Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas was great, now onto New Years!



私達はとても楽しいクリスマスを過ごしました。ジョシュは約2.2キロのチキンの丸焼きに挑戦。貴子は寿司、サラダ、マッシュポテト、クリスマスケーキを作りました。さくらはクリスマスプレゼントを開けるのが大好き。さくらが寝た後、ジョシュと貴子はさくらにプレゼントしたキッチンの組み立てをしました。約2時間かかりました。
日曜日は、皆して体調を崩してしまいました。原因は不明。月曜日は皆でリラックス。
さくらはジョシュの両親にクリスマスプレゼントでもらったブロックを積み上げては倒すのが大好き。そして貴子の母親からクリスマスプレゼントでもらった小さなピアノで遊ぶのが大好き。私たちからのクリスマスプレゼント、サングラスをするのが大好き。
メリークリスマス!

We had a wonderful time at home on Christmas. We bought Sakura a pre-Christmas gift of sunglasses. She got to pick them out. She made a great choice! Josh made a 5 lb. chicken with a recipe from Food Network. Takako made sushi rolls, mashed potatoes, salad & Christmas cake. Sakura loved opening her gifts or asking mom to help. Day-bis & Kuro were also there by her side to offer help. Once Sakura's bedtime came, Josh & Takako started to put her small kitchen together so she could play with it the following day. It took a little over 2 hours to assemble but it came together nicely. She has already gotten a lot of use out of it. Yesterday we just slept in as we were sick the entire day. We don't know why, maybe too many activities all together. Today we just relaxed at home with the family. I love these days. Sakura loves stacking blocks and then knocking them down. She also loves learning to play the piano with her book that she received from Hideko.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas time is almost here...



ジョシュが帰国してから毎日忙しい?日々を送ってますが、
本日、アメリカ在住の方にクリスマスカードを送りました。日本の友達には1月初旬にカードが届く予定です。
クリスマスイブは明後日、さくらにとって2回目のクリスマス、最近、色々な表情をするのでプレゼントを開けた瞬間のさくらの表情が楽しみ。
今年のクリスマスは初めて丸鳥を焼く予定。
皆さんも良いクリスマスを。

The family is all back together and eagerly awaiting Christmas. We have been busy since my return from the deployment. We went to the zoo, visited with our MN family & Sakura even helped with some leaves before received some snow. We just sent out our 'Holiday Greeting Cards' today as we missed the Christmas deadline. The tree is up (our small one). Presents are all wrapped and under it. We can't wait to see Sakura's face when she opens some presents. This will be her 2nd Christmas but we don't believe she remembers much about last Christmas. Takako is going to try a new recipe for roast chicken. Josh is just glad to be home with the family.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

A Reunited Family...


12月6日、無事にジョシュが帰国しました。

Josh just got back from his deployment this past Monday, the 6th of December. Takako & Sakura met him at the airport. What a joyous reunion. We are now a reunited family.