Japan - after the wedding - still day 3

After the wedding, we did a little shopping with the help of Chikako Nakako. She was an exchange student with Hiroko so it was nice to see a familiar face!

This is the commuter parking at the train station.

Chikako heading home after helping us. She was so sweet & very patient with mom & I as we tried to find certain items on our wish lists (postcards, magnets, kimono...)!

Mom & I walked back to our hotel past all the beautiful flowers at the train station.

Later that evening we met at a coffee shop for an after-party party with Hiroko & Mitsuru's friends.

The happy couple again.

Our first course - sashimi ?

Our meal was very American/European with french fries & fondue.

Hiroko very thoughtfully placed us at a table with two of her friends that could speak some English. It was fun chatting with them. I actually spoke some Spanish to one of the girls & was able to communicate a little better as she had recently studied Spanish.

Mom & I with our fondue. Yum!

Their wedding bands.

Adrienne's Kitty Birthday Party

The girls made ears & tails when they arrived at the party & wore them for the rest of the day.

All the cute kitties! They were waiting for their turn to play catch the birdie (ring toss with birds stuck on the posts).

We had a yarn ball race. The kitties had to roll the yarn with only their noses.

Sometimes the yarn got away from them.

Meow.

Then we played a few games of kitty dance (freeze dance).

They tried to dance like kitties & then had to hold the pose when the music stopped. It was almost too funny to watch!

Time for cake!

Adrienne asked for cupcakes, so we made kitty cupcakes. I spent lots of time with the tweezers!

"Happy birthday to you...."

Make a wish!

All the pretty kitties & a few puppies for good measure.

We were glad that Tony was able to actually be here for a birthday party.

Present time.

Standing in line for the pinata.

Getting ready for the first pull.

Eli went last & of course he had analyzed the pinata & figured out which string to pull to get the candy out. The girls didn't care, they were just glad to have the candy.

Adrienne with her presents from the party.

Hiroko & Mitsuru's Wedding - Japan day 3

Hiroko's Mom & Sister-in-law dressed in their kimono.

Wedding photos with Hiroko's side of the family.

Coming in after the flower girls.

Walking down the aisle.


Exchanging rings.

The wedding ceremony.

Coming back down the aisle.

All smiles.

Hiroko's Mom made almost all of the origami cranes that were handed out to throw at them. Phew, that's a lot of work!

We all threw confetti & origami cranes at the couple as they passed by.

Our table at the reception. This was the fanciest wedding reception I have ever been to.

The grand entrance!

Hiroko & Mitsuru bowing to everyone at the reception. When someone bowed at me I could never figure out how low to bow. I hope they chalked it up to my not knowing the proper amount & not my being rude!

"Pintxos" saumon fume' et crevette a l'herves (I will list each course as it was printed in the wedding booklet. I knew that French I took at DVC would come in handy someday!)

Marine de fruits de mer et legumes "Espuma ponzu"

The wedding cake. Four hearts : one representing Germany, one representing the United States & two red ones. (There was also a friend from Germany that came for the wedding.)

Getting ready to cut the cake.

They were so nice to each other. No cake in the face.

Soupe de palourde au jardin, quenelles de crevette

Hiroko's bouquet.

Mom & I were asked to escort Hiroko out for the "change of clothes".

Poele de poisson, braise de chou chinois

Sushi Bowl

Filet de boef saute, pommes de terre dauphinoise

Re-entering the reception hall after the change of clothes.

They came around to each table with more drinks & snacks for everyone.

Mom & I with the happy couple.

Hiroko & Mitsuru giving gifts to her parents Rempei (Dad) & Tomiko (Mom).