I have made it home and am very glad to be here. The trip was pretty easy and the jetlag is almost gone. The weather here has been awesome--cool, dry and sunny. Lola has definitely grown in size and in personality while I was gone.

I fell off the back posting in the second half and will work on some more updating. Until then, I have a weekend to enjoy...

I can't seem to find the energy for an actual post, so here a joke that I find really funny. Must mean I'm a dork, but that's not news after all...

Working to start posting, but had some stomach issues over the weekend. Not sure what is going on and hope to feel better soon.

So we have been all over Japan since Anna arrived about 2 weeks ago. I promise an update with pictures very soon. In fact, after she leaves on Tuesday I will post daily until I am caught up.

In the meantime, tonight is the final night of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival. It was unreal last night. Over a couple of minutes, each set would build to a spectacular finish. Then a small rest of a minute or two. This went on for 2 hours!

I cannot believe the time to return home is approaching so fast!