Thanksgiving Back in the States

For the last two years we spent our Thanksgiving breaks traveling. This year, I was tentatively planning on having a baby--wishful thinking! So when I realized it wasn't going to happen, I decided to make a little Thanksgiving feast. I didn't want to make it too much work or stress, so I definitely took advantage of people aka stores that help you out aka Trader Joes, Costco, and Whole Foods.

^^blurry picture but it was so sweet how J was snuggling with Victor's mom after his nap. She got here this week and it's been wonderful!^^

So if you want some tips on how to throw an easy but still delicious Thanksgiving dinner:

Turkey in the crockpot! Since it was just five of us, I opted to buy a big turkey breast all seasoned that came with stuffing and gravy from Costco. It fit in the crockpot, and it was deliciously tender. Saved space in the oven and it cooked perfectly. If I hadn't done that, I probably would have bought a small turkey from Whole Foods and still cooked it in the crock pot. 

Trader Joes microwaveable vegetables. They're fresh but packaged so you can steam them in the microwave. Great time saver for my favorite combo: asparagus and Lion House cheese sauce. 

To hold people over I threw together that cheese plate (try the "unexpected cheddar" from Trader Joes) with yummy olives from Whole Foods. You should try them. Also, both Trader Joe's and Costco make a great pumpkin pie. I so was not in the mood to make one. But homemade whip cream is worth the time!

So there you go! Tips for next year, I guess haha. 

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Late Halloween Post...

....but too cute not to share!

I don't know where this family costume enthusiasm came from for Halloween and I'm not sure how long it will last because it's so not like me, but I just couldn't help myself this year! I wanted to dress up somehow to play on my big fat belly, and when I thought of how perfect and adorable J would be as Peter Pan (not to mention how easy it was to throw together), we went for it. 

Here is cute, mischievous, fearless (except of the vacuum), adventurous Peter Pan:

Joined by big bellied Smee:

I can't get enough of this kid!

 Later in the week at the ward trunk or treat, Captain Hook made an appearance

And they were itching for a fight!

Captain Hook's costume was thrown together a bit half heartedly, because I didn't want to spend a ton of time and money for an expensive pirate costume, but it turned out nicely enough! Happy Halloween! Almost two weeks later! Ha. 

And just a few more of the cutest Peter Pan there ever was. 

Marine Corps Birthday Ball 2015

 Happy 240th Birthday, Marine Corps!

This year I was a hefty 37 and a half weeks pregnant for this ball, so it wasn't quite the same experience, but we had a great time having a fancy night out. I love the Marines' tradition of the ball, even if this year there was no dancing for me.

J and I are proud of our Marine, who also just got promoted--congratulations, Victor. We love you!

Yosemite!

Ahh, Yosemite. One of the most beautiful places I have been to. It's amazing how despite the many many people that are sharing it with you, it still is such a serene and special place. This was our first time visiting, and we already are scheming plans to return. 

Having a toddler and being 8 months pregnant, the sites we saw were pretty mainstream, and the "hikes" we did were more like nature walks. I definitely was glad for it this time around. When I can come back, Victor and I do hope to do some more serious hiking. But there's a reason the mainstream sites are so popular. Such gorgeous views and things to see. 

First up was the Tunnel View Overlook: with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the middle (off in the distance). and Bridalveil Falls (not flowing strongly enough to see in this picture)

Then we went and checked out Bridalveil Falls. If you want to see waterfalls better, don't go to Yosemite at the end of a very dry summer. 

We enjoyed the walk to Lower Yosemite Falls, which didn't have any water coming from it at all, unfortunately.

At this point we had been walking through Yosemite Valley for a while and it was hot. I wish it would have been more socially acceptable to walk around "burta la soare" as they say in Romania (belly to the sun)--meaning when the men let their big beer bellies hang out and get some air to cool down. It really does work!! Haha. 

Also if you know Victor and I, you know that we don't do camping. So we opted to stay at a lodge in El Portal--a small town right outside the entrance to Yosemite. There are a lot of entrances, but we knew we would be spending most our time in the Valley area, which is why we chose El Portal. We enjoyed that they had a pool. Baby J definitely enjoyed it the most. 

Our Sunday morning was one I will always remember. We turned on hymns as we drove back into the park. It was something I will never forget. Loved the spirit that could be felt as we drove in and talked about the wonder of God's creation. 

We also drove up to Glacier Point to get sweeping views of Half Dome and the valley. J got to play with a dog, which made him happy, but apparently his picture taking quota was maxed out. 

Victor and I also decided we are going to return to Half Dome and climb it together. Who wants to join us??

Until next time, Yosemite!

Family Photos in Yosemite Valley

We spent a beautiful weekend up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Yosemite National Park. It was a wonderful weekend away with our little family. While we were there I made my boys do a family photo shoot since I realized we haven't taken a decent photo of all three of us for a long time. So we brought our handy tripod, I made the boys pack matching outfits, and we did our best to get some good photos of us, because it definitely wasn't hard to get good photos of the scenery!

^^my heart explodes with this picture. matching sweaters is the best thing ever^^

 This gorgeous golden lighting was provided by the fire that was burning in another part of the park, unfortunately. We could see ashes landing on our car! But man, it made the light so so gorgeous for these pictures.

Currently

(idea taken from my friend Mickelle)

Reading: Technically I am reading Tortilla Flat in my effort to read all of Steinbeck's novels since so many take place in Monterey. I haven't read it for a few weeks so I really need to get back on it. Also reading the talks from General Conference, starting with the Women's Session. 

Eating: Too much sugar! Sweets are definitely my biggest pregnancy craving, or just general life craving. I've been making rice krispie treats and inhaling them. It's shameful, really. 

Thinking About: Not being pregnant anymore. I am now in the phase where I begin to feel like an old lady--limited by my body. My toddler likes to climb all over me and I feel bad trying to stop him because it hurts! 

And I'm also thinking a lot about friends and friendships. Because I don't feel like I've been trying to make friends like I did in Okinawa. Victor and I are both missing our friends from our last duty station really bad. We had it good. And as I've been thinking about it, I realize how they were exactly what I needed from being stationed out there. Victor was working so much and sometimes out of the country, so good friends were a must, and definitely the biggest blessing. I wonder if it's because Victor is able to be around so often here in California that that's why I haven't been trying as hard. Either way, I want to do better.

Looking forward to: A few things this month. We are heading to Yosemite this weekend. Never been so I'm excited. And my mom is visiting next week yay!!

Enjoying: All the beautiful things to see around here. We've been exploring and there are still so many places I want to see. I need to blog about them. And I've said it before, but I am enjoying seeing all of them with my husband. It's so great that he has the time to go exploring with me. Also enjoying my toddler/baby (it's a transitional time and I don't want to let go). He is absolutely delicious. I think he senses when I'm not feeling too hot, because he will just come and want to snuggle with me. He has never been a snuggle baby so Victor and I are loving it. He is such a sweet soul. 

Loving: Being pregnant. I know I just complained about it, but that being said, I am still so grateful to be pregnant, and am loving all the baby's movements. Also loving Fixer Upper on HGTV. Seriously, I love it. 

So there you go. A random post of what's been going on lately. Have a great day!

Married Conversations

It's the kitchen/cooking edition of married conversations. 

Background: we don't have a dishwasher. It's rough. We have resorted to using paper plates and stuff...a lot. Doing dishes non stop is the worst!

Me: "we are all out of paper plates."

Victor: "oh no. I guess we're going to have to...buy more paper plates."

So we also just subscribed to Blue Apron meals--more on that later. This was when we got our first delivery.

Me: "So since we are making these fancy meals, are we going to use our real plates?"

Victor: audibly scoffs. "Nope!"

We got Blue Apron because I've had zero motivation/inspiration/energy to cook meals that don't involve some kind of Costco involvement or frozen something. Victor is sick of it. I don't blame him. So we subscribed, and I messaged my friend Sarah because she had mentioned something about giving a referral discount. This convo is texting with her. 

Me: "I signed up because all victor and I argue about is how I don't have energy to plan and cook healthy meals. What's wrong with frozen meals?? 😆😜  So I was sick of it."

Sarah: "Haha! If that's the only thing you argue about, you're in good shape. I hope Blue Apron saves your marriage."

We made our first meal tonight, and I think it is going to save our marriage. Because I enjoyed cooking again! And he  didn't have to eat hamburger helper! 

(And we used our real plates to celebrate)

Until next time!