Trip to Sedona

So after living in Arizona for about 6 years, we finally got the chance to go to Sedona during Spring Break. I thought that there wasn't going to be much to do, but there were a lot of things to do and it was so much fun.

These kids are so funny and I've got to say that this stage in their lives is a lot of fun. I hope it only gets better.
The kids at the balcony of our hotel checking out the gorgeous view. Emi's got CRAZY hair, but you'll notice that in all of our pictures, the girls have CRAZY hair.


First thing that we did when we got there was check out those gorgeous mountains. I thought we were just going to look at the mountains, but Blaine decided that we needed to hike the mountain so as you can see we are all not prepared for our hike.


The kids had so much fun playing with the dirt because it was so soft. Emi wrote her name in it (Can you see it?) and Brenden wanted to lie down and roll around in it and by the end of the hike it looked like he did.


They were racing and they thought that they both beat each other, so that's why they are making their "I Win" poses.

The hiking trails are beautiful. That's one thing that I would like to do again.


Our view from the top. Not that high, but pretty good for little kids. Emi and Dad doing silly poses. Then Brenden wanted to join in and then of course, Mom wanted to join in too. The kids and I did our Japanese "Peace" sign pose.

Brenden's Smile

This is the face that we get when we tell Brenden to smile.


Thank goodness, he's happy most of the time, especially when you give him a candy cane.

Phone Pictures

These are the crazy things that I find on my phone all the time. Here's a few shots.



She made herself into a fairy. Of course! Love this girl with her crazy faces!

Catching Fireflies

This was one of the most fun things that we did while we were in Tennessee in the summer. This is the reason why we try to go to Tennessee every summer. I think we caught fireflies almost every night we were there. The kids love it because it's so neat to see bugs light up.

I tried to get one to light up for us, but I'm not good with my camera, so this is what I got.


Emi was afraid of them at first, but then later she loved them.


Emi posing and Brenden trying to find the fireflies.


Brenden is so sweaty because he would run and run and try to follow the fireflies. Good workout!

Ripley's Aquarium and Gatlinburg

We took another trip to the Smokey Mountains to a town called Gatlinburg. It is so pretty up there and so much fun. We went to our favorite stops, the Ripley's Aquarium.

Emi posing for every picture with the fish. She asked me to take pictures of her and of every fish. I have a ton of pictures of Emi, but not so much of Brenden because he hates taking pictures.


Emi swimming with the fish. Nah! There's a tunnel where you can stick your head in the aquarium and act like you are swimming with the fish.


Outside visiting the penguins, but you can't see the penguins. I just love the scenery of Gatlinburg where they have the little stream running down through the town.


My Mom and me.


Then we hit the sights of Gatlinburg. This huge ball weighs an actual ton, but you can move it because it has a thin trace of water all around it, so it kind of floats on the water. Of course, we have to touch it and try it out.


Family Shot minus Baachan.


Then we saw a little pageant girl, so my sister stalked her so that she could get this shot. Emi's favorite show right now is Toddlers and Tiaras. Kind of weird... She's so fascinated with them getting all beautified. I must say that those girls really do look like little dolls up close with all the makeup and hair.


What? I thought we were in Tennessee? :)


My Dad. Thank you for spoiling us all the time. ;) We love you!!! I love how you are holding Emi's pink pony purse.


And finally some shots of the boy who hates taking pictures. We finally got some good ones, IN THE CAR!

Tattoo Night

My kids love to write on themselves all the time. It's fine if we are not going anywhere, but when we do, it's kind of embarrassing. So anyway, one night we decided to go crazy and Baachan started writing our names in Kanji to make it look like the real tattoos that everyone gets with the Japanese writing. This is what happens...

Universal Studios: Islands of Adventure

Still catching up from the summer time...

This place is probably one of the coolest theme parks that I have ever been to. I've been there before, but now they have the Harry Potter land, which was AMAZING! They really do capture the feel of Harry Potter. Also the ride was so much fun!!! Forget Disney, and go here!

The train station in the Harry Potter land. The place was so crowded, but we were still able to have a really good time. Crazy, huh? I think my sister and I waited almost two hours just to ride the ride. But it was worth the wait!


Welcome to Hogsmeade. See all the people? Crazy.


My parents were so nice and took my children so that my sister and I could go crazy and ride all the rides. For a moment I felt like an irresponsible teenager and thought, "This is the life! Why didn't I enjoy and appreciate this more when I was a teenager!". Just kidding... :) We got these express passes from Universal which are kind of pricey but so worth it because we didn't have to wait for any of the rides, except for the Harry Potter ride. But like I said before, so worth it!

Emi and Brenden had a blast at the Dr. Seuss land. I think she liked Universal more than Disney.


This picture cracks me up! Brenden loved being by the dinosaurs at Jurassic Park. As you can see, Emi is not in the picture because she is afraid.


Butterbeer. Mmmm.... so good. Get the frozen one, taste better. My cute sister modeling for us here.


Emi loves her Auntie!


Baachan being cute and Grandpa... well, I must say that it fits his personality. Hahaha...

Disney World

While we were in TN with my parents, they took us down to Florida for a little family vacation. I'm more familiar with Disney World than I am with Disneyland because we use to go quite frequently when we were growing up. It was fun to be there with everyone and see Emi enjoy the place of her dreams. Come on... who doesn't have fun at Disney World?

Baachan with her grandkids.


This time Emi was not into the characters or princesses, so it was nice that we didn't have to wait in line to see any of them. She was more into the rides. My little girl is growing up. *tear, tear...*

Brenden on the other hand did not like Disney World too much. This is what happens when you drag a stubborn, hard headed two year old to Disney World.

Pinocchio at the Parade. The parades are so much fun!


Grandpa and Brenden watching the parade. It was so hot!!! God bless Grandpa for doing that for Brenden. :) That's the bad thing about going to Disney World in the summer time. Definitely prefer Christmas time in Florida.


Then we headed off to Epcot to eat some good food around the world. Love that place!


Of course, being a Japanese family, we went to Japan and ate our dinner there. Oishikatta!!! It really does feel like you are in Japan. Epcot does really good job of getting the authentic feel for each country. I wish I took a picture of the pastry that we ate in France. So good!!! I want some right now as I'm doing this. I guess I got to go back next year. :)


I wore Crocs on this day and my feet were killing me. I thought Crocs were supposed to be comfortable, but they are not. I don't know how my kids live in them because they hurt. Why did I buy Crocs in the first place?


Fun trip and like I said before, going to have to go back next year!

Tennessee Trip: Smokies Baseball

For the summer we went back to Tennessee for a MONTH to go visit my family because Blaine was busy with Zion's Camp for the Young Men. We've been back for a month now, but I haven't documented the things that we did there. I think we did so much, that I feel a little overwhelmed with everything and don't want to take on this daunting task. So I'll start slow and hopefully I'll be able to finish up with everything.

My dad took us to the Smokies game while we were up there. It was the hottest day ever! It was like Arizona heat with the humidity, so it was a killer. I think we only stayed four innings, till we had to throw in the towel and beg my Dad to take us home. :) But for the most part we had a good time. I guess the pictures really tell you how we were feeling that day.

My sister and Emi eating at one of my favorites restaurants, The Chop House. You should go there if you are ever in Tennessee. I'm not sure if it is only a TN thing, or a south thing, but it good. The bread is yummy.


Posing as a baseball player.


Super hot day!


We had to go a little white trash and let the boy go shirtless at the baseball game.


This is how we felt at the end of the game. We nicknamed this picture as the "Baseball face". All I can say is that pictures don't lie.