Fuzuki Returns to Japan

A year ago we all knew that this day would come... June 10, 2011. That is the day that Fuzuki was taken to Layton and returned to those in charge of the exchange program.  It was a beautiful sunny day. We finally managed to get all her clothing and all that she wanted to to take home with her in her suit cases and a box. Well, she didn't actually get all her clothing in her suit cases. She left alot of her clothing here.  In order to get all that she got into her suit cases, we resorted to the travel bags that you squeeze all the air out of everything. We managed to get her scrapbook into her suitcase. I hope that she took all that she wanted to take with her. Money was tight and I know she was worried about having enough when she got to the airport.

We truly enjoyed the experiences that we have had this past year as we participated in the Nacel foreign exchange student program. We were truly blessed to have such a wonderful young lady to be "OUR" daughter.

I hope that others who have the opportunity will give it a chance and open your heart and your home to a student. It has been a great experience for our family.

Fuzuki will always have a special place in our heart and in our family.  Our home is too quiet since she left. Not that she was loud, cause she was not. She was a very respectful and very quiet and very fun and beautiful young lady. Eve is missing Fuzuki. She was a great sister for Eve. Perhaps someday Eve will be able to travel to Japan to visit Fuzuki. That would be a wonderful journey for her to take.

Well............We are hoping that Fuzuki will some day decide to return home to Utah. Just in case she does, we instructed her to keep her house key so that she may come in if we are not home. She leaned in smiled and said  "Oh, The back door will be open and I'll be able to get in".  Guess we have  not too good at locking up the house. Well, after that comment, we have been much better at it. :)

Here are photos of our final dinner together and our final gathering with all the students.  Our heart is missing you Fuzuki. We love you!!

This is a "See ya Later Kiss"

Fuzuki and Dad were given the opportunity to speak to all gathered and tell of her experiences and ours while she has been here with our family.  Roger spoke first and then she kepts saying, I was going to tell you about "___" but Dad just did..  Guess he should have had her go first. :) They both spoke well and expressed such love.

Loading up the suit cases. Yup, they weighed in less than 50 lbs each. Well, all except the one that weighted in at 75 lbs.

Our dinner. "Turkey" We all Love Turkey, especially FUZUKI!!!

Ohne, Fuzuki and Yuske

Ohne, love the hat and dig those glasses!! Very cute!

Fuzuki is sitting and visiting with Yuske's family

Our Princess

Cute girls in the program.

8 March 2011 - Rock Haus

Young Men and Young Women's Combined Activity this month was going to the Rock Haus in Logan.
The kids had a great time. There were different levels for everyone to participate.  The employees at the Rock Haus were very courteous and gave great instruction to the kids. Everyone was prepared well by the time that they allowed them to belay.  Here are the photos from this activity.

Hannah you go girl!! Lexie is belaying Hannah

Those 16 and older learning to belay.

Fuzuki getting into the swing of it.

Heather and Eve climbing the wall upstairs.

Chauncey climbing and wow is he UP there!  Great job!!

Joe making his way to the very tip top!! 

Good Job Guys!! Joe Burgan, Jeff Isham, Casey Jeppesen I can't recognize the girl on the left.

Fuzuki is second from the left. Good Job Fuzuki!!

I have more photos to post but had to purchase room to post them. So perhaps I can edit and add them tomorrow.
This was a wonderful experience. As we left the Rock Haus, one of the young women said "This would be a great place to come for a date". What fun we all had. Eve and Fuzuki are still sore from all the exercise.  

2010 Merry Christmas!!

2010 Christmas has been the busiest Christmas that Fuzuki has experienced. It has been alot of fun, but a tremendous amount of work for her as well. There were times that she wasn't sure if she was coming or going and neither were we. There were many concert rehearsals and many swim practices and many swim meets that she participated in as well. Some nights she went to concert with only 30 minutes between the swim meet ending and a concert beginning, with very little time to blow dry her hair. However, she was always there and ready to perform her best! She is doing remarkable in her English skills. She has maintained an excellent grade point average in school as well. We are so very proud of her and her accomplishments.

Our family has been so blessed to have Fuzuki as a part of our family this year.

She did put on her boots to come outside.

It is very cool outside, but not enough that she wanted to put on a coat.. would cover up her new Christmas Sweater outfit  and Jeans that she got from Matt and Priscilla.

Fuzuki's Arrival in America.

Ryoko, Fuzuki, Roger, Eve

Fuzuki arrived in America on a very hot day in August 2010. She has come to be a part of our family for the next school year.  We are looking forward to this experience so much.  We are somewhat sad, cause our summer student will be going home in just 2 days. The consolation to that happening is that Fuzuki has arrived to take our minds off of that event. We are looking forward to a wonderful year in school.  Fuzuki is a pretty girl and a very smart girl. She plays the violin, flute and ancient japanese flute as well.

Ryoko, Fuzuki and Eve.

On Fuzuki's second day we took her and Ryoko to the Mormon Tabernacle Broadcast "Music and the Spoken Word" and afterwards we looked around on Temple Square.  It was also a busy day, as this is the day that Ryoko was leaving us. We still had to go back home and finish packing and then return her to the hotel in Bountiful to prepare for Ryoko's return trip to Japan with the other summer students.  There were lots of tears.

Prior to Ryoko leaving we had a day that all the exchange students were partying at the Surf n Swim. Wow was that fun!! You can swim and play in the water and about every half hr the surf turns on and watch out, you are now having a little ocean experience.

Fuzuki and Ryoko

If you got a tube, then you are ready for the waves.

Just a bit chilly

Maybe alot Chilly, Hot day and breezy cool evening.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

Ahhh.. much warmer and happier!

Ohne, Fuzuki

Old friends and New Friends

It wasn't that cold, yummmm Ice Cream!!

Lots of exercise and fun with friends makes for Sweet Dreams!!