Sunny Days

Last weekend was a real treat for us. The sun was shining and the weather was a perfect temperature. It felt like the first time in weeks that everyone felt good and no one was sick! So, we loaded up into the car and headed to the park in Nayoro that the boys and I found a few weekends ago. Aaron had been sick and was not able to come that time. Ridge and I were anxious to share our discovery with Aaron. The park consists of a track, several playing fields, some play structures, barbecue/eating areas, and a rather extensive set of nature trails. This is a picture of the boys playing by the small stream which one of the trails follows. Here are some more pictures of the day.

When we arrived, a group of students was either playing or practicing. I couldn’t tell which. They looked like high school students, but it’s difficult to know for sure. The thing that caught my eye the most was the huge line of nearly identical bicycles parked on the side of the road. In the picture, you can see the kids off to the side posing for the requisite group photo. Bikes

After following the trail for a little while, we came to the opposite end, which sported a small pond with stepping stones. Aaron and Ridge spend some time here searching for water bugs, fish, and frogs. Ridge was very excited! Pond view


I was playing around with the camera and came up with this picture. For the first time in his three years of life, Holt dwarfs Ridge. Big Holt, Little Ridge


We couldn’t have a day in the park without a picture of someone under a cherry tree. Ridge under the tree

Since we were in Nayoro, it only made sense to also do our grocery shopping. However, Ridge declared himself too tired, so he and Aaron returned to the car. This is what Holt and I found upon finishing our shopping. Aaron and Ridge


Sunday was also a wonderful day, so we went walking around the village. There is a small ornamental garden near by (heck, everything here is nearby!) which Ridge loves. He calls it the “maze” place, because the small trails are very convoluted.

Here are the boys posing in front of a large piece of petrified wood with kanji carved on it. I have no idea what the significance of this is, but I thought it made a nice picture.

Holt framed by a cherry tree. Holt

Ridge’s photo; like a politician during election season, he always insists on equal time and coverage. Ridge

Here, the boys are posing on a giraffe located in a small playground near the garden.
Holt riding
Ridge riding

Along the river, there is a little pond with mosaics and stepping stones. Here you can see Holt working very hard to get his little legs to stretch enough to allow him to walk across the stone path.
Walking on water
Walking on water #2