Not Enuf Yet

Zen's sneaker collection. We're trying to find a stand that will hold all these- and more.
How much money has he invested? Good question.

All Four of My KIDS!!!! (new title!)

Ischin's trip was short but sweet! He left back for Japan 8/11~

After saying "bonne voyages" I MADE my kids~ Zen, Sheon and Naomi do a tiny bit of sight seeing in San Francisco. Only the Wharf, and found JOHNNY DEPP there!!!
Well, this Wax Museum was fun enough! Most Japanese still don't know this famous painting, American Gothic

Look!!! See, a few days later I found this collage at a friend's workplace!  I've collected lots of photos of take offs- you know- like Pau Newman and his wife holding... popcorn or something!

Or even a photo my aunt made of my Uncle and his wife in that position...


Ahhh, but back at the wax museum- three beauties all together!!
Maybe this was one of Taka's highlights- having these two sweeties working on his hair!!
We have to use a pay phone to call to Japan, making sure the girl's dad would be picking them up from the airport in Japan when they arrived.
And then yesterday monring~ We were standing in line to check in baggage when both girls started hugging little bro!
It made me all tear up~ I'll see the girls soon, but Zen won't for a little while~we're trying to figure out how soon they can see each other again. 

After the girls were headed for their gate and Taka, Zen and I started walking away- Zen soon said how quiet it was. I said, like a black hole...no Naomi and Sheon and it felt like such a void.

at home again later, Zen whistfully said how quiet it is....

Great Grandmom's and Montana

The photographer wanted something "fun" and we thought the Japanese PEACE sign. I'd forgotten they're popular in the States, called "RABBIT EARS". I love Uncle Lynn's wife, Lorraine's giving them to herself!



West Yellowstone National Forest~the boonies!!

Montana with Mimi&Grandpa Fos& Uncle Carl

Mimi Grandmom, Naomi, Grandpa Fos, Sheon and Zen about to RIDE!! (click on the photo- you can see all close up!!)
At Mom's (Mimi's) and Franks with Uncle Carl(My younger brother) from Tennessee. Taka and I didn't go on this trip this time. Maybe next time!

Below, HAIL-  ARARE-霰！！  HYO~  氷？！in Japanese!


But with a jacuzzi like this there- they could totally love those cool Montana nights.

Santa Cruz Fun with the Kids

It's RUE and his little sis ARIRA who lived in Nishio Japan before TOO!! Came down from San Francisco to hang out with our dear four~ 

We BBQ-ed at the beach and tried the volleyball again (it HURTS!!!) but evenings are COLD!

Oh, Arira's dog POCKET. I actually let him sleep in our apartment- even with my asthma potentially kickong in- just so we could have that old dear family hang out with us- with papa Victor~Man!!
And Ischin seeing his Great Grandmom together with sisters for the first time in quite a while.

A couple of days later~ more photos to come!

Santa Cruz Cops

I haven't been taking many photos since the kids have been gone to Montana the past week (they come back tomorrow).
But here~ I wanted to show you some of the most ominous cops. They lurk EVERYWHERE around Santa Cruz!!!


I found them hiding here, and walked back to ask them to photograph them. I told them they are SO different from Japanese police! (who just drive around with their siren lights flashing, it looks like an ego thing!!). The second photo- you can see the cop's white helmets through the windows- you can't see the street to the left. They were aiming to chase down traffic offenders, and they were macho- like those on the band Queen-those types of men!!

Montana with Maki Kids!!

Ischin is flying now and will arrive tonight in Montana too!

The Girls Came To Santa Cruz!!

Four plane rides and almost 24 hours later- they're HERE!
They took this little nap while Taka and I made dinner.


The nap and food got them going again- and with Zen they hung out having fun, and managed to go to bed from midnight and slept through the night till the next morning.


We got together with their Great Grandmom for lunch and watched the carp~恋 KOIコイ？ in the pond by where we ate. An Italian Restaurant with LOTS of carp!!!


We gave Grandmom's dogs a walk after lunch. Peppermint Pattie, the brown dog, was fearful to leave Grandmom behind, but Sheon and Zen helped settle her nerves.

Charlie Brown is the slow poke. Sheon felt sorry for him and giving him rides. I kept telling her HE NEEDS THE EXERCISE!! But Sheon couldn't bear it, Charlie being the old guy he is, and Sheon the animal lover that she is!!

A Las Vegas Professional Photographer's shots~

I saw this photographer taking photos of this game. I spoke with him and gave him my card, he gave his. After that he took a few more extra shots of our boy Zen!