The Ami Premium Outlets, homemade apple pie, getting ready for Branden's upcoming birthday and the last flu shot appt. made among other things.

Sorry the blogs been sorta quiet. We've just been out and about, busy enjoying life lately a whole bunch. The post of our Disneyland trip will be coming shortly. But for now, I better get the one that happened before we went to Tokyo Disneyland. This one was when we went to the Ami premium outlets last weekend! Just a little catch up since last week basically. Last week sometime, I forget the actual evening we ate this. But that's not really important, ha ha. Anyway one night last week, I made a yumm-o gratin. Just came from a box, but added our own chicken, some fresh mushrooms, some cheese at the end and some frozen broccoli right before it was finished cooking. It was good, quick and everyone had seconds on this one. With Fall in full swing, so many casseroles, hearty soups, currys, and nabes will be made around here. Cookie baking and also pie making season has started around our house. I'm sure same with a lot of you as well.

The Ami premium outlets is a newish outlet. We've been wanting to check it out, but waited a month or 2 for the newness to hopefully wear off. And it did. We went last Saturday. To have a look around. We were actually looking for a pair of sneakers for B and also Noah. But didn't see anything we liked there at all, sneaker wise. But it did give us a chance to look around.

It's a very big outlet.

They had Coach. Didn't buy anything.

Nine West. I really like Nine West by the way. Didn't buy anything though.

Here's just some of the stores they have. In case anyone wants to go and shop themselves.

They had a Gap and Baby/Kids Gap as well. Didn't buy anything there either. : )

Obviously I had to go in and check it out though at least. Now if you are an American and are used to the really really super cheap prices/good deals of the US outlets, these might be really ridiculous prices to you. If you're reading and you're Japanese or used to living in Japan though, the prices might not seem so bad.

I was sorta surprised to see this sweatshirt only because Noah has this same exact one. I bought this at the US outlets in Denver, September 2008 last year. Paid way less for ours though.

I also saw some sweatshirts for 4,400 yen. That's about $44 US. Well with the exchange rate maybe about $48 US ? Seemed like retail prices to me on a lot of the stuff. Didn't buy a single thing in Gap or at any other clothing store (reason.... just didn't need anything). But it was nice to get to look around at least.

The prices at the Osh Kosh outlet were a bit higher then the prices at the Gap outlet, if you can believe that. Made me sorta glad I stocked up in the US outlets when I did. Again though to be fair, the prices didn't seem to bother anyone else though. But maybe that's because I am just used to the lower prices at the US outlets.

I was happy to see they had a Sony Plaza outlet. They usually have foreign food in there, so I had to walk around a bit. Yup, they did, a whole bunch of yummy stuff too.

They also had a Crocs kiosk. Again didn't buy anything, just looked around though. At this point, we went to our car and drove to Narita city instead and went to the Sports Authority and bought both the boys some Nikes there instead.

This is all we brought back from the outlet. It came from Sony Plaza. Ohhh, I see the name Sony is gone from the bag now. So, I guess I should say I got this from the Plaza outlet then, lol. : ) Andes mint chocolates, I love these. Some Halloween chocolate for the boys and some Ginger Vanilla hand soap for the boys to use in the upstairs sink. That's it. That's all.

Last Saturday after we had went to the Outlets, and then to the Sports Authority to get the boys their shoes. And after dinner, we each had some ice cream. And because it's October, we had to have some Halloween treats on our ice-cream. : )

What else, what else. Noboru mowed the lawn last Sunday. The kids meanwhile helped clean up in the backyard as well.

Branden helping level out the bark in the jungle gym area.

Noah and his mantis. Good grief, all the boys in our area are in full on, collecting mantis mode lately. At the elementary school a whole bunch of Branden's friends have been actually taking their bug boxes to school, and bringing their insects to school. Branden brought his mantis to school once last week and then brought him home after class. And then brought him to school once this week too. These country kids sure do have fun. : )

And B was still making sure that bark was evenly spread out. And yup, different week, different day, same towels, hanging in the breeze.

Sunday, I made a homemade apple pie, while the guys did the yard work in the backyard. Here I was making my crust. It's a flaky butter crust.

A whole bag of apples, peeled and sliced, a bit of flour for thickening the apple mixture. Some lemon juice, for that pinch of tartness, some sugar and cinnamon.

What a horrible picture of my slice of apple pie. But good grief was it great! So good. I think it was just too hot still and so it broke apart when I tried placing it onto my plate, oh well it happens. We all enjoyed dessert so much Sunday night.

Also the card my dad sent to B got here last week. My mom sent an electronic gift card and grandma's Mitsuko's is on the way.

Branden read his own card. And I thought my dad picked a cute card. : )

B read his message. Both the boy's have every card that my dad and family (both sides) has ever given them.

Dad, you spoil the boys too much! But they sure do love you, even without all the spoiling! : )

Branden had thought long and hard what he wanted. We went and exchanged his money to yen first and foremost. And B decided he wanted an ipod nano. So, we ordered it for B online. I did call and also email my dad and asked him what message he'd like for Branden, since there was free engraving at the Apple Japan store. And my dad emailed me the message he wanted engraved and so it is on it's way and that is one of the gifts Branden is going to get this year for his upcoming birthday. And he did call and thank grandpa.

Also, I am sorry to report Branden made the dire mistake of leaving his phone in his pants pocket a few month's ago. And being the laundry nazi that I am. Washed it. I stupidly did not check the pockets. Imagine my horror to open the washer and start placing the clothes into the dryer to see a phone sitting nicely washed and soaped up and rinsed sitting at the bottom of the washer. @_@ We didn't just pop out and replace it. Sticklers like we are. We decided to have him wait for a holiday. Every week he goes to Kumon he has been borrowing my phone since. And it is honestly a little inconvenient for all of us (like the time Noboru called me while he was at work, he had wanted to tell me something real quick and instead reached B while at Kumon, hubby says "hey honey", Branden says, no daddy it's Branden not mommy"). So, yes for his birthday that is what Noboru bought him for his birthday. This was very badly needed. A Kodomobile phone. lol. Mistakes happen, nobodies perfect. I hope this phone lasts him for many many years ahead.

Branden's other gift from us this year. A pair of sneakers. And Noah needed them too. They both had foot growth spurts. Branden's birthday won't be until October 26th. We always have quiet little family celebrations. We don't overdo the presents, we also keep things really simple. This year is going to be the same way too.

What else.....I called and made the kids last appointment for their 2nd dose of the regular flu shot. You'd never guess what date they gave us. October 26th! LOL. Yup, Branden gets what for his birthday? A shot! Ha ha ha. Oh well. : ) But on the bright side, at least they'll get it out of the way, right. : )

The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Anyone else waiting to see this? I am dying to see this movie. I've seen the previews/movie trailer clips for this online about 8 times. I just can't wait. It comes out November 20th in the US, is that right? It comes out for us November 28th for us in Japan. I have already been looking for my nearest movie theater that will have it. My nearest theater will not be having it. So had to find another one. I'm thinking of preordering my tickets for it. Anyway have a wonderful day! : ) I'd try and get the Tokyo Disneyland post up today, but with my hubby home today, I doubt I'll get the chance. Maybe tomorrow, hopefully. : )

Our 3rd day, the evening we left!

Our final day. We woke up that morning and headed to Denny's for a nice big breakfast. And then we headed to our doctor's appointment Noah had. Yup, Noah needed a few immunizations. Branden is done, so he got to just quietly watched. Poor Noah-chan.


He was quiet and just sat on my lap, while we waited for the shots to come. 3 shots in total. He isn't a real crier, when it comes to getting shots, like B is/was. Ha ha ha. But it was still nice to do it in the privacy of our own room. Where just our family was. Noboru and B and even my dad came and sat in there and the door was closed so no peeping eyes anywhere. Noah had tons of moral support! Ha ha ha. 2 shots on one thigh and 1 shot on the other. He whimpered a bit. A few tears rolled down and then before we even left the room, he was over it.


Here we were waiting in line to check out. Another of the doctors was giving some help to one of the local ladies in front of us. As you can see, no real tears, Noah was just fine.

We went to lunch afterwards. I had Taco Bell, this time. We were at the GPO having our last lunch in Guam.

Branden had a cheeseburger happy meal from Burger King.

Noah had a bean burrito and nacho chips.

My 2 Burger King prince's! Ha ha ha! : )

Security in the US. Take off your shoes and put them in the box they provide so they can x-ray them. And take off your belt if you are wearing one. Do not have any change in your pocket, unless you want to go to a second screening. Better yet, don't have anything in your pocket. I find the security to be very nice and friendly. They usually talk my ears off. Ha ha ha. : )

Branden got to go into the cock pit after our flight landed in Narita. Before 9-11, it was normal for a few kids to be allowed to look in there and whatnot. But after 9-11, you can't go in there. You just can't. However, since the hubster works for NWA, we still get too. Branden got to sit in the chair and he thought that was so cool! : )

We were a bit hungry for dinner. And we hit Subway and Mc D's on the way out of the airport and headed home.

Sitting in the living room and we all munched away and then showers and the kids went to sleep right away. Noboru and I sat watching TV for a while and wrapping birthday presents for Branden birthday the following day, before falling asleep ourselves. That's it, just a pretty uneventful trip, honestly. : )

A change of plans

As most of you people in the know, know! LOL. We were going to be going to Guam tomorrow for about 4 days. However, the two airplanes that are used to go to both Saipan and Guam (high density airplanes) are out of service. One airplane was hit or broken somehow by the mechanics in Guam (most of the guys in Narita swear the guys in Guam are incompetent mechanics anyways, so go figure!), and the other one is just not working right at all. The flight yesterday got cancelled completely and since Noboru works for NWA and has the inside scoop. He found out that they are going to use an aircraft/plane starting today that usually flies to the mainland US. And so this is actually smaller. So, because of using a smaller aircraft the flight is now over booked and we have no hope of getting to Guam now. Man, now if that doesn't suck, I don't know what does....lol!

As usual for Christmas season the flights to Honolulu are wide open. Even my friend was going to fly there the other day to get herself to the mainland US. Don't ask me why...but the flights are always wide open to Hawaii around Christmas time. So, we can go there no problem. And we already got a hotel reserved. With bump protection (this is a service to airplane employees with ID) means we can cancel without being charged. But honestly? Our hearts were really set on Guam, not Hawaii. I wanted to get the boys their immunizations done in Guam. And since the Guam flight is less than 3 hours away, I always bring back perishable food, like lunch meats and hot dogs and stuff without it getting all gross and yucky! Since the hot dogs in Japan are disgusting! So the food travels just fine with this short flight!

Our hearts were just not into Hawaii this time. And we know we *have* to go to Hawaii anyways in February anyways to bring back the couch. So, in short with Guam being out of the question. We started questioning if we should even go anywhere. We wanted to go to Guam and if we can't, we figured this gives us time to get ready to move to our new house anyway.So sorta this is a blessing in disguise, I guess.

So, since Noboru is on vacation starting tonight and for the next 4 or 5 days. We are going to call a few movers to come to our house and give us estimates on how much it'll cost them to move our stuff! Yup, we are hiring people to do it for us, so that way if anything gets ruined in the move, they will have to pay for it! Not us, lol! And we are also going to make an appointment to have a professional landscaper come to our new house and meet us this week and talk about some ideas of how we can do our front yard! He'll have to give us a few computer generated ideas of his thoughts and we'll see if we like any of his ideas and if not...we check someone else out!

Sigh, yup, building a house is not so easy. The choices are endless. And even though our basic house choices were chosen last year. With houses, it is endless. Such as now, we got our landscaping to do. Also, like where do we want our cars to be parked? Do, we want concrete or something else for the driveway? Many many decisions have to be done. And believe me, I am not complaining about it! I know, I'm lucky enough to have my own brand new house and able to make these choices to begin with. but, yeah there is a bunch of work involved. Sigh....so this week, we will: (and not in any sorta order at all)

#1 schedule movers to come and give estimates.
#2 schedule a professional landscaper and driveway guy to come and brain storm with us on the best ideas for our house!
#3 And tomorrow, I'm running to Costco and to Lalaport (Lalaport is a shopping mall here in Chiba that is quite nice actually)

We, also are going to be driving back and forth to the dump to throw many things away. And also, I may be going to the recycle shop to sell a few baby things that I don't need anymore. So, in a way I think this week is going to help us get ourselves ready to move, to our new place next month. So, while I'm bummed about not being able to get to Guam, I'm okay still because I know we got a bunch of stuff that needs to get done.