Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom

When we arrived in Tokyo, the cherry blossoms were barely starting to bloom. Now they are fully out. A few warm days and they appeared everywhere throughout the city. Our tour book said Ueno Park is the best viewing area and they did not misguide. They are gorgeous and everyone was there--photographing, having picnics and just enjoying the view. Obviously, people took off from work and school just to see this. I have never seen them in Washington, D.C., but I can't imagine them being more gorgeous, more robust, or more fragrant than here in Tokyo. What a treat to be here at this time of year.

We also went to the Ueno Zoo which is beautifully kept up and the animals are very active and visible. Savannah loved it. She was so interactive and interested in the animals. Unfortunately, it closed at 5 and we got there at about 4, so we missed one section. Also, the tour book said there was a giant panda and there were plenty of pandas and panda merchandise, but unfortunately the panda at the Ueno Zoo passed away last year. How sad.

Savannah went to the playground for a little bit, but they did not have any toddler swings and she was afraid to go down the slide, because it was too high. Unfortunately, the playground part wasn't kept up that well.

Ueno Park is so beautiful and reminds me of San Diego with a gorgeous park, zoo, and musems. We are so glad we went and got to see it.

We ate dinner in the train station (train stations here are upscale malls and restaurants located right there). We ate at Limonello Cucina. it was delicious. We had a big salad, homemade bread, and pasta. Savannah had spaghetti. The baby slept. We even splurged on dessert--lemon tart. Yummy! Then we came back to Roppongi and then baby has been sleeping since we got back. I don' t know if that is good or bad, but he was up more than usual during the day, so we are hoping he will sleep more tonight.

Welcome to Ueno Park, the best place for Cherry Blossom Viewing A canopy of cherry blossom trees

Cool Big Sister checking out the cherry blossoms. Thanks for my shirt Auntie I and Uncle Jeff!

Strolling along the park

So gorgeous

No smiles for the camera.

Daddy and Three Year Old

Neat Totem Pole to enter the zoo.

The photos can't do the color and smell of the blossoms justice.

Entering Ueno Zoo

A five story Pagoda welcomes you to the zoo and Savannah was promised out of her stroller and to walk through the zoo and she can't wait even a second for a photo

Pagoda at the zoo

She's out. She found flowers.

Daddy and Savannah monkeying around at the monkey exhibit.

Savannah observed taht one bear was eating and the other one was sleeping-shhhh!

The polar bears were awesome

Sea Lions

Penguins

Can you see Savannah?

King of the Jungle

More cherry blossoms

Beautiful and Happy

Can never get tired of this view.

Setting sun between the cherry blossom trees

Ueno park is just so splendid

My Family

Love this girl more than words can express

Waiting for dinner Shock--Savannah is having spaghetti and we went out for Italian Food.

At Limonello. It was a delicious Italian Cucina at the train station in Ueno. We had seafood two nights in a row, so we were ready for Italian again.

Love how she is looking at him sleep.

Precious

Daddy and his boy

His Little Brother Shirt and he is born on the 12th. Thanks Ben, Christopher, Trish and Jim for this adorable onesie!

What a face!

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