At 7 months old, Nikola loves this train set.
7 months old Nikola loves this Duplo animal train set. He's quick to break them apart and inspect the colors and shapes.
The boys love bashing my LEGO sets.
Thor tips over my Porshe LEGO Technic set and looks to me with eyes that say: "lets build!"
Eight Months old
Eight Months old. We have taken a photo of the boys every month in the same location since their birth.
Akiko and Richie Bartlett married in Karuizawa, Japan.
The week's wait to see the boys has ended. A new chapter begins.
As Nikola was released from NICU and Thorin had no issues, they could travel to find their new home. Akiko & I will be tirelessly attending to them to ensure they remain healthy and strong.
Time flies while you're distracted.
At four months old, the boys have been growing rapidly. Compared to the typical Japanese kid, they are much bigger. Other mothers have often thought they were older simply because of their size.
Sleepy boys. And, "Papa chair."
As I managed the night shift, the boys would often sleep on my chest. And, somehow, I would catch a nap too.
Photo op for our wedding
Akiko & I posed for several photos in Shinjuku, Japan.
The boys visiting Akiko's parents.
Having finally brought the boys home from the hospital, we decided they would visit their grandparents for a while. The boys are fast asleep on the twins-pillow while I guard over them.
Traveling through town.
This is my level 80 character near IronForge sporting some rare gear. Find my complete game character profile here: Lorzaira
Flying to the next quest.
Having earned an uncommon flying mount, I'm traveling with speed and in style through Eastern Kingdom's Plaguelands.
Level 82: more gear
Always on a quest to improve my gear so I can conquer the next big boss.
Dressed for Success
Got some gold, but need more gear to reach the big World bosses.
Blood Elves
This race was introduced in the Cataclysm. These lovely succubus will suck you dry while looking goregous. At least you will have some eye candy before you die?
Night Elves
These lovely night creatures are not to be trifiled with. They may look sweet and tiny, but they are that and more! (Almost reminds me of my wife when she let her hair grow long.)
Master Mage at home
What's a strong, powerful Human mage to do at the end of his day?
Need a dragon trinket?
This lovely little Night Elf is a jewelry crafter that is building an enchanted miniture black dragon Aspect. I'm sure this will be no cheap toy.
Dungeon battle with Siamat
Battling Siamat - a dungeon boss in Lost City of the Tol'vir.
Traditional Daimyo wear.
Dressed like the local 大名, I'm touring the park looking for my future wife. 😀
Akiko wearing a standard Wedding Kimono.
Near the entrance to the temple grounds, Akiko is wearing a standard Wedding Kimono.
Staying cool under the shade of tradition
Akiko is wearing a lovely Kimono while walking with me in the park.
Lovely day and a lovely lady
Within the temple grounds, Akiko makes the world look goregous.
Marry me?
Circa 2014, Akiko accepts my proposal to build a family.
ナンパを？逆ナンを？
Who is asking who for a date here... 😉
Watch your step
Guiding Akiko down the steps through the beautiful park.
Posed for success
On the temple grounds with Akiko looking forward to the future that will come.
Kansai LEGO users Group photo
About 2,000 people attend the event and it does not happen successfully without the help of the club memebers.
Ninjas fight for honor
This scene is emblematic of Japan's past where warriors and assasins fight for honor and power.
"Hoberman sphere" made of technic parts.
As a member of the local Lego users group (LUG), I'm walking around the event showing off my hoberman sphere made of technic parts.
Planning the day's travel
Visiting Barcelona, Spain, LoreZyra is planning out the routes and locations to visit.
Beautiful Barcelona
From the Hotel window, the local city is candy to the eyes.
Give me a sip
Enjoying a small drink before traveling the tourist sites.
After walking everywhere, need beer
After walking everywhere, wanna simply dunk myself in a cool bath (of beer). 😉🍺
Touring Barcelona on foot
Walking around this historic city, you can see many stunning sites. From the attractive people to the interesting architecture, there is much to keep your eyes indulged.
Touring the town by bus
When you're limited on time, you can get the fast tour via bus. This is a good idea to do on the first day as it gives you an overview of what sites to prioritize for your following days' travel.
Montjuïc Castle
Toured Castillo de Montjuich. It's never a dull day to be a plastic Technic Figure traveling the world.
Architectures of Antoni Gaudí
Browsing the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. There are many of interesting design choices in the layout and design of the buildings in this park. Is it worth the price to enter? In my opinion: yes. General admision is 10 Euro and Guided tour (with language of choice) is 22 Euros. It's not that expensive and helps keep the park beautiful.
To the top!
On the stairs to the top of the property, there is an excellent view of the city worth seeing with a view of the sea.
Gaudí house
Posing before a "gaudi" house, you can see the eccentric nature of the design.
Sometimes being first is special
I was among the first season pass holders for LEGOLAND Japan. The pass would enable special discounts within the park for food and merchandise. Later these passes would include entry into DiscoveryCenters and other Merlin parks.
At the park entrance
For the AFOL in us all, who wouldn't want to find a LEGO princess on a LEGO dragon? Could you imaging how many thousands of bricks this took and the man-weeks needed to make it happen?
Finding new Lego friends
Always fun to find LEGO friends from JBF (Japan BrickFest) within the park.
Cheap drinks are not the only perk around here
Pick-up a refill in my cool Pass-holder cup at the LEGO City cafe and pose in front of the Art work.
The LEGO Group representatives with Beyond The Brick crew
Beyond the Brick (red shirts) with JBF staff and TLG (the LEGO group) designers at Japan BrickFest 2017.
Skiing around ShigaKougen, Japan
Skiing down the "Giant area" slope down to the ski-in hotel at the base.
Fun is best shared
No matter how poor my skiing was, it was always fun to have someone to share the experiences.
Bear beard for the cold.
Before I got better gear, I explicitly grew a beard to handle the cold.
Circa 2016 skiing on company tour.
With each year I gained more experience on the slope, the better my gear became.
This full face mask was awesome at Rusutsu
Skiing down the advanced slope in Rusutsu, I flipped over and my (Ruroc) full face-sheild saved me from eating snow.
Circa 2020 at ShigaKougen with Akiko
Akiko & I built a snowman using my availanche gear in ShigaKougen.
Snowmobiling is a blast of speed
For a couple of hours, you can rent a snowmobile and tour guide to plow up the backcounrty areas with deep J'Pow (Japan powder).
Ski friends at Marunuma Kogen
Skiing in mid-February 2020 with my best friend at Marunuma Kogen
All geared up and ready to carve the slopes
Ready to ski as fast (and pull as many G-forces) as my body can handle.
Getting frisky in the snow
Skiing around ShigaKougen in the tree areas. Got to be smart here. I've already busted both knees in the past.
Akiko & I with Disney characters
Posing with characters from Akiko's favorite Disney animation - Beauty and the Beast.
Waiting for the Disney parade
Dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, we await for the parade to come while enjoying a snack.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Akiko & I visited the Glowworm Caves.
He never gets enough attention
Thorin never gets enough attention. Always demands more. Loves it when Papa tosses him in the air and catches him. Always ready for a hug.
Love is flying.
Nikola loves air-time with Papa. He's becoming quite the acrobatic.
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