Dinner with the Galakatos family

We always make time to meet up with the Galakatos family whenever we head to Phoenix. The Galakatos family was the very first family we met (face to face) once we started the adoption process with ATWA. It sure is amazing that when we first met Cory and Amy, little Sinclair was only 7 months old, and next month she will turn 2! She is adorable, smart and quite funny! She is so fun to be around. Sakura really loves Cory (Sinclair's Daddy), most people know that it's hard to get a smile out of our girl, but Cory manages to get several every time we see them. Unfortunately we forgot to get a group photo, but I did take a few pictures at dinner.

Sinclair calls Peyton "Peyt", she can say Peyton, but calls her "Peyt" it's pretty cute!

Cory and sweet Sinclair

These next few photos tell a little story, the story of Sakura having "pains" for Sinclair.

Photo #1 - All is well, Sakura loves watching Sinclair.....Sakura loves Cory, he gets LOTS of smiles!

Photo #2 - Sinclair has a little melt down because she wanted the straw and Mommy wanted a nice picture without the straw....notice Sakura's face

Photo #3 - Poor Sakura doesn't like Sinclair crying, and joins in - my friend is upset, I'm upset too!

All better - the girls recovered fairly quickly.
Hugs and Kisses for "Peyt" from Sinclair - Bye-Bye Sinclair we will see you again soon.

Christmas Part II

We had our Christmas in Phoenix over the weekend. Sakura still wasn't into opening presents, but did a tiny bit more than while we were in California. She LOVES the camera that Grandma and Papa gave her, it's pretty cute that click, click, clicks it...just like I do :)

Sorry these pics are in reverse order, right now it won't let me move them.

After opening presents, ready to go shopping!

Up from her nap!

Sleepy girl just woke up.

Opening her kimono from Grandma - my Mom really wanted Sakura to have a kimono and we just plain ran out of time while we were in Japan, so my Mom's friend bought one for her when she was in Japan a few weeks ago and brought it home with her. It isn't what we'd choose ourselves, but she does have a kimono now so that's good!

Her favorite gift...a toy camera!

Opening presents with Mommy and Daddy

My pretty girl by the tree with her Santa Mouse

Holding an ornament in front of the tree...because she wanted to crawl away every time I put her in front of the tree, if you can imagine?!

Before opening packages, sitting with Santa Clause and Santa Mouse

Meeting Cousin Ann Kazumi for the 1st time

Sakura was finally able to meet her 2nd cousin Ann who lives near Bachan and Jiichan while we were there for Christmas. Ann was born while we were in Japan back in March. Sakura definitely needs "baby" time - as she is very unsure of other babies when they're "up close and personal" - Ann goes to a day care provider and has other babies around, so she's pretty social.

Sakura and Ann

Auntie, Ann and her parents, Scott and Joyce opening her gift from Linda, Mark, Jess and Steph

Hmmmm, I'm not sure about babies!

Peyton Sakura 10 mos. 3 weeks and Ann Kazumi 9 months,
As you can see.....Ann is definitely bigger than Sakura chan!

Sakura's 1st Christmas

Sakura had a very nice 1st Christmas in California.

She wasn't very interested in opening packages, and really only wanted to play with her Santa stuff (since it was all open and out awaiting attention). Santa brought Sakura a baby doll, which she LOVES, amongst other toys and clothes, Santa knew Mommy and Daddy were limited on luggage space, so he left bigger stuff at home for Sakura!

Sakura loves her baby doll, she makes this screaching sound raises her hand and reaches for her baby when you ask her about her baby. It is SO cute!

She enjoyed spending time in California with all of her cousins and of course Jiichan and Bachan. Sakura gets SO excited when Jiichan would get up in the morning and wave at her from the hallway - she was normally standing at the coffee table, and she would get the BIGGEST smile, raise her arm (similar to what she does with her baby), bounce up and down and then crawl toward Jiichan.

We hope that everyone had a nice Christmas surrounded by those you love.

The Best Gift Ever!

Ready for Santa to come, out like a light!



Awww, a baby

Cute Clothes from Auntie Linda, Uncle Mark, cousins Jess and Steph

I love my ladybug from Auntie Nancy, Uncle Tim, Trippy and Kiki!

Daddy reading one of the books from Auntie Linda

Furry boots from Auntie Linda, Uncle Mark, Jess and Steph

Mommy showing Sakura her blocks from Santa

Some of the Santa loot

Time with friends

Whenever we head to Northern California we have to make the time to visit with our extended family....the Cech's, DeMetris', and the Handshoe family. This trip we all met at Mikuni's in Roseville for lunch, the girls (no Trippy this time, and no Nikko) all enjoyed eating their lunch and then pose for a picture (NOT the easiest thing with 4 little girls).

Let's Eat!

Kiki, Miya, and Auntie Nancy enjoying the fishies!

Miya enjoying her miso soup.

Rice crackers are YUMMY!

Sakura needs some serious baby socialization skills she pulled on Kiki's shirt and made Kiki cry, then Ivy pulled on Sakura's jacket and Sakura cried.

Sakura and Ivy posing for a picture....I didn't get one of the group :(

Christmas Party

Thursday was our CASD Christmas party, and even though we were leaving bright and early Friday morning for California, we wanted to take Sakura so she could enjoy a little time at the park, and of course so we could spend a little time with the Cuevas family and new baby Anabelle (she's 2 months old).

Vannesa and baby Anabelle...she's SO tiny and sweet! LOOK at all of her hair!

Sakura enjoying the view of the water

With Daddy

"Bye"...

We had a great time, and Sakura enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Zack announced that Sakura will be everyone's boss someday :)

Just for fun....

I know, it's been FOREVER - sorry, it's the busy season!

Today we went out shopping. Dean has been wanting to stop at the furniture store for several weeks, so today we made it one of our stops. We put the little Princess in a few different chairs, which she loved, probably one of her birthday gifts? Here she is!

"I'm pretty tired...do we really have to go shopping?" On our way out and about.

This one is a little too hard...

But it rocks....I kind of like it.

How about this couch Daddy?

Hmmm, how much does this cost?

(I thought it was funny that Sakura was checking out the price, although she does LOVE tags!)

I like this one!

Yep, JUST right!

I know, I know....

I have a TON of blog catching up to do, but here are a few pics from today and as soon as I get a chance I will update back posts....

Sakura chan got her Christmas gift from Santa early because I swear I heard her say "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth"...and they have both popped through this past week!

One on Sunday her top left (Dec 6th) and the second her top right on my birthday which was Tuesday (Dec 8th). They aren't totally out to where you can see them and she does a GREAT job at hiding them from us, but they're through! I'll post a picture here too (the pic is from last Sunday when you could see they were both coming in, but now they're both sticking out!).

And here's a video - so for those of you that have been checking and disappointed, hopefully I made it up with several pics AND a video (Auntie Carol!)!!!

Finally a video of "So Big".... check out the little "horn" she woke up with, was it supposed to be an indication of what the day would hold....if so, I'll take it :) She was her normal angel self!