Sakura & Takako are in Japan - Kuro's 3rd Birthday

３月２日、私とさくらは日本に向けて出発しました。乗り継ぎ空港のミネソタではジョシュのご両親とご対面、ご両親も２日にカルフォルニアに旅行に行くので、空港で会いました。荷物が多かったので持ってもらったりと本当に助かりました。
機内でもさくらはぐずる事なく本当に楽でした。これから５週間、実家で過ごします。
３月４日はクロの３歳のお誕生日、ビデオチャットでクロのお誕生日をお祝いしました。

This past Tuesday morning Takako & Sakura left for Japan. We will miss them very much. Takako stated that Sakura was very good on the flight over. Wes & Vicky even met them in Minneapolis to escort/help them to the International departures. Wes & Vicky were heading out to California for a short vacation the same day. Takako stated they were a 'very big help!' She wishes to thank them once again! Takako & Sakura will be visiting Hideko for the next 5 weeks. Back in Omaha, we celebrated Kuro's 3rd Birthday over a video chat with Takako & Sakura in Tokyo. We sang Happy Birthday to him then he was able to eat a large treat.

Sakura is 10 months old

早いもので2月も終わり。
久々に先日、ジョシュとデービスとクロはパグミィーテイングに行ってきました。私とさくらは風邪の為、お家でお留守番。
ジョシュもデービスもクロも楽しい時間を過ごしたようです。
先週の土曜日は、さくらのジムでした。３月と４月はお休みしてまた５月からジムに通います。
さくらも日に日に歩く歩数も増えてきて、ますます目が離せなくなってます。

Already the end of February. Either time has flown by this year or we have stayed busy. Ever since the beginning of the year we have had Sakura enrolled in both swimming lessons at the YMCA & Level 1/2 at Gymboree. This past Saturday was her last Gymboree class until May. She will be up to level 3 class by then as today she is 10 months old. She surprises us daily with little things that she is learning/exploring. She is getting much better at walking around the house (living room thru the kitchen to the computer room). We really need to watch her as she quickly leaves the room to explore. This past week Josh brought Day-bis & Kuro to a Pug meeting/birthday party at Dogtopia. Very busy pictures with about 20 Pugs in attendance. Takako & Sakura stayed at home for some girl time.

Valentine's Day

今日はバレンタインデー。午前中は、さくらと一緒に小麦粉粘度で遊び、お昼はハート型のピザを食べ（お店で売ってるのを買って家で焼きました。）その後は、皆でプールに遊びに行きました。夜は今朝作ったチョコレートケーキを食べました。
さくらはここ最近、数歩、歩けるようになりました。明日はアメリカは祝日、大統領の日。明日も皆でプールに行く予定。

Today, Valentine's Day. I am very lucky because I have two girls to spoil today. The pictures above look like Sakura made the pizza dough but we cheated and bought a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's. We just wanted to introduce her to flour & then water mixed in as seen in the below video. In Japan they call it, "flour clay". After the pizza lunch, we headed for swimming at the Sarpy County YMCA then back home to relax the rest of the night away. Takako had also made a 'triple' chocolate cake. (One layer of smashed Oreo's, one layer of chocolate cream cheese & topped with chocolate syrup.) It sure was a Valentine's Day to remember.

Nearing the end of January

今日から２月。早いものです。１月から初めたさくらのジムとプール。まだまだ人見知りと恥ずかしがりやな部分があるもののジムもプールにも慣れてきた様子。
そしてアメリカにきて初めて焼き肉をお家でしました。アメリカは焼き肉用のお肉が売ってないので大きな肉の固まりを買ってそれを薄く切って焼き肉として食べました。やはり焼き肉は美味しい！

We can't believe that it is already the end of January! This month has flown by. We have been keeping busy with Sakura's Gymboree classes on the weekends and YMCA swimming classes on Tuesday nights. So far she is getting over her 'shyness' with others at Gymboree and becoming much more comfortable with the water at swim lessons. This past weekend we brought out the Yakiniku grill so we could grill some meat at home. (Takako even sliced all of the meat from one large brisket. There are no 'Yakiniku variety trays' in the states, only in Japan.) Now as we head into February, more adventures await for our family.

Omaha Zoo & Cheerios

今日、１８日はアメリカの祝日でジョシュが仕事お休みだったので皆で動物園に行ってきました。寒くて人が少ないかなって思ったけど結構、人がいました。
さくらにとって初めての動物園、色々な動物を見たり、動物の泣き声を聞いたりととっても楽しそうでした。
私達も１年ぶりの動物園、楽しかった。
そして先日、ハイチで大地震がありました。連日ニュースでハイチの様子を映し出してます。今の私達に出来る事、それは募金。少しでも役に立てたらという事で、帰りに募金してきました。一日でも早い復興、そして亡くなられた方のご冥福をお祈り致します。

Today we brought Sakura to the Omaha Zoo for her first time! (Actually she has been there before but in Mom's tummy, the beginning of last April.) Sakura loved looking at the animals at the multiple indoor exhibits however she passed out once we arrived at the orangutan's. She did however see monkey's, penguins, big cats, gorilla's and aquarium life. We visited the zoo for about 2-3 hours then headed to our neighborhood grocery store, Bakers to donate towards the Haiti Relief Fund. If anyone hasn't donated yet, to help after the 7.0 earthquake less than a week ago, what are you waiting for, donate. Then once we arrived home, Sakura & the boys tried Cheerios for their first time! So far, mixed reactions.

Gymboree & YMCA Swimming Lessons

先週の土曜日からさくらはジムに通い始めました。０ヶ月から１０ヶ月のクラスで他に生徒は7ヶ月の男の子がいました。
毎週火曜日はプールに。６ヶ月から３歳のクラスでさくらが一番下の生徒でした。
最近はつかまり立ち、伝え歩きも上手になり、手を離して１、２歩歩けるようになりました。

This past weekend Sakura started a Gymboree Play & Learn class in west Omaha. It is a great way for her to exercise & play somewhere outside of the house. The class is for any babies 0-10 months old. She will only be in the class for a couple of months as she will then move up to level 3. There is only one other boy in the class with her, Cole is at 7 months. She is already beginning to 'test' gravity by pulling herself up on things, then letting go. She can usually balance for about 5-8 seconds before slumping down. She also enjoys playing with Day-bis & Kuro.

Just last night, we started her in a YMCA Swimming Class. She is in the 'Shrimp' class which is 6 months to 3 years old. She is the youngest but it will be an introduction for her to the aquatics environment. So far, she loves it!

New Years 2009-2010

大晦日は日本食レストランで日本食の食べ放題に行ってきました。その後は、紅白歌合戦をみて新年を迎えました。
元旦は毎年恒例の初日の出を見に。今年も寒くマイナス１２度、太陽がでてくるまで待っていたけどあいにくの曇り空でした。
さくらも８ヶ月を過ぎ、ますます活発に、ハイハイもつかまり立ちも上手になり最近はつかまらないで立とうとしてます。後、上下２本ずつ歯が生えてきました。そして明日の土曜日からジム、来週の火曜日からプールに通います。
今夜からさくらは一人でお部屋で寝る事になります。今までは私達の間で寝てたんだけど今日から朝まで一人でお部屋で寝る事にさせます。
先日、母親から着物とちゃんちゃんこを送ってもらったので早速着せました。デービスと黒にも洋服を（これも母親から）ありがとう。
皆様、今年も宜しくお願い致します。

We keep wondering where 2009 went! It flew by and now that we are into 2010 (read twenty-ten), more adventures await us. New Years Eve we headed out to Sushi Japan - Yakiniku Boy for an all-you-can-eat buffet. Delicious, we might add, then it was back home to watch the Japanese year-end NHK music special until after midnight. This morning we woke up, then headed out to the base lake to take a family picture with the first-sun of 2010 (~9°F). The only bad part was the clouds and we didn't see the sun until afternoon. Sakura is just over 8 months old and we are starting her in the Gymboree classes tomorrow and swim lessons at the YMCA start next Tuesday. She is getting her first teeth in (2 bottom then 2 top). Until now, she has slept between us in our bed, but tonight she is a big girl. We just hope that she doesn't sleep sitting up, her face on her crib side. We almost forgot to mention that Sakura also got a kimono from Grandma Hideko, Day-bis & Kuro received new t-shirts. It has been a great start to 2010!

Christmas 2009 (Sakura's first)

今年のクリスマスはジョシュの実家には行かずネブラスカで過ごしました。ネブラスカは２４日から雪が降り続いておりかなり積もってますが。２４日のご飯は恒例のポテトチャウダー、その後、プレゼントのオープン。
２５日はストッキングの中の確認、さくらにはサンタクロースからの手紙やプレゼントが届いてました。
皆様、遅くなりましたがメリークリスマス！！！

It started snowing yesterday, Christmas Eve and is still snowing. So far, some snow drifts are close to 3 feet! That is in addition to the snow & ice that we have gotten already at the beginning of December. It is hard to believe that we are near the end of 2009. We spent our Christmas at home in Bellevue, Nebraska. We wanted Sakura's first Christmas to be at home. We ate potato chowder about 1 PM and began opening presents at 2 PM (kind of early but, oh well). Sakura had a great time opening the presents as mom helped. Now as we head towards 2010, wondering what the new year has in store for our friends & family! Love you all and we will see you in the new year!

Sakura's Lemonade Stand?

最近のさくらは、とてもパワフル。ハイハイもつかまり立ちも更に上手になり、ハイチェアで遊ぶのが日課。
来月からはジム、プールに通う予定。

Sakura has been busy. She loves pulling herself up on things, especially her high-chair. It looks like she has a small lemonade stand on the back of it. As she is getting more & more mobile, we thought that we should enroll her in a class at Gymboree. We brought her there for a trial and she loved it. She will be starting her first class, January 2nd! We are also planning on enrolling her in swimming lessons. Oh, and almost forgot to mention, her first teeth are starting to come through. (Middle, bottom.)

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.