October is the best month.
Any month that ends up with people giving you candy is amazing.
But I have a lot to share from this month, so brace yourself.... or flip to another blog. Fine. I don't care. I will just put some really important news somewhere in the paragraphs of this insanely long post.
Any month that ends up with people giving you candy is amazing.
But I have a lot to share from this month, so brace yourself.... or flip to another blog. Fine. I don't care. I will just put some really important news somewhere in the paragraphs of this insanely long post.
We went to Oriase Gorge- a huge Japanese tourist attraction in the fall. It's beautiful.
We tried taking Christmas photos. Needless to say the above didn't make the cut.
This almost did, Marie is a rockstar. But my "crazy eyes" just weren't happenin'. (Also I feel I look like Ellen Degeneres here).
My birthday was off the wall awesome. I threw myself a party where I told no one it was my birthday. I've always wanted to do that. I guess it's funny in a weird ironic way. But a couple of my friends spoiled me anyways... oh you guys!
But the gift that took center stage was my new cuisinart hand-stick-blender-thingy. I used it at the Iron Chef competition... WHICH WAS AWESOME BYTHEWAY! I didn't win. Or place. But MAN- I was in my element. It was so fun. My souse chef ending up being one of Brett's paralegals. She's a southern girl with some pretty good taste buds. The secret ingredient? Fresh pumpkin. Predictable, but as long as it wasn't squid I was happy.
We ending up making a chicken breast encrusted with roasted pumpkin seeds, walnuts, an apple pumpkin dish glazed with brown sugar, a green bean casserole that instead of a mushroom sauce, my souse chef whipped up this awesome pureed pumpkin and cream to go with it. They were so good. I wrapped up the rest after the competition and ate almost all of it before brett came home. And for dessert I did a homemade hot chocolate with pumpkin puree to thicken it up and give it a pumpkin pie feel. I served pumpkin biscotti with it.
Wow. So much fun. I can't wait until next year.
Sorry I don't have pictures.... (haha I'm totally not). But I do have bad news for myself. The entire thing was not only being reported on in the local newspaper.... (no big deal... I'll just avoid looking at the paper for 3 months)- it was TELEVISED on Armed Forces Network! YUCK! Seriously people! I would hate that anyway, but I just gained literally 10 lbs in the last 8 weeks so I'm looking pretty plump and not so camera ready. But I wore makeup and tried to never look mad. However, I really enjoyed myself so I hope I conveyed that to the camera. ...blah.
But the gift that took center stage was my new cuisinart hand-stick-blender-thingy. I used it at the Iron Chef competition... WHICH WAS AWESOME BYTHEWAY! I didn't win. Or place. But MAN- I was in my element. It was so fun. My souse chef ending up being one of Brett's paralegals. She's a southern girl with some pretty good taste buds. The secret ingredient? Fresh pumpkin. Predictable, but as long as it wasn't squid I was happy.
We ending up making a chicken breast encrusted with roasted pumpkin seeds, walnuts, an apple pumpkin dish glazed with brown sugar, a green bean casserole that instead of a mushroom sauce, my souse chef whipped up this awesome pureed pumpkin and cream to go with it. They were so good. I wrapped up the rest after the competition and ate almost all of it before brett came home. And for dessert I did a homemade hot chocolate with pumpkin puree to thicken it up and give it a pumpkin pie feel. I served pumpkin biscotti with it.
Wow. So much fun. I can't wait until next year.
Sorry I don't have pictures.... (haha I'm totally not). But I do have bad news for myself. The entire thing was not only being reported on in the local newspaper.... (no big deal... I'll just avoid looking at the paper for 3 months)- it was TELEVISED on Armed Forces Network! YUCK! Seriously people! I would hate that anyway, but I just gained literally 10 lbs in the last 8 weeks so I'm looking pretty plump and not so camera ready. But I wore makeup and tried to never look mad. However, I really enjoyed myself so I hope I conveyed that to the camera. ...blah.
The month's highlight was going to the Korea temple with our branch. There is a military space-available hop you can take on a Monday and come back on Tuesday. However the Korean temple is normally closed on a Monday. But my branch was offered the chance for it to be opened if we could get enough people to go. It's pretty awesome that Brett's boss is Mormon at this point, because he got to take time off to be with me. Marie stayed with our friends the Shoafs. They have a little boy her age. They are two peas in a pod. When we came to pick her up, she just said "Hi!" and then ran into his room and didn't want to leave.
Here I am whippin' out the "crazy eyes" again. Poor Brett has to stand next to me.
It was a whirl wind trip. Plane, train, temple, eat, train, hotel, slept for 3 seconds and back at the airport at 4:45 am. Whew! But it was one of the best temple experiences of my life. Mostly, because the Korean Temple workers were so kind. We were all late (b/c of our plane) and they were unfettered. I was so grateful they spoke enough English to help us. Learning Japanese has been impossible for me. So their effort in bi-lingualism did not go unappreciated.
And lastly I finally got around to going to Hachinohe. The Japanese clinic will give you an ultrasound and 4-D video on VHS for a mere 2000 Yen. That's a steal, even if the dollar is at 79. They said girl. They seemed to say it with surety. There were english signs in every room, however, that said "Gender is not 100% Guaranteed." Ah, I want to believe them though. Especially after I came home today to see Marie's new coat hanging next to the coat she is growing out of. My two little girls.
It was a whirl wind trip. Plane, train, temple, eat, train, hotel, slept for 3 seconds and back at the airport at 4:45 am. Whew! But it was one of the best temple experiences of my life. Mostly, because the Korean Temple workers were so kind. We were all late (b/c of our plane) and they were unfettered. I was so grateful they spoke enough English to help us. Learning Japanese has been impossible for me. So their effort in bi-lingualism did not go unappreciated.
And lastly I finally got around to going to Hachinohe. The Japanese clinic will give you an ultrasound and 4-D video on VHS for a mere 2000 Yen. That's a steal, even if the dollar is at 79. They said girl. They seemed to say it with surety. There were english signs in every room, however, that said "Gender is not 100% Guaranteed." Ah, I want to believe them though. Especially after I came home today to see Marie's new coat hanging next to the coat she is growing out of. My two little girls.
Now to only think of a name...
14 comments:
Wow, you guys are having such awesome experiences! Rachel, you look so good! I gain sooo much weight when I'm pregnant, I'm jealous of how good you look.
Rach, you look so good! Congrats on finding out its a girl! That will be so fun for Marie to have a little sister!
I am glad to hear your temple experience was awesome and that Marie was happy staying at her new friend's home. They must be nice. You all look wonderful. I am excited about my new grand-daughter1
What a month!! I'm so excited you are having another girl! I loved having my boys back to back they are such good friends plus you can reuse everything!!
Ooh, I wish I could have tasted your Iron Chef dishes. They sound so good!
Yay for the second ultrasound! Girls are the best!
I love having multiple girls, it is really fun, (or a serious drag, depending on the day). Don't worry about your "crazy eyes". Ever since I had Rebekah, I've had a crazy extra chin in every picture.
I love the second picture! I don't know what you're talking about with crazy eyes. Love your family. I would love to see your Iron Chef. Can you record it? Miss you guys!
I love your posts! That's great about girl #2. 2011 is girl year (hopefully we can get on that bandwagon)! That's so cool about the Iron Chef thing. I don't know if I could do it. I'm still planning on calling you one of these nights... Love ya!
I love that picture of you and Marie on the couch. And your hair is looking real good! I hope your bday was great.
Aw, you guys are going to have two girls? That's awesome!!
Yea!
Whoa. what: leaving America to become a reality show television star? This is so unlike you.
Well, actually...
Anyway pink AND purple are such a great way to go! It just makes you happy looking at them together. Especially in the dryer lint. I love that, for some reason. I really do.
Toilet park! Whoa. Japanese love 10 year old boys {men?} who love bathroom humor, you mean. That is still blowing my mind.
So, when will you be on DVD? I want a signed copy.
P.S. Rachel you look all lovely and glowy.
Had to say...
So excited for your little girl (unless you have a surprise come delivery day!) and you are looking fabulous, Rachel!
I fail to see "crazy eyes" or Ellen Degeneres. I think it's a great picture! And I love your hair, too. You're just cute :)
Yay for the temple!
And yay for another girl! Lots of girls are fun. Marie sounds like the kind of girl who will love having a litte sister to boss around, so it's a win-win!
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