Video at Ethan's Eagle Court of Honor

This is the video that we played at Ethan's Eagle Court of Honor on April 27, 2019.

Other 2016 Scouting Events

The boys at the start of their 50-miler across the Sierras.

The boys at Camp Chawanakee.  This was Ethan's fifth summer camp and Ryan's second.

This was on one of their prep hikes - there was a lot of snow!

The boys with their 50-miler awards; their walking sticks for their over-land 50-miler and paddle replicas for their over-water 50-miler.

Seattle in Summer 2016

Photo with Ojiichan and Obaachan outside their place with them and Lianne.

Here's the spread at Yuki's for Fourth of July - it was delicious!

Ethan with Obaachan when we went out for ramen.

Auntie Yuki with Ryan at a Mariners game.  Ryan has on his Mariners bomber hat and his Mariners cape.

On the Way to Seattle

The three kids at the visitor's center on the way to Mount St. Helens.  That's the mountain in the background.

Casey and Dorothy practice their selfie picture taking with Mount St. Helens.

The boys with Uncle Tatsu in Portland.  Yes, that's Ryan with one of his favorite blankets as a cape.

Uncle Chuck's Guitar

Stopped by Chuck's mom's place in Jordan, Utah south of Salt Lake City to pick up Chuck's guitar.  Here's our family photo with Ryan making like a rock star with his entourage!

Green River Trip Kayak Trip

Photo on the Green River taken at one of the troop's stops.  You can see the two-person inflatable kayaks to the left that were purchased by the troop.

Arches National Park - Needs to be on Your Bucket List

The boys with their scout troop that went on the Moab over water 50-mile trip had time to visit Arches and Canyonlands national parks.  We drove them to Salt Lake City to meet up with the rest of their troop at which point the other three members of our family went our separate way.

The Windows Arches at Arches National Park.  If our memory is correct, you're able to walk up to and through these arches.  These are quite large arches with this photo taken from a distance using a telephoto lens.

Balancing Rock - probably one of the more well-known formations at Arches National Park.

Delicate Arch - this is the arch that is on the Utah license plate.  There are three places where you can view this arch.  The furthest away is the main parking lot where most of the tour buses park.  The second location is a slight hike up from the parking lot (this is where this photo was taken).  The third is a two-hour plus hike that will take you to the arch.

This was on the way to Double O Arch at the far reaches of Arches National Park.  This was probably the most strenuous hike in the park for us.  This photo was taken in the late evening.  We made it within sight of Double O Arch, but did not make it all the way to the arch due to darkness.

At the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint.  Took in an incredible sunset on this evening.

Bonneville Salt Flats

This is where they set land speed records.  You can walk quite a distance out into the water in the background of the photo with the water barely covering your ankles, but be sure to wear sandals or something because some of the salt crystals can be a little pokey on the bottom of your feet.

Here's a photo the kids wading out onto the salt flats.  We figured that it was safe since there were others out doing the same thing.

Elko, Nevada Airport - Before and After

This was taken in 2010 on our way to Yellowstone National Park.  We took the photo because we needed to get a photo with something that was a historical marker as part of our road trip scavenger hunt.  Naomi is almost 11 and Ethan is 9.

This was taken this summer on our way to Utah.  We found the marker again, but didn't recognize it at first because it had been updated.  Yes, Ethan is taller now.

Ethan's Origami

Ethan continues amaze us with his origami skills.  This is a multi-colored ball that he constructed.

This is another modular construction that actually compresses when you push in from the ends.

This is one that he made on Mother's Day.  It's a gift box that he used for the jewelry that he gave to Dorothy.  The heart on top is made from a dollar bill.

Scouting: Ski Trip, Prep Hikes in the Mud and Pancakes

Ryan on breakfast duty flipping pancakes.

That's Ryan with the light blue backpack cover in the middle of the stream of mud.

That's Ethan in the center with the gray backpack cover.

The boys traveled to Camp Norge near Tahoe with their Boy Scout troop for their annual ski trip.  Here's a link to their FaceBook Site:  https://www.facebook.com/campnorgeofficial

CVCHS OIC Performs Film Related Music

Ethan is part of what is known as the Odd Instruments Club at his high school. At a recent performance, the OIC performed a melody of film related tunes. Can you name the tunes?  Ethan is in the back on percussion.

2015 Middle School Honor Band

Here is a performance from the School District's Middle School Honor Band.  You can make out the top of Ethan's head just to the right of the conductor.

Ethan in Jazz Band - Chili Pepper Solo

Ethan had a trumpet solo in his middle school jazz band's playing of a song titled "Chili Pepper."

Chili Pepper - Ethan Plays a Trumpet Solo

Here's a recent jazz band concert where Ethan had a trumpet solo.

Photos of People Taking Photos!

Check out these photos.  It's a picture of Yuki taking a selfie with kids, but in the background you can see a picture of me taking a photo of them taking their selfie.  In the second photo you can see the photo that was taken by me!

Off to Camp Chawanakee

Ethan off to his third boy scout summer camp at Camp Chawanakee.  His troop shoved off at about 1pm today leaving their scout shack, 15 or so boys with three adult chaperones in three vehicles.

Having attended with Ethan his first year, the mystery that might exist with many of the parents regarding boy scout summer camp does not exist for us.  The complications of summer vacation means that not everyone will be traveling to camp together and returning together, making travel logistics somewhat challenging.  Almost every seat in each of the three vehicles was completely filled today by a person or gear as they headed out.



After autographing the trailer, they were soon off for a week of adventure, learning and making memories.  Ethan's classes this year are Cooking and First Aid.  The week will go by too fast and they will be home for the rest of the summer.

2014 Sequoia Middle School Jazz Band - "Carry On Wayward Son"

2014 Sequoia Middle School Jazz Band - "Blue Train" by John Coltrane

Ethan continues to enjoy being in the band playing trumpet. He's finishing up playing in the 7th grade concert band.

He's also in the jazz band that is composed of both 7th and 8th graders. Here's their rendition of "Blue Train" by John Coltrane.

Okay, So It's Not New Years or Graduation....

This is the Emoto Family Duet. If Uncle Chuck were here we could've made this a trio!

Ethan and Obaachan just started playing around with this song this evening. Not bad for the first time through, huh?

Obaachan is singing the song in Japanese (Hotaru no Hikari) although it's a little difficult to hear. In Japan, this song is played at graduations and the Japanese title can be translated to "The Glow of Fireflies":

By the glow of fireflies, and the moonlit snow by the window, Days and months spent reading, Years have even passed, through the cedar door, This morning, we leave.

Whether staying, or leaving, Remember each other, in the Depths of our hearts, in a word, Sing, "Good luck,"

蛍の光 (Hotaru no Hikari) The Glow of Fireflies

蛍の光、窓の雪、
書読む月日、重ねつゝ、
何時しか年も、すぎの戸を、
開けてぞ今朝は、別れ行く。 

止まるも行くも、限りとて、
互に思ふ、千萬の、
心の端を、一言に、
幸くと許り、歌うなり。