkNDopmXSYPruBYkmgHj6XPMYe1VbzeWWZpGO672DkOlAhcKMGgMjfPO8YOhSa_DmD9YD_mZdT6HEX6_5-RvX49GIVVd8C2k-0cImvHHFy5O0GUEaSEttaDyaS09Rps22O/s320/IMG_5258.JPG" border="0" /></a> We went to the Nagoya Samauri parade a few weeks ago, and I just had to post this picture especially for our good friend from Connecticut, Jackson Chaffin. Last week I read he was singing, "the Ninjas on the bus go Hi-ya! Hi-ya! Hi-ya!...(you know the rest)". Actually, I guess these are Samauri Warriors, but close enough...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQV9W2Dk4dx-A0LdtOzUpeIMOYmbXGloN-B9Guea_MyZqVQ7mZ6ou108xO4hyphenhyphenKAg8dzHQ06bmjyw3lVy6EuojAvAC4kjEBb2mXZs2GbvkgDKZkO4jRH01vxMJIbAxMPsm_ccAgOgOCRwt/s1600-h/IMG_5256.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Ackroyd Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589529689137380405noreply@blogger.com0