Kiss and Tell

The weather has been amazing, so Jeremy took a day off work so we could go to Yokohama and Chinatown.

Abby loves water. We spent most of our time trying to keep her from jumping into this fountain. She is about five seconds from throwing a tantrum in this photo.

Throw your hands in the air if you love Yokohama!

Abby does not talk to strangers -- we taught her so well! -- so there was no way she was going anywhere near these two ladies. After a few minutes I thought they would give up and let her pass without the harassment, but no; they were dead set on getting some Abby action. She was not having it! It looks like she is about to give them the Care Bear Stare. You go, girl.

Apparently these kids didn't get the earlier message. They wanted to start an international play group. Abby wouldn't even look in their direction. She was climbing all over Jeremy's legs trying to get him to pick her up. Other kids are scary!

Abby is joyfully making her great escape. I love this photo of her laughing her head off with her daddy.

Abby finally gave in and let this girl hug her. It surprised us all.

Then the cheeky monkey went in for a kiss. Abby looks stunned.

Memo: I'm just not that into you.

However, I am into water and birds. I'm not so much of a people person.

Yokohama harbour is in the background. Abby enjoyed watching the boats sail past. Every time we walked away she would rush back and climb on these railings.

Ready for phase two.

Jeremy hanging out with a pile of dead animals.

Hanging lanterns in Chinatown.

Abby and Jeremy at a Chinese temple.

Abby giving it the thumbs down. She is so hard to please.

Steel Magnolia

Spring in Japan is absolutely magnificent. The magnolias in my front yard were begging to have their photo taken. Coming soon, cherry blossoms.

My Social Butterfly

Last week my little social butterfly flew over to the latest Zama hotspot -- the bowling alley. I thought Abby would be content just watching the balls rolling down the lines and hitting the pins. What was I thinking? After dancing to some Nelly, she jumped into the action and snagged a ball.

First she tried to kick it.

Then she tried to pick it up and throw it towards the pins. (Go go Gadget arms!)

Then the little boy next to us got a strike, so we all had to clap. Abby's all about team spirit.

Then we had to snap more photos of prego Kristen. Seriously, we hang out with them every day.

We Love Bacon

Nothing says spring like a bacon-themed BBQ. Sweet Jeremy used his mad skills on Saturday to create delicious treats smoked to perfection. I am so thankful for a husband who loves to cook! My only regret: we only got photos of the food and nearly none of our amazing friends that showed up to enjoy the food with us. I hope the cholesterol-filled goodies don't cause them to have a heart attack before we're able to do it again.

Abby was a real trooper. She played quietly with her toys while we set up the smorgasbord.
Abby was so thrilled when her best friend Kristen showed up to play.

Bacon-wrapped kielbasa

BBQ chicken breasts

Bacon-wrapped meatballs

Bacon-wrapped pineapple

Chunky bacon pork and beans

King of the Castle

Question: What's the best thing about the new Dyson Vacuum?
Answer: The box it came in.

Here are the steps to thoroughly enjoy it.

Step one: Kick out the prissy dog currently occupying it. Seriously, are you a boy or a girl? I can't tell without your 'themed' bandannas. I don't know very many boys with perms.

Step Two: Command 'Pat' to get you some comfy pillows and his dog bowl to hold your cheese crackers. Don't take no for an answer.

Step Three: Get comfy and eat until content. Don't rush yourself; you're too young for a real job.

Step Four: Put your feet up. You deserve it.

Two Peas in a Pod

Spring in Japan is warm, beautiful and inviting. We took advantage of this Saturday by taking a family trip to the park.

Abby just LOVES her daddy, mostly because he isn't a 'helicopter parent.' He doesn't hover over her while she's playing, constantly check to see what's in her mouth, change her every time she gets dirty, or reinforce the rigid bedtime schedule. They spend their days together laughing, learning and exploring. It is thrilling for Abby and terrifying for me.

So I don't know why I was shocked when Jeremy decided she could use the slide by herself. SHE JUST TURNED ONE! Here I am, totally unprepared for the upcoming trauma, snapping photos and looking oblivious. This photo came right before I realized no one was at the bottom of the slide to catch her. True to form, she slide off the end and rolled around on the ground laughing. Then she ran over to daddy for a round two. They are two peas in a super crazy pod!

Here is Abby getting ready for a second trip down the slide. Yes, mommy is at the bottom this time.

Abby also likes to climb up the slide and slide down on her own. She is so independent.

Abby was laughing so hard she fell over. Needless to say, it was a long trip home.

My Joy

Abigail Sophia Robertson. The joy of my life. I am so lucky that Heavenly Father blessed our family with her sweet spirit. I am captivated by her mischievous smiles and infectious laughs. Just in case I don't say it enough, I am so grateful for Abby! I am thrilled beyond belief that I have the honor of spending my days teaching, playing and exploring with her. Being at home is a luxury, and I am ashamed to say I sometimes take it for granted. I am amazed how much fun she can be. Every new word is a cause for celebration. Every new advancement leaves me beaming with pride. What ever did I do without her?

Reeses Pieces

Isn't this the cutest baby ever? I just want to squeeze her chubby checks and smother her with little kisses. I am so excited to go home in July to see my little Reese. It's amazing how much joy babies bring into our lives, even if they are not ours. Perhaps Kim will lend Reese out for the year...

Barnyard Stank Eye

Recently, I've had a case of the blahs. Nothing too severe, just feeling a little out-of-the-loop and missing friends and family. It's hard being so far from home and knowing life is going on without you. You start to wonder if people even remember you're missing from their lives. It's easy to overlook one person missing, but I can't overlook the hundreds of friends and families we're away from. I'm not going to lie, sometimes it's rough.

So I did what always makes me happy -- taking Abby out in public to give people the stank eye. This time I took her to the zoo. She didn't disappoint; Stank eye all around. From barnyard animal to barnyard animal, it was one big HECK NO. Stay back. I'm just not that into you.

If I could read Abby's mind this is what she would be saying:


What's up 80's show pony? The only thing you're rocking is that Jon Bon Jovi bouffant. In about two months I am going to be taller than you and I'll have to bend down to give you the staredown. Don't worry, I'll make the effort.

Don't forget what I said. I won't repeat myself.

There are five guinnea pigs living in this laundry basket. I'm having none of that. My mom is crazy to touch you. You all get five seconds of stank eye. One for each of you.

Goats smell. This one is no exception. Take the picture quick before my stank eye is permanent.

Yogurt -- loves it!

Yogurt. My delicious and nutritious breakfast. I hope we always remain friends.

Wet Wipes. May we always reach into your plastic home and find you ready and waiting.

Abby. Climbing out of your high chair when I turn around does not make you a magician. Making the yogurt mess instantly disappear is more up my ally.

Best Friends

Last Sunday Jeremy and I spoke in church on the topic "husbands and wives." I based my half on the quote below. May we all be blessed to have a best friend as awesome as mine.

Marion D. Hanks of the First Quorum of the Seventy:

Married people should be best friends; no relationship on earth needs friendship as much as marriage…. Friendship in a marriage is so important. It blows away the chaff and takes the kernel, rejoices in the uniqueness of the other, listens patiently, gives generously, forgives freely. Friendship will motivate one to cross the room one day and say, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean that.” It will not pretend perfection nor demand it. It will not insist that both respond exactly the same in every thought and feeling, but it will bring to the union honesty, integrity. There will be repentance and forgiveness in every marriage—every good marriage—and respect and trust.

Fat Boy PT

If I was in the military I'd be in Fat Boy Physical Training, which is basically the same as regular physical training but they make you do it twice a day. Running, push-ups, sit-ups, gym time, dodgeball, whatever -- I'd need a healthy military-regulated daily dose. It's for the people that ate a little too many sweets between their six-month physical fitness tests, or, in my case, for the first half of my life. I'm sure there's a more politically correct term than Fat Boy PT, but that's what it is, and we all know who's in the program.

So in order to change my F-A-T to a P-H-A-T I started training for a half marathon. Shocking, I know. So far I can run 2 miles (3.2K) in 23 minutes. The military considers running that distance in 20 minutes a pass. So, in other words, they would give me a big fat "F" for my effort. At least now, after a few tries, I am able to do it without walking a portion of it.

My schedule is listed below. Feel free to let me know if you want to join the fun train.

I run Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday and Saturday:

Week One -- 3.2K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 3.2K
Week Two -- 3.2K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 3.2K
Weed Three -- 4.8K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 4.8K
Week Four -- 4.8K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 4.8K
Week Five -- 5.4K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 6.4K
Week Six -- 5.4K, 3.2K, 3.2K, 6.4K
Week Seven -- 4.8K, 4.8K, 4K, 8K
Week Eight -- 4.8K, 4.8K, 4K, 8K
Week Nine -- 6.4K, 6.4K, 4.8K, 11.2K
Week Ten -- 8K, 6.4K, 4.8K, 12.8K
Week Eleven -- 8K, 8K, 4.8K, 16K
Week Twelve -- 8K, 8K, rest, 20.8K

Holy Guacamole

I love my sister, Kim. Let that be known before I make fun of her.

Kim is what one might call a nuggets-and-fries kind of girl. It’s an eating out staple in an extreme way. It’s not about the price; It’s all about the taste. The bland, deep-fried, crispy-on-the-outside-dry-on-the-inside flavor. Sometimes she’ll branch out to a chicken burger, which is basically a chicken nugget on a bun. She's not fooling anyone. She won’t eat anywhere ethnic or try anything new she can't pronounce. If she can’t see a nuggets and fries somewhere on her plate – she ain’t eating it.

Keeping my sister Kim in mind, I have been experimenting with Abby’s foods as soon as they would let me. I hope this will ensure she has a nice, varied palate. Spices, ethnic fruits and veggies, sauces, dressings, breads, curries – if it won’t kill her, we serve it up with a smile.

Today’s new food was guacamole. It started out promising, and then her inner Aunt Kim came out.

"First, I authentically mash the guacamole to a puree."

"Second, I smear the guacamole from the spoon all over my chin for later."

"Third, I play peak-a-boo with the bowl while I silently lick the mush with my tongue."

"Fourth, I use it to paint a delightful picture on the kitchen table."

"Last, I hold the bowl to my heart in the hope I'll never have to eat it again."

Abby: I could really use some nuggets and fries right now.....