Disneyland and the 3 Amigos

It's always been important to me to keep in contact with Sakura's first friends. She had four roommates that we know about and came to the United States.

Sakura's first roommate was Momoka, then came Kazuya (Michael), and then Sena (Quinn). Sakura has been able to see Kazuya the most - they shared their 1st Birthday together (they're one day apart) back in February, then at Dosokai in May - and this was their third visit since coming home on the plane (together) - they live not too far away in California. We were also able to meet up with the Yamamoto family from Hawaii just his past Friday, so the Three Amigos reunited for a small Dosokai at Goofy's Kitchen.

Here they are at Okada-San's place awaiting their family...and below you'll see them now~

The Three Amigos then....

Beautiful decorations all over the park - I hadn't ever been during Halloween, but I think next year I want to take Sakura back to the Mickey's Halloween Party - they close the park for the party.

While we waited for the Yamamoto's to meet us, we were able to grab a bite to eat and a few rides. Unfortunately Sakura didn't nap the whole drive over, so we didn't get to spend that much time at the park :(

1st Ride - Jungle Cruise

Next we went on Pirates - I loved how Sakura was holding her hands...so sweet!

Sakura had a pose with Sally...she wasn't fond of standing there.


They had some great pumpkins carved too!


Buzz!

Alice and Cheshire Cat

We were meeting up with the Yamamoto's by King Authur's Carousel....here's Daddy and Sakura watching but before I knew it they disappeared!

Luckily I spotted them - they went for a ride - I was SHOCKED since Daddy gets SEVERE motion sickness on just about every ride, but I guess he figured it was worth it for his little girl!

Sakura loved these chains ....

Inai, Inai, Baa....Peek-A-Boo!

Bubbles are great - we found a bubble gun!

King Authur's Carousel with the Yamamoto's!

Sakura and Sena reunited - this time they're with their Daddy's!

Sakura loved the display at the gates, we probably could have stood there for an hour and she would squeal and point...she loved it!

Here it is - Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto pumpkins!

Like I said, we didn't get a lot of time at the park, before we knew it Sakura was OUT -

on It's A Small World, so we headed back to our hotel, checked in and let Sakura take a nap. She didn't get a full nap in, but anything was better than nothing - I woke her up about 5:00 because we had reservations at Goofy's Kitchen with the Yamamoto's and Watanabe's, and the hotel shuttle only ran every 1/2 hour. We didn't want to be "Late for a very important date!" :)

Sakura was super excited to go meet her first two boy friends!

Let's GO!

I think she was trying to make a ♥ because she loves those boys~

S&S in the Autopia car at Goofy's kitchen...got a few cute shots of them.

Sena driving Sakura on their date to Goofy's Kitchen, I'm sure Sakura was giving him directions you know how boys/men are!

Us with Pluto...

The whole group together at last. The little guys didn't care a whole lot for the characters, Samie loved them and Kazuya warmed up and loved them too - but Sena and Sakura ---- Uh NOPE!

Together again - Kazuya (Michael), Sakura, and Sena (Quinn) with their Dads.

Then with Mom

After dinner we headed back to our hotel - Sakura was BEAT and so were we...I had hoped to go to DCA and see World of Color, but we didn't make it - now I MUST go back :oP

Sakura slept in until about 7:00, then she woke up and she found the bag of Pirate's Booty - nice breakfast Sakura - she pulled the chair out and climbed up to indulge!

Since we didn't get any shopping in the day before, we headed to Downtown Disney for a bite to eat, and then did a little shopping before heading home - it was an extremely quick trip, but I wouldn't trade the time for anything. Like I said, I think it's important for Sakura to know these little guys that shared their first 6 weeks together.

One day we're going to Hawaii so Sakura can see Momoka! She's the only roommate we haven't seen since coming home from Japan.

Daddy and Sakura at Downtown Disney

Running -

Figured Sakura better get in some 'down' time before being buckled up for the next four hours!

Trick-Or-Treat~

Sakura wanted to do her own shopping...I think she was thinking about those boys liking soldiers...she grabbed three containers and carried them around (before we removed them from her hand and left the store with her VERY unhappy!).

Yes our daughter has mastered drama queen!

SEE ~ she's wiping her tears here! Oh No! Poor Sakura.

She did get a super cute purse that she loves!!!

She's fine, just give her back her milk to carry and drink :)

One tired little girl - she slept the entire way to Mitsuwa Market (in San Diego) where we enjoyed some ramen before heading home.

We really loved spending time with everyone - even for just a quick trip!

Apple Hill

Last weekend for Columbus Day we headed to California to spend time with Dean's parents and snuck in a day with friends while we were there. I have wanted to go to Apple Hill since I saw Nancy's pictures last year, so Saturday we headed out early and made the drive to Apple Hill. I have to say it was worth it - we had a great time. Sakura LOVED her first pony ride, had her face painted, ate great food and especially spending time with the kids. After our day at the pumpkin patch, we headed to the DeMetris house for an early dinner and more time for the kids to play. Kira took at nice nap, Sakura enjoyed the toys too much to lay down so she played!
Sakura LOVED Kira so much - it was so sweet watching them together and when we left Kira gave Sakura a kiss goodbye (unprompted), it was adorable!

Unfortunately I didn't get many other pictures from our weekend - but took lots at Apple Hill.

The sole purpose of our trip was to take blue prints of our house renovations to Dean's parents so they could approve/decide on what we're going to be adding on to accomodate them. They will be moving here and living with us in the near future. So we had lots of things to do at their house to get it ready to list for sale, they'll move here, rent a house until their house sells and then we'll build on another master suite for them. We are very excited that they'll be so close and can watch Sakura grow up.

On to the pictures.....

Sakura and Daddy

Visiting the petting zoo

Auntie Nancy and Sakura

All of the kids at the petting zoo.

Beautiful Kira

Sakura feeding the goats herself....she wasn't afraid at all - must be because she loves giving Yancha Bozu and Wrigley treats!

Mommy and Sakura feeding the lamb

That's a pretty big one Sakura.....

That's more your size :)

Even smaller, we loved the pumpkin patch...

I wanted to bring home a pumpkin but Daddy said no :(

Can I have this one?

Tripp has his pumpkin!

How about two? Check out Sakura's expression - that must be one HEAVY baby pumpkin!

Perfect pumpkins!

Two for me please....

Two perfect pumpkins - Kira and her pumpkin

Playing with Auntie Nancy while we had our lunch

Always take time to smell the flowers Sakura!

Then it was on to pony rides for the kids!

Tripp went first and took a big horse for a ride....he almost had a little tumble on the back stretch, but he stayed on and rode! Way to go Trippster!

Keeks got a ride on the pony!

Then it was Sakura's turn....

I wasn't too sure she would go through with it, but she wanted to go and we wanted her to try. She has been known to be a little intimidated at things, but not this time!

Ready to Ride~

There she goes...so proud of our big girl!

Sakura on her 1st pony ride~go Sakura chan!

And after......she threw a big fit when it was over!

Crying and kicking, arching her back - she was one unhappy little girl!

The girls playing in Auntie Nancy's legs...shaking hands (so sweet!)

And then the hugs began....melt my ♥!

BFFs

Playing in Daddy's legs now, while we waited for face painting!

Tripp having his face painted - he wanted Mickey!

Kira got Minnie

And a pumpkin for Sakura

Daddy felt like Sakura loved that pony ride so much that she should get another ride, so off we went to the ponies for another ride. Sakura loved it again and we replayed the earlier scene with a smaller fit, because we told her we were going to see Kiki....as I said earlier Sakura LOVED Kira so she stopped crying and we walked up the hill and met everyone.

Sakura was happy again after she saw Kira.

Sakura's 2nd pony ride!

Riding the pony

Go Sakura!

Playing on the hay bails

Enjoying a snack with Tripp - he was SO sweet, Sakura finished her snack and Tripp kept giving Sakura more of his....what a sweet little host he is! Thank You Tripp!

Typical role playing, the lady in the kitchen while the gentleman sits and watches TV - Huh?

My they learn so young!!

Sakura will be asking Santa Claus for a kitchen set for Christmas - she loved Kira's!

Sakura riding on Kira's Roady.

Swinging....

Tripp and Kira - first Tripp pushed Kira, then he got on and gave her a ride,

what a sweet brother

The only other pictures I took was this one - Sunday I painted the bathroom to get it ready for the move...while I was doing another one of my 'chores' programming the bedroom telephone, Sakura got into the paint (brush) - looks like she thought it looked tasty? Ugh.

Paint mouth

This was the other picture I snapped, we were getting ready to leave, stopped for lunch and as you can tell nobody was in a very good mood - Jichan knew we were leaving, and Sakura was TIRED (understatement~)....but it's better than nothing. Jichan will be SO happy when they get moved down here and he can see Sakura on a regular basis - they share a special love that I hope lasts forever!

Bachan, Sakura chan, and Jichan

Playing in the terminal while we waited for our plane

singing

Sakura singing with Hannah Montana

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Christmas Pictures .... check!

So this evening Sakura had her Christmas pictures taken and I think I already LOVE them!

The photographer Maranda of Urban Chic Portraits is amazing and we truly cannot wait to see what she captured.

We could not have asked for Sakura to behave any better she was picture perfect! Here is a sneak peak of an image Maranda posted on FaceBook and another that I snapped with my phone.