I heart Tennessee

Last week we took a little trip to Tennessee  to visit Kenta's parents and sister. His sister was there visiting from Japan. We go visist them a couple times a year, but I really look forword to the once a year  when kenta's sister Tomoko is there visiting. She actually speaks English so I can carry on a conversation with her. =)  She plays with the kids a ton and they absolutely LOVE her! They equally love Kentas parents which they call  Baba (grandma in Japanese) and Tak-san.

They live in such a BEAUTIFUL area and I would seriously move there in a second if Kenta found a job there. This lake where we were at with this amazing few is about 2 miles from their house.

Right down the road from there house by the lake is  a park which we visit every single time we are there.
Tomoko is such a trooper! I would not let the boys push me on this, knowing it would totally make me sick! The boys are all wearing these adorable pants and shirts that Tomoko brought them from Japan. They are officially Noah's favorite pants! I mean who wouldn't love a pair of polka dot pants. =)

Baba has an awesome jacuzzi tub that the boys have to play in every single night. I want one!

We always eat nothing but amazingly delicious Japanese food while we are there. This time we had something that the kids and I had never had before. Its called Takoyaki. Basically its Octopus dumpling balls. The kids saw the the little octopus in full form before it was chopped into little peices, so I was sure they would not eat these. But to my surprise Kai ate more than anyone and he is my anorexic child who never eats! Eli was hesitant at first, but once I convinced him to try it he really liked it, and also ate quite a bit. With Noah it took bribery. Yes I bribe my kids A LOT!! I told him if he ate 5 than he could have a carmel apple. It worked and he ate 5 and didnt  complain about it. YAY I think my kids have those Japanese taste buds!! =)    They actually were pretty yummy..

And here is Grandpa  a.k.a Tak-san. He sure loves these boys a lot!!  And the boys equally love him. =)

Seriously can't wait till we go again. I LOVE Tennessee so much!!!  And I really can't wait till one day when we get to go visit kentas brother and sister,Tomoko and Daisuke in Japan.....One day. =)

3/11/2011

This past week kenta and I have been in really somber mood after hearing everything that is going on in Japan. It is the topic of most conversations. I know most of you who know us well know that kenta is Japanese so that would obviously make my kids half Japanese. Kenta was born in Japan and lived there off and on till he was 20. So obviously all that is going on right now hits very close to home.
I have never been to Japan but no doubt will take my kids one day.
Kentas parents moved from Japan to Tennessee about 4 years ago but other than that, his brother, sister and all his extended family live in Japan. Thank goodness they are all safe and sound. They are all from central and southern Japan from what I understand. Which is not where the hardest of the earthquake and tsunami hit.
It seems so surreal just watching all the news, videos and reading everything about it. My heart just breaks. I get more sad everyday. I have been trying to explain to my kids about the natural disaster that is going on there and my son Noah seems to be affected by it. He keeps asking about daddy's brother and sister, and friends. I tell him they are all going to be fine but he keeps asking. Noah & Eli pray for all the people in Japan during their nightly prayers. Noah has such a soft heart and really cares about what people are feeling and what they are going threw. Eli knows whats going on but he is just to young to understand the severity of it. And I don't even try to explain it to Kai. He is 2 and chooses not to talk anyway. So whats the point?
I really hate just feeling so helpless during these devastating events.
Please everyone pray for all those people in Japan. Especially those who have lost loved ones and are without food, water, and shelter. Pray for all the workers that are are putting their lives in danger working with the nuclear crisis and trying to stop this meltdown.
The only thing we can really do is donate money if you can and pray.

Just cute pics of Kai.

My baby Kai is not a baby anymore.(tear) He turned 2 a few months ago and he is very much acting like a terrible 2 year old. He sure is a cute terrible 2 year old though. He has the cutest smile and gorgeous eyes. Thanks to those asian genes he has. =)I feel so blessed to have this beautiful boy in our family.

This week

With all this crappy icey weather this week and school being cancelled for a couple of days we have been stuck inside the house. And I must say it has been fun just staying home finding ways to entertain ourselves. Oh and wearing Pj's for almost 2 days straight. =)

My 2 year old

Time sure does fly and I don't like that so much... I wish my boys would not grow up so fast, but I guess there is not a dang thing I can do about it, except for seriously enjoy them as much as I can. Dont get me wrong we surely have our bad moments but I am slowly learning just to ignore the melt downs and tantrums as much as I can..My sweet baby boy Kai, who is not so much a baby anymore turned 2 years old on December 15th. Kai is a picky eater which I am not used to. He would eat crap all day if I let him. His favorite foods are bananas,string cheese, anything with beans, and spaghetti. He LOVES his brothers and copies everything they do. He doesnt talk much.I think thats because Eli does all his talking for him. The only words he says, is Eli (his first word) Mommy, daddy, yes, kitty, buzz (for buzzlight year), juice, choo choo, and as of 3 days ago he says No. Noah is at school all day so Eli and Kai have become Bff's. They play and fight so well together. =)
He is very much into trains and anything with wheels. He doesnt like tv or movies that much. The only thing he will sit and watch for a little while is Toy story.
Kai's 2 year old stats: 26 lbs.(15th percentile) & 33 inches tall(25th percentile)
Kai has the cutest smile and laugh! I love him so much and cant imagine my life without my 3 little men...

2010 in a very small nutshell

Me being the blogging slacker that I am (and really wish I wasn't).. have decided to make a goal of at least posting something every month this year.. Good Luck to me!!

I am so disappointed about some  stuff I never got around to documenting. DANG ME and my lack of motivation... I thought I would post a couple photos from 2010, just to wrap it up in a very small nutshell. (mostly for my own remembrance)

January- Noah finally became brave enough  to hold his pet frog that he had had for over a year... This was a HUGE accomplishment kids!

February- In the midst of winter so not much going on.. just hanging out with stud muffins.

March- Happy Easter!

April-starting to enjoy being outside after hibernating all winter..

May- Noah finishes up preschool!
We also went on a trip with some friends to Nauvoo Illinios.. Me with my kids next to the Big Mississippi.

June&July- made a super long road trip to Utah for 2 weeks.. The kids were awesome in the car. (thanks to our dvd player in the van!) It was such a fun trip.. ...Heres the boys with my sweet grandma.

I got to spend the 4th of July with Some of my BFFs from Utah..  ..Ricci is  on the left and we  found each other my  senior year in highschool. I Love her so much!.... Melissa in the red and Eppy standing next to me, I have known since I moved to ogden valley when I was 12 years old. They have been some of my besties  for that long... I love and miss these girls, and their kids so much!

On July 20th Eli turned 4!

August- Noah started full day  Kindergarten  at Columbus Preperatory Acadamy and  his new  teachers name  is Mrs. Hall.. He was so excited to start and still loves it so much..(except for the waking up at the butt crack of dawn.) We all very much dislike that!
 Well I officially feel old now that I have a kid in Elementary school!!

September- Eli started preschool. First day of school with Mrs. Nicole and her daughter Seattle.
He also LOVES his teacher and his school so much! Eli only goes 2 days a week for a few hours. And can I say I love those few hours a week that I have alone time with my littlest man.

October- Happy Halloween! I must say my kids were the cutest toys story kids out there. =)

Kenta and our friend Alex before a Halloween shindig.. Dont they just look fabulous!  Kenta just used my costume from last year.. Only a true man can wear red ruby slippers. =)  Alex was so clever in his costume. If you cant tell, he is a cereal killer..  Creative, No?

November- No snow yet, so the kids are soaking up the last few days of sunshine..

On November 3rd this kid turned 6! And a few days berfore that he lost his first 2 bottom teeth.  He looks so dang cute. =)

December-    Christmas came of course and it was a blast! And My baby Kai turned 2 !! Doesnt seem possible, but it happened...

 I swear to you all, thats  still assuming people still check this thing, I going to be better at this documenting my life stuff. I have so many peoples blogs to catch up on now! Forgive me for my lack of commenting, I am going to be better. =)

And to those of you who went private, which I know some of you did. Hook me up with invite!!