First Thanksgiving

Jada and dad were watching some NFL football on Thanksgiving morning. She loves watching all sports with dad including SportCenter on ESPN.

Jada's watching dad prepare the turkey for the family dinner.

Family portrait.

Uncle James, Aunty Toshi and Auny Jean got to play with Jada all night. She loved every moment of it.

After a long day, Napa was there to tuck Jada in. They're BFF's and so cute together.

Jada's first Halloween

Thanks to the Kagami's, Schweitzer's, and DeSa's for making Jada's first Halloween a very special one.

Here, Jada is sporting her firts Halloween costume. Her hand is covering a glow in the dark 'BOO.' She had a great time thanks to all.

The kids all had new costumes as well. Napa was Dr. Oz, Vera was a hula dancer, and Louis was a Miami Dolphin.

Aunty Kim and Uncle Mike gave Jada her first 'cruise' 'round the block in her new stroller.

Welcome Jada

Here's our Jada girl. Jada Keiko Fujie Taketa was born on September 12, 2010 at the Hilo Medical Center. She was 7 lbs, 6 oz, and 19.5" long. She couldn't have been born any healthier. We are so blessed to now have her in our lives. We'd like to thank the team of doctors and all the nurses who helped with her coming into this world.

The proud Grandparents!

The proud Grandma!

Going home.........we didn't want to but had to. Mom's doing great and just loving being a mommy! Dad's loving it too and helping mom to look out after everyone.

Jada would like to thank everyone who came to visit her and to those who gave such wonderful gifts to her......before, during and after (all the showers and flowers)

Surprise shower at the Yasuhara's!

Our friends the Yasuhara's, Herbie and Shelley, threw us a surprise shower. In attendance was some of our old FOL gang and also members of our Cougar baseball ohana. We can only hope that their kindness and generosities will rub off on Jada!

Thanks for the ono cake, Sheri (Tejada).

How many paper clips can you find?

Herbie shows off his skills in picking out the most paper clips.

What a beautiful diaper cake this was! We're so thankful for such awesome friends!

Finally getting Jada's nursery together!

Here's the door with her name on it. Look familiar?

We finally got around to tidying up Jada's nursery. Her lucky theme is 'Precious Moments.'

Here, Sheri is decorating her crib with a cute PM's bedding she got.

The kids, Louis and Napa REALLY like the new bedding we put on the guest bed in the room. It's hard to get them off.

Here, you can see her storage cubbies which will store her clothes, books, PM's lamp, and also a docking station for her own custom music such as Jersey Baby and Kohala. We plan on getting her a dresser when she gets older and after we move into our new home.

Notice the big black Gucci bag on the ground.......it's packed and ready to go the hospital when the day comes.

Here's a closeup of the her crib with the cute PM's bedding.

A big thanks to the Uyeda's for giving us the crib. We hope our Jada turns out great, just like their two daughters, Michelle and Melanie.

Saturday happenings

Today our families took us out for a luncheon at the Imiloa Astronomy Center. This was our last gathering before baby comes.

Later that evening, our freinds the Kimura's (Jodie, Vince, Megan and Lindsey) threw Sheri a surprise baby shower. What a surprise it was as they were able to round up a bunch of our good friends in Hilo. Here are some pics of the evening's festivities. The decor was fabulous and the grinds was awesome! Thanks to you all who made it and for making this a very special evening for Jada to come!

Here we go again....

Guess who we found stuck together (AGAIN)! They haven't gotten enough of it yet, all week. Hmm, wonder who they get this trait from. If Vera gets pregnant this time, we hope for a safe and successful delivery.

Weekend happenings

On Friday, we celebrated Henry Ka'aihue's 40th birthday party at their home. The theme for the evening was 70's and 80's. Wife Jamie did another fabulous job with the decor and cooking up an awesome spread.....all I can say is that you had to have been there to see it and believe it.

On Saturday, we jouney'd to the west side for, possibly, our last overnighter. The day started off by going into Kona to pick up a crib from our friends the Uyeda's (Jay and Carolyn), did some baby shopping and had lunch at Genki.

Later, we joined up with the Kimura's and went to the Keali'i Rechel concert at the Hilton Waikoloa Grand Ballroom. It was an awesome show. Then we stayed overnight with Jodie, Vince, Megan, and Lindsey Kimura at the Waikoloa Colony Villas. It was a nice a relaxing evening and breakfast in the morning was awesome! We were also prepped more on baby stuff. Thanks again to the Kimura's!

Hapuna Overnighter

Sheri and I treated Mom and Dad to an overnighter at the Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel. We all got to cruise by poolside, had dinner at Sansei in Waikoloa, and also got to roam the grounds at the Hilton Waikoloa. They really enjoyed the time out on the west side as they haven't been there in ages.

Here's Mom and Dad riding the tram at the Hilton Waikoloa.
We're so stuffed after our buffet breakfast at the hotel. We were still full from dinner (and lunch) the night before.

Mom and Dad here at the entrance to the Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel.

4th of July get together

This year, we had a nice and intimate lunchtime gathering at our house. We grilled good ol' American hot dogs and hamburgers and had everyone create their own. Everyone had a great time and tons to eat. The fellowship of family getting together was 'priceless.'

Throw it, throw it!!!!!!!!!!Cousin Janelle playing with Napa.

Painting update

Here's a pic of my mask job. Only to find out later that it's not really necessary. I know better if I ever have to do this again.

Here's what the finished product looks like.
Who's house is this? It was a fun, tedious, and tiresome experience to paint my own home for the first time. Thanks to the help of some friends, we were able to speed up the process. Mahalo to KW Painting (Earl, Ken, and Floyd) and to Ace Painting (Lester, Derrick, and Jay) for all of their assistance, supplies, paint, and expertise!

Pregnancy update

We need to make mention of the Kapalana concert we attended last December out at the Hapuna Prince. Man, did they bring it! They still got the sound. Coincidentally, baby JADA was conceived around the time of that overnighter.........go figure! Awright!

Malani Bilyeau and Garin Poliahu of Kalapana.

Mom's FAV

Here are some pics I took of Napa during the summer. I would forward these to Sheri at work to put a smile on her face. And, indeed, it did! She loved it!

So cute! We taught him how to get into a catcher's position.
He loves to sunbathe (in the nude)! Notice the nice green lawn. Daddy sure takes care of it so the kids have a nice area to run around in and play.
This is my favorite pic. I caught him one day hiding out behind the leg of our computer table hidden in the corner. In this pic, I caught him popping his head out. Otherwise, he can hide his whole body behind the leg. We figured that it's his place of solitude!

What's in a name? We never thought we'd have so much fun with his name. The list includes: Napa la palai (during Merrie Monarch week only), Napa Napa Napa razzi, Napapa, Papa boy, Pops, Papa, Napa pa pop muzik...