On the Pier

Both taken on Jax Beach Pier, one in one direction, the other in the other. Beautiful weather, beautiful water. Five minutes from home.

Back in the Saddle

Nia has wasted no time getting reacquainted with the neighborhood after coming home from Japan. Here she is on her new cruiser, complete with 24" wheels. Fits her well, and even has some growing room. On our way back from Jacksonville Beach Pier.

Our Precious Nia

Can't find any words to go with this.

The Universal Language

This is Koharu, Hiromi's sister Izumi's dog. Another little buddy from far away.

Midwife Nia

She looks like a natural at this.

3rd Cousin, Not Removed

This is Hiroto, Nia's 3rd cousin from Shiga-ken. He's three years old. The bandages on his leg are covering some blisters. Word has it that he was enthralled with Nia to the point that he wanted to do everything she did and go everywhere she went. Real chums, they are.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Damn, them noodles is good!

Real-Life Postcard

What a classic shot. Hiromi and Nia are joined by Hiromi's great-cousin, Tomoko, in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. The store behind them is a traditional Japanese paper craft shop.

Upon Arrival

These were taken just moments after Hiromi and Nia arrived in Nihon back in June. Hiromi's sister, Izumi (to Nia's left) picked them up at Kansai Airport in Osaka.

What? More Family?

That's right. More. These are relatives on Hiromi's mom's side from Shiga Prefecture, which borders Kyoto. The lady with the pink bracelet is Hiromi's aunt and was with us at the clinic when Nia was born.

A Regular Jeremy Wade

Fish hide when Nia is nearby. They can feel her presence. Nothing with scales is safe if Nia is in the fishing mood.

Party Like It's 2099

A friend of Hiromi's threw Nia a private festival (matsuri) at home recently. Very nice. It's good to be the princess.

In Her Father's Footsteps

Nia and お母さん visited the small town (Matsusaka) where I was living when Hiromi and I met...hmm...I need to be careful here...fifteen years ago. They went to the school where I worked. The first photo shows the front gate of the school; the final photo shows the school in the background. The shot on the street shows a row of old samurai homes that leads up to the castle. Yes, Matsusaka was a castle town in the days of yore, complete with it's strong-armed war lord and his henchmen. The third shot show's Nia taking a break from the heat at the castle. Phoned in reports say that it was a real scorcher. August in Japan.

Death in the Afternoon

Mistah Fish--he dead. Ya gotta kill it before ya grill it. Nia looks as if she's had a change of heart.

A River Flows Through It

A great place to be on a hot summer day in Kyoto.

Jungle Boogie

It's a good thing Nia is returning to the States soon. This "fun" thing has got to stop. 2nd grade awaits. Time to get back to the grind. Books to read. Numbers to crunch. Homework to do. All play and no work makes Nia a...a...HAPPY GIRL!

More Extended Family

This is Hiromi's aunt and uncle (from Hiromi's father's side) from Hyogo Prefecture. And of course the family bodyguard, who happens to be in love with Nia (see below).

The Natural

Animals really love our Nia.

Purple Rain

Nia and Hiromi spent time with Hiromi's cousins and their children recently. It was warm, but by the looks of it, everyone enjoyed.

More Purple

Still looking good after a long day in the heat. Must be the attire.

Nia and Her Baba

This was at Mayport. Spring 2010. Mom's last time there. Nia misses her Baba.

FIRE!!!!

The pizza gig (see below, "New Job") didn't work out. Way too boring. But now she's got it together. Fighting fires, riding fast through traffic in the big truck, sliding down the pole at the fire house. She's loving all of it.

Kiyomizudera

If you google image the title of this blog entry, you'll see many incredible photos. This is a really old temple up on the mountain side above Kyoto. An outstanding view of the city as well mind-blowing architecture in the temple itself. Another place everyone should see before they die.

New Job

Well, she got canned down at the factory (see below, "Paying the Rent") for insubordination. I should've known; she's her father's daughter. But she still owes us for all those diapers from a few years back, so now she's flipping pizzas for dough.

Check the look on her face.