Ericka proved that even without Jeff she's still the Queen of Meat. BBQ dinner at her place with a bottle of wine for every attendant, way too many s'mores, and surprisingly good chicken. Though this doesn't mean Ericka can actually cook nearly as well as Jeff, it does prove she's not totally lost without him.
Her brother is also here, having just moved to Japan 2 days ago to begin an exciting career as an English teacher. In proper welcome-to-Japan fashion, "the boys" (Kevin, Stevie, etc.) took him out on his first night in Japan and proceeded to alcoholically pound the jet-lag out of him. Alas, big sister was smart enough to know that it wouldn't work and dragged him home in the not-so-wee hours. He was still looking a bit confused last night, but it could have been the company more than the jetlag. We tend to have that effect on people.
Hiroko should be coming home today after spending a couple of less-than-pleasant days back and the parentals'; beware the fried clams!