Getting ready for Christmas & the first blizzard in Omaha (for us)

１２月１日にクリスマスツリーをだしました。小さめなクリスマスツリーだけど私達にとってはちょうど良いサイズ。
そして５日は私の母親から荷物が届きました。沢山の食べ物や洋服、ありがとう。
６日の夜は、初めてさくらに雪を見せました。
８日、９日はジョシュの仕事はおやすみでした。雪が大量に降ったため、家で待機の事。
３０〜４５センチの雪がこの２日間で積もりました。雪かきも大変でした。そしてとにかく寒い。

We have begun a family tradition. We will set up our Christmas tree on the 1st of December from now on. Sakura wanted to help and she made sure that everything was out of the box. (It is our small Christmas tree but it is perfect for us.) Maybe in the future we will cut our own or just buy a larger one. Times will change. On the 5th of December we received a 'goodie' package from Hideko in Japan. Some food & more clothes for Sakura. The following day, Sunday night was the first snow that Sakura experienced. We had to take some pictures even though it was dark. With the snowfall, Josh had both Tuesday & Wednesday off from work as the base was closed for snow removal. We ended up shoveling our 12-18" of snow both days. (Wednesday was primarily a lot of wind and blowing snow.) We have a lot to look forward to with Sakura growing up and playing in the snow!

Thanksgiving weekend in Minnesota

先週の木曜日からジョシュの実家のミネソタに行ってきました。（木曜日はアメリカの感謝祭の日）
感謝祭の日、家族全員で過ごすのは１９９８年以来。今回はジョシュのお姉ちゃん家族の家に泊まりました。
さくらにとっては初めての感謝祭、私にとってもジョシュの家族と感謝祭を過ごすのは初めて。
金曜日はお姉ちゃん家族と一緒にクリスマスツリーを狩りに行ってきました（さくらと私は初めての経験でした）
午後は両親の家で弟家族と妹と一緒に夕食を。
土曜日の午前中は「IKEA」で朝食がタダと言う事で、両親と妹夫婦と一緒に、午後はお姉ちゃん家族の家で、全員集まって夕食＆ゲームを（弟さんのお嫁さんは仕事の為これなかったけど）
３泊４日とても楽しい時間を過ごせました。

This past Thursday we headed for Minnesota to celebrate the "giving of thanks" with family. We have not all celebrated together since...1998. That has been over 10 years! And it was before any of the Wes & Vicky kids were married! Imagine that! We stayed with my older sister, Jen & her large family. (Dean, Jen, Elizabeth, Heidi, Soren, Annika & Maggie.) We arrived at their home a couple of hours prior to the Thanksgiving dinner. Total in attendance, 16. Wes, Vicky, Swenson's named above, Jared, Mary Grace, Shepard, Chris, Jill, Takako, Sakura & I. We thoroughly enjoyed eating all of the food and conversation with family. The following day, we headed out with the Swenson's to help document their Christmas tree find/removal/return to the house. The kids even met Santa and rode on a horse-drawn hayride! Later that night we headed over to my Dad & Mom's for Chicken Pesto and some more family time. Then on Saturday, we met some family at Ikea for a free breakfast then returned to the Swenson's to relax with family and get ready for a Papa Murphy's pizza party later that night with the family. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, on that will always be remembered!

Crawling form, lounging around the house & story-time

先週末は家でリラックスしてました（っていつもだけど）　さくらはハイハイも上手にできるようになり、つかまり立ちもだいぶ上手になりました。クロはさくらが近づいても平気だけどデービスは相変わらずさくらに慣れなくて、気がつくとデービスもクロもジョシュの膝の上に、デービスとクロにとってそこが一番落ち着く場所みたい。
最近、肩車をしたんだけどさくらはとっても楽しそうでした（肩車して家の中を歩き回るだけだけどね）
土曜日は、家の近くの本屋さんで読み聞かせがあるので行ってきました。さくらはずっと寝てたけど。
（写真のさくらがうずくまっている姿はヨガみたいなポーズだけど寝てる姿です）
今週末も楽しい時間過ごせました。

Since our last post, we've been relaxing around the house, Sakura has been perfecting her crawling form and pulling herself up on things that she can grab. Sakura loves teasing (pulling fur) of her big brothers. Kuro can handle it but Day-bis starts to walk the opposite way. Day-bis & Kuro love just lounging around on Daddy's lap. They really vie for the best position. We've also starting putting Sakura up on our shoulders and prancing around the house. (We just need to duck around the doorways.) She is really getting ready for Thanksgiving & Christmas. We got a Mrs' Claus dress for her and a Santa Claus outfit for her cousin, Shepard. Just yesterday, she showed us her new 'yoga' sleeping style (as seen in the above picture.) Then we went to Borders book store for 'story-time'. She was in her PJs and slept the entire reading of 'The Polar Express'. All in all, it was another great weekend for our family.

This weekend was beautiful

今週末は、とっても天気がよくて、しかも暖かくて気持ちがいい週末でした。
金曜日は裏庭の落ち葉拾いや洗車したり、デービスとクロは裏庭で走り回ったりさくらと一緒に公園で遊んだりと、クロは滑り台は怖がらず滑れるけど、デービスはやはりへっぴり腰。
土曜日はオフベースでミリタリーのパレードがあるっていうので見に行ってきました。ジョシュもパレードに参加しました。朝早いのにも関わらず人が多かった。
日曜日も天気が良かったので、皆で裏庭＆公園で遊んで、午後はゆっくりお家でリラックス。

My what a wonderful weekend. It all started off with Friday, our 'green-day' from work. We ended up raking leaves and washing the vehicles. Just a good time to relax and enjoy the family time. Sakura has also been working hard to perfect her crawling. Saturday morning we woke up early as Josh volunteered to march in the Olde Town Bellevue Veterans Day parade. Takako was able to snap a few pictures prior to us heading out the gate. Later in the afternoon, the weather got up to the mid 70's as we headed out to the backyard and played with the boys. Later that night we had curry rice & chicken w/tomatoes. Wonderful! Sunday was another beautiful day as it was up into the 70's again. We even had Sakura try out the baby swing in the backyard.

End of October & Halloween 2009

土曜日はハロウィンでした。特にハロウィンのために衣装を買うことはなく、日本に里帰りした時に母親がHappy Halloweenって書いてある洋服をくれたのでそれを着る事に、カツラもあったのでそれをかぶせてみました。夜は近所をまわらず、家にきた子供たちお菓子をあげたり、ジョシュの家族とビデオチャットしたり、その夜に、さくらはつかまり立ちをしました。随分前から私達が支えると立つ事はできたんだけど、自分から立ったので、少し驚いてしまいました。
来月は”感謝祭”があるので、ジョシュの実家にいく予定です。

Here we are at the end of October (actually in to November) and what fun we have been having. This past week we have been getting ready for Halloween & pressing on towards Thanksgiving. It was my brother, Jared's birthday (33) on the 26th and relaxing at home, Takako just happened to put my old wig on Sakura. BINGO, costume is complete. On the 31st, we drove around town running errands, getting things that we needed (wanted) for around the house. We ended up not going out that night as we would just be using Sakura to get candy for ourselves but we did dress her up at home. She had a Halloween (Trick or Treat) onesie from Hideko and of course the blonde wig. It was quite a fun night chatting via Skype with family. Sakura also surprised us with being able to sit up on her own as she is just over 6 months now! Now we are pressing on towards Thanksgiving where we are planning on staying with the Swenson's of Lakeville (Josh's older Sister & family for those that don't know). Looking forward to the family-time.

Autumn Adventures

パグウィン（パグの集まりとハロウィンが一緒になった集まり）に行ってきました。
沢山のパグと人、オマハにきてこんなに沢山のパグをみるのは初めてでした。
デービスはというと、相変わらずビビり気味で、最初から最後までシッポは下がったままでした。
一番楽しみにしていた、パグレース。デービスとクロを一緒に出場させたんだけど、デービスもクロもジョシュがゴールで待っているのが分かっておらず、結局、デービスもクロもゴール出来ませんでした。

This past week, Sakura showed us that she can sit up on her own and move quickly across the floor. This weekend, we have been relaxing around home & raking leaves in the backyard. Today we attended Pug-o-Ween 2009 in Omaha. There were over 150 people & Pugs conversing & snapping photos of the best costumes, rescued dog parade & even Pug races. Day-bis was more than overwhelmed by the amount of dogs as he had his tail down almost the entire time. We entered both Day-bis & Kuro in a Pug race where 6 dogs are placed into small cubicles and at the whistle, one end of the boxes opens as they make their way towards the finish line. (Once the side opened, Day-bis & Kuro couldn't hear Dad calling them from the finish line.) They ended up walking around in the cordoned off area. Neither actually made it to the goal.

Sakura's first food tasting

日本から帰国して約１週間が経ちますが、私とさくら、時差ぼけが全く治らず。
今日からさくらの離乳食を始めました、食べてくれないかなって思っていたけど、スムーズに食べてくれました。
様子をみながら、進めていきたいと思ってます。
デービスとクロは、変わらず元気で、ジョシュがお家にいる時は殆どジョシュの近くに。

It is amazing that we've been back from Japan for already a week! It feels like it was a dream. Takako & Sakura may still be trying to get over the jet-lag as they nap a lot together. We started Sakura on food today. She is 5½ months old and she did great. Even though it was only watered-down, Japanese sticky-rice, she did well. We thought she may have some trouble but it went fine. Later we will add vegetables into the mix. (She sure will get to eat a LOT of rice at home.) Day-bis & Kuro also enjoy the fact that Dad is home.

Sakura's first Tokyo trip - Completed

先週の土曜日の夜から成田のホテルに一泊して（母親も一緒）日曜日の午後の便でネブラスカに帰ってきました。今回はさくらも一緒と言う事で成田に着いた時も成田から出発する時もホテルに一泊したんだけど本当に楽でした。スーツケースとかも成田から実家へ、実家から成田へ送ってもらったので更に楽でした（それでも手荷物は沢山あったけど）
成田でお買い物をして母親と別れて搭乗口に向かったんだけど、私達が乗る飛行機とにかく人が多くて飛行機乗るにも大変でした。今回は満席だったのでさくらのカーシートは持ち込めず、乳母車とカーシートは搭乗口で預けて、予約していたバシネット（赤ちゃん専用のベット）をつけてもらいました。でもそのバシネットではさくらは殆ど寝てくれませんでした。大泣きする事もなかったので良かったけど。乗り換えのミネソタ空港に着いたらジョシュのご両親、弟、妹さんが出迎えてくれました、事前に聞いた時は、今回は迎えにこられないって聞いていたんだけど、来てくれました。
飛行機降りて搭乗口で預けた乳母車とカーシートが出てくるのを待っていたんだけど、一行に出てこない。そしたら、スーツケースとる所にありますよと言われ、急いで入国審査、その後、スーツケースをとって、乳母車とカーシート待ち。でも待っても待っても乳母車とカーシートがない。空港の人に聞いても曖昧な返事。国内線の乗り継ぎまでの時間がもうなくて、乳母車とカーシートはオマハでとれるだろうと期待して急いで国内線に。ジョシュのご両親と弟、妹さんが来てくれたのに、少ししか話す時間がなくて。
オマハに着いて、まず私のスーツケース、母親から借りたスーツケースが出てきて、で、ジョシュのスーツケースは？そう今度はジョシュのスーツケースが出てこない。そして乳母車＆カーシートも。空港の人に聞いたらジョシュのスーツケースはミネソタにあるらしく、乳母車とカーシートは行方知れず。連絡先を空港の人に教えてお家に帰りました。迎えにきてくれたジョシュの同僚に、お子さんの使っているカーシートを持ってきてもらってたので、それにさくらを乗せて。
帰ってきてから、ジョシュはデービスとクロをお友達ファミリーの家に引き取りに。お友達ファミリー３週間、デービスとクロを預かってくれて本当にありがとうございました。
そして荷物はというと、、、夜中１時に電話があってジョシュのスーツケース、乳母車、カーシートが家に届きました。夜中１時ってのが驚いたけど。
３週間、あっというまだったけど、本当に楽しかった。母親＆皆、３週間ありがとう、本当に楽しかった。

We finally arrived home from our trip to Japan, last night at about 5:30 PM. It was not without some trouble though. Here is how everything happened:
1) Stayed at the Holiday Inn Tobu Narita (Saturday night into Sunday morning)
2) Headed for Narita Airport, checked our luggage (3 bags) for the flight then headed for lunch with Hideko
3) Some last minute shopping then on to the Security Checkpoint with Sakura in her car seat & stroller combo
4) Boarded plane headed for MSP, the plane left ~30 minutes later than intended (hopefully we can make the connecting flight)
5) Sakura did great on 10+ hour flight, she had a bassinet, we did need to hold her 9+ hours of the flight (it was overbooked)
6) Arrived a MSP, waited in jetway for car seat/stroller combo - it didn't show up & we were told that it may be in the terminal already) After Immigration, needed to claim our checked baggage to go thru Customs, then recheck it for our connecting flight. Still no car seat/stroller combo.
7) We did meet my parents, brother Jared & sister Jill at the airport! They surprised us with their company as we rushed towards the connecting gate. (opposite side of the airport). We were able to visit for a little while, before boarding the plane for Omaha. We were the last ones on the full, ~50 seat plane.
8) Took off about 30 minutes late due to air traffic at MSP.
9) Arrived in Omaha, met with Buckholz (friend from work) as he had a spare car seat because we needed to file a claim for the 'lost' car seat/stroller combo at Omaha.
10) Grabbed two checked bags as we noticed the baggage conveyor was turned off. (We checked 3 bags.)
11) Filed claim for the one checked luggage, car seat & stroller. They stated they would contact us to let us know an approximate delivery.
12) Headed home then Josh drove down to Plattsmouth to pick-up Day-bis & Kuro from some friends (Olsen's) that watched them during our trip. (Thanks again for everything!)
13) Got back with the boys, eventually went to bed until we awoke to a ~1 AM phone call stating that the baggage, car seat & stroller were waiting outside our front door with the delivery man. Quite strange! Anyways, we enjoyed our time in Japan, we now are back home, safe & sound with everything!

Kinugawa Onsen

火曜日から２泊３日の鬼怒川温泉に母親と皆で旅行に行ってきました。火曜日は曇り空だったけど雨にも降られず無事に鬼怒川温泉に到着。宿に着いた後、鬼怒川ライン下りに乗船してきました。少し肌寒かったけど、たっぷりとマイナスイオンをあびて、沢山夕飯食べてお風呂に入ってまったりと。
水曜日の午前中は私とさくらと母親はお部屋でゆっくりと、ジョシュは宿の周りを散策（６キロを２時間半歩いていたそうで）でもいい写真がとれてました。夜からは台風の影響で雨、木曜日は台風直撃とまではいかなかったけど無事にお昼頃、浅草に到着しました。
浅草でお昼ご飯を食べた後、錦糸町にでてお買い物をして、お家に帰ってきました。
夜は、ジョシュが楽しみにしていた牛角に行ってきました。久々の牛角、美味しかった＆満腹
久々の温泉、本当に気持ちがよかった、母親、ありがとう。

Just this Tuesday morning, we left for Kinugawa Onsen. All 4 of us, Hideko, Takako, Sakura & I hopped the train from Asakusa and headed north for a 3-day & 2-night adventure. Tuesday was very much overcast but there was no rain. (Typhoon #18 was on its way.) Once we checked into the hotel, we caught a cab for the Kinugawa Onsen boat ride down the river. In the boat 'terminal' there were even pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio when he had taken the ride down the river. Afterwards, we headed back to the Kinugawa Onsen Hotel where we enjoyed the hot/relaxing spa and all-you-can-eat dinners/breakfasts. Wednesday was a relaxing day for the most part but as the rain hadn't started yet, Josh headed out to snap some pictures of the local area. Sakura might be coming down with a cold and Takako & Hideko stayed back with her, taking turns heading to the downstairs spa. Josh ended up walking about 4 miles in 2 ½ hours, snapping pictures along the way. Everything from the scenery, new bridges & waterfalls. Later that afternoon, the rain started as the typhoon had made its way to Kinugawa Onsen. Some more relaxing that night and into Thursday morning where we indulged in the spa once more, then to breakfast and checked out by 9:30 AM and headed for the train station. We headed back to Tokyo and then Higashi-Oojima. Tonight, we just got back from Gyu-Kaku. We really need to thank Hideko for the trip as she insisted on paying.

Shinjuku lunch-time buffet & Shinjuku-gyoen

昨日、皆に会ってきました。新宿で日本食の食べ放題のランチ、美味しかった。その後、皆でお茶をって事で移動したんだけど、大人数でお店に入れず、しかも待ち時間も長く、、、天気も良かったので新宿御苑に行きました。太陽の下で皆でまったりと。。閉園時間までいて、その後は解散、本当はもっと皆といたかったけど、さくらも疲れちゃうので私とさくらはお家に帰宅。お酒飲みに行きたかった。。。
ジョシュはルークちゃんとしゅうきちゃんと飲み＆ビリヤードをしに。
それより、新宿御苑に授乳室があったのは感動しちゃった。独身時代から何度も新宿御苑には行ってたけど、授乳室があるのは知らなかった。
楽しい１日を過ごせました。皆、時間作ってくれてありがとう。また来年、遊んでくださいませ。

Just yesterday, Sunday the 4th of October we met a group of friends in Shinjuku for a lunch-time buffet at a Japanese restaurant. Delicious food, meeting of friends, great weather, just an all-around good time. It was the first time many of them were able to meet Sakura. It is sometimes hard to believe that she is already 5 months old! After lunch, we headed for Shinjuku-gyoen as the weather couldn't have been more perfect! We lounged around for a while (the park closed at 4:30PM) and Sakura was getting tired. Takako wanted to stay longer but stated 'see you all next year' as she headed into the train station with Sakura. Josh stayed back to hang out a little while longer with Shuki & Justin to socialize & shoot some pool. The night was still young but Shuki & Justin had to work Monday so we parted ways in Shinjuku. Thank you all for coming, we hope to see you all next year!

Bistro Marr (Gourmet food)

最近流行の看板のないレストランに行ってきました。。というのは嘘で、お友達のお家にご飯をごちそうになりに行ってきました。
前菜（生ハムメロン、生ハムイチジク）そしてサラダ、栗のスープ、鶏肉、そして山形牛、タコとアンチョビのパスタ、そしてデザートまで本当に美味しかった。そして思いっきり笑った。楽しかったな。本当にありがとう＆ごちそうさまでした。

Talk about wonderful food! Unbelievable. We started out the afternoon relaxing at home just before hopping the train bound for Hamadayama. It is a stop just about 10 stops west of Shibuya on the Keiō Inokashira Line. We headed for a friend of Takako's home for dinner. We call him Marr-san. He prepares food just as a chef would, 'gourmet-style'. If you click on the picture above, it will show you the love he has for cooking and of course, presentation. We started out with melon, wrapped in Prosciutto, then onto chestnut soup, chicken/salad, thin beef slices, spaghetti and finally dessert. We introduced Sakura to he and his girlfriend, Ii-san. It was another good night. Time for bed.

Sakura's Tokyo trip (Already halfway?)

先日、銀座にお買い物に行ったついでに、前々から気になってたラーメン屋「五行」に行ってきました。素敵なお店でした。
翌日はジョシュの同僚だった岸川しゅうきちゃんと福生でお昼ご飯を。その後、ジョシュはしゅうきちゃんと一緒にベースに。日本で買った荷物をオマハに送ったり、両替したり、職場に行ったりと。。私とさくらはベースには行かず滞在する立川グランドホテルに向かいました。
しゅうきちゃん、車を出してくれてありがとう。本当に助かりました。
夜はジョシュが以前教えていた英語教室に顔を出しに行ってきました。その後はホテルに戻り一泊して、翌日は実家に戻りまた夜は家で焼き肉。。。（どんだけ焼き肉、、好きなんだって感じだけど）

This past Monday, we went shopping in Ginza & ate delicious ramen at Gogyo. For Tuesday, we headed for Fussa (near Yokota) to eat some hamburg steak at a place named Bikkuri Donkey. It brought back memories of being stationed in Tokyo. We met a former co-worker, Shuki, for lunch then drove Takako & Sakura back to the train station as they headed for the Tachikawa Grand Hotel. Shuki & I went on base, as I needed to get some packages shipped back to the US, exchange some $ for ¥, and say hello to former co-workers and the rest of the telephone shop. He then was generous enough to drive me back to Tachikawa to meet up with Takako & Sakura. Thank you so much Shuki. Later that night, we met with my former English class and introduced Sakura to them. The next morning we headed back to Hideko's place to relax. Later that night we ate Yakiniku again.

Sakura's Tokyo trip (Next couple of days)

先週の木曜日の昼間、焼き肉を食べに行こうと思ったんだけどお店が夕方からしかやってなくて、急遽、お家で焼き肉。久々の焼き肉、ジョシュは凄い嬉しそうでした。夜はジョシュは渋谷へお出かけ。横田時代の友人に会いに行ってました。私とさくらも一緒に行きたかったけど、平日の夜って事で、お家でお留守番。翌日は久々の美容院に。今度はジョシュとさくらがお家でお留守番。
土曜日はお墓参り、今日も皆でお出かけ、、、と殆ど毎日１万歩近く歩いているけど、やっぱり東京は楽しい。

Thursday night, the 24th of September, Josh met with Justin Luke in Shibuya. They worked together as Wiredawgs back at Yokota 4-5 years ago. It has been a while but it was great to catch up. Friday, Takako went to Shibuya to get her haircut as Josh & Sakura stayed back in Higashi-Oojima. Hideko was working a lot during the day and into the night. When Takako returned in the afternoon, they headed for Daiei grocery store to get some beef & pork for Yakiniku later that night. Saturday started with all of us waking up, getting ready for the train bound for Fukiage. It is where Takako's Grandmother/Grandfather are laid to rest. We also visited with some of her relatives that live near the train station then headed for home. On the way home, we stopped at Sugamo as Takako & Hideko wanted to do some shopping. Today, Sunday the 27th, we went to Shinjuku for some more shopping at Uniqlo and a couple more stores. For a late lunch we headed to Saint Marc (a restaurant with all you can eat bread) in Nerima-Kasuga, just north of Shinjuku. Now, back home, relaxing and updating the blog.

Sakura's Tokyo trip (1st couple of days)

１９日はオマハからミネソタまで国内線にのり、ミネソタから成田空港まで国際線。乗り継ぎのミネソタ空港では、ジョシュのご両親が会いにきてくれました。さくらにとって初めての飛行機でしたが、問題ありませんでした。
２１日は早速、親と一緒に新宿にお買い物。乳母車を持って行ったんだけど、完全に失敗でした。東京は乳母車は駄目だね。階段多いし、とにかく大変でした。２２日は、またお出かけして、友人にあって、昨日もまた出かけてと。
足の指、骨折してるにも関わらずかなり出歩いているけど。
でも改めて東京はいいね。お買い物も楽しいし、やっはり便利、でも子連れにはあまり便利じゃないけど。

Sakura did great on the 1+ hour flight from Omaha to Minneapolis where we saw Grandpa Wes & Grandma Vicky. From there, she also did great on the 12 hour flight to Tokyo. We are finally over the jet-lag and ready to snap pictures from Sakura's first time in Japan. On Monday, 21 September, we went to Shinjuku for some quick shopping with Hideko. Pushing the baby stroller around in Shinjuku was a challenge, a mistake that we won't make again. Tuesday the 22nd, we headed out again, only this time with the baby carrier. Later in the afternoon we met Sachi & Taku at Shinjuku station, headed for Takashimaya department store to visit & have some dessert. Yesterday we headed for Suitengu & Honganji temples near Tsukiji station. Suitengu is a temple where people come to wish for a child and return to after trouble-free delivery. Honganji was a temple that was visited by a family friend back in 1954-1955 and I wanted to get a comparison photo. Later that afternoon, we visited with some of Hideko's friends about 10 minutes away. Then hopped in a cab that brought us to Ginza where we ate Kamameshi. We then headed for home.

Off to Japan!!!

明日から３週間程、家族で日本に里帰りします。
デービスとクロはお友達家族にお願いしました。お友達家族、ご迷惑かけると思いますがデービスとクロ、宜しくお願い致します。

Tomorrow, we leave for a 3 week vacation to Japan. It will be Sakura's first time to meet her Japanese grandmother.
Day-bis and Kuro are being taking care of by Dan, Yuki, Zoe, Amelia & Teada our Plattsmouth friends. We can't wait to share new experiences in Japan, with Sakura.

Takako broke her toe

火曜日の朝、足を椅子にぶつけてしまい、あまりの激痛そしてお昼近くになっても腫れが引かない状態だったので、近くの病院に行った所、骨折してるという事でした。固定してもらい、そのままお家へ。夕方、また病院に行って、局部麻酔をしてもらい少し曲がって折れてる骨を伸ばす処置をしました。全治一ヶ月いったところかな。まだ痛みも強く、歩くのも不便だけど。

Just yesterday morning, Takako hit her fourth toe on the dining room chair. She thought she could walk it off as she has 'jammed' her toe before but as Josh came back for lunch, it was still hurting as bad as the initial jam. We ended up heading to an Acute Care Clinic where they took x-ray's of her foot that confirmed, it was broken. We gave them some contact information for when the orthopedic surgeon looks at the x-ray to see how bad it really was. They called later in the afternoon where they stated it was a 'minimally displaced fracture' and that they may be able to pull, then re-set it in but this is 'iffy' for small toes. As I returned home from work, I talked to Takako about the procedure although she agreed it would be for the better. We headed back to the clinic that evening as they injected some numbing medicine into her toe to pull & re-set. They retook an x-ray as it had moved slightly but they said that it may slide out of place. She now has a 'post-op shoe' that she will be wearing during our trip to Japan. It may take up to 3 months to fully heal. Funny how life happens.

The many faces of Sakura

さくらももう４ヶ月半、この間に沢山の写真を撮りました。毎日違う表情をしてます。
これからも撮り続けていこうと思います。

Takako loves taking pictures of Sakura. Funny faces, contemplative faces, really cute faces. Just thought we would post a couple of the faces of Sakura. Our beautiful baby girl. We really want to capture her in all stages of her life.

Happy Birthday Josh!

今日も朝からいいお天気。今日はジョシュの３５歳のお誕生日。昨日、一昨日と出かけたので今日はお家でリラックス。ジョシュの好きなチョコチップメロンパンを初めて作りました。杏仁豆腐も作る予定だったけど、作らず。
お誕生日おめでとう、ジョシュ。

What beautiful weather, all day for Josh's 35th Birthday. As we've been traveling around the past 2 days, we thought it would be good to just relax at home today. Takako made some Melonpan although we couldn't find any melon essence in the grocery store. Either way, very good! She also wanted to make annindofu (almond pudding) for him however, she will do that another day. Sakura has also been showing us how high she can push herself up, off of the ground after flipping over. She is growing fast.

Labor Day Weekend continued...

今日は、昨日のお祭りの後に行く予定だった公園に皆で行ってきました。お家から車で３０分の所にある公園でとにかく広かった。その後は、公園の近くにあるサファリパークに行ってきました。あまり動物がいなかったけど。今日も沢山歩いた日でした。

Today, we woke up early once again, then headed for Mahoney State Park to do some hiking/dog walking. The temperature topped out in the low- to mid-80's (~26-29°C). We climbed the 70' (21.3M) metal-frame, Walter Scott Jr. observation tower (Day-bis & Kuro too). As we reached the top, you could feel it sway in the breeze. We went on a 30+ minute walk around some of the campgrounds then headed for the Simmons' Wildlife Safari Park. It was a nice, leisurely drive in our Highlander through different animal exhibits/open plains. By this time, we were exhausted and headed back toward home. Only two more days left to the weekend.

2009 Nebraska State Fair

８月２８日から９月７日までリンカーンで行われているお祭りに今日行ってきました。２年近くネブラスカに住んでてリンカーンに行くのは初めて。ヤギや豚、牛やキリンの赤ちゃん、ラマやカンガールー、そしてダチョウなど見ました。そしてバドワイザーのコマーシャルに使われてるクライズデールっていう馬も見ました。豚レースでは私は応援団として参加しました。
お天気もよくてとてもよい１日を過ごしました。

Today was Veteran's Day at the Nebraska State Fair. I showed my ID & the whole family got in for free. (It was our first time going to Lincoln as we have been here just over 1 year & 9 months.) It was something that we just needed to experience. We saw everything from goats, sheep, pigs, cows to baby giraffes, llamas, alpacas, kangaroos, emus. The Budweiser Clydesdales even made a showing! We also saw pig races from Hedrick's Pig Racing. Takako was a cheerleader for the blue, number 3! We ended our day by watching the high diving show. One of the guys even dove from the 80' (24.3M) platform! We enjoyed our time at the Nebraska State Fair.