Finally a taste of winter

While many of our friends and family have been feeling this winters 'polar vortex', we, here in Tokyo have been in an almost permanent state of fall since early December.  The children prayed often for snow, and longingly talked of skating and sledding we did back in Ohio.  The plum blossoms are even starting to come out, and this past Monday we got up to 62 degrees.

But their prayers were answered when this past week we got not 1, but 2 snowfalls!  Oh happy day!  The one we got just yesterday was the largest snowfall Tokyo has seen in decades.  Bringing about 21 inches of snow to our doorstep.  The base here has completely shut down for 2 days, and even tomorrow, though its beautiful out now, Andrew and the children are both getting the day off.  They are still clearing out and only part of the base will reopen.  I couldn't understand why nothing was being done to clear the roads, but I guess living on an Air Base the number 1 priority is keeping the runway clear and that is all they focus on until the snow stops and it is clear.  It makes sense now, but we were quite literally snowed it.

The children have had a wonderful time, and Andrew spent close to 4 hours working with Stanley and Tommy to make their first real igloo.  It has provided hours of fun, without a doubt my husband loves to build things!

The first snowfall....

Note our snowmans pigtails, per Mollys request

                                                                Perfect dusting...

                                                              SOOO  happy!

                                                       Poor palm tree in our yard...

                                  This avenue of cherry trees very close to our house is beautiful in all
                                                               seasons

                                                           I couldn't resist this photo op

                                                     Over 6 feet tall, another first here in Japan!
                                                          Our first igloo!



We are trying to enjoy this treat as from what we have heard this was very rare and probably won't happen again while we are here...