Thanksgiving weekend

We started our Thanksgiving with a nice relaxing morning at home, lounging around in pj's and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We prepared some of the side dishes for dinner and my sister came over and hung out with us for a bit.Yusaku's parents hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year and we had a great time! Yosuke, Manami, and two couple friends of theirs, one of whom has a baby, all came in from New York. All total, including kids, there were 17 of us!

Since Yosuke and Manami are expecting a little girl in March, we hosted a baby shower for them at our house on Saturday before they headed back to New York. We had all the same guests that had been at Thanksgiving. After a delicious brunch of quiche and muffins from Big Sky, we played some pretty funny shower games (like guessing baby food flavors and which types of candy bars were melted in diapers) and they opened a few presents. I think everyone had a good time!

Saturday night, we got together with Leslee, Jon, Quinn, and Connor at my parents' house. It was great getting to catch up with them. Sarah, Leslee, and I entertained ourselves by recreating some old photos we found of ourselves. It was pretty funny!

Indy/DePauw Visit and Kaitlyn and Mike's Wedding: Part 2

After lunch, Yusaku, the kids, and I headed back to our hotel in the afternoon so I could get ready for the wedding. I headed back over to the Statehouse Inn to hang out with sister and Duck while they finished getting ready. While I certainly missed my husband and kids, I did enjoy getting to spend with my parents/sister/etc. alone. They were having fun back at our hotel, swimming in the pool and having pizza for dinner.

Here are some pics from the wedding!

Indy/DePauw Visit and Kaitlyn and Mike's Wedding: Part 1

The second weekend in October, we headed to Illinois for my cousin Kaitlyn's wedding. We decided to make a little road trip out of it and spent Thursday night in Indy. We were able to meet up with Paul for dinner while we were there, which was great. The girls really love him!

Friday morning, we got up and headed to DePauw. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy so we did a very quick tour of campus before heading to Marvin's for lunch. Paul was able to join us then too since he works at DePauw now. An expensive trip to the bookstore for Yusaku and I to get some new DePauw gear and then we were on the road to Springfield.

Natalie and I in front of East College

Yusaku found himself in a picture from his Greece trip that was on the wall at Marv's

We checked into our hotel and then headed over to the Statehouse Inn where the rest of our family was staying to visit with everyone before the rehearsal dinner.

The rehearsal dinner was delicious and despite staying up quite a bit past their bedtimes, both girls hung in really well.

Saturday we enjoyed some time at the park with my parents, sister, and Duck before eating some lunch at my aunt and uncle's house with Pop Pop and Flo and Aunt Honey and Uncle Vic.

October Phone Pics