Merry Christmas in STL

Ah, the holidays are upon us and we are back in the states to see the family. Our first stop was to STL, to see Mike's family. Oh what fun we had, minus the last minute shopping we had to do.

Mike and I celebrated our Christmas on Christmas eve morning, since was the only time we would have. Mike said I was getting a joint Christmas/Birthday present, but only had 1 gift for me on the eve and said "once you get this you will know what your birthday present is" So I open up my gift to find an I-pad cover. Mike found quite enjoyment in this. I had to wait until my birthday to open the I-pad, can you believe it. I decided on a new rule, joint gifts come on Christmas!

We had a lovely Christmas day with the family and here a few favorites of Owen as he opened his gifts...The jumping balloon, he wants to sit on

Checking out the trumpet

Now its his turn to play...

While in STL, Mike started enjoying his vacation by reading, resting, and getting scruffy!

Off to ELP for more Christmas time

Holiday Sewing project

In addition to the party, I needed some holiday decorations. This year I decided to make Mike and I stockings as last years, were, well, cheap, and rough looking. I think I bought them at the 100yen store just to have something.

My tutorial book had excellent instructions, so to the sewing machine I went. here are the finished products, along with the finished snowmen. I had to add scarves to the snowmen to make it more festive.



happy decorating to you!

Ladies Christmas Cheer

I love the holidays, just don't love the extra poundage that comes with it. Mike had to leave for a business trip, so I figured it would be a good time to throw a ladies holiday party.

Saturday afternoon was the perfect time, unfortunately, I was battling some sort of sickness, so I had to make sure I didn't cough on any of the goodies.

Here's a serious a pictures from the party:
The table of goodies


The wonderful ladies, whom are my friends here in Tokyo




It was a nice party and a great way to start off the holiday season. As an added treat, I sent home each lady with a ribboned pictured frame with hanging bells and acorns, for them to hang on their doors. yay for holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving

to everyone....This year Mike and I are thankful for lots of things, including life, as its been a rough year in Japan.

hopefully you remember, but if not, I'll tell you again. Thursday is not a holiday here, so celebrating Thanksgiving usually has to wait until Saturday.

Well, this year, I met Mike down by his work and we went to a place that was doing a traditional thanksgiving buffet. It was soooo good, even though the potatoes were a bit salty. And everyone knows, I love mashed potatoes.


We had another thanksgiving dinner on Saturday with good friends of ours, Jennifer and David Peacock, who invited us over. It was a lovely, intimate party with 8 people attending. Here's Jennifer's beautiful table, ready for the dinner.


The golden brown, delicious turkey, that Jennifer prepared for us.


We had a great time and it was so nice to spend the evening with friends. We are very thankful that we've made such good friends in Jennifer and David. Yay for holidays and friends.

Fishing

This past weekend, Mike and I, went fishing with some of his Japanese counterparts. They invited us and we thought it was fun, so Sunday morning, we got up early to catch the train. We finally arrived around 8am at the marina where we would leave from. We were able to see mt. Fuji as clear as can be.



Mike and I have been on several boats before, so we decided not to take the dramamine before getting on the boat and figured we would be fine. As we were waiting to board the boat, we noticed the water and waves were very strong, probably due to all the rain on Saturday.
Here's the smashed up fish we used to help us catch the fish


So we went out and it was very rough, making my stomach turn a little since we had to wait in the room down under. thankfully we went up and got air before we got sick.

We started fishing and I didn't feel great. Apparently neither did Mike as he had to stick his head over the side of the boat. Funny thing, about 15 minutes later,
Mike caught the first fish of the day....


By this point, I was just sitting and trying not to move as it was too much. Well, I went to put my sweater down below, which was a mistake. The movement and heat caught up with me and thankfully, I made it to the bathroom in time! So much for us thinking we had sea stomachs.

I spent the rest of the time sitting against the boat with my eyes closed, enjoying the sun that was shining bright. Any sudden movements were not good. Finally, Mike seemed to have had enough and came over next to me and laid down. He dozed off and while he was sleeping, I started to feel better.

For the last 20-30 minutes, I managed to fish again and caught the last fish of the day! Here's my fish, before he jumped around at me. It happened 2-3 times.


Fishing was over and it was time to get back to land, which we all appreciated. Mike and I weren't the only ones that got sick and the water was very rough, not normal at all. So here's everyone's catch of the day....mackerel and horse mackerel


The catch was taken to a local restaurant, where they fixed us the most amazing and fresh lunch ever. They cut the mackeral into sashimi and it was super good. like wow.
Next they brought out fresh octopus in a sauce type sauce, which was also really good. The next dish...sardines with tomato sauce and my first time eating them

AND NO, they didn't smell or did we, but they tasted good.

We had another dish followed the by main dish of fish with rice and miso. The meal was spectacular and we probably would not have ever had something like this if we didnt' go fishing.

We had some ups and downs during the day, but had a great time and great meal. So good. Next time, our hope is that the water isn't as rough and we can catch other fish. OH fun times in Japan.

Ceramic Pottery Class

We needed a date night and something fun to do. Mike wasn't exactly excited about my idea, but I told him we could have burritos for dinner, so he agreed.

I found this class one day and had my japanese teacher make the reservations. It was an hour class with the clay prepared for us already. We made snowmen and it was it fun. We got to decorate the snowman any way we wanted with all the tools they provided.
Here's Mike hard at work


Our completed snowmen, prior to going in the fire. And yes, Mike's snowman is evil.


It was actually a fun Sunday afternoon and we get to keep them as a momento forever. They should be ready in about 4 weeks, so in just in time for Christmas!

CWAJ Printshow

As you all know, I joined a women's group last year. Well, sometime earlier this year, I agreed to be the Hospitality coordinator for our annual Printshow. I must of been smoking some crack, because I had no idea how much work it was going to be.

So I had to leave Austin fast because that week was the opening night reception, which I was in charge of, followed by the entire Printshow during the weekend. Turns out, I agreed the year, we moved to the new building and the guest list was insane.
I ended up planning the reception for about 120ppl because that was how many showed up last year. Apparently this year, with the move to the new TAC building and probably everything that has happened in Japan, the attendance increased 3times. The opening night ended up with 300ppl, way more than we expected and I did not have nearly enough money for drinks and light appetizers for that many people.
However, in the end, it all turned out well and I was so excited when it was over, so were my feet, as I spent 6 hours running around making sure everything was smooth in my heels.

The actual Printshow went really well and the cafe, which I was also in charge of, also went well. I finally managed to get Mike to come by on Saturday evening, as he returned from TX, that Friday. We did buy a print and I was so happy how it turned out. It will be a great reminder of our time here in Japan



On a lighter note, I'm so glad that the Printshow is over, so I can relax now.

Austin bound

Austin, TX was a great time. We made a quick trip to see our good friends, David and Sarah, get married. Literally, I touched down and got right back on the plane, as I had to be back in Tokyo for a huge event I was helping out with.

To start off our trip, we just had to have some BBQ, so off to the Salt Lick we went with our friend Matt and Liz. Oh so yummy, as you can see from Mike's excitement


Friday arrived and it was wedding day. So exciting and great since the rain didn't come until Saturday. The venue was beautiful and it was such great weather. Here's the newly married couple



Of course, no event is complete without a picture of the 2 of us. However, I wish it was better, oh well


And finally, a recent picture of these 3....props to Liz for dealing with Mike and David when they both single


Austin was so much fun and the breakfast tacos were so good the next day. If only they would keep on the 12hour flight back to Tokyo.

Congrats David and Sarah...we love you

Costume Karaoke

Enough said....

More Placemats

As you know, I am refining my sewing skills as much as possible. Well, over the summer I worked on some placemats for my good friend, Jennifer Peacock. After we both got back from vacation and things settled down, I was finally able to give her her gift. I knew she was looking for some dark blue fabric with nice design, so I thought I could find it and make her something.

On one side....indigo blue with a diamond design



On the other side....rabbits b/c it is the year of the rabbit.



I was going for a fun and more elegant side based on the occasion. She really liked them and I am glad. Definitely much better than my first attempts with the crab placemats. Off to my next project, which is secret until its finished!

Autumn is in the air

AUTUMN/FALL.....is finally here. YAY. I'm so excited that the weather has started to get cooler and pretty soon the leaves will change.

In honor of Autumn arriving, it was time to change the decorations in the house. I know Mike was super excited for that. Anyhow, today is actually Autumn Equinox day and a holiday here, so what better time than today to make some crafts. I had bought all the stuff already, so craft hour began during the afternoon.

So I made an Autumn wreath to put on the door...a little welcome for anyone who comes over. I wasn't sure what decorations to use, but was slightly limited, so pumpkins are this year's go to item. In addition to the pumpkins, I had some fake leaves and bought some gold with glitter to make them shiny. After spending some time with the glue gun and painting, here is the final product:


Now inside the house, there isn't alot of places to put things, but I of course, found a place. If you remember our coffee table has a square removed...


Now its not ridiculous decorations, but just enough to make it festive for the change in season...Happy Autumn everyone.

Tokyo DisneyLand

Tuesday we made it back out to Disney, without Mike, but still had a great time and spent the day at Disneyland, the most magical place on earth! It's also Halloween time and the decorations are absolutely amazing and makes it so festive. Not to mention that people can come dressed up as Disney characters until October...we definitely saw quite a few adult Minnie Mouse's


Our first ride of the day...race driving


We also made it on Dumbo the flying elephant, Its a small World, and Peter Pan. We also encountered Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs along the way as well...



Since its Halloween, there was another great, festive parade for everyone. Rob and I jetted off to ride Space Mountain, but Allison got some great picture...





Right before we were going to leave, a whole bunch of characters came out at the front of the park and it was so much fun...Taylor and RJ were quite a hit and we got some great pictures.
The fairy godmother was SOOOO in love with RJ...she didn't let us leave

too cute

Family time + Amanda


Then it was time to say goodbye to disneyland...we'll miss you, until next time.

Tokyo Disney Sea

is where we went on Monday. Disney Sea is only in Tokyo and atually really cool. Unfortunately it is geared more towards adults, but there were some kid rides. Disney Sea is also home to "Duffy the bear" and "Shellie Mae," Duffy's gf. They also happen to be Mickey and Minnie's bears, who are a hit with the Japanese. They even have costumes you can buy for the bear. I, of coure, had to get a bear, b/c when else would we go back to this place. Here's Duffy dressed as Mickey, the sorcerer, hanging with the Halloween decorations (not my bear)


So we started out the day at Tritan's Sea, where we got on Scuttle's wings first. Then we headed inside to Tritan's Sea, which was really cool. Lots of kid friendly rides and it was designed amazingly.
Here I am enjoying the ride.

Under the sea...


Throughout the day we encountered a few characters, especially with the help of Taylor and RJ.


While the Riess family went to catch a parade, Mike and I went to ride "Stormrider," which wasn't great. However, after that we found a Halloween parade of chip and dale chipmunks dressed for "dia de los muertos" Of course, I had to buy these guys which I will be putting on my christmas tree this year!



Later we did manage to find another ride with a short line, so it was off on a magic carpet ride for us, in Aladdin's paradise.


We had a great day and stayed for the last parade of the night...unfortunately, so did everyone else, so we didn't get great pictures as it was packed. The kiddos were pretty wiped out by this point and had the right idea, sleep. But it was fun.

Riess family in Tokyo

Our good friends, Rob and Allison, along with the kiddos, Taylor and RJ, came to visit us last week. Oh what fun we had with all of them. They kept us pretty busy, but we all had lots of fun.

Friday night we went to the "highball" garden to drink beer and eat okonomiyaki, which was good. No pictures to show, but it was fun.

saturday we headed out to the Belgian Beer Festival, which included live music, tons of beer, and beligan food.


Of course we had to get the food and what goes better with beer than sausage...


After the festival, the boys went to play simulation golf, while us girls played with the kids. Then it was switch time as the girls went out. We had a date: Allison, I, and Louie R....he was amazing: crisp, refreshing, and absolutely perfect.


Sunday was another fun day...We went to the aquarium where we saw a great dolphin show. I'd show you pictures, but my record stands, I can't take good pictures of dolphins. I always miss the jump or trick. Oh well. The boys golfed again and then we all watched a movie to get ready for Monday and Tuesday....