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.