4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We decided to stay home this year and kept the 4th of July intimate. Since Luke is still so small we didnt know how he would react to the loud sound of fireworks so we bbq'd and enjoyed family time.

Luke has attended a couple of play dates with his friends Sophia, Tyler and Lucy.

Boys Day 2011

Boys Day Kodomo no hi or Japanese Children's Day is a festival originally for boys ("tango no sekku") but which has been renamed for both sexes and is held on the 5th day of the 5th month.

Boys Day with dad and the flying fish

On this day families with newborn sons fly koinobori, beautiful multi-colored carp windsocks outside of homes to wish their sons a good future. Otoko means "boy" and sekku means "festival". The festival originated in China and later became associated with May rice planting in Japan. A set of streamers usually has three or more fish. The large black one (magoi) represents father. According to a Japanese children's song, the red one (higoi) represents the first born son.

Happy Cinco De Mayo

hanging with dad

first time in the ocean

fun in the sand

grandparents visit in May

visiting great, great (that's right) uncle Kiyoshi

Overwhelmed with Easter gifts and cards from friends and family

Easter Family Pic - Can never get the kid to look at the camera when we want him to!