Elder Watabe started out this month of parties with his 7oth birthday. We celebrated in our apartment since it is the largest. Here he is blowing out the candles.
Sister Fillmore, Elder and Sister Grames
Elder Fillmore and Rulon
We were each to bring a present that cost exactly 70 yen. Here is our present to him (actually free from the attic)!
Perfect present for a golfer although this club is probably an antique -who knows how long it has been stored in the attic!
A roll of toilet tissue was among the creative gifts he received.
Then Sister Watabe celebrated her birthday (not 70 yet!). We went to a restaurant with the other women.
And after our Friday night dinner before the temple - Bishop Ohato and his darling daughter, Rulon, me, and Risa.
Here's the office party today with Santa (Brother Wada) coming in to greet all the office workers, area presidency and wives, senior missionaries, temple personnel, etc.
And a closeup with Emi, his secretary!
The office managers distributed the white elephant gifts from bags that I made.
Food! And lots of it - from sushi to KFC and Subway sandwiches!
And getting ready to sort the garbage - plastics, burnables, cans, etc.
The "bar" _Mormon style!
Look at this feast!
Showing off the bags I made for the gifts - 8 of them out of old tablecloths. I bought some Santa hats at the 100 yen store and cut them in half for the decorations and added some red and green drawstrings.
And our Family Home Evening party on Monday night with Elder Choi, Brother Wada, Brother Koo (father of Sister Koo) and Sister Koo (Elder Choi's wife - the Korean women keep their maiden names).
Preparing to do the white elephant gift exchange.
The senior missionaries, area presidency, mission parents, etc. all gathered for Family Home Evening Potluck.
On Saturday night, we went to see the lights - WOW!
This is at Midtown -inside the mall ...
And outside, the grass was covered with lights, all the trees were lit up and there was mist coming up from the ground. It was the most impressive sight I have ever seen.
Sightseeing buses everywhere!
There was a light display that lasted about 15 minutes where the colors changed, streaks went across the sky, etc. It was unbelievable.
Sister Fillmore, Elder and Sister Grames
Elder Fillmore and Rulon
We were each to bring a present that cost exactly 70 yen. Here is our present to him (actually free from the attic)!
Perfect present for a golfer although this club is probably an antique -who knows how long it has been stored in the attic!
A roll of toilet tissue was among the creative gifts he received.
Then Sister Watabe celebrated her birthday (not 70 yet!). We went to a restaurant with the other women.
And after our Friday night dinner before the temple - Bishop Ohato and his darling daughter, Rulon, me, and Risa.
Here's the office party today with Santa (Brother Wada) coming in to greet all the office workers, area presidency and wives, senior missionaries, temple personnel, etc.
And a closeup with Emi, his secretary!
The office managers distributed the white elephant gifts from bags that I made.
Food! And lots of it - from sushi to KFC and Subway sandwiches!
And getting ready to sort the garbage - plastics, burnables, cans, etc.
The "bar" _Mormon style!
Look at this feast!
Showing off the bags I made for the gifts - 8 of them out of old tablecloths. I bought some Santa hats at the 100 yen store and cut them in half for the decorations and added some red and green drawstrings.
And our Family Home Evening party on Monday night with Elder Choi, Brother Wada, Brother Koo (father of Sister Koo) and Sister Koo (Elder Choi's wife - the Korean women keep their maiden names).
Preparing to do the white elephant gift exchange.
The senior missionaries, area presidency, mission parents, etc. all gathered for Family Home Evening Potluck.
On Saturday night, we went to see the lights - WOW!
This is at Midtown -inside the mall ...
And outside, the grass was covered with lights, all the trees were lit up and there was mist coming up from the ground. It was the most impressive sight I have ever seen.
Sightseeing buses everywhere!
There was a light display that lasted about 15 minutes where the colors changed, streaks went across the sky, etc. It was unbelievable.
And in Roppongi Hills - more beautiful lights and decorations.
A huge snow globe ...
And the pond had this huge chandelier- type thing just floating above it!
What wonderful Christmas decorations for a country that only has about 2% Christians! They certainly have caught the spirit of decorating and I appreciate that! Makes me have a Christmas feeling in my heart.
4 comments:
Wow! That looks awesome! Wish I could see it.
I was thinking about you a lot this week while we were getting our Christmas stuff out. I've been kind of a Scrooge this year about getting everything out just for a few weeks. I thought of how we didn't do it growing up until after my birthday. The decorations were all up for only a few weeks and I'm pretty sure we never helped you take everything down and put them away. I never remember you complaining about it either. Thanks for making such great memories!
P.S. The bags you made are so creative! Who would have thought to cut the Santa hat in half?
Wow, I'm caught up again! This is why I could never keep up on Facebook!! Mom, what an adventure! I love living it along with you! It was fun to see you with Larry and Shirley too! I'm impressed that you get right in there and sew your heart out wherever you go! Why, did I not get that gene?! I'm a bit more like Paige and wonder we must decorate for every holiday?! Again, I must take after Dad in this area! Thanks, for making every holiday fun! I have fond memories of all our decorations - for every holiday! I'm hoping when I grow up to be just like you -- and not just in appearance!! :-)
Love you both!
Jill
Loved the pics of the white elephant party gifts and such great people you get to be with. I loved the Japanese decor! They seem to be perfectionists and going all out for everything! The pictures of the lights were beautiful. And you are so creative, Mom! Love your sewing ideas!
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