Happy 4th to our sweet Anika Grace

I can't believe Anika turned 4! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday, on that cold, snowy day, February 14th, 2005 that Anika, our little gift from God, was born. I remember John barely made it back to the hospital for the scheduled c-section, because the roads were so..

treacherous.

So far we celebrated Anika's birthday with a quiet family birthday party for her with her favorite, chocolate cake and opened up presents. She was all over that. We bought her a scooter and she got some very nice presents from family. Thanks to all who thought of her on her special day. Alexander didn't quite understand why he wasn't getting presents too, just like Christmas. We plan on throwing a princess birthday party in a few weeks. All the girls will dress up like princesses.

I promised Anika she could have chocolate pudding on her birthday, I just didn't think it would be for breakfast.

Along with wishing Anika a happy birthday, I thought I would share a few recent Anika-isms, also I don't want to forget. While the kids were eating dinner and John and I were in the kitchen, Anika said something that sounded like, "Cherries to eat". I asked her to repeat it several times and then Lexi finally said, "She said 'Bon Appetit' mommy." I almost fell over, John and I were rolling, where in the world? The other day she was eating a breakfast bar and few minutes later she said, "Oh no my handlebar fell." I asked her what fell and she repeated her handlebar. I smiled and realized she thought it was a candy bar (it had carob chips in it).

She also likes to say, "Zander's in a snit." Which half the time he is. Anika also likes to inform me when she has used the last of the "paper toilet" and she randomly calls out, "I love Jesus!".

She is speaking random Japanese words and singing in Japanese. She just loves to throw her brother under the bus and will tell on him any time she can.

Happy Birthday to our sweet, sweet little girl!

A Warm Winter Day!

I just love this photo of John and Zander!

John on top of Marshmallow Mountain with Anika

Weeeeeeeeee! Anika and Zander sliding down the mountain.

Zander kept trying to climg to the top, only to slide back down to the bottom, each time he reached the halfway point!

Anika getting some air.

Lexi loves Showa Park.

I don't know why my photos have been so blurry lately.

There goes Anika, the trick is to take off your socks.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

A few weeks ago we decided to pack a picnic and the bikes and head off to Showa park which is just 15 minutes away. We got to the park unloaded the bikes and the trailer and off we went. It was a beautiful day and John ahad never been to Showa. I usually take the kids with friends during the weekdays.

They have an assortment of different parks and so... many outdoor activities. We spent most of the day there and had a picnic too. The kids were exhausted when we got home, we can't wait to return when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Welcome to the World Sweet Josephine.

Congrats to Angela and Greg, they just had a beautiful baby girl, Josephine. She is so sweet, makes me want another. The kids are napping at the moment, so they are not arguing, ask me in an hour if I would say the same thing. Josephine is just precious. Below are photos from the baby shower a few weeks before. I just love little baby clothes. Sometimes I wish they would stay little forever. Than I see Lexi and how she is turning into a wonderful young lady and I just want the best of both worlds. We feel so.. blessed. At least with the blog it is a great tool for remembering and capturing those fantastic memories.

Lexi's video

The blog is acting strange and I can't delete Anika's video and add Lexi's to that post. Here is Lexi's video.

Alexis Sings a Solo at Church

Another first; Alexis joined the choir at church a few months ago, we call it the Praise and Worship Team. Last week she asked if she could do a solo, which the members take turns performing a solo during collection of the tithes.

She sang "God of Wonders" which is one of my favorite songs. I was so nervous for her. She did a wonderful job and we were so proud of her. She is really turning out to be a lovely young lady, I am just nervous that she is going to start middle school next year.

Lexi tried out for High School Musical 2 last week and we'll find out in a few weeks if she will be a part of the cast. This musical is through the Vivace Theater School that travels around the world to put together theater entertainment for the children of the troops. I am not sure if it just for the bases around the world, but it is a wonderful opportunity for the children.

Enjoy the video, don't forget to pause the music on the blog, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and listen to the video. Enjoy!

Another First

I have to say our tour here in Japan definitely keeps us on our toes. We have experienced a lot of firsts here, both good and well, interesting.

This morning John woke up and went to work. As he was walking to his car he noticed all the frost on the ground and the cars. Then he thought we must have had a light dusting of snow. He got the snow brush out and started brushing away and realized it was ash.

Mt. Asamayama had erupted during the night and left our base dusted with a light coating of ash. Mt. Asamayama last erupted on 2004 and is located 65 miles northeast of Yokota AB.

As a result all schools on base were closed, but the Japanese school remained open. So Lexi got a free day off and Anika went to school with her little Japanese mask on. It was recommended that everyone stay inside today. I was planning on running, but probably not a good idea. We have stayed inside on this beautiful sunny day and I have to say my throat is a little dry and scratchy and I have been clearing it a lot. My eyes have been a little scratchy too. The base has been very quite, since planes and helicopters are not supposed to fly in ash.

Interestingly enough 2 other volcanoes erupted within hours of our eruption that are located on on the same volcanic chain. Mt. Karymsky and Mt. Sakurajima erupted are the names of the other volcanoes that erupted in this region last night. As long as Mt. Fuji remains quite, this volcano is a little too close for comfort if it blew.

So Japan has given us yet another interesting experience. We have now experienced a mild volcanic eruption, typhoons and then many other things that have wonderful to experience.

Sayohnara!