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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 23, 2018 20:04:31 GMT -6
August Blooms my go to cookie recipe is Against All Grain's Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. It is on her blog so you can Google it. Best cookie I've found since going gluten free. I usually double the recipe.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 23, 2018 20:10:01 GMT -6
It’s very very snowy here today! DS1 is on day 2 of ski camp! Yesterday went really well- he loved it. Seeing all the 3 year olds in their ski gear is just too much cuteness! 💕 They are having a Christmas party after class today, so that will be fun for him.
DH is skiing all day, and LO is napping on my lap. After we meet H for lunch, I am going to the Onsen to relax while our nanny watches LO. They have outdoor hot springs, so I’m excited to sit in a warm rocky pool with the snow falling around me. 👍
Fireworks tonight, which the kids should love. Leaving the kids with the nanny after that, so DH and I can have a sushi Christmas Eve dinner. I’ve heard the Hokkaido sushi is some of the best in the world, so fingers crossed it’s tasty!
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 23, 2018 20:37:42 GMT -6
Taitai I will just live vicariously through your vacation updates. It sounds heavenly and I am so glad you all are enjoying yourselves.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 23, 2018 21:38:44 GMT -6
Taitai I will just live vicariously through your vacation updates. It sounds heavenly and I am so glad you all are enjoying yourselves. It is so exciting for us to see snow and experience the cold - you don’t even know! It’s supposed to reach 92 F back home today. 27 F and snowing a ton here. We are loving the change of scenery. I forgot how much more festive Christmas feels when there is snow and cold temps outside. |
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cythe
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Post by cythe on Dec 23, 2018 22:02:31 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is.
But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere!
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 24, 2018 0:44:00 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is. But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere! I love this so much for you!! All of the places you listed are amazing. I would say that traveling on long hauls with toddlers is not easy, but it is doable. DS1 got much better at traveling once he hit 2.5. The absolute worst was when he was 20 months on a 36 hour flight itinerary from the USA to our home. Shudder. We did 8 hour trips to Korea and 12 hour trips to Europe when DS1 was around 18 months. It wasn’t that bad. Also- Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. You should def go while you have free flights! |
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 24, 2018 6:39:13 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is. But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere! um this is amazing. |
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 24, 2018 7:02:27 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is. But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere! That's amazing! I'm sure it isn't a cake walk getting the flights booked, but that's awesome! Go somewhere so we can live vicariously through you, too. |
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cythe
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Post by cythe on Dec 24, 2018 8:24:47 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is. But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere! I love this so much for you!! All of the places you listed are amazing. I would say that traveling on long hauls with toddlers is not easy, but it is doable. DS1 got much better at traveling once he hit 2.5. The absolute worst was when he was 20 months on a 36 hour flight itinerary from the USA to our home. Shudder. We did 8 hour trips to Korea and 12 hour trips to Europe when DS1 was around 18 months. It wasn’t that bad. Also- Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. You should def go while you have free flights! The really cool thing about military flights is it's essentially a cargo plane with passenger seats, so if you wish to use some of your allotted weight limit you can bring a pack and play, air mattress, blankets/pillows ect and lay them on the floor. In this picture you can see the jump seats on the side, and the comfy AF people in the middle.  |
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cythe
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Post by cythe on Dec 24, 2018 8:27:18 GMT -6
Tapa wont let me edit, but then again you also might get unlucky and have the flight be transporting something like this. Limited space in this case, which is unlucky. (I told H Ive seen Final Destination and I know how things become unhooked and smoosh people. He informed me that I'm paranoid)  |
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cythe
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Post by cythe on Dec 24, 2018 8:29:57 GMT -6
I'm getting so jealous of everyone's travel plans (both here and on my Facebook) so I mentioned it to H tonight and he reminded me that we qualify for free military flights, if we want to take on the hassle of getting a flight that is. But yeah, suddenly the world opened up to us as a travel destination and not having to pay any airfare is ... amazing. Hawaii, Japan, Italy, Australia, the UK, anywhere! That's amazing! I'm sure it isn't a cake walk getting the flights booked, but that's awesome! Go somewhere so we can live vicariously through you, too. Yeah it's not, it's a lot like flying standby. However if you're flexible it can be really cool. Like, we could hop a plane to San Diego with the intention of going to Hawaii, only to find out the flight to Hawaii is full but we could get to go to Japan since they also fly out of San Diego. If you're a type A planner, it may not be the best haha. |
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 24, 2018 11:41:42 GMT -6
cythe Do it! I second taitai’s advice on 2.5 being a much easier age to travel. Taitai That whole experience sounds amazing. I may be planning a trip to Banff for next Christmas in my head right now. And thanks for the cookie recipes everyone! I ended up doing an easy cutout one that turned out well enough for my first try. I’m saving the rest for the next time. They all look way more delish that the store bought ones we have been getting.
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Post by doodlemommy on Dec 24, 2018 12:16:38 GMT -6
PDQ. Cake is decorated!  |
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 24, 2018 12:45:11 GMT -6
I cleaned the whole house this morning. And we just purged the house of old toys and I set it out by the road and it was all picked up within 2 hours. So I’m feeling organized and decluttered. Just in time to get more junk!!
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Post by doodlemommy on Dec 24, 2018 15:51:02 GMT -6
We are all settled in at my parents house. Kids (and DH) are napping, I just finished helping my mom prep brunch for tomorrow. Enchilada bake/casserole thing just went in the oven and at some point I need to get myself ready for church tonight. I will not risk putting the kids in their Christmas outfits until after they eat though
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 24, 2018 18:11:26 GMT -6
We tried to get pics of the girls in their matching Xmas jammies but DD2 was not having it. She just wanted to play and be silly tonight.
We made cookies for Santa this afternoon. DD1 was distraught for awhile because we forgot to get carrots for the reindeer. H and I were able to convince her reindeer like bell peppers too as it’s the only non frozen veggie we currently have 😂
Currently rocking/nursing DD2 down while H and DD1 watch the old Grinch cartoon. DD1 is so excited for Santa it could take awhile for her.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 24, 2018 19:55:16 GMT -6
cythe Even with stuff in the plane, those jump seats have so much more leg room than if you were crammed on a United flight or something. Totally do it. Japan is amazing, Hawaii, Australia, Italy, UK...you can’t loose!! danvers Reindeer totally love red peppers. Just like dragons love tacos!! (Are you familiar with that book? It’s one of our favs) August Blooms A trip to Banff is on my must do list. The pictures I’ve seen are just jaw dropping. doodlemommy The cake looks great!
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 24, 2018 20:06:45 GMT -6
Merry Christmas O17!!! It’s officially Dec 25th here. I hope you all have a wonderful day with your families, and that everyone gets a chance to eat some treats or tasty food. So thankful for all of you! Ho ho ho from Japan!   |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 24, 2018 20:10:20 GMT -6
It’s Christmas and it’s gorgeous outside- fresh snow and sunny!
Santa came to visit our hotel room, and the boys were excited to see presents on the couch for them! Santa even picked up some Hokkaido hand cream, sheet masks, and tasty butter/chocolate cookies for our nanny. It was a great morning- although LO just wanted to play with the wrapping paper and not his toys 🤣🤷♀️
DS1 is at ski camp and DH is skiing while LO takes a lap nap on me, then it’s lunch with DH and after that onsen time for me before I go to pick up DS1 from camp. Italian dinner tonight 👍
Last night, they did Christmas Eve fireworks literally right outside our hotel window. There was a chain of like 30 skiiers who came down the hill with red lights on their skis- it looked really cool! Then, they set off the fireworks. LO and DS1 watched intently from the window seat.
We have 2 more days, and then it’s back to the land of eternal summer. I think we’re going to come back here next year - I don’t wanna leave!
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 24, 2018 20:17:25 GMT -6
Merry Christmas Taitai! Fireworks and fresh snow sound so lovely. Hope the rest of your day is wonderful! |
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 24, 2018 20:19:44 GMT -6
Taitai Sounds like you need to make it an annual tradition! Merry Christmas!
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 24, 2018 20:29:44 GMT -6
Taitai Sounds like you need to make it an annual tradition! Merry Christmas! I think so! It’s a good way for the boys to learn how to ski too. DH is really into skiing/snowboarding, and I feel badly that he hardly ever gets to go due to where we live. This place is very family friendly, so I think we’ll just come back here next year 👍 |
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 24, 2018 23:44:01 GMT -6
CoachTsWife thinking of you. Hang in there, just a couple more days to surgery and then time after to heal. doodlemommy that cake looks yummy and what a great idea. I will steal this for an excuse to make cake  for Christmas cythe I am jeles...considering how expensive air travel these days are. Do you also get to stay at military bases for good rates or don't they have military owned accommodations for rent? I recall my sister renting a cottage in Hawaii for military personnel. Definitely take advantage of this! Samoa! Guam! Saipan! All the exclamation points....I am excited can't you tell. It's so cool to be able to ride in a cargo airship however I imagine it would be rather loud? Also I know it adds to your frustration that many of the babies around E's age is already progressing. Hoping she'll decide soon enough that she's ready. I may have mentioned that I have a friend's kid that refused to talk until age 3. No EI, no therapy, nothing...one day a little after age 3 she just started communicating and within weeks she was just yammering away. Taitai I totally second making it an annual destination! Onsen sounds so so lovely now. Where we currently are, I am like 
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 25, 2018 0:00:32 GMT -6
Well despite the frigid temps. we bundled up and went out for a walk yesterday after lunch and DS had so much fun helping MIL check the many birdhouses along the path for mouse nesting and picking up all the different types of pine cones. MIL is a nature enthusiast and is quite knowledgeable about nature. H's family gathered today for Christmas Eve lunch and the 12 lb or so prime rib was demolished! not a bit left lol! It was tough trying to get lil fella to nap this afternoon, he was so riled up and it was noisy in the house so he slept on my shoulder and it was so nice to cuddle with him. I always have a lot of McGyvering to do when we visit but having the kids spend time with their grandparents and watching how much they love the kids makes it all worth it. I think I am able to tolerate the inconveniences better than hubs himself hahaha! FIL is already 86 and MIL is 83 so the boys are fortunate to spend any time with them at all and will have pictures and videos to look back on. It's close to midnight here and hubs and I are just about done watching A Christmas story...then to bed and hoping tomorrow will be a little bit warmer or at least some sun so we can go out walking again. Merry Christmas everyone!
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 25, 2018 6:06:34 GMT -6
My kid usually wakes up at 5am every day. It’s 6:05 and I’m so anxious for him to get out of bed. The baby was up 12-2 for some reason so I really should take advantage and sleep. But CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Hope everyone has a merry day!
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 25, 2018 6:13:32 GMT -6
Merry Christmas from the coach's family!
LO gave mommy the gift of sleep! He STTN for the first time in weeks. Best gift ever.
The boys and I made it to church last night and the service was so nice. DS1 sat with me, it was his first time in "big church" and he did pretty good. The battery operated candle they gave the kids was a huge hit with him.
*poof*
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 25, 2018 8:32:25 GMT -6
This happy guy...
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 25, 2018 9:52:24 GMT -6
Merry Christmas!
Poof
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 25, 2018 10:40:39 GMT -6
The girls were so excited this morning. DD2 loves her little chair and DD1 has to be dragged away from her dollhouse camping set. Merry Christmas O17 !   |
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Post by doodlemommy on Dec 25, 2018 10:48:55 GMT -6
DD is being the sweetest which is making up for the total nightmare disaster that DS is being 😬 He woke up 4 times last night 😭 and is currently screaming his head off instead of napping. His gums are pretty swollen and he hasn’t pooped in a while which usually coincides with teething for him so maybe his molars are trying to work through. All I know is that I’m tired and frustrated with his sleep shenanigans over the past couple days.
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for Christmas