Shigin Video

I posted the video of MIL shigin, but it is down after the Potluck posting.  Just click on and you can hear the original type of music of classic Japanese singing chants.  I'm just learning to post videos of larger sizes! So be patient with me!

flowers for baptism

These flowers were sent to the church from my younger son (who lives in California and could not attend) to congradulate PIL on their baptism.  So beautiful.  My older son had gone to a close shop and bought a tiny bouquet.  He and his wife were kind of humble at the comparison until I pointed out to them that they were here and that was the best present for them of all.  These flowers had these two precious little critters inside.  Below I pulled out so you can see them...inside they are quite blended in.  MIL enjoyed all the flowers as it was Obon time and she could take some up to the cemetary every day, she always keeps some flowers in her entry way  and also her sister was in the hospital and she took some to her.

potluck

After the service, we gathered for a potluck lunch honoring PIL. Here is the video:

Baptism continued

Here Pastor M is baptizing MIL.  Below the deaconess is helping HIL out and over to her changing room.  I was there to help her dry her hair. 

After baptism they stand at the door to be welcomed into membership.  This man is a former president of the Japan SDA conference.  He wrote a shigin (Japanese style chant) 20 years ago when he had a cancer operation.  Tomorrow I will try to post the shigin video that PIL sang the next Saturday.

SDA Baptism

August 9,  Our local SDA (Seventh-Day Adventist) church had a special baptism for our family.  This was the day that my parents-in-law were baptized.  Above are 3 church ladies leading the congretation in singing while preparations are being made.  Below the deacons are moving the furniture to open up the babtistery.

Above the deacon is helping FIL down into the water where the pastor is waiting.  Below the pastor is ready to baptize him.

Birthday fun

It seems the big attraction of coming to Koji's house for birthday parties is using the wii (game).  One of his presents was a steering wheel for use on the race driving games.  Other's brought their wheel too and they enjoyed competing against each other and other racers around the world.  

Even the girls tried their hand at racing.  Not me--I had a hard time with tennis.  Give me a real game not a computerized one!

Below Koji poses with his swimming hat and the sisters who came in late and missed the major party.

Koji's Birthday party

This summer we also got to participate in Koji's birthday party.  They have a nice little group of Japanese friends who gathered at the condo to eat and enjoy another chance to have a party.

Koji's condo is often the venue as it is quite convenient and larger than most student houses.  Above Koji and Katsura are in the kitchen looking over the deck.  Belowe Koji is blowing out his candles.

There were even some noisemakers!  Below Ka-chan,Andy and Waka show off some of his presents!  Andy wearing the swim cap that was one of the funny presents.

Banquet for graduates

After the graduation that night there was a banquet at a fancy restaurant.  This was our table, two family groups.  Andy's fellow doctor is the lady 2cd on the right and her husband and family.  Below is our family.  They had delicious vegetarian option for us veggies.

Above are Andy's doctor friends and below are the first year interns who furnished a hula dance for entertainment.   There were also funny staged videos depicting the 3 years of their life at Camp Pendleton Hospital.

Internship/resident graduation

My son is sitting 3rd from the left.   One of the reasons we went to USA the last of June instead of the middle of July was because of his graduation from Camp Pendleton Marine Base Hospital.  The ceremony outside was lovely.  On the first row were the graduates, behind them and  on the other side were the 1st,2nd, &3rd year interns/residents.  

Below he poses with his certificate with us and his wife.

table?

Our first night in USA as at Andy's empty house as he had shipped all his furniture to Yukosuka Navy base and had very little left.  So we used our suitcases for the table.  Food tasted just as good though.

baby shower continued

Watching Katsura and Koji open the baby's presents are Joan, Elaine, & me.

Below are Ryan, Andy and Waka.

supper & baby shower

Our first night in Idaho, my sister-in-laws made a lovely dinner for just our family members and our dear doctor and his lovely wife who live across the street.  Here we are sitting at my long table with the only table cloth long enough to cover it when all leaves are in.

After the dinner there was a surprise baby shower for Koji and Katsura.

golf in Yucaipa

Since Koji had a class on Monday morning we couldn't leave for Idaho until after that so on Sunday we played golf.  Here we are on the green with Waka trying a long putt.  Below shows 3 of us all got into the bunker!  Being 5 of us it is not usually possible for us to play together as 4 is usually max, but they let us go 3 and 2 together as the course wasn't so crowded in the middle of the day.

early peaches

Before we drove up to the reunion in Idaho, we stayed with our sons in California.  The youngest is married to the wonderful guy hiding in the tree above.  He has quite a few rentals with lots of fresh fruit.  He let us pick/eat so many yummie peaches and necterines.  The peaches are the funniest shape.  Short and flat and white but so sweet.  Below Waka and Koji are enjoying.

classic cars/modern dream

Here Jack and I stand beside a dream car.  My mother's cousin Corinne drove this BMW sports car up from Texas for the reunion.  She let us drive it.  Once when she and I were coming back to the reunion from the town of Moscow, we got into a parade of classic cars.  I quickly passed these slow moving classics and then pulled into a place where I could take photos as they passed.  When we were in the parade I laughingly told C that we belong in the parade--at least us classic chicks do!  Below are just 3 of maybe 20 or 30 that passed by.

Reunions take a toll

I did get permission by omission to post these photos!  Somehow the stress of too much play and too many relatives makes some too tired to keep going non-stop.

popular spot

This was one of the most popular spots.  The poster replica of all the reunions and ancestors in our heritage.   Tomorrow I'll move one to another subject.

Later generations

Here we are again with our spouses either behind or in front of us.

Below is the 3rd cousins with spouses (if present): Doug, Cindy, Darnel & Susanne, John, Brian, Mathu, Rhye & Amada, Waka & Andy, Katie, Josh & Kata, Sara, Koji & Katsura, Rachel, Estee, William,Sylvia, Aaron.4th cousins:  Sorry but I forgot most of these names.  Ryan and Alexis are the oldest and Joshua and Cassandra are the youngest (Estee is holding Cassandra as she didn't want to stand there by herself and she loved Estee.)

Richter generations

Only 2 first cousins were at the reunion.  The two on the right, Corinne and Lorraine.  The man is my father who was married to Doris my mother who died in 2001.  His second lovely wife Dorothy is now in our family and in front of him.

Below are the 2cd cousins in age order: Peggy, LolaMae, Dave, Tom, Viki, Royce, Dennis, Jack, Millie, Rene, Dan, Brian, Van and Todd.

The Bessie line

From the 7 Richter brother's and sisters, these are the descendents of Bessie the oldest.  She was my grandmother.  Of course this reunion was held in a location where most of Bessie's grandchildren live.  Bessie had 4 children that lived, Kay, Doris, Lorraine & Duane.  Kay had no representation here as  she and her 2 children all dead and her granddaughter who wanted and planned to come was caught up in a very tight election where she is running for her father's office of county clerk.  All of Doris's kids were there and all of Lorraines.  Duane's daughter came with her daughter and son but his son didn't show up and Duane didn't either.

Below is Lorraine with her 4 sons:  Tom (host of the reunion), Royce, Jack and Dan with their families.