Scottie and YouTube....

Scott loves to watch videos on YouTube.....he introduced me to this one, so I have to give him props....I couldn't stop laughing at it.....

San Jose Sharks....is there a tomorrow?

For those that know me...know that I am a huge San Jose Sharks fan....back when they started, I got curious to this new sport to the Bay Area....Ice Hockey....Ice Hockey in California?! Well....my work had some tickets to give away so I took them and went to my first hockey game.....it was all over after that....Renee and I got season tickets....row 14, center ice. When you have no kids, you can do crazy things like that. Once the kids started to come, we went to less and less games....when the kids got older, we started to go to more and more again. We lived in a neighborhood where many of the Sharks players lived and we often ran into them around the area. Our love for the team was now family wide as the kids often went with us to games. I write all of this because tonight, the Sharks play for their playoff lives. They won the season with the best record in the NHL but it means nothing as they face elimination tonight against a very tough Anaheim team. I always say that I would take a player with heart over a player with skill. The Sharks have a ton of players with skill but they now need to play with heart. For the thousands of Sharks fans who have been faithfull for so many years, we deserve it. I'm hoping that the Sharks can deliver as we all believe they can....

Another Fun...Busy Weekend!!

This weekend was filled once again with fun adventures with the Kumamoto Family. On Saturday, Cori performed her traditional Japanese Odori dance at the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival. While the boys waited for Cori to perform, we walked around and enjoyed the food and festivities. On Sunday, Cori performed at the San Jose Japantown Nikkei Matsuri Festival. Once again, while we waited for Cori to perform...we walked around and ate.....I think I gained 10 lbs on great Japanese food this weekend. The bonus was, we got to stay at Renee's brother, George's house with Joanne and cousins Kayla and Kesley. Justin loves to hang with his cousins so he had an extra good weekend!

Cori performing at the Nikkei Matsuir Festival

Cori with Yeh-Yeh, Ah-Ma and Grandma Kumamoto

Cori with Jo-Jo (Uncle George) who was working security at the Nikkei Matsuri

Bando Kai Dancers at the Cherry Blossom Festival

Justin and Scott messing around with the ducks


Cori and her Sensei (Mary Arii-Mah)

Justin and Scott in front of the Veterans Memorial in Cupertino...it is dedicated to a US Navy Seal who was born and raised in Cupertino and was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Nice day for an Easter egg hunt!

As we do every year, we dyed some eggs for Easter! Then for the next few days, the kids have hard boiled eggs with a bunch of colored speckles on them for breakfast :-) I think this is Scott's last year since I had to say "C'mon Scott, just join us and dye a few eggs.." and he says..."Okay-just two okay mom!" Sheesh, do kids really have to grow up so fast.

I still remember when Glen and I were dating, we spent Easter with his cousins and kids. We dyed eggs and Glen made a special one for me that said "Glen + Renee" ...and the kids all giggled at us. Even today, his cousins bring it up every now and then and make fun of us..."Awhhhh, so cute..." The funny thing is, Glen still makes a special egg just for me...hehe

First Swim Of The Summer

The sun is out in full force in Sacramento.....when that happens......what do we do?! We hit the pool!!!

Scott's face as he tests the water temp....

Yeh-Yeh and Justin

Scott and Cori making the plunge....

Camping at Del Valle with the Scouts

This past weekend, we had a scout campout at Del Valle lake in Livermore.....the days were beautiful and the nights were cold.....typical Spring weather! We arrived on Friday and set up camp....on Saturday, we had a fun morning of fishing and an afternoon of hiking. Sunday was time to go home and the entire family is ready for our next camping outing with Cori's Troop in May at New Brighton Beach!!

Lake Del Valle as seen from the car

Den Chiefs Eric and Jeff making breakfast

Scott and Mitchell at the creek behind out campsite

Scott fishing....but not catching anything....not one bite the entire morning.....for any of the boys

Keeping warm by the fire, when the sun goes down, the nights are cool...

Scott chillin'

Den 2 leaders....Donna, Me and Leslie....we were half way through our hike on Saturday.

Justin playing football with the big boys....he's calling for the pass here.....

Our treacherous climb up and down the mountain...the boys did great!

Den's 1, 2 and 4 posing before our hike up the mountain

The boys....Scott, Jason and Mitchell after a hard day of fun....

Den Chief's...Jeff, Kirk, Robbie and Eric....don't know what we would do without them?!

The Boys...Scott, Jason and Mitchell

Renee cooking eggs in the morning

The gang enjoying some sit down time

Blessings...

Every now and then, I look back to see what Glen and I have accomplished in our lives so far. It's good for us the re-visit all our phases in our life together and appreciate all the great memories to this point. We're constantly busy these days and tend to lose focus on the basics stuff.

I remember Glen and I were so overwhelmed with the start of this phase in our life called.."Having 3 kids!" phase. Looking back, we thought...what are we doing? We're sleep deprived, there's no routine and life is just chaotic. But I think now...what has changed ;-) ? It's still chaotic and we really have no set routine...and all of a sudden, it's all clear to me...

It's simple, we (Glen and I) have changed. Our approach in our life and our kids have changed. Life is ALL good! Kids are healthy, they are good-good kids, well mannered, good grades and no major health issues...what else can we ask for. Granted, economy is tough...work is work and not too much alone time for Glen and I....BUT, we made it. It gets chaotic still and sometimes we're rushing around with our heads cut off but come on...think about it? What is so bad about that. Ya gotta keep positive and focus on the good energy level that we all have. Revisit the past and appreciate the changes. It's not always going to be the "perfect" routine or what we anticipated it "should be like"-we now just enjoy it for what it's worth each day and go with the flow. We make plans and if it doesn't turn out-oh well. If it's broken-we try to fix it. If we catch ourselves sulking or getting so upset, angry or frustrated...we talk about it- solid communication and we find a way that works for us. Glen and I take the lead and everything else will follow... hopefully in a good path that we provide (even it we take some detours along the way).

This is why it's all worth it...

I'm sure Scott wants me to make it clear that it's not his toes that are painted in red (hehe)

Very Symbolic...Justin's hand is in a fist (meaning: this is how he controls his brother and sister)

and Justy completes "The Kuma Crew".

Six years ago...

Looking at some old pictures...it seems so long ago. May 2003 in San Jose. Look at Scottie and Mitchell (5 years old!)...

Now look at them...age 11!

Oh...and here's the naggy sister. What a sassy picture-it is so Cori (age 3).

Zildjian and Me (aka Marley and Me)

Glen and I watched Marley and Me last night...Marley's sooooo cute! It really reminded me of our dog, Zildjian (not the crazy-out of control part) but the way Marley looked when he got older and how he acted. I have to say, dogs have been a BIG part of our lives! From our dogs being our "kids" to having 3 kids and fitting the dogs in with the kids. Even though we adopted Zilly (our nickname) the later part of his life, he has had the biggest impact to our family. Glen especially! We wonder what Zilly was like when he was a baby and growing up, then think why anyone would give him up. He was never the "typical" dog we were looking for to fit in with the kids, but how wrong we were...he is the perfect dog for our family!

Well, besides the obviously fact that Zilly and Glen are EXACTLY the same...eating (habits), sleeping (snoring) and size wise (we won't go there)...he is the most lovable dog ever! As we watch him get older and his bones get weaker it only makes me think how much more comfortable we have to make him feel, it's the least we can do. He is the most low maintenance dog ever with the BIGGEST heart for us. Zilly watches out for our safety at home, loves us unconditionally...and never complains about anything! Zilly is the BEST dog ever!

Here's a really funny picture of him... (Let me explain this picture. He squeezed his big head through the handle of the computer chair so he could put his chin on Glen's lap while he's working at home)

I think this was his second Christmas with us (12/2007)...see Zilly's eyes are becoming more Asian (ha!)...

Summer 2006 (below)

The World According to Justin....

Whenever Justin asks me, "Daddy, can I borrow your camera?", I know he is going to take a picture of himself.....always.....

Notice the chocolate on his face....

My favorite Justin quote is,"I wish I was a wizard so I wouldn't have to go to school...."

Chillin' on a Sunday Afternoon...

Nothin' better than to chill on a Sunday afternoon...eating and making funny faces with family and friends. The other Sunday we hung out with J-Bear (Jessica Cooper) and Spicy Bryce (Bryce Takaha)....eating at L&L and being goofy....

Scottie and Spicy Bryce.....

J-Bear and Cori...pic taken by Justin...

Scott doesn't realize it yet.....but I'm trying to hook him up with Jessica....