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.

Praying for Japan

- 11 March 2011 -



A massive 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan at around 2:46pm on March 11 (JST) causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami. If you can, donate to an organization to help out in any way possible.

Takako's family & our many friends in Japan are safe. Thank you so far for your thoughts & prayers. There are still aftershocks happening in various places. There are many people that are still unaccounted for. Continue to think about & pray for everyone affected in this time of crisis.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day

明日はバレンタインですが、去年のバレンタインはさくらが小麦粉とお水を混ぜて初めて遊んだ日。その後、ピザを食べて過ごしました。
昨日は友人のクリスティーナの息子さんの２歳のお誕生日会に行ってきました。楽しい時間を過ごせました。
今夜はレッドロビンのハンバーガーを食べました。
今日はとても過ごしやすくて１３度、朝、昼、夕方を家の近くを散歩しました。今週は木曜日の気温は２０度との予報。
春と夏が待ち遠しい！

Last year at this time, Sakura was mixing flour & water. We had a 'heart shaped' pizza from Papa Murphy's. Just in case you missed it.

Yesterday, we attended Kristian's 2nd Birthday party. He is only about 2 1/2 months older than Sakura. They live down the block from us. We had a great time.

Tonight we had Robin Hood gourmet burgers. Tomorrow I will be heading to work, Takako, Sakura & the boys will be here waiting my return at lunch and after work. I can't wait to spend Valentine's evening at home. Takako has been doing a great job at home. Sakura really appreciates the quality time she spends.

Today the temperature got up to about 56°F (13°C). We took a couple of walks outside with the boys. Sakura loves stepping in the water puddles and crushing the ice on the sides of the sidewalk. By this Thursday, the temp is expected to be 68°F (20°C). Hopefully a lot of our snow melts. We are ready for Spring & Summer! Bike Rides!

Start of February already?

２月は寒くていつだったかマイナス１７度の日がありました。
明日はスーパーボールの日（毎年、この記事を書いてるけど）私達はスーパーボールの最中に流れるコマーシャルとハーフショーが楽しみ。ご近所さんに「一緒に見よう」と声をかけられているので行く予定ですが、さくらは１９時には寝るので長居する予定はなし（スーパーボール開始は１７時から）

ジョシュはここ最近仕事が毎日忙しくて毎日残業、来週には昇進試験があり、それが終わったらA＋の資格をとる予定です。

週末は皆でリラックス、さくらの朝食はシリアル、さくらはシリアルが大好き、時間がある時はプールに行ったりと。
もうすぐバレンタインデー（ジョシュは来週末も仕事、どんだけ忙しいんだか。。。）

It has been a cold February so far. Some days the high temp was 1°F (-17°C). Here we are, 1 day away from the Superbowl. I don't really care who wins as I don't care for either team. I will just enjoy the commercials and Takako is looking forward to the Halftime Show with the Black Eyed Peas. We are heading over to a neighbor's house to watch but may leave a little early as Sakura's bedtime is about 7 PM.

I have been busy at work. During the weekdays I sometimes get out of work about 5 PM or later. Just in time to eat dinner then either give Sakura a shower or take a bath with her. She is in bed by about 7PM or earlier. Afterwards, I study some material for my test coming up on Tuesday. It would be for my next promotion to Master Sergeant. Then I will be studying for my A+ certification.

On the weekends, we just relax at home, have breakfast together (Sakura loves Cheerios) and sometimes head over to the YMCA for swimming.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! We may just relax at home. 'Til then!

*BTW - the ice art was shot today from our garage windows...

Halfway thru January

ブログ書いてなかったけど、ジョシュは通常通り仕事に戻り、皆でYMCAに通い始めました（さくらのプール）。友人が夕飯食べにきたり貴子の３５歳の誕生日があったり、毎日楽しく過ごしてます。
さくらも日々成長しており成長の早さに驚くばかり。デービスとクロも元気です。

2011 has been eventful so far..

Josh started going back to work, we finally received enough snow to play in, started going to the YMCA for family swimming, had some friends over for dinner, and we just celebrated Takako's 35th birthday (25th w/10 years experience), relaxing at home with the family... It is so great to be back home, with the family falling into the 'normal' life.

Sakura is growing up to be a proper little girl. It is amazing how fast she is growing up. Day-bis & Kuro have been great big brothers for her. Takako is enjoying being a mom... Life is great!

New Years Day

あけましておめでとうございます。毎年恒例の初日の出を見に行ってきました。今年もよろしくお願いいたします。

We started out the day by waking up to the alarm at 6:10am. We needed to get everything/everyone ready to get in the car, en-route for the base lake. Our family tradition that started back on 1 January 2007 at Yokota AB. We need to take a family photo with the new year's sun at sunrise. We believe the temperature was in the single digits this morning when we took our photo. Our day was wonderful! Hope that everyone out there has a great 2011!