Ueno Park and Zoo

 One of the coolest things about Tokyo is that you can go a million times and still find something new to see or do. Our latest discovery was Ueno park/zoo. Rain was in the forecast but that didn't stop us from venturing out to see some animals! The train ride was super easy and while there are never enough elevators when we need them, the kiddos were in good spirits and that's about half of the battle when trying to sightsee with little ones!

Baseball

Now that Coop is 3, there are all kinds of activities available for him to try. We gave Tap dancing a shot, but (to dad's relief) he just wasn't interested...and being only one of two boys in the class didn't help either.  We took him to Tae Kwon Do (which he LOVED), but the instructor felt he might be a little young for the discipline aspect of martial arts. We'll try that again in a year or so. Piano lessons have a waiting list, but one of our new friends knows someone who teaches and his preschool offers lessons so he'll probably start that fairly soon. That left t-ball. He loves playing catch with Justin and has been pretty confident about hitting the ball so we had hoped that he would be very happy on a t-ball team. Just as we suspected, he LOVES t-ball. He is so eager to go to his practices and seems to be the only 3 year old that doesn't lose motivation towards the end of practice. We're still trying to get him to stop chasing after the ball every time someone gets a hit. He really loves to throw the ball so maybe he's telling us that he wants to be a pitcher one day? Anyway, here are a few pics from his last practice. There's a video clip of him hitting the ball and running on Facebook, too. Enjoy! 

Waiting for his turn to bat

He loves t-ball! 

Running to second

Waiting to run home

Coop turns 3!

Three years ago the most amazing little boy came into our lives and a day doesn't go by that we can't see how blessed we have been since that very first moment that we held him. Thank you to everyone that called or sent messages to wish our little guy a happy birthday!

Coop, here are a few of our favorite memories from your year as a not so terrible two year old:

We LOVE...

1. Your bedtime prayers. Sometimes they seem to go on a bit (You get that from Grampy! :P), but they're always so pure and sweet.

2. Your unnatural ability with electronics. 

3. Your love of music and dancing. You were born singing and your crazy, haphazard song remixes today conjoined with your Just Dance/Puss in Boots dance moves are priceless! 

4. Your love for figuring things out on your own....even when it means mommy has to resist the urge to do it for you because patience was never her strong suit! 

5. Your passion for all things outdoorsy and anything stereotypically "boyish" (i.e sports, dirt, superheroes, climbing, jumping, video games, martial arts, wrestling, et cetera!). 

6. How you are constantly kissing your brother's head because you love him so much. 

7.  How you associate counting in Japanese with your one Tae Kwan Do class so now you always punch when you count...

Ok, I think we could go on forever so how about some pics? :)

Skyping with PaPa while opening presents

Granny and Coop

Video games

A new instrument for our songbird

There was a major storm out so we stayed home all day

Enjoying a celebratory dinner with Bella  

"God heard"

Almost 2 months

Anything for a laugh...

Surrounded by boys

You can't really see it in this pic, but it's snowing out!!

Justin is always wrestling with Cooper in the play room. It looks like Samuel already wants in on the rough housing! We need another girl around here to soften things up, but our landlord doesn't allow any cats or dogs. :(

Brotherly love

Sleepless Bliss

10 days old

2 weeks old

Shinagawa Aquarium (in Tokyo)

We made it! 

Coop couldn't look away! 

Sea Lion Show

More Tokyo/Aquarium

Love these!!

The New Sanno

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...

It's been a week and yet our little guy has ended up somewhat nameless! Despite us not knowing what to call him, he is the easiest baby EVER! As long as his belly is full, he will sleep or look around without any fussing at all! He looks just like Cooper did except that he has lots of hair and their eyes are quite different. Cooper is so sweet with his little brother and so far isn't upset about sharing our attention with him. We'll send out announcements as soon as we finally settle on his name. For now, here's a pic of our newest team member!

5 Days Old

After spending one last night at the hospital, our little guy was finally cleared to go home. Yay! :)

Braden or Samuel?

Waiting to be a big brother is hard work...

Coop loves his baby brother

first trip to Starbucks

Sleepy Coop and Granny watching Gnomeo and Juliet 

Justin and his boys

Welcome to the Team, Sweet Baby

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high..."  
1 Samuel 2:1a

Good Eats!

Tuna lunch special

Miso Soup

100 Yen Sushi

Fried Mochi!

fried chicken on a stick

Coco Curry

Neighborhood Ramen House