Thomas' baptism

Not to be forgotten after Noah's birthday party, Thomas' turn in the spotlight was at the 5 pm Mass on December 12th as well. He was baptized by Fr. Vitaliano at our parish here in Misawa. Thomas wore Ian's baptism outfit, and he did not cry at all during the entire mass or baptism. The cutest part was right after Thomas was baptized, Ian stood up and clapped and cheered. (All the boys were sitting in the front pew.) After church we went to the Global Kitchen Restaurant with our friends the Frosts, Riordons, and Cofers. There were a lot of kids, but it was a nice celebration. Unfortunately, most of the pictures all turned out blurry, so these were the best ones.

Noah's 8th Birthday Party

We celebrated Noah's 8th birthday with his friends at the bowling alley on December 12th. Noah and his brothers all had a lot of fun!
Pizza time

Noah blowing out the candles

He wanted an ice cream cake...it was cookie dough ice cream with chocolate cake!

Introducing Thomas November 28th, 2009

Thomas Daniel was born on November 28th, 2009 at 3:06 pm. He was 8 lbs, 8 oz and 21 & 1/4 inches long. His apgar score was 9 and 9, at 1 and 5 minutes. Dr. Ball delivered him, and Lt Stephanie Campos was my nurse. Although my water broke at 5:30 am, I didn't go into labor so I had to have Pitocin started around 11:30 am. Contractions finally started around noon, and he was born right after 3 pm. Having the Pitocin was pretty painful toward the end, but by then it was too late for a spinal! I was just happy that he was not as big as they thought he was going to be. He tied with Noah for the smallest Robert baby at birth... Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Getting his first bath

Proud big brother Noah

Getting ready to leave the hospital

Thanksgiving in Misawa, 2009

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the Frost's house, along with the Abrahamsons, the Lewises, and the Rosses. It was very relaxed, but great food and friends. And of course, we never seem to have enough food at these types of get togethers, ha!
All the kiddos hanging out

Alex had to have the drumstick

Hirosaki Chrysanthemum Festival

On my birthday (Nov 8th) we went to Hirosaki for the Chrysanthemum Festival. It was beautiful with all the fall colors. The Japanese maples were especially vibrant with the deep reds and oranges. Hirosaki Castle is famous for the cherry blossom viewing in the springtime, but we thought the fall was just as beautiful.

Hirosaki Castle

Bonsai garden

Apple Picking in Hachinohe

Noah and I went to a private apple orchard to go apple picking with the homeschool group. It was beautiful, and the apples were the best I think I've ever had! As is the usual Japanese way, it was wonderfully done. Besides picking apples, we were treated to a delicious yakiniku style barbeque meat marinated in an apple juice, complete with onigiri (rice balls) grilled in apple juice, freshly pressed juice, ramen soup, and vegetables. It was so yummy, and Noah thought it was great that he got to cook his own food.
Noah cooking his own food yakiniku style

The apples were beautiful!

Ian's Football Party

Ian also got to play flag football, although he didn't always want to play! It was a parent and me type program, called Smart Start. Here is a picture of him receiving his trophy at his pizza party at the end of the season.

Yochien annual bazaar and open house, November 1st, 2009

We attended Alex and Ian's annual open and bazaar at the Yochien on November 1st. Chris did not see last year's because he was deployed, so it was a great chance for him to see what the boys do at their Japanese school. The whole school was decorated in their artwork. Ian's class theme was plants and nature, and Alex's theme was the digestive system and the body.


Ian's Budo (grapes)

Ian's man

Ian and his Sensei, Ai-Sensei.

Alex in front of some of his artwork.

Alex's sushi

Alex and his Sensei, Noguchi-Sensei

Halloween 2009

The annual craziness that is Halloween on Misawa Air Base...we probably saw about 300 American and Japanese kids pass by our door this year. The weather was a little cold and windy this year, but luckily no rain.
Ian the Power Ranger, Noah the blue clone, and Alex the gold clone

Chris went a little crazy this year with the pumpkins. We have Darth Vader, Bobo Fett (from Star Wars) and a Grim Reaper.

Beef and Garlic Festival, October 2009

We went to the Takko Town Beef and Garlic Festival in October. It was a lot of fun, despite a few rain sprinkles. Takko town is about 2 hours away, and is known for the garlic and beef, of course! We went with a bunch of our friends, including the Frosts, Lewises, the the Rizas.

Garlic wine, anyone? Can't say that we tried it...

Chris cooking our garlic, beef and vegetables. The boys couldn't get enough!

On the way home, we saw a little shrine in the middle of the ripening rice field. It was so pretty that we had to take a picture.

Flag football, October 2009

Yes, I'm behind in updating the blog! These pictures are from Noah and Alex's flag football season this fall. They were allowed to be on the same team, and luckily had the same awesome coach they had last year. They both learned a lot, and had a blast. The weather was perfect all season, and not one game was cancelled due to weather.

Ian enjoying running on the field

Alex going for a touchdown

Noah's turn

Koteki Festival

Alex's Japanese yochien participated in a festival in Hachinohe last weekend, September 27th. Including the Misawa Catholic Yochien, there were eight schools from around the northern Japan region participating. It was quite amazing, as all the kids in the festival were between the ages of 4-6 years old. Alex's school started practicing shortly after the school year began in April, with a summer break for part of July and most of August. Alex is playing the large taiko (drum) on the stand at the far right in the second row. Alex had a blast playing the taiko and participating in the festival. The video is actually from the practice in Misawa on Friday, because we were not allowed to take video from the performance. I'll also try to post a few pictures as well.

Sara Sullivan's story

Please continue to keep Sara Sullivan's family, especially baby Chloe and husband Brady in your prayers. For her complete story of her battle against breast cancer, please view the Sullivan's blog at http://www.bandssullivan.blogspot.com
Her husband, Brady has been amazing and is such an inspiration to all.

Sumo!

I was lucky enough to win a free trip for two adults to Tokyo to see a sumo tournament over 4th of July weekend! We also took the boys, and stayed at the New Sanno Hotel over the weekend. It was a wonderful experience, something everyone should see before leaving Japan.

at a rest stop on the way down to Tokyo

view of Tokyo Tower from Roppongi

One of the wrestlers going into the arena

the Sumo Stadium in Tokyo

outside the stadium, with the wrestlers' flags in front of the stadium

the sponsors' advertisement flags before the championship match of the day

Lake Towada Kunizakai Festival 2009

Over Labor Day weekend we went to Lake Towadafor the Kunizakai Festival. It is a combination festival of three northern Japan prefectures--Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. It includes floats from the Aomori Nebuta parade, Kanto lanterns on huge bamboo poles from Akita, and giant taiko drums. There are also dancers from Iwate and Hachinohe. The weather was perfect, and we all had a great time enjoying the performances and the traditional festival food.

Dancers performing
Dried fish on a stick, anyone?

huge paper lanterns on bamboo...the men would balance them on their hands and foreheads!
Taiko drum performance