Just a few random photos that I wanted to preserve for TnT.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Outer Banks
In mid-April my friend Jason called me and asked if we'd like to join his family at a beach house down in OBX the week before Memorial Day. We jumped at the opportunity to take a much needed family vacation. The first few days were tough as TnT refused to sleep through the night in their new environment. Thankfully though, the rental house was spacious enough that no one else's sleep was disturbed...much. For better or for worse it rained steadily for the first two days which allowed Mayu and I to basically conduct shift work, alternating between sleep, feeding TnT and watching them. Luckily they finally hit their battle rhythm as the weather broke mid-week. We spent our days going on adventure walks, swimming in the pool and building sand castles at the beach. Aside from a few battles over toy planes, Reid, Taku and Taizo got along really well despite all the age differences. We were hoping Reid's eating habits would rub off on TnT because he could sit at the table for an hour eating peacefully, but no such luck. I would sell my left foot on the black market to get my boys to sit down at dinner like that. TnT loved Lila too, the Dalley's 9 month old baby girl.
On a personal note, I snuck in a few games of tennis with Jason which was nice because neither of us had played seriously in a few years (10-15). The nights generally entailed big dinners, drinks, dips in the hot tub, movies in the basement movie theater and "to the death" games of Wii bowling. It was hard to leave but we are looking forward to hanging out with the Dalleys when we move up to NoVa in the spring.
On a personal note, I snuck in a few games of tennis with Jason which was nice because neither of us had played seriously in a few years (10-15). The nights generally entailed big dinners, drinks, dips in the hot tub, movies in the basement movie theater and "to the death" games of Wii bowling. It was hard to leave but we are looking forward to hanging out with the Dalleys when we move up to NoVa in the spring.
Botantical Gardens Photo Shoot
My parents spent the week at a time share here at the beach at the end of April. We loaded up our truck and staged all of TnTs' beach toys at their place. They took Taku to the beach and swimming in the pool all week. They even convinced him to sleep over one night...his first voluntary night sleeping away from us. To boot, my father brought a pair of swim goggles and with them Taku learned how to swim underwater. We are hoping this will be a prelude to being able to swim on his own later this summer.
Despite all of the activity the only photos we have from the week were taken by Mayu's friend (Becky) who is a professional photographer. Mayu wanted to get pictures taken with Grandma and Grandpa while the Botanical Gardens were in full bloom. The boys did great and Becky demoralized me with her mad photo skillz.
Despite all of the activity the only photos we have from the week were taken by Mayu's friend (Becky) who is a professional photographer. Mayu wanted to get pictures taken with Grandma and Grandpa while the Botanical Gardens were in full bloom. The boys did great and Becky demoralized me with her mad photo skillz.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Busch Gardens
On the way home from a DC business trip, I had the bright idea to meet Mayu and the boys halfway at Busch Gardens. It was a sunny but breezy and cool day and we had a lot of fun. Instead of trying to narrate through each of the pics on the blog I will just comment on some of the photos inside of the slide show.
Easter 2009
The highlight of Easter was the fact that somebody in my neighborhood civic league (Laurel Cove) decided to allow me to be the Easter Bunny this year. I decided to take video so I could share what it is like to be THE Easter Bunny. In the end it was awesome, but don't take my word for it. Here's the (bumpy) video.
Here is one more video that Mayu shot. For some reason Taku has never been a fan of the full size Easter Bunny suit. Clearly Taizo is no exception.
Finally here are the Easter photos. Some are from Taku's Easter pageant, Mayu's social group function, the neighborhood Easter picnic and a few other things.
Here is one more video that Mayu shot. For some reason Taku has never been a fan of the full size Easter Bunny suit. Clearly Taizo is no exception.
Finally here are the Easter photos. Some are from Taku's Easter pageant, Mayu's social group function, the neighborhood Easter picnic and a few other things.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hampton Roads Air and Space Museum
We hauled the boys up to the local Air and Space Museum in Hampton, VA. As you can imagine they loved it, especially Taku as he is still going through a massive "plane phase" right now. He especially loved sitting in the flight simulators. Maybe watching all those YouTube videos of jets flying set to music has given him aviation insight because, frankly, he did a pretty good job. USNA class of 2027 and then into the jet pipeline? Stranger things have happened!
Shamrock 2009
Mayu ran the Shamrock 8k in Virginia Beach this year. I brought the boys down to celebrate with her and her training partners after they crossed the finish line. Despite the cold we had a lot of fun drinking Yuengling on the beach at 11am while the boys played in the sand.
The last few photos are taken before the marathon (the next day, 22 March). I was honored to be asked by AG1 Charlie Neese to be his reenlisting officer. It was cold and I had not shoe-horned my big butt into Service Dress Blues in a long time but it was memorable for everybody involved.
The last few photos are taken before the marathon (the next day, 22 March). I was honored to be asked by AG1 Charlie Neese to be his reenlisting officer. It was cold and I had not shoe-horned my big butt into Service Dress Blues in a long time but it was memorable for everybody involved.
Easter 2009
The highlight of Easter has to be the fact that somebody in my neighborhood civic league (Laurel Cove) decided it would be a good idea if I was the Easter Bunny this year. I decided to take video so I could share with Mayu what is like to be THE Easter Bunny. In the end it was awesome, but don't take my word for it. Here's the (bumpy) video.
Here is one more video that Mayu shot. For some reason the Taku was never a fan of the full size Easter Bunny suit. Clearly Taizo is no exception.
Finally here are the Easter photos. Some are from Taku's Easter pageant, Mayu's social group functions, the neighborhood Easter picnic and a few other things.
Here is one more video that Mayu shot. For some reason the Taku was never a fan of the full size Easter Bunny suit. Clearly Taizo is no exception.
Finally here are the Easter photos. Some are from Taku's Easter pageant, Mayu's social group functions, the neighborhood Easter picnic and a few other things.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Taku's 4th Birthday Party
Mayu and arbitrarily decided to have Taku's party the weekend following his birthday (vice before) and we missed one of the worst storms of the season (snow, ice, rain, etc). Instead it was the nicest days of the year with the temperature up in the 70's and a cloudless sky. With a preschooler and a toddler Mayu and I are hopeful that spring is here to stay.
In addition to the birthday Mayu and I used this a chance to celebrate the fact that all the big projects are complete downstairs. There are still a few finishing touches but the "heavy lifting" is complete.
Since the photos speak for themselves and I've already posted comments inside the slideshow I will get out of the way...
In addition to the birthday Mayu and I used this a chance to celebrate the fact that all the big projects are complete downstairs. There are still a few finishing touches but the "heavy lifting" is complete.
Since the photos speak for themselves and I've already posted comments inside the slideshow I will get out of the way...
February '09 - Winter Close Out
Another quick post with twelve random shots closing out the winter. I've embedded comments in each of the pictures. I'm just glad that winter is (almost) over.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
January '09
Like many other east coast families we are just trying to survive the winter. We've been lucky enough to have a few random warm days where we go out to a park to take advantage of the conditions. The below photos are taken at the Botanical Gardens, ORF where we watch commercial planes, the trails at First Landing State Park and around the neighborhood in the bike trailer. If it is too cold Mayu will bring the boys to the Children's Museum. Finally, there are a few pictures of my friend Chuck and the boys helping me fumble my way through my home renovation projects. The good news is that I'm almost done with the first floor except for a few pieces of trim wood and paint.
My friend Chad is a F/A-18 pilot and he invited the boys and me to watch practice landings at Fentress Air Field. Despite being around a lot of military gear during my ten years in the Navy it was amazing to watch F/A-18's land in front of my face. It was crazy, we drove across the landing strip and parked on the grass next to the runway as if we were at some drive in theater.
After a few minutes the Hornets came roaring out of the north and conducted Touch-and-Go's for about an hour. The noise may have knocked a few of my fillings loose. As you can imagine he boys went crazy. Taku would scream for me to take photos every time they came around for more landings. Now I'll have to convince Chad to take me for a ride in one of the beasts.
My friend Chad is a F/A-18 pilot and he invited the boys and me to watch practice landings at Fentress Air Field. Despite being around a lot of military gear during my ten years in the Navy it was amazing to watch F/A-18's land in front of my face. It was crazy, we drove across the landing strip and parked on the grass next to the runway as if we were at some drive in theater.
After a few minutes the Hornets came roaring out of the north and conducted Touch-and-Go's for about an hour. The noise may have knocked a few of my fillings loose. As you can imagine he boys went crazy. Taku would scream for me to take photos every time they came around for more landings. Now I'll have to convince Chad to take me for a ride in one of the beasts.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Some of Taizo's First Steps
A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With Just One Step
Not much to say here except Taizo has started his journey of a thousand miles. Enjoy.
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