Mt. Fuji Climb

A photo from the bottom. We started at the 5th Station on the Kawaguchiko Subaru Line. The Altitude is about 2,300 meters, 7,546 feet.

Denise pumped for the climb; little does she know that in only 8 hours; the smile she has on her face will be completely gone.

Feeling good and energized after only getting two hours of sleep.

Just above Station 5 after we hit the trail.

A view looking up at Station 6, our first station after leaving station 5. Approximately 2,390 meters, 7,841 feet.

This photo was taken somewhere around 10,000 feet. How do I know this, take a look at the GPS in the next photo.

Only at 10,316 feet.

Walking through the clouds.

Getting our climbing poles branded.

Taking a quick break before we push out before the huge group of people behinds us catches up.

Only a few people really know what this photo means. The summit is within a few more agonizing minutes. The reason it is extremely hazy is because we are IN a cloud.

5 hours and 15 minutes later after the journey began; I present to you the summit of Mt. Fuji.

Denise, Cindy, and myself with a photo of the summit after we had our climbing poles stamped with the final stamp.

Just a photo of proof, the altitude is the only correct piece of info here. I kept turning the GPS on and off during the assent since the batteries were dying quickly.

Celebratory beer mixed with extremely thin oxygen levels, what a nice buzz. (from excitement and alcohol).

The decent down, this is only half of the mountain (the other half was up in the clouds). I cannot even begin to describe the amount of pain that is contained in this photo. But, if a photo is worth a thousand words, times that by about 100.

Denise snapped this photo of me. I guess I was sitting there thinking about how awesome and challenging Mt. Fuji was. Sharing the experience with close friends was the most enjoyable part.

Kristen and Owen's Baby Shower

Look at all the gifts, Grandma can't belive her eyes

Mom worked very hard on the watermelon baby stroller, dosen't it look great!

What a beautiful cake Grandma made.

Everyone did such a great job decorating and thank you to all of those who came to celebrate the occasion with us.

Kristen at 28 Weeks!!

Kristen home in Ohio for her 28th week.

Kristen at 24 Weeks!!

Kris at Sagamihara Park, why a pregnant woman would climb trees I have no idea.

Photos From the Last Few Months

Well Kris and I are in two seperate locations. While I'm here in Australia I figured I'd post some photos since Kris apparently has been too busy visiting friends and family. This is actually an American company, but the fan seems to fit in very well for where I'm at now.

This is my Five Star hotel. Don't be fooled the pool is behind it. And the service, is out of this world. If you think this is bad imagine what my bed must look like.

A view of the surrounding area.
One of the top five sunsets I have ever seen.
The Great Western Hotel. The best food in town and great beer. It was also the only place where you could watch bull riding while you ate, and if you were lucky enough, while you ate a nice peice of juicy steak, you could see one poo'ing.

I would go back in a heart beat.

Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto

This is the Golden pavilion they also call Rokuonji Temple.

The entrance to the Golden Temple. Kyle and Josh trowing out some more peace signs!

Kyle infront of The Pond of Kyoko-Chi, with the Golden Temple in the backroud.

Mom and Dad looking great as the model infront of the Golden Temple.

Josh and I just hanging out taking all the scenery in.

Josh and I again, gosh do we make a cute couple of what?! HAHAHA:)

Kyle, Dad, and Mom, infront of the pond and if you look closely over mom's left shoulder you can see a crane in the backround on the island.Josh and I infront of the Pond of Kyoto-Chi.
The pond had some beautiful islands and on one island there was a crane. In Japan the crane means good fortune and longevity because of its fabled life span of a thousand years.

Just another beautiful view of one of the many islands and the crane on Kyoko-Chi Pond.

I am not really sure what these are to represent but they were stones with it looks like people carved in them. The bowl is suppose to be filled with water and all coins around the rocks are peoples wishes and prayers. We thought it was neat b/c in the states you only see wishing ponds or fountains.

Here was another station to make wishes or prayers. You can see the carving on the people on these stones better than the others. We did make a wish at each station we saw, it was pretty neat.

Party on Depot

The party begins! All the boys gather around for one of many shots!!!

Josh and Miss Abby trying to stay dry. It sure did rain, but no rain could stop this party!

It wouldn't be a party if Miss Abby wasn't there, she is such a cutie pie.

Abby, Denise, and I partying it up!!!! Although we sure do not need a party for the 3 of us to have a good time, hahaha:)

Alright, you know how at every party there is "that guy" well here he is! I do not think there has ever been a time when I have seen this man not drunk, haha:) He sure does know how to have a good time though LOL:) Yea I am running from him. He speaks almost NO English, and the drinking doesn't help to understand him.

Well you know how I told everyone how people still dress as though it is the 80's here. Well note the guy in the left corner with the dark red shirt on. Yea, he does have a mullet and a fannypack on, hahaha:) His name was Tony, he is from the states but has lived here for the last 8 years as you can see he is up on his fashion! Tony was lookin HOT! hahaha

Josh and I enjoying the party together.

Josh and I not paying attention to what we should be doing. Although it did make for a cute picture. Even though we may get on each others nerves, we sure can pretend to have a good time! HAHA:) No in the end we always can look back and laugh at each other. It is fun being so in love.