New Belgium Brewing Co.

For the first time since the kids were born, Mommy got to go on a trip by herself! I went back to Colorado to celebrate my sorority sister's bachelorette weekend. We had a great time and I really enjoyed going to the New Belguim Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado (think Fat Tire).

L-R: Annmarie, Kristin, Erika, Kathleen, Stacey & Jen

Someone's napping in my clean laundry!

Maggie always finds the softest place to sleep. This time she's been caught napping in my clean laundry, still warm from the dryer! Oh Mags, you are so cute!

This looks like a good place for a nap!

Ahh, some quiet time!

Peek-a-boo Colin!

Peek-a-boo Colin!

Kids

So cute!

Alex takes a picture of Mags

Alex the photographer

Valentine's Day Party at school

No pet rabbits for me

This is not a flattering picture of me, and no my nose isn't broken, it just looks that way in some pictures (time for a nose job).

This is what happens after I hold a bunny. They are giving away two bunnies at Alex's school and I went to go see the bunnies. I knew I was allergic to rabbits when I was younger, since we had a pet rabbit named Thaddeus, and my eyes would swell up and nose would run and ear canals would itch - but that was 20 years ago. Well about 10-15 minutes after holding those cute little bunnies this is what my face looked like. Guess I'm still allergic. My babysitter said I look like someone beat me up. I rubbed my eyes so much I burst a blood vessel in my right eye. Ick. No more bunnies for me.

Cut me Mick!

Nishime

This was my first attempt at making Nishime, a Japanese vegetable stew traditionally served at New Year's. I've grown up eating it every New Year's, but this was my first attempt at making it (usually my mom or grandmother makes it). I had to go to Ranch 99 Market, because no other store around my house sells the ingredients. While recipes differ, I made a pretty simple Nishime which included kombu (seaweed tied in knots), bamboo shoots, lotus roots, gobo (burdock root) and chicken (I left out the pork for a healthier Nishime). Some people add shitake mushrooms, daikon, carrots, konnyaku, or tofu. My Nishime turned out great! While it was cooking, my kitchen smelled like my grandmother's kitchen during New Year's Eve. I made the kids sit with me while I was cooking so I could keep an eye on the two rascals.

Alex

Colin



Nishime!

Kauai