(More) Maddie at Work

Madeleine also did a job for a not-yet-released product that we are bound by contract not to mention (yet). She had a lot of fun on this one. Here is her made-for-TV family. Don't they look happy together?Maddie and Troy in the dressing room:

Maddie on Fuji TV

This is the link to the promo for the show:

http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/risounohoshi/index.html

Maddie on Fuji TV

Maddie just finished shooting 25 episodes of a short (6 minute) program about the history of cars for a major Japanese TV network. She's the narrator on the show that airs every Sunday night for six months, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. She really got the star treatment with her name on the dressing room door, makeup and wardrobe ladies who tended to her every need, and treats delivered to her by the producer and sponsors. On her part, she was a real professional even under the pressure of being a novice and the sole performer in a big studio with about 20 people working on the shoots. She worked long hours and completely impressed everyone with her maturity and her ability to memorize her lines on the spot and take direction in Japanese (no translator was present). At the end of the last day of filming she was thanked with a huge applause by the crew and everyone involved. I took some pictures of her at work in the studio and on the monitor outside the sound stage. (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

Sagami River Kite Festival

Maddie, Troy, and Maddie's friend, Manami, had a great time at the kite festival this year. There was just enough wind to get the kites up.

Cherry Trees in Bloom

April is the month for cherry trees in the Tokyo area. They were beautiful again this year.

Christopher and Caitlyn at the Hot Spa Resort: Dr. Fish

Everyone got their feet nibbled and had a nice day in the hot baths.

Christopher and Caitlyn's Trip to Japan

My brother, Christopher, and our niece, Caitlyn, came to visit in honor of Caitlyn's 16th birthday. It was nice spending time with family. We met them inside the airport with a sign, birthday hat, and balloons, and drove them home in style in a rental (party) van adorned with streamers.

We spend two days in Fussa and the night at Yokota Air Base, where we used to live. This is the hospital where Caitlyn was born at Yokota.

Caitlyn's preschool in Fussa:

And our favorite place: Showa Park!

Beautiful spring flowers:

The famous Hachiko statue in Shibuya, Tokyo:

Delicious okonomiyaki:

We held a "C" theme party, with Christopher and Caitlyn the guests of honor. With old friends Hidemi and Masako:

A green tea set for Caitlyn's birthday: