Since moving back to the DC area, one of the things we’ve looked forward to most is going to see the famous cherry blossoms that bloom around the Tidal Basin every spring. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Japan to the city of Washington, DC back in 1912. 101 years later, the beautiful cherry blossoms and festival celebrate the continued friendship between the two countries. Growing up minutes away from the nation’s capital and this spring spectacle of blossoms, cherry blossoms easily became one of my favorite flowers. I hadn’t seen them in years since I went off to college and then moved to California. Even while on the West Coast, I’d always wish I could visit during cherry blossom season so I could see the Tidal Basin surrounded by sakura, so I was really looking forward to being able to see them for the first time in over a decade! The initial forecast of peak bloom was at the end of March but those dates came and went without any signs of buds nor blooms due to the cold days of this year’s lingering winter. They finally came around, though, almost two weeks later when the weather jumped into the 80s, making it feel like we’d skipped spring and went straight into summer. It made for a gorgeous few days of sunshine that were perfect to walk about and see these magnificent blossoms in full bloom. Our family went on Wednesday afternoon, right after Dan had flown back in from the NAB Show since he didn’t have to go into work the rest of the day. It worked out perfectly because we could go right during the peak bloom period!
Our family of three by the stone lantern, with the cherry blossoms behind us.
Admiring the cherry blossoms hanging over the water.
The Jefferson Memorial and cherry blossoms behind us.
Mio with her namesake. Her name means “beautiful cherry blossom,” as she was born during cherry blossom season.
Cherry blossoms encircling the Tidal Basin
Mio with Daddy by the sparkling waters Mio looking into a hole in one of the cherry blossom trees.
Such a beautiful sight!
Looking at the blossoms overhanging the water.
Taking a break on the grass.
Sharing a giggle with Daddy.
It seemed like all of DC was out to enjoy the blossoms and the gorgeous weather!
Making our way along the Tidal Basin.
Mio and I under a canopy of cherry blossoms.
By the new Martin Luther King Jr memorial that opened just a couple years ago in 2011.
This was our first time seeing the memorial – it was quite impressive!
The Tidal Basin engulfed in blossoms!
With the Washington Monument behind us.
The cherry blossoms were definitely in peak bloom!
perfect weather + perfect blossoms!
DC is so beautiful this time of year. I love this city!
Taking a rest at the Roosevelt Memorial.
A happy Mio! æ¡œã®ã‚ˆã†ã«ã—ã£ã‹ã‚Šæ ¹ã‚’å¼µã£ã¦ã€çš†ã‚’幸ã›ã«ã™ã‚‹å„ªã—ã„åã«è‚²ã£ã¦ã♪ Our hope is that just like these cherry blossoms, you’ll grow up to plant your roots firmly in the ground, and be a gentle and compassionate girl who brings joy to all those around her.
Goodbye gorgeous blossoms! We hope to see you again next spring. 🙂
It seems that spring is finally here. Or rather, based on the weather we’ve been getting this week, that we’ve skipped it altogether and jumped from winter to summer! We’ve been enjoying temperatures up in 80s so far this week, but after months of chilliness, the warmer weather is a welcome respite. I’m not complaining!
Here are some snapshots from the past few days, including the weekend.
First spring flowers in her hair… “Mommy, I’m ready for Coachella!”
Wrapping up cookies for a bridal shower order. With spring-inspired floral decorations…
Lunch at Temari together on Saturday before Dan left for the NAB Show in Vegas.
Sakura mochi from Temari… the only place I can find it in the DC area!
Celebrating my sister Miwa’s 23rd birthday on Saturday.
Mio and I spent Sunday afternoon at Great Falls.
We got to hang out with this new family of four: Pat, Theo, Anna and Cara!
Mio and Anna sharing a hug. ⤠Thanks for a fun day together!
Wild goose chase! At Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna.
Grandpas make good chairs.
Soaking up the sun on a beautiful day. ☀
Not spring-related, but Mio learned how to climb out of the crib this week. I caught her in mid-escape this morning!
Mio having her first popsicle with her new friend Kailee. â¤
Sharing a cold bite in this 80 degree weather. Of course, they wanted to try each other’s popsicle flavors. 😉
I’m finally wrapping up on posting on our trip to California from earlier this month! Besides getting to spend a lot of time exploring San Jose, Monterey, and the San Francisco Zoo with Dan’s parents and visiting our dear friends in El Cerrito, we got to also spend some time seeing some of our favorite familiar faces in the area and eating at our favorite spots! There were some delicious eats that I had seriously been missing and craving, so I’m so glad we could get a fix while catching up with some of our dearest friends!
We also got to try the awesome yÅshoku restaurant Usagi in San Mateo and see some of our favorite faces from Nakayoshi! Special thanks to Sam for organizing the dinner and making the reservation. ボンゴレ（ã‚ã•ã‚Šã®ãƒ‘スタ）~ Some of the best vongole pasta I’ve ever had! We missed this beautiful couple! Mio with Uncle Graig. Probably one of her most favorite people in the entire world… 🙂 She’s always giggling and smiling ear to ear when she’s with him! Loved seeing everyone again!
It always feels like our time with friends is too short (especially taking into consideration toddler bedtime), and we wish we could have stayed longer with each of our friends, but we were so happy that we could see them again even for a short time! We are truly sorry for all of those who we were unable to see because of our limited schedule, but rest assured that we will be back soon enough to visit again! :) Thank you also to all of our friends who showered Mio with such thoughtful and generous early birthday gifts… it was totally unexpected and so sweet of everyone. ♥ Our family is so blessed just to have the pleasure of knowing all of you!
On our last full day visiting California, Dan’s parents took us to the San Francisco Zoo because we all know of Mio’s love for animals! It was the first time visiting the SF Zoo for both Mio and myself, and Dan hadn’t been since he was a child, so it was a fun experience for everyone!
Giraffes at the San Francisco Zoo
Ostriches!
Mio and Grandma by a statue of a lion.
A gorilla at the SF Zoo
Comparison of Dan to the size of a gorilla
Mio compared to the size of a gorilla. So cute!
I’m the same height as a gorilla! But a third of the weight…
Mio running towards me.
Too close! lol
Her giggles melt my heart.
Another monkey. Mio says “ooh ooh ah ah” every time she sees a monkey!
Flamingos! Wearing the colors of the season.
Popping out of the prairie dog hole!
Mio popping out of the prairie dog hole!
I throw my hands up in the air sometimes saying aaayyyooooo ♪
Mio LOVES turtles, so she was really excited to hop on this statue. ã†ã‚‰ã—ã¾ç¾Žæ¡œï¼
An alpaca in the children’s section of the zoo.
A beautiful peacock.
An anteater at the SF Zoo. I think it was my first time seeing one in person!
A snow leopard!
Such a majestic, fierce creature!
Hippopotamus opening his mouth!
Mio and Mama atop a hippo
Rhinoceros at the San Francisco Zoo
Adorable koala 🙂
The penguins at the San Francisco Zoo
The penguins were so adorable, getting in line for the feeding!
Mio watching the penguin feeding in awe.
The San Francisco Zoo was definitely a nice zoo, with lots of animals to see! I can’t wait until the weather gets warmer so that we can take Mio to see the National Zoo in Washington, DC as well. 🙂
On one of our days while we were staying in San Jose with Dan’s parents, we took a drive down to San Juan Bautista and Monterey. I’ve been to Monterey before, but it was nice to visit again as well as to visit the Spanish mission at San Juan Bautista for the first time. There’s so much history behind the mission that it was really fascinating to tour the grounds, and it was extra interesting to me because it was where they filmed some of the most memorable scenes in my favorite Hitchcock films Vertigo!
Mio with her grandparents!
Walking hand in hand with Grandma
Another nice picture with Dan’s parents.
Mio and Grandma looking at each other. So cute!
A child’s bedroom with toys at the mission. The amount of detail on the toy kitchen and dollhouse is amazing! Complete with creepy dolls…
A statue of Fray Junipero Serra
Mission San Juan Bautista, established in 1797.
The vibrant interior of the church at Mission San Juan Bautista
After spending about an hour at the mission, we continued down south until we arrived at Monterey, where we walked down Cannery Row and checked out the ocean from there.
The beach by Cannery Row.
Gazing into Daddy’s eyes
Another great photo with Dan and his parents.
Mio distracted by the dogs as we walk down Cannery Row.
After exploring Cannery Row, we moved onto walk around Lovers Point Park!
Mio coming face to face with a squirrel. 🙂
Mio is all smiles!
Statue of a boy at Lovers Point Park
Going out onto the rocks at Lovers Point Park.
I touched a live starfish for the first time!
Mio seeing a starfish for the first time. She was very curious!
It was a very laid back, memorable day trip where we got to see a lot of sights, both new and familiar! 🙂 California has so many beautiful sights to see, and it was so nice to have some time to go visit some of them during our visit!
