A Christmas Newsletter

So I cheated again this year and sent our family Christmas card/newsletter via e-mail. So if I don't have a copy of your e-mail address and you didn't get a copy, you can either view it here or send me a private message in any format (ie. facebook, email, phone) that you wish and I will make sure you get one!

Cheers! And Merry Christmas to All!

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Let's play catch (well catch-up that is)

Hmm so much to say. Where to start... Oh I know! Now where did I put that camera?... Ah ha! 

So it seems we have had a few events over the past couple of months that need/deserve some coverage. First up is my sister Tonya's baby shower. It was, as always, great to visit with my favorite family and see all the kiddos. They get more adorable every time I see them.

Melissa and her older son Kellen

Melissa, Celestra, Joy, and Grandma Weeks

Joy, Melissa, and Alisha

Tonya, Byron and their youngest boy David

Cele holding her cousin Emmalynn (Alisha's youngest)

Tonya is now the proud momma of a beautiful baby girl named Gabriela. Gabby is the third girl to be born in the Brown family, all this year. She joined her cousins Kaylin (parents: Nicholas and Amanda) and Emmalynn (parents: Alisha and Kellison) two months ago. She was also the last of four babies born this year. Her cousin Colton (parents: Melissa and Kyle) was, strangely enough, the only boy born this year.

Colton

Emmalynn

Gabriela

Kaylin

Now on to some random pictures. With all the pictures I have been taking for my geography class this semester, its only fair I take a few non related fun pictures as well right? (I would also like to point out that somewhere in here Halloween and Thanksgiving happened and while I don't have pictures of those events, others (especially Grandma Eiko) do. SO eventually I will have more pics to share most probably hehehe.)

Miss Celestra in her fedora

Beautiful cloud picture courtesy of Celestra

Sunset in Cache Valley

Still in the realm of fun times, here's what happens when I let a certain teenager take the camera to school... 

1) her friends get sick of her taking pics of them and 

steal the camera for a little payback

2) She gets fun pics of some of her best friends. 

3) and even more pics of some of her best friends

4) and she makes sure to include the puppy in on the fun

And now as a parting gift: proof we really do live in Utah. The first snowfall of the year, even if it didn't last more than a few hours.

So here's hoping you all have a great holiday season, I make it through finals (next week) with my brain still intact, and we all aren't so broke we can't breath by the end of the month!

A Piccolo Premier

So I'm a forgetful mom, either that or just so busy most days I can't see straight. This time I forgot to let everyone know that Cele's first concert of the year was coming up. Oh well. There will be more opportunities.

But on that note, tonight was her first band concert of the year. This year her band teacher asked her to learn to play the Piccolo and tonight was her first concert playing said instrument. She did great and even had a solo which, after hearing her practice it, I know she played just right! She did an awesome job and I get to be a proud mama all over again. 

This year, however, there are a LOT fewer concerts than the last few years. I will certainly not complain. In fact, her next concert won't be until January 10 where the band will be premiering their performance pieces for their Washington, DC trip.

That's right. If you haven't heard, Cele's band gets to go to DC in January for the Inauguration ceremonies. In fact, they are playing in a festival attached to the inauguration ceremonies. Cele is beyond excited. So in a (shameless, but necessary) plug for my kiddo, if you would like to help us out with earning money for the trip (she needs a total of $1550) we would really appreciate any help. She is almost always doing fundraisers so there are always those and if you just want to help out, we would love anything you can do. Just call or email me. Facebook works great too.

So now that I have gotten that all out. There you go. We hope you can make it to Cele's next concert. It should be fun and filled with patriotic music. Maybe you'll even get to hear about the plans for the trip.

Logan River in all it's Glory

Yep, you guessed it, another week means another 'fieldtrip' to somewhere in Cache Valley. This week we went up to our favorite picnic and picture taking spot in Logan Canyon, Card picnic area. The leaves are starting to change, the water was flowing, and it was beautiful weather. So here you go, AGAIN. More pics.
I promise, there will, eventually, be other stuff to blog about. In fact, Celestra has her first band concert of the year coming up in three weeks...

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More Cache Valley Pics

Every week when I do my field trip assignment for my Utah Geography class I get reminded of just how beautiful the valley I live in is and of all its little hidden gems. And since I get to take lots of photos for my class, (not an assignment I mind I tell you!) you get to have a glimpse of this beautiful valley yourselves. This week I took Maya (the dog) with me and we visited Stokes Nature Park. A little peace of nature right in the middle of Logan. It was actually a first for me. I have known about it for years but never visited. I figured it was about time and I hoped it would have the things I needed for my assignment. I was right. It was a beautiful spot of paradise inside a city. Almost untouched by human hands. Gotta love Cache Valley for that alone!

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Jackson Hole, WY

Last weekend, Grandma Eiko graciously invited us to join her in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was a much needed break from daily life and we all had a blast. This was Celestra's first time to the area which made it even more fun. It's always an adventure to take someone somewhere you love for the first time and this is definitely one of Grandma Eiko's favorite places to go. Especially through Grand Teton National Park. She LOVES the Tetons!

 The trip also included some great times at the Bar J Wranglers as well as some bumming around in downtown Jackson. Thank you sooo much Eiko for taking us. Here are a ton few pics for you to enjoy and be jealous of all the fun we had.

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Niku Jyaga

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy and easy to make to boot!

Niku Jyaga is a family favorite around here and since I made it the other night for the first time in quite a while, I thought I'd share the recipe for all to enjoy.

"Just what is this food of which I cannot pronounce?" you ask. Why it is a traditional Japanese dish that is fairly close to the basic meat and potatoes that most Americans love! So here you go. The recipe and step-by-step instructions.

Niku Jyaga

2 lb potatoes, peeled and diced into bite size pieces
1 lb beef (types to use include: shabu shabu, sukiyaki, usu-kiri, or stew. Just ask your supermarket butcher)
1 lg onion, thinly diced
1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
5 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp mirin (pictured below: it is a 'sweet cooking rice seasoning. I usually find it with the oils but sometimes its in the Asian foods areas.)
3-4 carrots, peeled and chopped (I use baby carrots chopped in half - much easier and I usually have them in the house)

A view of all the ingredients (minus the sugar)

In a large sauce pan, heat the sesame oil over med to med-high heat (lower is better in my opinion), add onion and stir until just starting to wilt. Add beef, stirring until it just looses its pink color.

Add soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Bring to a boil then add potatoes. Stir well then add just enough water to come to around half way up to the top of the potatoes. Cover and stir frequently.

What it should look like just before adding water

When potatoes are just tender, your meal is done. Pull off heat. This meal can be served at any temperature. In fact, it is delicious the next day as a cold lunch you can take to work with you!

Yum Yum grab a fork, spoon, or chop sticks and say "Itedakimasu" (let's eat)

Enjoy!!!