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. : )