Piano recital at Hachinohe's Too Hall, April 2010

Noah and Alex had the opportunity to perform at a concert hall in Hachinohe. The piano was a Steinway Grand. Both of the boys practiced their pieces for quite a while, and they did well! They did not seem nervous at all.

Alex sitting with his friend Hannah from the yochien, and her sister, Hailey.

Alex performs "Old West Rodeo"

Noah performs "Chinese Tea Party"

Photo with Reiko, their piano teacher for the past few years. We will definitely miss her when we leave Japan!

Saipan, April 2010

We had a blast in Saipan! We flew from Tokyo to Guam, and got to meet up with Mindy's friend Annie, from ROTC. Then we flew on to Saipan and stayed at Pacific Islands Resort. We stayed at the PIC in Guam last year, but we liked this resort better. The weather was beautiful every day, with a high of 86-87 degrees, and a low of 76 each night. There was a lot of things for the kids to do--a Kids' Club with activities planned throughout the day, a lazy rizer, water slides, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, a rock climbing wall, and even archery. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing! Chris and Mindy often sat in front of the lap pool and lazy river and took turns swimming laps and watching Thomas in the shade. The boys loved the Kids Club, and the staff was wonderful.
Thomas hanging out on the beach chair

Alex in the lap pool

Mindy's favorite blossom--the Plumeria

The view across the beach to the other shore

Ian in the lazy river

One of the boys' favorite Clubmate--Sujong

Noah on one of the waterslides

Another view from the beach

Ian is 5!

We celebrated Ian's 5th birthday at the resort in Saipan. He received a special cake and the staff sang Happy Birthday to him. When we returned home, he got to open his gifts--thanks to Omi & Opa, Grandma & Grandpa, and Aunt Nancy, Travis, and Nick!

Easter in Minnesota, 2010

Noah, Thomas and I went back to Minnesota for a quick trip for Easter. It was great to spend with family, although we missed Chris, Alex and Ian! We knew we would all be having a great vacation in Saipan the following week, and we talked every day on Skype! It was a great chance for Thomas to meet his great grandparents.
Getting on the Shinkansen in Hachinohe on the way to Tokyo
Grandma Sally with great grandson Thomas

Grandpa Bob, Justin Mindy, Grandma Sally, Noah and Thomas

Most of the grandkids on the Galzki side

Most of the great grandkids

Thomas and Grandpa

Uncle Justin with Thomas

Grandma with Thomas and his Easter egg

Noah coloring Easter eggs

Nick with Noah

Godfather Travis with Thomas

Great Grandma with Noah and Thomas

Easter in Misawa, 2010

Alex and Ian spent Easter with Chris in Misawa, while Noah, Thomas and Mindy went to Minnesota (more about that later!). On Easter after church, Chris took the boys to the driving range to hit some gold balls. They had a lot of fun, but they need some practice...!

After golfing, they went to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt, and from the looks of it, it was crazy!