My 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Just came in yesterday!  We had sold Takako's 2008 Nissan Versa SL a couple weeks ago and I had convinced Takako that if I can choose this car, it would be better in the long run for our family.  She gets the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid now.  (Not a bad prize...)  She knows that I have always liked sports cars as I had my Nissan Skyline before we met...  Now that she is looking at the Subaru, she likes the color and doesn't mind it.  However, she does say that it is quite loud.  So far I am enjoying getting back to a manual transmission.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

This past weekend we attended the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Qwest Center, downtown Omaha.  Sakura loved seeing the elephants and other various animals before the sow even started!  Then when it was showtime, she enjoyed clapping along with the music & watching all of the amazing performances throughout the 2-hour long program.  We enjoyed the Circus very much too!  Enjoy the below video of one of the elephant performances.

Nearing the end of May

Last month, when we had gone to the Magic Kingdom we had also gotten a '3-person caricature' done. Fusing all three of our faces together. We love how it turned out... What do you think?

Back to this current month of May, we have done many things together as a family. Gone paddle-boating on the Base Lake...

Sakura had a great time in her swimming pool in the backyard!

And even went bowling on base!

Continuing on, we also ate a new hamburger place named 'Smash Burger'

And went downtown last weekend having a great time on the large slide & just relaxing at the Gene Lahey Mall near the water...

Now let's get on with Summer! Memorial Day weekend coming up and plenty of Summer to enjoy!

Day-bis is 5 years old already!

Our first little Pug, Day-bis is 5! He has been with us since he was about 7 weeks old! We tried to find a large peanut-butter bone however Petsmart was sold out. Instead we bought him some frosted dog treats. Sakura fed both he & Kuro the treats after we sang Happy Birthday to him!

We also bought a Haro bicycle for Josh and a Burley Encore child trailer for Sakura & the boys. We are planning on going a many bike rides this summer! Josh isn't too happy with having to wear a helmet as he already knows how to ride a bike but we need to set a good example for Sakura. She even picked out her own helmet!

Sakura is 2!

We just celebrated Sakura's 2nd Birthday. The time flies by as it seems like only yesterday we were in the hospital welcoming her to our family! Takako made her a banana cake with strawberries & whipped yogurt for the frosting. She didn't want it to be too sweet for her. We did get her a cake from the commissary though. Josh will end up eating all of it.

Just yesterday we went to the Nebraska Medical Center for Takako's '20-week' ultrasound. She is actually closer to 21-weeks. We still don't know whether a boy or girl. We will know by the due date, 7 September!

Our Family's Walt Disney World Vacation

Just in case you missed it, on Friday the 8th of April we drove up to Minnesota to visit with family and then head down to Walt Disney World in Florida. We also broke the news to my family that Takako is pregnant with our second little one. She is due 7 September.

Last Sunday we flew from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport to Orlando, Florida. From there, we headed towards the Disney Magical Express to bring us to the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. We were there for a pre-Birthday vacation for Sakura. We also wanted to just get-away for a while...

We arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge last Sunday night about 7ish. Looking out from our window we could see giraffes and a couple of other animals... Amazing view. The 3 of us headed down to the swimming pool as it was about 80°F (~27°C).

We didn't stay too long as we needed to get some sleep as the next day we visited to Epcot. Then on Tuesday, Magic Kingdom and on Wednesday, Animal Kingdom. We even went to Downtown Disney. We won't go into many details per day as we took over 900 photos. Enjoy!

Disney Magical Express

Meeting Mickey for the 1st time

Meeting Minnie for the 1st time

At the Coral Reef Restaurant

Near Pirates of the Caribbean

Cinderella's Castle at night

Outside at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

Sakura driving

On the Merry-Go-Round

Meeting Pooh

5th floor bridge at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

Drinking at the Raglan Road Irish Pub (Orange Juice)


All in all, it was a great family vacation to Walt Disney World. Lots of memories created!

End of March...

It has been a very eventful March. Takako, Sakura & the boys are taking care of the house when daddy is at work or playing volleyball after work... For the most part, the weather has been great, really feeling like spring except for a couple of days but we think that it is finally Spring now! We have been having fun going on walks around the neighborhood, introducing Sakura to new parks so she can play & swing! She has a blast, many times she doesn't want to leave...

Next month, we are heading to Walt Disney World for a family vacation. We both can't wait to see the look on Sakura's face when she meets Winnie the Pooh, Minnie Mouse and various other Disney characters. We will be taking lots of pictures.