Ian's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated Ian's 3rd birthday with a special breakfast and an afternoon party with friends.

Everyone's favorite toy was the Stomp Rocket, which Luke has enjoyed more than anyone.

Gingerbread Cookies

Baking and decorating gingerbread cookies provided some relief from the cold today!

First Snow 2014

We have been lucky so far this winter, with no real snow accumulations and mild temperatures. All that changed today, with lows in the single digits and enough snow to get outside and do some sledding on our hill.

Ian had a little accident -- sliding too far down the side yard on his sled; over a small cliff, and onto the street. He will be okay, just a few scratches :)

The Holidays

We had a great trip around the east coast, visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Of course, we spent a few days over Christmas with Mom and Dad in Virginia Beach.

Christmas Tree

One benefit of living here in the mountains of North Carolina is that there are Christmas Tree farms all around. We bought our tree this week and both Ian and Luke helped with trimming.

We have now been in our new house for almost a year. Since we moved in just after Christmas last year, this is the first tree we've had here -- it looks great through the big windows in our "music room".

Hiking at Mount Jefferson State Park

We found a beautiful hiking area near us here in Ashe County, North Carolina, at Mount Jefferson State Park. Luke and Ian particularly like the trail guides produced for children, encouraging them to look for things like animals, plants, and insects -- and them check them off of their lists.

Luke's 5th Birthday

Hard to believe, but our dear Luke turned 5 years old. We enjoyed a dinner party with friends, and Yukari made special Ninjago (a popular LEGO toy and kid's TV show) cupcakes.

Happy birthday Luke!

House painting

Since being back from Japan and a vacation at the beach, we have been busy with small jobs around the house. Yukari is the most productive, taking on cleaning and painting the front porch.

What a beautiful August this has been!

A garden for Luke and Ian

At the front of our new house, Yukari created a garden for Luke and Ian.

Virginia Beach - August 2013

We have no lack of posts from visits to see family in Virginia Beach, and we enjoyed a couple of visits in July and August this year, after returning home from Japan.

It was wonderful to spend time with Liz, John, and the kids at the beach!

Both Luke and Ian started to enjoy the ocean, and we couldn't get them off the boogie boards. Not long before they will be surfing :)

It is always sad to say goodbye to family, and the boys miss their cousins.