Sakura stalking!

We've hit the fabulous 2 weeks of cherry blossoms in Sasebo! Last year Greg was underway and did not get to enjoy seeing them. SO we've made it a priority to join the locals in celebrating "sakura no matsuri." They typically have picnics where they drink sake under the cherry trees, we skipped the sake and chose to walk, instead....

Cora's "General Patton doesn't have squat on me," picture.

The gang (minus Greg) taking a stroll through the cho.

Mother and Daughter share a laugh with Saikai Bridge in the background. Many of you probably recognize the bridge in the background that was destroyed in the 1956 classic, Rodan, the Flying Monster.

Greg and Cora "over the edge" with beautiful sakura AND the sea in the background...

As if it wasn't beautiful enough during the day, if you look closely you can see the lanterns hung on the tress so the locals can enjoy the Sakura's at night. The two girls in the picture are pretty cute too!

And here Cora gives her best "morning after" pose EVER!

Cora's big news

10 months, 2 weeks, 1 day.....

she took 13 steps today! To clarify, those steps weren't all at once... she took 5 steps while "Skyping" with Oba and Sofu and then two steps when Greg got home... and then a final 6 steps immediately afterwards (we're only counting left and the right... right and then right or left and then left have been disqualified from the official count). Unfortunately, Bonny and Finn are not as happy and proud as we are...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

and happy 5 year anniversary with our family, Finn!

We were able to have a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal thanks to the coolest find: "www.themeatguy.jp" -- fresh, well-seasoned corned beef delivered to our house yesterday!

we're walking on highway, ooooh ohh

After years of massive construction, the new highway extension of the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway is close to opening! The town of Sasebo opened it to a "walking festival" today, allowing us to preview what we'll soon drive upon!

test driving Cora's new stroller -- it was great!

the arteries

a new take on a "retaining wall" -- conveniently located above main base housing (to eliminate noise from highway or to disallow any horseplay over the neighborhood?)

a view of main gate entry to base and the base clinic where Meg works on the left side

Greg and Cora at the "end of the road" -- Tenjin-cho (our neighborhood) is in the background

port-a-squatty-potties -- only in Japan!

Greg and Cora at our "new" exit

the Sasebo top and his and her Sasebo burgers came out for the afternoon

The Yumihari Tunnel -- 2.6 km long at the "other end" of the highway.

Where's (waldo) Greg?

Check out Greg's new work duds..... we feel they are ridiculous (blue camo so he'll blend in with the water should he fall overboard?)

Papa smurf goes to war...

happy 10 month birthday, Cora!

Since she's feeling MUCH better, we got out of the house for the first time in a few days and spent C's special day at the Sasebo aquarium followed by dinner at Pinocchio's (our favorite Italian in town...) BY the way, she's moments away from walking... we had hoped by this day, but her sickness may have held her up a bit... standby :)

in awe of the giant sea turtles (kame)

looking at the big fish tank including stingrays and sharks

watching the dolphins underwater -- they were playing with a buoy and having a ton of fun!

meeting a new friend in the 360 degree fishbowl (cool picture in the mirror, huh?)

just like dada -- enjoying some hermit crabs, I think...

standing on her own looking at the sharks

I wanna play -- let me in!

looking at a "fish ball" -- we know you Saipan folks know what we mean!

C and daddy in the cool playroom at the aquarium

nice mustache...

We bet you thought Greg had his creepy one on again.... nope! This is Cora's "amoxicillin 'stache" -- she had a couple of rough days of high fevers before being diagnosed with an ear infection.... this was the first attempt at drugging her.... Greg's gotten good and now she wears none (but we're dressing her in bright pink just in case!)