Family reunion & Sakura's 1st trip

１８日から２２日までジョシュの実家のミネソタに遊びに行ってました。去年から計画されていた「家族大集合」のイベントというか集まりがあったので。親戚も集まったので、全部で８０人ぐらいいたのかな。
これから毎年一回、こうしてミネソタで集まる機会を設けるみたい。
さくらにとっては初めての旅行でした。車で片道６時間の道のり、途中休憩しながらだったけど、特に問題なく行きも帰りも大丈夫でした。

Just last week, we headed to Minnesota for a family reunion. (Only about a 6 hour drive with Sakura feedings intermixed in.) It was the Hanson reunion (Josh's great grandparents both of whom have passed). The reunion was on the 20th where about 76 people attended. Prior to the reunion, my immediate family had a photo shoot with Karen Thompson Photography at my parents house. We used to have reunions around Christmas time, although many families became more & more busy with life, we put them on hold for a while. They will try to have once a year from now on. It was a first for at least three of the newest members to the family. Sakura Jasmine (our daughter), Shepard Riley (my brother Jared & his wife Mary Grace's baby boy) & Noah Kenneth Drange (my cousin Paul & wife Stephanie's baby boy that happens to have the same B-Day as Sakura). We also introduced Sakura to the rest of the immediate family that hasn't met her in person until now. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip! See you again soon!

A walk around Heartland of America park

今日は天気が良かったので、皆でオマハの公園に散歩しに行ってきました。ちょっと暑かったけど、気持ちが良かった。
お家に帰ってからは、リラックス。
今週木曜日からジョシュの実家のミネソタに遊びに行きます。

Today, we (the whole family) went for a stroll around Heartland of America Park, just east of downtown Omaha. It was a beautiful 78°F (25°C) as we walked the boys around the park while pushing Sakura in the stroller. We then headed for home, had baked salmon for dinner and relaxed together. This week we will be heading up to Minnesota for a family reunion. It will be Sakura's first road trip. It is only 5½ hour drive to see the family. We will also be introducing Sakura to the rest of the family that hasn't seen her in person yet. It should be a great time!

Our third anniversary

今日は結婚３周年でした。プレゼントに結婚式の時に持ったブーケのお花を買ってきてくれました。
ジョシュは午後は半休だったので、お家で映画をみたりとリラックスして過ごしました。あっというまの３年だね。これからも宜しくね、ジョシュア君。。。

This past Sunday, we brought Sakura & the boys on base to walk around the parade grounds. I was able to leave work early today as it was our third anniversary. I gave Takako a bouquet of Oriental Lilies. Quite romantic as she carried white lilies down the aisle, three years ago today. We relaxed at home and just enjoyed each other's company, with Sakura & the boys. Takako even made banana cake & fruit salad with annin dofu. Earlier this morning, Takako recorded a video asking Sakura, "Who wants to drink milk?" (See the embedded video for the Japanese way of saying it.)

The Farmer's Market, relaxing at home & almost our 3rd Anniversary

この時期になるとファーマーズマーケットがオマハのダウンタウンで開催されるので、先週の土曜日に行ってきました。
さくらにとっては初めてのダウンタウン。野菜を購入した後、アップストリームで朝食を食べて帰宅。その後はお家でリラックス。
ジョシュはデービスとクロと裏庭にある公園で遊んでました。
先週の月曜日からはジョシュは仕事に復帰しました。
先日は、桜花という日本食レストランに行ってきました。実は来週、結婚３周年という事で外食。
美味しかったけど、日本食は家でも作れるし、家で作った方が節約になるから、、ジョシュ的にはもう日本食レストランには行かない、、らしい。。

It has been a busy week. Last Saturday, we travelled to the farmers market in the Old Market area of downtown Omaha. We brought the stroller as this was Sakura's first time downtown. We bought just some vegetables and then had breakfast at the Upstream Brewing Company. We then headed home to relax the rest of the weekend. We took some photos of a bird outside the back door, Takako took a pic of Day-bis, Kuro & I near the swings in the park behind us. Then Josh went back to work on Monday. It was his first day back since Sakura was born. (I very much enjoyed the one month away, spending quality time with family.) Then, just yesterday, Takako & I headed for Sakura Bana Japanese Restaurant. We thought that we can celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary just a little early. Plus we were able to bring Sakura to Sakura Bana as they share the same name meaning 'cherry blossom'. It was pretty good, but we can make Japanese dishes just as good, if not better at home for less $.