Harijuku and Meiji Shrine

Decorative doors and handsome boys. . .

Manon the Great!

The drums at Meiji Shrine and the drummer girls.

The couple at the gate.  Silly children in the background.

All Seven stand at the gate and knock.

Manon and Willa found the light!

Peek-a-beautiful Manon. 

The girls together.

More girls. . .

One girl.

Then to Harijuku!

Mason checking out the craziness at Harijuku.  Bright colors, insane costumes, delicious crepes.

And cookies.  It's always cookie time for serious cookie munchers. No truer words were ever spoken.

Take a look at the name of this street. . .

Want some kitschy clothes?  Shop here. . .

All dressed up for Harijuku.  Love those shoes!

Ending the day with a crepe break. Scrumptious!!

A Day at the Onsen--Japanese Hot Springs

Michael, Lisa, Mason, Bronwen, and Manon spent the day at a local Onsen--a Japanese spa "theme park". This is the main area where people congregate in their Yukata robes to eat ramen, drink tea, and decide what their next spa adventure will be.

We all wore Yukatas--a Japanese robe--kind of like a casual kimono.  Very comfy.

Ramen and fries--great combo.

We took the journey on the rock river to "massage" our feet. More like torture.  But the water was nice and hot and felt good in the chilly outdoors.

Taking a break from the painful journey to foot Nirvana.

 And of course, we couldn't pass up the Fish Therapy--where the leetle fishies eat all of the dead skin off of your feet.  Tickled like the dickens.

 This is the face you make when those Leetle fishies have their way with your footsies.

 Onsen love.

All dressed up and ready to return to society.  

Refreshed and relaxed.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas!

Although the compound still looks like an Autumn wonderland, the air is starting to get chilly and Christmas decorations are starting to appear. Nature is a bit behind the curve over here, I guess.

We found a super talented Christmas tree located at the Mori Shopping Center.  It turns colors and sparkles in many merry and multifarious ways. 

Delightful!

Then. . .

Headed out for some early Christmas shopping at Kiddyland located on the Rodeo Drive of Tokyo--Omotisando.  Strange and wonderful animated, stuffed, miniature, and at times frightening toys to be found.

Naked baby toys that "may bring you  happiness".  

I like the disclaimer.

Best buds Willa and Ella with their shopping spoils.  Tired, but strangely energized by the bizarre and colorful Kiddyland.  Headed home in the rain.

 Do these dwarves make me look fat?

Ambassador Kennedy Shindig

Hale Family (-1) in front of Ambassador Kennedy's personal Christmas tree.  Say wha???

Visiting with Santa's Helper and Mrs. Santa's Helper.  

Asian and adorbs.

Sisterly love on the "grounds" by the "pool".

Various sightings of Ambassador Kennedy (OK call me a fan girl and get over it!)  And yes, I forced my children to place themselves strategically in the foreground in order to catch her in the background.  

You may now proceed to call child services.

See Manon.  See how happy Manon is to do this service for me.  Now if the Ambassador's hair were on fire or something this would be creepy due to Manon's 

self-satisfied, all-knowing look.

The Ambassador loves clowns and balloons 

shaped like flowers.

Another lovely tree.

With an adorable, lovely girl in front of it.

Sword fighting with said flower balloon weapons.  

Practicing for real samurai combat.

Sweet and cute Zumba Kids' student Juliette with Miss Lisa.

Taking the scenic route home.  It was a heck of a shindig!!  Feeling spoiled.