Day 8: Happy Birthday Amy


(Song Lyric) Da, na, na, na, na, na... You say it's your birthday.... Da, na, na, na, na, na... we're going to have a good time.

(Song Lyric) Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle.  I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. In honor of Amy's birthday, maybe today's blog will be only in song lyrics.  I'm in a singing mood.

We started with a bike tour of Kyoto.  Lee and Kay were our guides.  First stop a Zen Temple built by Samurai warriors.  The warriors would go there and meditate before battle.  Hmmmm.....  Sounds like a good way to prepare for any type of work day.

Happy Birthday Mom and Wife
Our guides surprised us and we all got to make sand castles.  I think mine turned out the best.  Again.

Happy Birthday Sis, Sis In-Law, and Aunt
The zen garden was amazing.  It was pruned with preciseness.  This is the most famous person at the garden.  I was able to snap a picture of him without anyone noticing.

Gardner 
 Birthday cake in Japan is called rice.





Next stop is another famous meditation temple.  I'm embracing the zen culture.  How can you not?  Meditation, gratefulness, kindness and spirituality is the Japanese way of life.  It goes back for centuries.  (Song Lyric) Let's zen the night together.... now we need it more than ever.... Let's zen the night together now...












Family Zen
Jeff Zen

                                                                         Jeff Sign

 The bike trip was a great way to experience Kyoto.  However, we did have one injury.
"I broke my Kyotoe"
One of Amy's two greatest birthday gifts...






We decided to hit one more Buddhist temple.  I wonder if these Buddhist prayers really work?


Just in case.  Can't hurt.
Off to a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.  Julia already caffeinated.  



Did I mention the doorways are short in Japan?  Especially at a tea ceremony.

Brad. Tea Hopping.

First Ever Family Slurp.

Time to start the birthday pre - party...
Uh- Oh
Had dinner at a cool tempura restaurant called Tenyu. 
Ended the night singing happy birthday to Amy Karaoke style.  Major fun.  Horrible singing.  

Max's voice broke two beer glasses
Amy, we wish you all the love and happiness that you give to others, right back to you.  With much love, zen, and gratitude.  We hope you had an amazing day.  We sure did.

Love, Wendy, Jeff, Julia and Reid







































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