Everyday People

So here we are at the end of another year - and what an amazing year it's been!!! The first few months we were flat out planning for our wedding trip in NZ (nine months ago today actually). It was a great couple of weeks and when we got back to Japan we had one more wedding party. Before the hangovers had dissappeared, we realised we would be parents before long and started preparing for the baby. Summer was great, as we enjoyed the beach and camping. We then got ready to move into our new house in November. Now, at the end of December, we are so happy in our new home, and any day now we'll be blessed with a baby boy or girl. Thank you all for making this year so great for us, it's because of our amazing family and friends that we can be so happy and look forward to many more years of happiness!!

The contractors finally finished the house with this gorgeous entryway. The name plate was designed by Aki, knowing that I'd love the Silver Fern on it! (トロッター = Trotter or Torottaa as the Japanese pronounce it)
　

This month was very busy for both of us. Aki has been enjoying herself since she finished working. She has been visiting friends or having friends visit almost every day. As for me, it was a busy month at work as we planned for our Christmas party. The party was really fun and the kids were surprised when they saw I wasn't Santa this year.....in fact, they didn't know who Santa was (it was the father of a new girl, so the kids hadn't seen him before). We had to do the usual rush of Christmas shopping and celebrated Christmas on the 23rd. Anthony, Fumiko and Liam came to our house for a massive lunch. In the evening, we went to Aki's family home for another huge meal. Needless to say, I wasn't very hungry the next day! The 25th was a normal working day for me, so again, it felt very strange. Hopefully we can make it home for next Christmas, especially seen as we can't get back this summer for Steve and Roshannas wedding. The last few days have been full of more food, food and food. Friday night was my works end of year party, Saturday night we had all you can eat Chinese with Aki's family and today we had another huge lunch with some of Aki's friends!!

Christmas Day (23rd) - Lunch; Liams present; Dinner; Ready to burst

Imagine 忘年会 (end of year party) - Natsumi, Miho and Aki; Emi, Me, Nobuko and Shuhei

Let's eat some more!!!!

This New Year we will be staying at home, just in case someone decides to pop out, so I'm looking forward to a relaxed holiday watching numerous movies and playing Mario Kart on the Wii (my Xmas pressie from Aki). I'll be sure to post pics of the baby here as soon as possible so check back soon. Have a safe and very enjoyable New Year holiday!!!

Forward Movement

It's been a very busy month but we're glad to say that the move to the new house went great. We are so happy with the place - it's looking very different from the first time we came to have a look at it. The inside is now finished, so now there is now just a lot of work to do outside. The garden has been totally ripped out so we can start from scratch and have a nice looking garden by the time spring gets around. Moving day went very smoothly as we had plenty of help, so we got everything from A to B in about 4 hours. Aki was very busy over the next week organising everything and getting through the many boxes. We are now feeling very much at home and are excited to start our family here!

Boxes packed before the move; Enjoying lunch after the move; View from balcony - beautiful sunsets!; Tatami room; Babies room; Our bedroom; Bathroom; Kitchen; Living/Dining; Dining/Living; House from outside.

Our car arrived a few days after we moved. I was stoked to be able to go for a drive for te first time in Japan. Surprisingly, I've only driven it the one time but Aki has been going out in it most days. There was a bit of a question mark over how I would be getting to work every day, as we're a bit further away and there's no train station nearby. However I'm glad to say that I've been riding my bicycle still as it's only a 30 minute ride from door to door. If I don't bike I have to take a bus and two trains and it could take 45 minutes to 1 hour, so biking is definitely the way to go.

My work route (Our old home is marked 'Uchi', Anthony's place is 'Home'); Our car (Nissan Note).

Aki is now at 34 weeks, very big, and very ready for the big day! We'll be staying at home over the New Years break, just in case anything happens before it should. Otherwise, December is a busy month as usual, as there are plenty of year end parties to attend as well as Christmas stuff. I'll let you know how it all goes later in the month.