2013 Year End Interview

This year for our end of the year summary we decided to interview each other. Since we aren't the greatest journalists, I can't vouch for the quality of our interviews. But here you go. I (Katie) will start

What interesting foods did you try this year? The caramel bacon donuts we had at Pike's Place.

What do you regret most about this year? Not getting a good night's sleep before taking Step 2.

Alex's surprise pinata birthday party. 

What was your favorite experience this year? Our vacation. 

I know all our readers want to hear how our pets are doing. Can you tell us? All of our rabbits are in our freezer. Our chickens are living the high life retired on the farm. Our dogs are as cute as ever. Ruben pushes his limits every day. 

What home renovations have you made progress on this year? HAHAHAHA.

This is what happens to your car if you leave it in a rain forest for a few decades. 

How handsome and attractive are you this year compared to last year? At least 20% more attractive.

What was the best thing I made for you this year? The peach blackberry jam you made is amazing. 

How are interviews going? Very well. I am a rock star (I added that part). 

What are you doing right now? The dishes. Thanks.

Is there anything you really really want? I want to know where I should go for residency. 

If you could buy me anything in the world what would it be? I would buy you a house with enough land to let you have a little goat farm. 

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday? Spend time with you. Is that too general? Its the truth. 

What is one thing you wish you were able to do? Play the banjo. Think how cool I'd be.

I will miss our grapevines.

What was the best part of 2013? Finding out you were pregnant.

What was the worst part of 2013? Being told that our IVF cycle didn't work. 

Okay now you can ask me questions.

(This is Alex.) What is your best memory of 2013? Walking through the rain forest with all the moss covered trees in Olympic National Rain Forest.

What good books have you read this year? My favorites were probably Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Life in North Korea and Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. Right now I am reading a book about labor and I am realizing that I should also be reading about what to do once the baby gets here. 

Where do you want to move next year? Somewhere warm, somewhere cheap, somewhere fun to live, and somewhere where all my family also lives. That's impossible. I know. It doesn't exist. 

What are you most looking forward to about being a new mother? I am excited to meet my baby and find out who she is, to see her go through every stage and experience everything for the first time. I am excited to teach her stuff. 

I got a haircut this year. 

What goals do you have for yourself for the next year? To practice the piano, to learn how to sew better. To learn more about the scriptures and the gospel. To be happy as a wife and mother and not be too frustrated when you are gone all the time. My goal for you is to learn to not be grumpy when you are tired. I don't know if that is ever going to happen. I know. It would be nice, wouldn't it?

Thanks for tuning in! We are due in early March, we find out where we are going for residency March 21st, then we start a new chapter in our lives. We will miss our friends in central Illinois very much but look forward to whatever adventures life holds for us.

The best cat bite I have gotten so far at work. Right through the thumbnail. This was in February.

Interview

My friend Ashlee, who is a much more charming blogger than I am, has posted a couple of self interviews during her pregnancy. I liked the idea so I am going to interview myself since I don't believe anyone else wants to.

So how are you feeling? Cold.

Is it cold there? It was -1 this morning.

Why do you live in Illinois? Actually I like it here. Just not right now.

Where are you going to be moving? I don't know. Probably not somewhere warmer. Ask us on March 21st. Isn't this interview supposed to be about pregnancy? Yes, but since you never get interviewed I thought I would round it out a bit. 

What is your favorite part about being pregnant? Actually I have lots. All the foot rubs my husband gives me. Having an excuse for everything (forgetfulness, tiredness, crankiness). Feeling baby move. Other people being excited for me.

Least favorite? Bending over. Really wacky dreams. Weighing as much as my husband. Wait, my least favorite thing is this:

  

aka glucola

But honestly if that is the worst I have to complain about I am doing pretty good. I have had a very easy pregnancy.

How far along are you?
28 weeks

Will you post a picture because I am pretty sure your dad requested one? 
Sure.

Large and in charge (and cold). Ok not the greatest. I will try to take a better one.

What are you going to name your daughter?
Depends on who you ask. Current contenders are Mildred, Maggie, Emma, Bronwyn, Sarah Elizabeth, Ingrid, Carrot, Ruth, Pearl, Ruby, Sarafina, ok not really. Alex and I have a hard time agreeing on this matter.

What do you want for Christmas? Hm that is a good question. The real question I have been pondering is, why do we give gifts on Christmas? It doesn't really make sense to me.

Thanks for tuning in! Any more question requests? If there are any good ones you may get lucky enough to experience a second pregnancy interview...

Thanksgiving

Alex and I were lucky enough to both be in Philadelphia for Thanksgiving (he in between two interviews on the East coast and me because I could) and had a wonderful time celebrating the holiday and weekend with family. It was just a wonderful time to not stress (didn't make a single lick of dinner this year), put my feet up (thanks, Tony!) and just be around family. And it is always nice to have a reminder to be grateful for all of my blessings. I have to say, since turning 30 every day seems a little more precious and every day of life seems like a gift. Like I realized my mortality or something strange like that.

Here are a few pictures of our trip. We didn't actually get any good ones of the Thanksgiving meal itself, but we were lucky enough to be able to see Marissa and her family for dinner as well.

Fonthill castle. What do you do if you have a rich aunt, a tile business, and want to leave a legacy? Build an entire castle out of concrete, of course. I can't say I would want to live there but this was an incredible place to visit. Tile was everywhere in all shapes, sizes and possible designs and motifs. Unfortunately photos were not allowed inside. 

We visited the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia. Dr. Barnes loved Renoir. I would show you some but I couldn't take pictures. 

Baby Strax and I were the honored guests of a surprise baby shower! It was great fun. Thanks, sisters and mom-in-law! Bethany didn't mind if I took pictures. 

 Baby girl stuff is fun.

And we attended a Christmas recital for Bethany's students.

It was over way too fast.