Early Summer Visitors

Olympic Training!! ??

The Coach prepares the diver

The Launch

The Tuck - extra points

Review with the Coach - "and then I..."

Perfect Score

Awaiting the Decision

Ladies and Gentlemen - The Champion!!

Happy Birthday Angel!!!!

Poker - part 2

Dee-Dee is 11!

Happy Birthday Dee-Dee - June 12, 2007 she's now 11!
[Cake by Mimi]

Angel and the Tree!

On her last visit, 3/3/07, in our back yard. Angel's first tree felled.

Hooray, Angel!

Poker Night

Poker Night with Mikey, Mark, Dee-Dee

Serious Business

Whiskey-tea Toast

Jo checkin' out the cigar!

June 3rd on Mount Rokko

On Sunday - June 3, was the official annual Opening Day for Mt. Rokko, where we live. The mountain was first settled and developed by an Englishman named Groom. So, each year members of his family attend from Tokyo and Kobe area.

We were invited to join this year's program by the YMCA and local community and everyone had lots of fun. I ended up being invited to join the Groom family for coffee at the "exclusive" Kobe Golf course, also founded by Groom in 1903.

Carrying the ice from underground storage - kids helped bury ice on Jan. 26th, wrapped in rice husks - dug it up on morning of 3rd, carried it to the ceremony - to make and serve Kaki-Gori (Slushys) to attendees

Kaki-Gori Time. It was fast and furious fun. Making and passing out hundreds of 'em!
Cathy, Dee-Dee and Guy-Guy joined in, too.

Celebration and ceremony

With Groom's great-great grandson, at Kobe Golf Club - the first golf club in Japan (1903), located on Mt. Rokko - we see it out our window.

Coffee with the Groom Family. Lady(83 yr.) in center is only surviving grandchild of Groom.

First of June - More photos.....

Sweet Patty - that's #4 daughter in the hierarchy - who is currently visiting Krystal (and doing "who knows what") is always hard to catch on film. So, here's to you - Pat!!!! We miss you!!

XXX & many O's
Note: the top three photos are from three totally different days and locations - I love it!