April 12: Fun with Friends

We have had lots of fun playdates recently - both with kid friends and adult friends!!

Zachery, Mari & Calli

Becca & Ross- rockin' out on Guitar Hero

A picnic lunch: Mari, Dillon, Koji, Izumi, Calli & Ashleigh

Calli and Danielle

No friend here. This was while we were waiting for Calli to finish her appointment. Mari dressed up with all Calli's winter gear out of my bag. Too funny!

March 31: Beautiful Princesses

Calli, Olivia and Julia - all decked out!

Mari cracks me up!

Izumi!

Feb 15: More Fun Times in Virginia

You know you've had a fun, and activity-filled day when you fall asleep reading your book.

Jamie and Koji with the tie-dye t-shirt they made together. (No, you can't really see the shirt - it has to live in that plastic bag for a couple weeks.)

Jamie and Izumi - who just finished her blueberry yogurt.

Joshua - he's sooo cute!

Koji - chilling on the couch.

Feb 12: Pool Time

One of the my favorite things at the place we stayed was the children's pool in the recreation center. It was 1.5 feet deep, and enclosed in a gated area. So nice. Even the small kids could play with out having to hold them every moment.





Rich was a big hit in the pool.

Just "the girls" hanging out after swimming.

Feb 10: Kids, kids, kids

We recently returned from a trip to Charlottesville, VA to visit our dear friends Jim and Megan Bleakley. Also with us were Jamie, Koji and Izumi. Meaning that with everyone - we had 5 kids under 5 years of age. But with this big jacuzzi tub, we could bathe 4 of the kids at once. I think this picture will show up again - or get mom something good if I use it for blackmail.

One of the kids' favorite activites was going to the recreation center. We would take over a raquetball court and let the kids run and throw/kick balls to their hearts content.

Storytime!

Time for a movie

Oct 5: Spider Swing

We had a fun time at the park today with Koji, Izumi, Brynnen, Kellan and Livie. We tried out this "spider-style" swinging. It worked better for our girls, than for Koji and Izumi :)

Sept 3: Labor Day @ Brookfield Zoo

Having the day off, we decided to make the trip out to Brookfield Zoo with Jamie & Aogu, and Jason & Kristen with all the kids in tow.

We started off with a ride on the carosel. I never consider paying for a 2 minute ride, but we went - and I have to say it was worth it. Koji - yes, he is winking, so cool!

Calli on her buffalo. (I even sang "Everybody's got a water buffalo :) )


Aogu and Izumi - this is more impressive than you know since she is incredibly scared off all largish animals.

Rich and Mari

Me and Calli


Mari - looking ultra-cool with Koji's shades.

Calli wearing a REALLY BIG shirt!!

All the kids . . .

Tonight Kristen, Jamie and I thought we would do dinner together. But when some older kids took the fun out of McDonalds' playland - we headed to Jamie's backyard. Here you can see all 5 kids.


(Ashleigh - looking away), Calli, Koji, Izumi, (Mari - swinging)

Party of 14

We wanted to take advantage of every minute we could spend with our friends, Jim, Megan and their son Joshua. So today we got a big group and headed to Walker Brothers for breakfast. We had 8 adults and 6 kids - yikes! The kids did well, and we enjoyed yummy pancakes, and great "fellowship" as Jim loves to say.

Jim & Joshua

Megan & Jenny

Mari & Izumi

Aogu & Jamie

Koji & Calli

Rich & Ivan

Shanel & Audrey

Everybody!!!

Far Away Friends

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to be able to see 2 sets of family friends who live out of the area: one in Florida, the other in Uganda. Both visits were very fun, too short, and left us wanting more. Come back soon!!

Kathleen & Brad (check out their blog)

Jamie, Owen & Steph

Izumi & Sam

Me, Mari & Erika

Jamie, Carol, Me & Mari

Carol, John and our family

Pool Party & BBQ

After the parade, we invited our housegroup back to our place. The kids swam in our little pool, and we were glad to have a couple neighbor kids join us as well. The guys grilled burgers and we all ate a yummy feast!

Dillon & Calli

Mari

Lily

Mari loved peaking in to see Lily in the stroller.
Adam & Dillon - posing as bakers.

Jamie & Aogu

Ian & Ashley

Rich & Jeff

Jamie was so sweet to make a birthday cake for Rich, Prashant & I.
Izumi loved sitting in this plastic tub.
Mari

Dillon wearing Calli's sunglasses.

Koji & Calli