Random post with random pic's

 So Masaru lost his lego's for a while due to not cleaning his room properly.  Over the last couple of months he's been slowly earning them back.  He finally got them all back a couple of weeks ago so had a huge lego party with himself and created some things one Saturday.
Here's the hike in Boise called Table Rock.  I guess he made it for his lego guys to get some much needed working out done.  I mean all they do is lay around........................

 Here's the back.  I guess they can have a picnic when they go through the tunnel part.

 Then him and his buddy had a little lego war with these two things he got.  Well I guess it's more than two things isn't it.  I sware to you that Masaru could have a huge room dedicated to legos like on the lego movie and just play down there all day.  Unfortunately we don't have that kind of room.  Maybe one day.

 Soccer season came and went and Yuki made enough money to buy her own car for the summer ;)  She's aggressive and does great with her team mates.  She wants to play next season and so we'll let her.  She just does so well.  I'm really proud of her efforts.  She's a good player and that's not cause I"m her mother with rose coloured glasses either.  I've been told by many others, so that counts right?
Masaru scored 1 goal this season and it was a beauty man.  You should've seen it.  It was from half way down the field and he kicked it and it got past the goalie and in the goal.  He looked over at us with a stunned look on his face them broke out into a huge smile and ran down the field high fiving his team mates.  It was pretty awesome man. 
He's still keen to be a professional soccer player and asked me if Universities would come seeking him out and pay for his education if he was good.  I told him yes and then he asked me if I thought he was good enough.  I told him if he keeps trying his best he's got a great opportunity to be that good.  He's quick, strong and determined.  So we'll see how his professional dreams play out.
He also wants to play next season so we'll let him.
Takeshi is turning 5 and he wants to play as well.  So since the rule is 5 years and you can play a sport we're looking at three kids in soccer.  Dru and I will have to divide and conquer to make it work and that's just fine.  I can do 6 weeks for my children's happiness right?  Right!!!

 I promised myself I'd potty train Emiko after this box of nappies has run out.  I'm down to about 2 weeks worth of nappies left.  So that should be SO.FUN to potty train her.  Always LOVE potty training my kids!!!! o_0
She tells me when she needs changed so I dunno man.  Maybe she's ready?  Who knows.  I'm gonna try it for 2 weeks then re-assess.  Wish me luck.

 Yuki wanted me to take a picture of her as a sloth on the neighbours tree.

 Then this is her leopard face and pose.  I can't help but crack up when I see this picture.

 Jobecka and I went mt biking on Tuesday this week and towards the end of our downhill we saw these BEAUTIFUL purple wild flowers.  The yellow ones have almost disappeared but these purple ones have taken their place and they are a sight for sore eyes man.  This picture does it ZERO justice.  They were so pretty.  They were like little daisies almost but this beautiful purple colour.  If you haven't seen them, head up to the foothills and take a look.  I'm sure they'll disappear and fast as they appeared. Just huge fields of them.  So pretty.
Love mt biking. 

 Masaru started reading this book {above} and I couldn't be happier.  This is one of my most favourite books as a child.  I loved it and remember crying at the end when Charlotte dies.  I'm so glad he's reading it and he seems to be liking it as well.  We've started branching out from Magic Tree House books.  He still wants to read them he told me but is interested in others as well such as this one and Ralph the Mouse books.  He's also been reading Captain Underpants hahahaha  classic.

And lastly here's a couple of pieces of artwork that Masaru brought home a couple of days ago that I figured I'd put up here.  The cat is my favourite. 
The school year is almost over and I couldn't be happier.  I love summer and having the kids home.  I can't wait for next week and school to be out and to have all the kids home with me and us have our own routine and not be locked down to school hours.
I've signed the kids up for swimming lessons.  Dru and I have some camping trips planned out and maybe a couple of trips down to Utah planned. 
I love summer.
I'm sick right now but am hoping to be over it by the weekend and ready to rock and roll next week with my new routine and new summer life.  Bring it.

Memorial weekend

So we headed down to Utah on Thursday after work.  My brother in law was right when he said that Boise is just 90 mins too long of a drive. I get tired of doing it, but whatever man, it was totally worth it. 

We got in that night and Dru's mother didn't even know we were coming. So that was great. Dru told me he told his father a couple of weeks earlier. So maybe I need to tell Dru to tell his mother as well next time.  I guess it was like a little surprise party. 

We hung out for a little while and went to bed. 

The next morning Dru got up at 5:45am to go mt biking with his brother. 

When he got home he started working on his project for the weekend {below}

It's a rack for the truck.  He's pretty pumped about it. I think it turned out great. He'll bring his truck up at some stage and bring it home with him to Boise. 

While he was working on that, Masaru and I went mt biking up to Elephant rock. He did great. 

Here we are at the top. 

I'm not sure why I took so many pictures but it was hardly busy at all. I think at 1:30pm people were at work and school so it worked out perfect for us. 

Masaru needs to be pushed a little but I think the more I take him the better he'll be. 

Then we packed up and headed out to Kristin's place.  We hung out at the park with the kids. We had yummy pizza for dinner and hung out all night talking and watching YouTube videos. 

The kids stayed up way too late so I figured they'd sleep in. I figured wrong!!

The next morning we had our mates from law school come and have breakfast with us, Matt and Lara and their cute little boy. It was our first time seeing their baby so it was a great visit. It was so good to see them. 

Dru and I were planning on going mt biking in Draper at this newer place but it was POURING with rain so those plans were canceled.  I sat and knitted instead. I messed it up though and sat there swearing and mumbling while I figured it all out. I finally did and learned something new. So it must be true that through our trials we gain wisdom and insight! Hahahaha 

I convinced Kristin to make me something cute for this girl in my church having a baby any day now. This is what she made right in front of my eyes!!  It's like magic. 

SUPER CUTE right?  I'm excited to give them to her. Kristin told me she's keeping tabs of all her 'service'. I think I'll be knitting a blanket in the future!!  Which she deserves.

I should get better at crocheting. 

Here we all are hanging out. Drus napping, I'm knitting and Kristin's slaving away for me ;)

We headed out to the park with the kids since it had stopped raining and then slowly packed up and headed out. Good times. 

We took the kids back to bountiful so Dru's parents could watch the kids for us while we showered and got ready to meet friends and go out for the night. 

We meet our good mates Puggs and Stacey and Travis and Mandy at Kyoto Japanese restaurant. We ate A LOT of sushi and loved it. We had a great time catching up and hanging out. 

Then Puggs, Dru and I went to the movie X-Men and I loved it. Wolverine was one of the main characters in it so that was nice. The story line was very different. We fell into bed super late after my brother Delwyn rang me at 1:30am to wish me a late happy birthday. That was really nice. It was good to hear how he's doing. Great gift. 

Sunday the kids played and I knitted and we helped prepare for a family dinner later on that night. 

Such great food and good company. It was a really nice night hanging out with each other. 

Dru and I walked up the road and visited with a high school buddy of Drus after we put the kids to bed, Jimmy Ji. It was really nice catching up with him. Apparently he's a great road biker. Good times. 

We came home and went to sleep as we were both getting up early to mt bike the next morning. I invited myself to go with Dru and his brother but told him I didn't expect him to stay with me at all but I was determined to do the whole ride up to Rudy's flats. I didn't know this but apparently Elephant rock is only half way and there's more!!  So after hearing this I wanted to do the whole thing.

So we both got up the next morning at 5:45am and went mt biking. 

We met his brother and brothers mate and headed out. 

They were a lot better than me and left me in their dust but I made my way up the beautiful mountain and all the way to Rudy's flats. 

Here I am, almost there. At one point a deer jumped over the trail and stopped and just stared at me with his/her mate. It was really nice and a little nerve racking. I thought "do deer attack?" But thought I'd be ok , and I was hahaha. 

I'd made it to the top but Dru wasn't there and I started to panic. I talked to a few people at the top and knew that I would've seen them if they'd come back down. So after a few texts and a phone call Dru let me know they'd carried on down another path but were on their way back up. So I started heading back down after a snack. Of course they caught up with me and we chatted for a bit and kept heading down. 

The bottom half was horrible. There were so many people on the trail it was like trying to mt bike down town on a busy day!! It was crazy town. I'm glad we left so early so 3/4 of the ride was basically people free. 

We then headed home and started packing up. Then our good mate from our student ward like 12 years ago, came out to visit with his boy. What a great visit we had with him and his son. I'm so glad he came out. It was really great to catch up. 

Then our party was over and we had to head back. 

Masaru had gone with his cuzzies to a mates place to swim in their pond. Ryan sent me a picture of him on their flying fox. How awesome is that? He had a blast. We meet Ryan at the petrol station and picked him up then headed out. 

We stopped in Chic-fil-A for dinner and the kids got these hats. Hahahaha I just had to get a pic of them all. Pretty cute right?

The trip home was too long and we were too tired bit we managed to clean the car out and get the kids to bed by 10pm!!

The house is a disaster and I'm pretty sure I gained a few pounds but I'm really glad we went down this weekend. It was tons of fun had by all. 

Ready for the Zombie Apocalypse… by Dru Nakaya

A series of events has led to this post: (1) the best surprise Christmas present ever—a Safari Snorkel, and (2) the installation of said gift. Actually, this post is centered on the latter, but could not exist without mention of the former (thanks wifey—best present ever (without prodding from me, I might add--totally her own idea)). 

These events ought to be documented in our personal history because it relates to something near and dear to our hearts, our Toyota Land Cruiser (also known as ‘Debra Morgan’). After all, as indicated on a plaque that hangs on our fireplace, “the best memories are created in a Land Cruiser.”

We’ve had countless memories in our Land Cruisers—first, as a couple climbing Baby Lion’s Back, then +1, then +2, and 3, and finally Emiko got her first trip to Moab. Debra Morgan has taken us to Yellowstone, seen the presidents of Mount Rushmore, the corn fields of the Midwest, the magnificent mile of Chicago, the spray of Niagara Falls, the Hill Cummorah, and the Sacred Grove. She’s traveled the cobblestone streets of Quebec and the bridges of Montreal. She’s rubbed elbows with ostriches and yaks of Park Safari. She’s seen Lady Liberty, the City of Brotherly Love, the monuments of D.C., Carthage Jail, the Mississippi and the Nauvoo temple. Her predecessor—Layla—took us down the granite slabs of the Rubicon and up the red rocks of Moab. Never failing to get us home.

But I digress. Rewind to Christmas 2013 when I opened a five foot long box from Melissa. It’s a…SNORKEL!! We didn’t bring Debra Morgan down for Christmas, and not wanting to install the Snorkel on my own, we left it in Utah…until our return. We stopped in B-town on our way to Moab—the perfect opportunity to get some installation help from a seasoned Land Cruiser enthusiast. Enter Mista Puggs.

Some of you, may be scratching your head, thinking, ‘what’s the big deal?’ ‘What’s so hard about installing a snorkel?’ The installation of a snorkel requires drilling a 90mm (3.5 inches) hole in fender and a series of other holes for the mounting bolts. How confidant would you be at drilling a 90mm hole in the side of perfectly good fender? Drilling the hole didn’t make me nervous.  Drilling the hole in the wrong spot DID make me nervous. Hence the long awaited assistance of a seasoned friend.

After pulling the air box out and removing a few other items from the engine compartment to make installation easier, we taped the included template to the side of the fender and started drilling. I warmed up with the small mounting holes, leaving the 90mm for last.

Hole saw in hand, it was time. See that look of nervousness?

Here we go…

Well we’re at the point of no return now. You see, with a hole saw you can’t simply re-drill if you’re a quarter inch off because there is no longer any place for the pilot bit. If it’s off, you’re hosed. It was a snug fit, but the snorkel fitted up nicely. A few nutserts, courtesy of Mista Puggs, in the A pillar and the installation was complete.

Rear bumber with swing out. Check. Rock sliders. Check. T-case guard. Check. Rear locker. Check. ARB front bumper. Check. (another beut of a Christmas pressie from the wifey) Safari Rack. Check. Rock lights. Check. Snorkel. Check. We were now officially ready to hit the red rocks of Moab.

After loading the kids up, my mother said, ‘that looks ridiculous.’

My good wife quipped, ‘when the town is flooded out and you’re stranded, you won’t think it looks so ridiculous when you see us driving up to rescue you.’

I love my wife.

So, what’s left? An ARB fridge, a winch, a long range fuel tank, onboard air, ARB front air locker, and another swing out on the rear bumper, then she’ll be complete.

We look forward to exploring the grandeur of Idaho this summer in Debra Morgan. We’ve had many good memories in Layla and Debra, and look forward to many more.

Chickens

 So last night me and my mate were gonna go mountain biking.  It rained, so we opted out.  So bummed.  So after dropping Masaru off to scouts I decided to just go hang out with her for a while in their backyard.
They have chickens.  Her husband made a chicken coop and it looks awesome.  They're so fun to just sit and watch.  I've done it a couple of times.
This time I thought the kids would love it.  And they did.  I sat in their back yard for about 20 mins just shooting the breeze and watching our kids run around catching chickens and bouncing on the tramp (not with the chickens)
Turns out there were wolves out last night in the foot hills and one attacked and killed a ranchers dog who was herding sheep.  Why the wolves didn't catch a sheep and eat that is beyond me.  Pretty good self esteems these wolves. Maybe they like to live on the wild side?
So maybe it was a good thing that me and Jobecka didn't go.  I dunno what I'd do if a pack of wolves surrounded us.  Maybe get the world record for fastest downhill I've ever done?
Make a mountain bike cage around me and Jo and call Dru and Matt?
I hope I never find out.
Anyway it was still a fun night and Dru and I decided to watch this movie called "Monument Men" and we really liked it.  Apparently not too many people like it I guess.  But we both thought it was really interesting.
It's about all the artwork from the German War and retrieving it and giving it back to the rightful owners.  I never really thought of all the artwork when thinking of that war aye.
Anyway great night despite rain and wolves.

Emiko

So Emiko has grown 1.5 inches in the last 6 weeks.  Did I already tell you guys this?
She's transitioning from naps to no naps.  So some days she'll nap and some days she won't.  If she naps then she's up later at night.  But some days she just needs a nap.  It's a tricky situation as she starts getting super moody around dinner time on the days she hasn't napped, so I guess she DOES need a nap?  But then she's all bright eyed and bushy tailed till around 10pm and Yuki's a night owl as well so there's a good old party going on some nights in their bedroom.
Maybe I'm getting old and my memory loss is apparent, but I don't remember the other kids throwing tantrums like this girl.
I dunno what your children are like but watching her throw a tantrum is something to see alright.  She gets so worked up I truly think she forgets what she's so upset about and is just screaming for zero reason.
It makes for a difficult time when we're out in public.  Her scream isn't a ear piercing scream either it's this deep troll like throaty cry.  It's any wonder she still has a voice people!!!!
Yesterday we were at a mates party at a park and she was on one.  So I just picked her up and put her in the car and locked the car for 5 mins and walked away.
She was being naughty man and she can't be consoled.  That was her third tantrum for the day!!!
I'm too old for this man and too tired, plus with being a little under the weather it's never a good combo.
Don't get me wrong, she's super cute and makes me laugh all the time.  What she says and her facials and just her character.  She amazes me sometimes.
But sometimes she can be difficult.  Another reason I'm glad I'm done.  I dunno if I could survive another child to be honest, maybe I'm just a little run down and it's the tiredness speaking through.
Arent' these pictures of her so cute?
(Sigh) Sometimes I can't live with her, yet I can't live without her, she's established her place in my heart and it'll never go away, no matter how many tantrums she throws.

Field trip

 So a girlfriend and I are swapping kids every Wednesday for this last part of school to volunteer in Yuki's and her son's class.  I'm getting the better end of the deal since she has only one child for me to look after and I have two.  But she offered and I accepted.  I haven't really been able to volunteer much at all for either of my kids so when the opportunity was presented I took it.  It's always nice to see your kids at school and to get to know the dynamics and how your child does and who their mates are.
It just happened to be a field trip my day and so I got to attend the Boise Zoo with Yuki and her class.
I took a little group of six and away we went around the zoo.  It was pretty fun.

 "Take a picture of me being a turtle mum"
"Alright"
"But you've gotta take two, one of me inside my shell and one outside"
"Alright"

 I don't know why she's such a serious turtle/tortise?  Maybe she thinks they're a serious bunch of animals.

 Our little group pretending to be birds in a nest.

Another great shot on the Tiger.
We found out later on we actually weren't allowed to climb on this tiger. Oh well.
I had a great time with Yuki and she was pretty happy that I was able to come.
I'm actually glad I did since there was only 2 other parents that were there as well as me.  Don't you think that's a bad turn out?  The other class looked even worse!
The weather was perfect.
Turned out we didn't get enough time to see the jellyfish, giraffes and penguins.  Bit of a bummer.  We needed like 15 more mins.

Bonus!  We got to ride on the bus together.  Yuki thought that was pretty neat.  She said "Mum have you ever ridden on a bus before?"  I'm like "Not in a long while bub"
Talk about bumpy and noisy man. 
Ah the good old days of school field trips.  Love it.
Glad I went.

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day was the very next day after my birthday.  This happens every year.  It's just how it is when your birthday is May 10th!!
As someone recently put it for me 'well at least you share your birthday with Mother's Day and not Christmas, I mean it could be worse' hahahaha
So true!!
Masaru presented me with this tile he made me.  I love it as he really thought about me when he made it.  He couldn't wait until Mother's Day so presented this with me on Friday when he got home from school.  He must be like me in that respect.
This is the bag/note that came with it {below}
Pretty cute.

Then on the ACTUAL mother's day I was woken up by Dru presenting me with this basket full of little goodies from him and the kids.
There were lotions and chocolate and other goodies.  Dru gave me a certificate and it had about 3 inches of small writing underneath with all the legalities of the certificate!!  It was hilarious.  Typical contract lawyer at his best.  Really well thought out actually.  I'd like to put it up but it's inappropriate which is a pity cause you'd all get a great laugh.
The kids also presented me with coupons which I'll use throughout the next few weeks when I need a hand around the house.
Very thoughtful indeed.

I also got these cute cards from my kids. When their grand dad was up last weekend they made them for me.  Pretty cute.
Takeshi: Love you Mum
Yuki: Dear Mum, I love you.  Hope you have a happy mothers day.  Love Yuki
Masaru: Dear Mum, I love you because you help me do my homework.  I also love you when you make treats.  I love when you watch me jump and make tricks.  I hope we can go on a bike ride soon.  Love Masaru.

Then our next door neighbours on BOTH SIDES came over something for me.  The one neighbour came over with a huge card drawn by her children saying happy mother's day.  I thought that was very thoughtful.
Our other neighbours came over with chocolate cake and a hanging flower plant for my outside as a late birthday gift.  Perfect gift to start off the spring season.  I love my hanging flower pots.

Then we did what's turned out to be a new tradition in our family on the Sabbath.  We lay out in the sun like lizards and drift in and out of sleep, well Dru and I, while listening to playing, laughing and fighting from the 4 others in the family!!
Here's Dru quickly trying to jump into the picture before the timer goes off.  Didn't quite make it.

Made it this time.  Love this picture of our family.  Maybe this'll be our Christmas card picture this year ;)

Then the kids got a hold of the camera and there was no holding them back.  They took 100 pictures that I've sorted through for your viewing pleasure!!!

Masaru decided to get out his mustash for the occasion.

Dru and I with the kids all around. 

2 seconds without them in the frame haha

Oh no here they come back.  I guess they love us too much to leave us alone for a few seconds ;)

Then Masaru got all gansta on us and posed for some pictures.  I've got no idea where he came up with all these signs and what it even means.  What's the circle?  I taught them to do a big O for our new song at church?  I guess I'll have to investigate.....................Love these pictures.

Takeshi posing for the camera.  He's my monkey.  Love him.

Emiko posing for some pictures. Such a character.

Yuki posing then getting busted eating a banana.  Crack up.

The three hoodlums.  Look how gansta Takeshi looks hahahahaha makes me laugh.  I love Emiko's upside down glasses.

Some more crazy pic's.

Then last but not least my sweet Emiko giving me kisses and Daddy smiles.  She always is the one to be around us the most, never too far away from our sides and that's what motherhood is all about.  Sacrificing your own time for something of greater value.  

Dru made us dinner and cleaned the house and then we had friends come over for game night together which was a perfect ending to a perfect day and a perfect weekend.

Motherhood has made me a better person like nothing else would've.  I love it and it's tough.  I'm grateful for my own mother and all her sacrifices.  I think I'm only beginning to understand the magnitude of all she did.

I'm grateful for Dru's mother as well and for her example of sacrifice.  I know Dru sure appreciates all of her love and support over the years for him/me/his kids.

I closed our sacrament today at church with a prayer.  At the end of the prayer I said something like this "We're grateful to be celebrating Mother's Day today and womanhood in general, and how fantastic we all are, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen"

The congregation broke out in a little giggle and I had many comments of gratitude for those words said.

Who's gonna argue with me?  No one.  The bishop has to know when he asks me to speak from the pulpit it's a surprise party every time.

It's true though, women ARE fantastic and I love them.  They're a force not to be trifled with, ask anyone who's tried.  Women are the best and Heavenly Father knows it and I feel it daily from Him.

Happy Mother's/woman's Day to ALL OF US in our different circumstances and walks of life.  

We're fantastic and let's not forget it ;)