Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I admit that it is a bit strange to be in Japan.. today was just a "regular" day at work but tonight has been filled with notes flying back and forth across the globe sharing our love and prayers with those we love.

It's a unique year for our family in that even the kids aren't going to be together- a Killmer family first. Not sure we want to make this a new tradition, but thankful that the Lord has provided special people for our kids to spend the day with. Amberly will spend the day working but will have dinner with a friend's family (complete with Japanese guests!). Kristin is celebrating with her Americorps team in CA and Andrew is with a fellow RA's family from Gordon.

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good!

A walk around campus

Although J and I live just around the corner from Osaka University, we rarely get onto campus. We took advantage of another beautiful day and decided it was time to take a walk through the campus- which by the way is huge... and strange that there are no dorms, just lots of buildings. The entrance right next door
Mr. Osaka??
Lots of labs for research...
an interesting way to keep out bikes and scooters, but not wheelchairs!
J pretending to fall into one of these ditches, which I swear will really happen some day! Whenever we go on a walk, J seems to gravitate to walking right on the edge of these gutters... not sure if it is a true act of gravitational pull or if he just does it to bug me (and make me hold his hand?!!) IF you ever hear that J broke his ankle, you can safely assume this is how it happened!

Toji Temple

Had another fun adventure in Kyoto with my dear friend, Denise. We visited the Toji Temple for their monthly market sale which takes place on the 21st of every month- rain or shine. It was fun that this month, it landed on a Sunday AND was a beautiful day!

Here's D sporting some fun Harry Potter glasses that we found-
someone important, but I have no idea who.. maybe Mr. Toji?
lots of treasures to be found...

a parade of monks

and a beautiful temple entrance/garden

D and I spent a day in Kyoto last month too (to celebrate her birthday)and I am thinking we need to make this a monthly event!

catching up

Wow, I have no idea where these weeks and months seem to go, but they certainly pass quickly! It seems that I write a zillion blog entries in my head as I go about my day and am always disappointed that I rarely get them posted!
Although the past weeks haven't held any earthshattering events, we've had some fun times in addition to the crazy days of working at an international school! Here are a few pics of life on this side of the world.
The math department for Halloween.... as Greek mathematicians, of course!

Some fireworks as seen from our balcony. I LOVE fireworks and these were great!

Here I am with a few of the 3rd graders that I get to work with.

Finally, the fall colors have peaked. Osaka is especially beautiful this time of year!

This year's Advent wreath... looking forward to this special season!