Happy Turkey Day

We hosted our second annual American Thanksgiving last weekend and it was again, a success!  The 32 pound turkey was shipped over from the UK and we had it in the oven by noon, after a scare of it not fitting.  I whipped up the stuffing and sweet potato casserole and Josh mastered the turkey and the gravy.  Then our friends helped with the rest of the side dishes, desserts and beverages.

Because Josh is so against his birthday (this year is the big 30), a few of his guy friends got him out of the house for an hour so that I could do a little decorating,  Then we surprised him with a little bit of a celebration.  It was a fun night that lasted well into the morning hours.  The pregnant lady finally hit the pillow at 3:30 and the birthday boy stumbled in around 5am.  It was a lazy Sunday to say the least!

Guernsey Tennis Classic

M&S was a major sponsor in this years Guernsey Tennis Challenge. As the one that coordinated on our company's behalf, I was lucky enough to score some free seats for Josh and I.  We had no idea what to expect but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as the players participated in some "friendly banter" amongst themselves and the audience. At times, it was literally more of a comedy show then a tennis match. We're still puzzled how the following players made it to our little rock and played a match with less then 150 spectators, but we sure are glad they did.

Here is a little about the event and players:

"Some of the world's greatest tennis legends will participate in this year’s event. The field will be led by former Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash. 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of Pat’s famous Wimbledon victory which saw him climb into the stands to celebrate with his friends and family. He will be joined by a two time Wimbledon doubles Champion, Peter McNamara, French Open Finalist Mikael Pernfors, Former World No 14 Younes El Aynaoui and two time Grand Slam Doubles Champion Jeremy Bates. The field will be completed by Patrick Ogier, the most successful Channel Island player ever."

 

Coming May 26th, 2013

We hit the big 12 week mark on Sunday and had a successful scan the week before.  The little one was fast asleep until the nurse started to poke him with the sonogram wand and then from there we got quite a show! Two arms, two legs, a spine and a symmetrical head were all confirmed. With a heartbeat of 160bpm, plenty of people are putting their money on a girl. 

Named Stan for the next 9 months (the first name that came to Josh's mind when he was half asleep one evening) we are so excited to watch the little one grow. 

And here is the first of many baby bump pics.

 

The Guernsey Press

Josh and I have had a friendly bet as to who would frequent the Guernsey Press the most during our time here.  It is such a tiny island that you literally know almost everyone pictured in it on any given day, not to mention the paper is about 20 pages thick.  I got off to a strong start thanks to my job at M&S - the new store grand opening, frequent competitions and prize drawings, in-store events for the Pink Ladies and other charities, the year anniversary of our grand opening etc.  And then I got pictured for a cancer cliff walk I participated in and a spinning class competition at our gym.  Then finally, I secured the winning position with my weekly wine write up (the wine connoisseur that I truly am...ha) in the Eating, Drinking & Entertaining section.

Josh on the other hand has had some bad luck.  He got photographed for his big promotion, but we aren't sure that ever made it in.  He got asked to write an article for the Business section, which did make an appearance, but another coworker got credit for it.  And then finally, in one day he had two photos (one on the back cover) inserted from the first basketball game of the season. Josh PARKES was quoted as being a newbie and scoring in the double digits. YAY to the great performance, but non YAY to the photo.

This sign is now hanging in Josh's office...

 

A Sunny Sunday

After what has felt like months of rain, we finally got a beautiful Sunday.  We took full advantage and headed to the southwestern side of the island before either the clouds rolled in or my morning sickness started to act up.  We were successful! 

 

 

Let's Get Cooking

For my 31st birthday, Josh gave me a cooking class at a fantastic little restaurant, L'Escalier.  It was a wonderful idea at the time, little did we know I would be in my first trimester of pregnancy and a little squeamish, to say the least. We both still really enjoyed it, even though I had to cover my eyes at points, and learned quite a bit.  With a group of about 12 and a delightful chef named Dean, it was a very entertaining and lively evening.  We learned how to make salmon tar tare, butternut squash soup, black squid ink tortellini stuffed with crab and salmon mouse, basil tortellini stuffed with goats cheese and beat root, pate, stuffed Guinea Fowl and because it was approaching 10:30pm (class started at 6:00), we had to skip dessert. After all the cooking, we sat down to eat this never ending meal...and we finally crawled into bed at 12:30am.

The few times I almost lost it:

• Smelling the fresh salmon (about 20lbs of it)
• Making the pate- combining raw egg, chicken liver, mixed ground meat, and something else that was unidentifiable but definitely used to be alive.  And then watching everyone stick their finger in this fabulous, uncooked mixture to "season it to taste."
• Taking the Guinea Fowl and literally ripping off the two legs and dissecting the breasts so they could be stuffed. Let's just say, blood was flying.
• Finally, watching the tortellini noodles being soaked in "squids ink," the black liquid that squids actually spray - aparently a delicacy.

Although my senses were in massive overdrive, it really was an overall cool experience.  We now have a few new friends, a few new recipes and some pate in our freezer if you want to stop by for happy hour!

 

 

Visitors!

The Stogners made a trip over to The Rock to visit us a few weekends ago and it was so nice to have friendly familiar faces in our home.  We kept busy with a tapas dinner at White D'Or Friday night; an attempt at a cliff walk Saturday (until the rain pouring down) which lead to a local pub for some pool, finished off with a fantastic meal at Red, music at Christie's, and a visit to our one and only local club, Follie's (the pregnant party pooper put herself to bed beforehand).  And Sunday we sent them on their way after brunch and a few pints at the Houmet Tavern. 

 

New Hood Ornament on the Celica

Greece

Island hopping in Greece has been one of our favorite trips so far.  Just as Guernseys weather was starting to turn, we headed to south to the sun and mid 80s temps.  Just a few weeks after finding out we are expecting, the trip was filled with rest, relaxation and 8:00pm bedtimes (for Annie).  Josh drank enough for two of us, and I ate enough for all of us...so the trip was definitely a success!

We flew into Mykonos and traveled to Paros and Santorini before returning to Mykonos for our flight back to Guernsey. We won't bore you with all 373 pictures, so here are a few (quite a few) highlights.

Our Mykonos Hotel

 

We found the pool within about 30 seconds...

 Mykonos Town

Happy Hour in Little Venice

 

A fantastic Italian dinner at Casa di Giorgio.  Josh had a major issue not eating Greek food on our first night. I blame it on the baby and cravings!

The ferry ride to Paros. We were advised of rough waters...here is my travel sickness solution.

 

Our Paros Hotel.  Another amazing view.

 

Can you see a pattern? Straight to the pool again.

 

Exploring Naosa

 

A wonderful night.  Dinner at Soso followed by drinks, music, free dessert and checkers at a little family run restaurant.

Beach hopping around the island.

 

We stumbled upon the Paros Triathlon.

 

Lefkes...the highest village on the island.

 

Lunch at New Golden Beach

 

The ferry to Santorini...

 

...where we saw one amazing sunset after another! 

 

Breakfast was delivered to our balcony every morning.  They even made Josh his 8 egg omelette.

 

A fantastic fresh fish dinner in Ammoudi Bay.

 

Our college friend and Josh's fraternity brother, Mike, came in on a cruise ship for the day. We bar hopped around the town of Fira.

 

Exploring the beaches of Santorini and the black sand...

 

Lunch in Fira with a view.

 

The town of Oia in the distance.

 

Sunset and dinner in Oia.

 

Our first little Parks purchase.  Josh thinks this will jinx us into having a boy.

 

Back to Mykonos before our last night in Greece.

Just another wonderful trip for baby Parks who has now been to London, Paris, Madrid, Edinburgh and Greece! Quite the passport for an 11 old week tadpole.