Another Update

I've been told that we haven't been too forthcoming with our plans for the next few years, so I thought that I would update you on what is going on.

Sachiyo and I have decided to stay here in Yuma for another year. This was due to a combination of reasons. One, Sachiyo will be giving birth in August (if the kid waits that long) and was not reassured by me telling her that I was sure we could find a vet somewhere in the middle of Kansas or Missouri, if she went into labor during the week-long trip. Now we will be able to have the baby here in Yuma close to friends and family, with a support network already in place. This has lowered our stress level about this considerably. The thought of dropping Sachiyo off by herself in the hospital in Ann Arbor to give birth when we had no one to watch the kids was a little scary.

The doctor has assured us that the baby is a girl and Sachiyo has a planned C-section date of 20 August (if the baby can hold on that long). We don't really need ANY clothes or toys. We have accumulated a ton of things over the years. If you feel you must send something (and it is not at all necessary), gift cards to walmart/target/Sam's Club for diapers would be great.

The Second reason that we are staying is that I have learned that I can get a waiver to apply for a Marine Corps Program to go to law school (unfunded) and come back in the Marine Corps, as a JAG, when I am done with school. While I am in school, I will pay tuition with my GI Bill and will work for (and get paid by) the Marine Corps during the summers. I would continue accruing "time in grade" while going to school and would finish 15 years active service, by the time my commitment would be up. One of the nicest things would be that I will keep our insurance during school.

I will not find out whether or not I have been selected for the program until March of 2011. I'll let you know when I know.

Either way, the family will be moving to Ann Arbor, MI in May of 2011 and I will be attending the University of Michigan. I will be starting the summer semester around June 1st, 2011.

Tate will be starting kindergarten here in a few months and is very excited about it. He and his sisters are enjoying swimming anytime they can get to the pool.

I have been called as the Venture Crew leader for scouts. I am breaking in a new CO and Operations Officer at work, while being the only instructor and training three new pilots (one of them my boss and the new Operations Officer). There is nothing like telling your boss that he is all messed up....

Sachiyo is still working with the Activity Day girls at church (8-11). She is also continuing to teach Tate at home. She does a great job and Tate is now reading well ahead of his age and will read books to himself when he is bored.

Sion and Hana are busy learning new things like how to push a chair up next to their high chair in order to climb in and demand food. They also like to have lightsaber fights with their brother and enjoy bringing their lilghtsabers up to you and hitting you in the leg with them while saying "hyah!" Cute and deadly. That's my girls.

Pictures coming...

Catching up...

Here's a few pictures to quiet the grandparents who have been complaining about not being able to see their grandkids. Most of these pictures were taken at the park during Tate's last soccer game. This season, his team went over .500, and Tate even scored a goal! The girls love coming out to the game and we have to pull them off the field a few times a game as the try to get involved.

Hana and Mommy. Sion and papa.



Sion pushing Hana in their baby stroller. The girls playing chase around the big stroller.



Hana at the park chasing down papa and the camera. Hana at home, trying to look innocent.



Sion offering me a flower. (I took it so she didn't eat it). Sion at home.



Tate after his last game. Tate leading a fast break.



Ok, this picture makes Tate seem all grown up...I'm not sure how I feel about that.

One year ago...

Sion and Hana were born. It is so hard to believe that they are already a year old but, here we are. They have graduated to their bigger car seats, they have a bunch of teeth, the bottles are all put away. They are walking (or trying to). They have developed into beautiful little girls who are completely different. We love them very much and are blessed to have them with us.

We had a few friends over for dinner and cake on their birthday and had a great time.

Hana and Sion in their "princess" headgear (which I thought we did pretty good to keep on them for over 5 seconds)
.


The girls got a babydoll stroller and a shopping cart. They love to push things around and LOVE to fight over them, so we had to get two so they could alternate.



Sion and Hana with their cake...

BEFORE:



and AFTER: Want to share?



As much as we laughed at the girls eating their cake, Tate wasn't much better.

New Year's Bowling

We spent our New Year's Eve bowling with our friends. Having the little ones made it a little more challenging, but Sachiyo still managed to beat me handily (at bowling). Hana and Sion seemed to enjoy themsleves, too.


Tate had a fun time throwing the ball. He didn't really care what happened to it after he threw it, but he had a good time. He had more fun playing with his friends running up and down a nearly empty bowling alley.

Merry Christmas

We had a great, if low key, Christmas this year. Sachiyo's sister, Misaki, and her family came down from Vegas to spend the holidays with us. Of course, everyone got sick so it was a typical Christmas.


Tate opened his presents...



Hana opened the dishwasher....she likes that better than any of her presents.



We decorated cookies and just enjoyed being a family together for the holidays.

The girls in their Christmas dresses

Sion and Hana in their Christmas dresses. We tried to get a cuter picture of Hana, but she wouldn't stand still (it's too much fun walking, I guess).

Save me from the demon!

Mommy! Save me from the demon dog!!!!

The end of a perfect season...

Tate finished a perfect season of soccer (0-12). He had a great time. He is pretty sad that he doesn't have anymore practice.

Tate running through the tunnel after his last game.



Alex, Tate and Hunter (The Three Stooges: they never paid attention to the coach - luckily Alex was the coach's kid, so I don't feel too bad).



Tate getting his medal and pictures from one of his coaches at the post-season pizza party.



All in all it was a good experience and we finally got the "soccer mom" usage out of the minivan.

Hana is walking

Hana went from her first step before Thanksgiving to walking across the room on the 2nd of December. Sion won't be far behind.

New Identity Theft Prevention Method

We have discovered a new way to prevent Identity Theft. Until now, we have been using a crosscut shredder, which chops things up into tiny little bits. Now we are using a two-way "chew and slobber" shredder (Patent Pending - not really). Not only is the information on the paper unrecognizable, it is also way too disgusting for any identity thief to want to touch. I feel safe, and the girls are earning their room and board. Perfect!