Well hello there Friday

Happy Friday y'all! It's been another slow week for me thanks to a crazy work schedule for Isaac so I've just been doing some organizing, relaxing and playing at the park with Logan. We've been in Japan almost a month and everything is still new and shiny to us here but it's been slow enough lately to stop and think about the little things we miss from home. Now don't get me wrong we all are falling in love with this beautiful country full of amazing people and we are so grateful to have these opportunities that others don't get but sometimes a girl just wants to reminisce. This Friday I'll still be doing my favorite five but it'll be my favorite things from the states that we're missing the most here in Japan

           1. In N Out

I know you can find awesome burgers all over the world but man oh man if you've been there you know there is NOTHING in this world like a double double, fries and a shake. I didn't eat there every week but a good trip once a month could hold us over. Well it's been about a month so that would explain why that is numero uno on this little list of mine

 2. Target

There aren't many people in this world that don't love Target and I there I am positive that we are not friends. Target is my happy place and basically ground zero for all shopping needs and everything wonderful in the world and I am going through some major withdrawal. No number of 100 yen stores or H&M trips can make it better and online shopping just isn't the same.

 

 

 3. DVR

Okay seriously this probably goes without saying but for those that don't know me yet I watch A LOT of television. A LOT. They show some of my shows on AFN on occasion (like parenthood, modern family, the bachelor, guys grocery games, the getaway) but you can't guarantee they will show it every week and that it'll always be at a good time. Hulu works for some things but not all shows are on there since I have a rather unhealthy relationship with reality shows and daytime talk shows. Thank goodness for Friends on Netflix because right now that's the only thing taking my mind off it my lack of DVR and cable.

 

 

 4. My sister (and nephews)

Even though we have lived in different states and now countries since I was 18 years old I have always been able to call my (favorite) sister all the time. I mean we talked on her lunch break, on my way to and from work, on breaks, when we were frustrated, well lets just say all the time. When we moved to California last January I was happy to get to spend a year with her before moving to Japan but an awesome job opportunity took her and her family (and my mom and other sister followed) to Arizona and we were back to phone call besties and phone tag. This 16 hour time difference is really jacking up our phone relationship (and Logan misses his cousins) but hey she can always follow the blog right?

 

 

 

 5. The Beach/view from our last house

If you follow me on instagram you know that we lived right on the beach last year kind of as an "I'm sorry I have to move away to Korea but at least you won't be too bored and the weather won't be too bad" gift from my wonderful husband. I will never get over that view and since we no longer live on the beach I am sorely missing soaking up the sun almost every day

 

 

Linking up with a ton of Friday posts as usual (Don't judge me I LOVE blog hops and link ups) soooooo click here to see where I'm linking up!

 

 

Best Week Ever!

This has been the craziest week ever. Isaac came home from Korea, We had to final out of our apartment, drop my car off to government storage and try to fit in some family time since Logan was really needing some of that. Luckily once we left California and got to Seattle it was all family time for a day and a half and then we made the trek to the airport to begin this journey to Japan that ill write about once we land and get settled. Here's a break down of this busy week!

Tuesday was basically the best day ever! It was a super bittersweet day since we had the move out inspection for our apartment and we said our goodbyes to our neighbors (some of whom have almost become like family this past year....Jessica, Michael & Sterling, Kelly, Xander & Grant and Ms. Glora & Coco I'm looking at y'all. These awesome people made this year a little bit easier on those days we didnt want to leave our building. Thank you Jessica and Sterling for those parting gifts! I've already transferred the wallet and Logan used the learning pad the whole way to Seattle!) but all of that is totally okay becuase MY HUSBAND CAME HOME! So again I say it was absolutely the best day ever. Logan was so excited and almost ended up in the emergency room running to his dad in the airport. These last 3 months have been super hard on him with his dad being away so he is so glad that he is home and obviously so am I. We were finally able to get our annual christmas tree picture to display on future Christmases

Wednesday was our last full day in California so we wanted to make sure we did some things to pass the time but were fun for everyone. In the morning we had to drop our car off at government storage in Los Angeles. I had been so stressed about dropping it off becuase I heard it was such a long process but we were literally in and out in 40 minutes. Logan played in the play area the whole time and watched Olivia on Nick Jr with another little girl. Super easy and I was glad it didn't take up too much time. Logan has been asking literally every day for 2 months for a build-a-bear to bring with him on the plane. That was absolutely our first stop for family time. We went to the build-a-bear workshop in Torrance at the Del Amo mall which was great for me becuase I got my last trip to Johnny Rockets out of the way. (Love that place!)

Giving Firebear his smarts

Giving Firebear his muscles

Bath time for Firebear!

He was determined to make a firefighter bear 

"Mom can you help me get firebear dressed?"

Firebear's birth certificate

So proud of his creation! 

That smile!!!!

That night we had tickets the CHILL at the Queen Mary Event which is basically a Christmas wonderland right outside of the ship. They had ice skating, ice tubing, an ice kingdom, Santa and Mrs. Clause and a bunch of other cool booths and food. It was a really great family event and if you are in the area I totally recommend it. So much fun! I was worried becuase Logan has decided that he no longer needs to take naps (which the doctor said is normal at his age) but that means that sometimes 6pm is a very, um, interesting time of day for us. Wednesday night was one of those nights where he was cranky and wanted candy and french fries. We were not paying 6 dollars for a handful of french fries so he wanted to go home haha That night was magical nonetheless and Logan got over it in time to take a walk around the Queen Mary before we went home.

The only ice sculptures I was able to take pictures of before Logan yelled at me to put my phone away

Happy parents and a grumpy "big boy"

The Queen Mary lights that Logan was obsessed with 

Ice Skating view from aboard the Queen Mary

The Nice list. I kept teasing Logan that his name wasn't on it becuase he was being grumpy

Oh and did I mention we saw Santa and Mrs. Clause!

That first hug is always the most magical

"Mom the elves said Mrs. Clause had candy! There is no candy here!"

Perfect Santa Smile this year

Can you tell how excited I was to get this picture?! 

Thursday we boarded a plane for a 3 1/2  hour flight to Seattle.

When we arrived in Seattle it was dark and raining but the next morning when we woke up we were pleasantly surprised to see the amazing view of a lake and some trees that would no doubt be gorgeous had it not been winter.

We made it!

The view from our room  

I have been looking forward to this part of our trip ever since I found out that our port of call was here. I have wanted to visit Seattle since watching the season of Top Chef they filmed there. Most importantly I wanted to visit Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. Our hotel was right across the street from the airport and about 30 minutes from the market so we walked a couple of blocks and got on the train to begin our Seattle adventure.

our train ticket

My honey and I on the train

 

We passed the baseball and football stadiums on the way, The best picture I was able to get

Logan loved looking out of the window 

When we got off of the train we explored downtown a little. There are so many interesting characters there. We saw a lady painted entirely in gold, many people playing instruments on the street, two men dressed as darth vader and a storm trooper and so much more. There are so many major chain stores and local shops. Our favorite was Chocolate Box. A chocolate and wine store that of course Logan and Isaac fell in love with. Luckily we found a sugar free chocolate bar to take wtih us on the plane tomorrow for hiim so he won't go too crazy on sugar. Right next door was Cupcake Royale and I was in heaven. I got a mini vanilla with strawberry buttercream but Logan got red velvet and Isaac got tripple chocolate. So yummy! I haven't been to a city like Seattlle in a long time. So many Mariners and Seahawks jersey's, 12th man flags in basically every store window and shops that showcase local seattle artists, bakers and other people. People are so full of pride to be from Seattle and I think that's amazing!

Super yummy cupcakes

Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper

 
Until you visit you have NO IDEA how large Pike Place Market is. It is so huge, 4 stoies and right on the water. There are so many people just walking aroud, there is a ferris wheel, and amazing produce and seafood. We even got to see them chant and toss the fish (It happened so fast I couldn't grab picture or video) There were so many different types of products available and I even added to my "places I've visited" magnet collection. I am so glad that I got to visit the market and cross it off of my bucket list.

Adorable teepees! I would've bought one if we weren't flying

The Bubblegum wall

Wish we all could've been in the picture but a smiling picture is 2nd best! 

As I'm sure everyone knows I wanted to go to the Space Needle so badly but Logan started acting out and then when we got on the train to go back to the hotel he fell asleep within 3 minutes. Made sense after that so we will save the space needle for next time since someone was pooped.

I'm sorry that you had to read through this crazy long post but it was totally worth it right? All in all this week has been flat out amazing and I am so grateful my family is back together. After this year apart and all of the challenges of being a single parent for a while it was nice to have some family time. It was defintely the best week ever! Next up....airport at 2am tomorrow morning and then JAPAN!

- Kendra -

Thanks For The Memories California!!

The next week or so I will be so busy with the big move that I won't be on the blog much, if at all (ahhh I know you're bummed. I am too), soooo in honor of our last week in beautiful Long Beach I wanted to take a trip down memory lane at some of the fun stuff we got to this year while we were in California. It's a beautiful place filled with spiritually beautiful people and we will take with us beautiful memories

Beach Time

First of all beach visits all year long?! Yes please! Thanks so cal weather (Except this weekend when it's cold and hopefully rainy) Sun and 75 degrees in January was the start of a beautiful relationship between us and the beach. I thought that with us living on the sand we would go every day or every other day but it ended up being like once a week. Still with about 45 visits to the beach under our belt in just under a year it was an awesome time killer

Long Beach Grand Prix

It was both mine and Logan's first time going to the LB Grand Prix and he was so amazed by the racing, meeting the drivers and crews and seeing the cars I got caught up in the moment just living and didn't take hardly any pictures. I was able to get this one though even though we aren't in it.

Swim Lessons

During the summer, based on how much Logan loved going to the pool and how much he hated wearing his floaties, we decided it was a necessity to get swim lessons. Honestly the real reason is that I can only swim enough to get me from point A to point B under water like a wounded fish so if he can't swim and I can't swim the pool time isn't looking that great for us. Isaac was home on midtour for the first week of lessons and thankfully that made it easier for both Logan and I. We took them at Belmont Plaza pool and they don't teach them wearing life jackets because they believe it hinders them so I was terrified. I had nothing to be worried about because he LOVED it! By the last lesson he was jumping into the water when I wasn't looking and swimming to the wall. It was awesome! Plus we met Beth and Ary there!!!! Hi guys! we miss you!!

 The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Ummm apparently this was my year because I requested and received tickets to Ellen all within a month of deciding it was a good time to try haha I must say I had no idea people waited years to get tickets and many people were not happy with me. I brought my neighbor and wardrobe stylist extraordinaire J.R. along and we had a blast. We sat in the front row, we were on TV about 10 times, the guest for the entire hour was Julia Roberts and J.R. was featured dancing on the show and got to talk to Ellen! So fun and I would go back every year if I could get tickets.

Medieval Times

This place wasn't new to me at all but how much fun is it when you can go somewhere you love and take your husband and son who have never been before?! It kind of makes you the "resident expert" right? Well I felt like it did and I took advantage of it (lots of me saying "oh yeah you guys have never been here before. Well just stick with me") Our knight lost but we had a blast. Logan loved the food and was so into the show that he cried when it was over. (and yes we couldn't help but buy the overpriced picture with the king to mark our first visit as a family)

Soccer

This was really important to Isaac. He has imagined Logan playing soccer since we found out we were pregnant. Luckily this kid loves soccer as much as his dad does. Since he was 2 at the time we put him in an introductory park 2-3 year old league to get him used to the idea of organized team sports and he had a blast. Can't wait to get settled and get him playing again

San Diego Chargers game

My dad has been a Chargers season ticket holder for many years but 1. I am not a chargers fan (Titans fan by marriage #Titanup) and 2. I have never lived close enough to drive to San Diego just for a Sunday game. This year I was able to go with my dad and take Logan to his first NFL game which was both exciting and sad becuase I always thought Isaac would be there too. I was nervous becuase this guy didn't like anything but the Charger girls at first but got really into with his new friends (my dads seat neighbor) by the end. I also think it helped that he has really awesome seats. Going to games is one of my favorite things to do so I am so glad that Logan came around and got into it. 

The Zoo x 2

I am obsessed with the zoo. If it was up to me I would find and visit the zoo in every single city we visit but that isn't realistic (or is it? *insert evil laugh here*). This year we made it to visit both the L.A and the Santa Ana Zoo with friends of ours. The L.A Zoo is really cool but since it was so hot the animals were kind of hiding out. The Santa Ana one was much smaller than I would've liked but perfect for a day out with toddlers. They also have a really awesome monkey population. I think they had 50 monkeys of all sizes and we spent a great deal of time watching them. Logan is now very fond of monkeys, anteaters and giraffe.

Aquarium of the Pacific

I am a tiny bit less obsessed with aquariums than I am with zoo's but still obsessed and lucky for me Logan is too. We spent a lot of time at the aquarium this year, so much time that I actually stopped taking pictures during our visits and if you know me you know that's a HUGE deal. We became members, went to events and I was manipulated by a certain someone into spending a ton of money in the gift shop. Luckily it was only 4 minutes away from our house. Every kid should get to go to the aquarium at least once in their life. This one is one of my favorites because they have the Lorikeet forest! Pretty cool

The Long Beach Museum of Art & LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

I grew up in the Long Beach area and had never once heard of the Long Beach Museum of Art. It was another one of those things that was a couple of minutes from our house so we grabbed a friend and walked over one day. It's free on Friday so it was the perfect time to see how Logan would do in a place that is normally quiet and possibly boring for him. It's 3 stories but as far as museums go pretty small. Logan was actually pretty into it and did great. They also have a really good restaurant that overlooks the water called Claire's. LACMA was something that I have always wanted to go to but just never had the time and since I don't live in L.A it was kind of out of the way but it was so worth it. So many exhibits and different types of art. our favorites were the Urban light display out front, the Metropolis exhibit, the sculpture garden and the Penetrable exhibit or as Logan calls it "The Spaghetti" LACMA has a really cool program called NEXGEN which provides children a free membership until they are 18 (even if they're a newborn) and one free guest per visit. Its free for every kid in your house even if you have 10 so that's 10 free kids and 10 free adults. It's a great program helping to keep kids interested in art. Kids can also paint and do arts and crafts there in the BOONE children's gallery.

3rd birthday party

Logan turned 3 this year and I have never thrown him a party because well at 1 and 2 you don't really care about parties. We just did cakes and a gift for 1 and 2 but this year was the big 3 and he could understand birthday parties, had been to about 15 this year and daddy was away. What better reason than to make this one extra special? We celebrated the way we always do at first, with just us, a cupcake and a gift. We went to Frosted Cupcakery and ended up with a pumpkin cupcake and he devoured it. At Logan's request we had a police themed party, complete with a homemade jail that our amazing friends (Dan and Lisa) built from scratch. Super fun party and I'm glad I got to throw his first party here at home.

Halloween 2014

Our last major holiday that we went all our for was Halloween. I LOVE Halloween now that I'm a mom. We normally do a family costume but this year it was just the kiddo and I. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was huge this year and even though I didn't take him to see the movie (This mama doesn't do PG-13 with a toddler) he got really into the cartoons.....but naturally every kid needs 4 costumes right? We started off with a Raphael TMNT costume. He wore it to our buildings harvest festival and decided he didn't want to wear it again because it hurt him. Then we got a police costume as a birthday gift (Thanks Lauren!) and he had to wear that too. Next we got a firefighter costume and then lastly he wanted to ultimately be a ninja turtle at Halloween so we got a Donatello costume for the big day and since we already had the swords I went as Raphael.We spent it at the Queen Mary's kid version of the Dark Harbor event with friends and had a great time.

Even though Isaac was away Logan and I made the best out of our short time in Long Beach. We went as many places as we could, reconnected with old friends and made some new ones that we will never forget. The year without dad wasn't so terrible after all. Thanks for the memories friends, family and California.We never say goodbye so I will say see ya'll later