Washington State Capital

The kids and I went to the State Capital in Olympia with 2 other AYUSA students (1 from Japan and another from Russia).

AYUSA Exchange Students

Governors Reception Room

Koyuri was asked by our tour guide to play a song on the piano. Once she heard her play, she asked her to play for 3 other tour groups as well.

Senate Chambers (where our laws are made)

Kimono's

Koyuri and Shelby wore Kimono's to church yesterday. Don't they look beautiful!

My mother sent Polar Express in 3D for the kids for Christmas. Nicholas talked Koyuri into watching it with her. This is them with their 3D glasses on, and watching the movie.

Yaki Soba

Koyuri's family sent us a package of Yaki Soba, so Koyuri cooked it up for us for dinner this evening. We also made rice, bean sprouts, and steak. Koyuri cooked the Yaki Soba all by herself-she did an excellent job. It was a very yummy dinner.

Seattle

Today, we went to downtown Seattle to watch my cousin Devanni (Miss Seattle) perform on the piano at Nordstroms. But first, we went to the Space Needle...

520 feet up to the top!

A short monorail ride back to downtown so we could go shopping and see Devanni.

Macys Department Store

Koyuri, Shelby and Devanni (Miss Seattle)

Iron Chef Japanese Steakhouse Restaurant

Tonight we went to eat at a Japanese restaurant. Koyuri said it was close to traditional Japanese cuisine, but that most of the staff looked like they might be Chinese rather than Japanese.

We liked having our own hashi to eat our food with. They were much nicer than the "throw-away" kind they give you in the restaurants.

Not the best picture ever taken, but at least we have one of ALL of us now. We will have to work on getting a better picture taken...

A walk in the neighborhood

Koyuri went for a walk along the river by our house and took these pictures.


This picture shows the damage from the flood last month to the walking path along the river.
The walking path was partially washed away, so they rebuilt the edge with large river rocks.

This is a picture of the Police/Fire Station near our house with Mt. Rainier in the background.

Taken from the Fire Station, about a block from my house.

My cousin Anne competed for Miss Auburn and won 3rd runner-up. Way to go, Anne. Also pictured are her 2 sisters (one of which is currently Miss Seattle) and her parents and grandmother.