Dallas’s Uncle BB’s friend Al has this place on Irving Park Road called Nal’s Auto Repair. I don’t know why it’s called Nal’s when his name is Al, but whatever. It’s where we take our car for servicing. Actually, where Dallas takes it. I took it one time in November and that was the only time I’ve been there!
Cory, Miko, John
Kenji, Hideto and Derek playing the super-old pinball machine
Tickle fight with Tommy
Dallas & Rachelle. I don’t know why I’m so squinty. Wine?
As you can see, the kids were really focused on eating dinner (Tommy & Kenji)
Mitch & Hideto
Cory, Chris, Aunty Laura, Scotty, Krystyn, Hideto. In the front: Danny & Caroline.
Chris won the prize for figuring out how to fold up the chairs.
Aunty Glenna and Uncle BB
Trying to assemble for a family photo.
This always takes a while.
Getting closer…..
Almost there….
Made it! (Photo by Heather)
Back: Jeff, Heather, John, Kyle, Miko, Dallas, Chris, Caroline, Danny, Chris, Aly, Brad, Amanda, Cory.
Middle: Uncle Neil, Kate, Aunty Gail, Kenji, Aunty Peggy, Derek, Aunty Laura, Hideto, Uncle BB, Aunty Glenna.
Front: Doug, Naoko, Tommy, Mitch, Ben, Winnie, Rachelle
Dallas, Hideto, Cory
Kenji
Tommy
Some of the older kids help facilitate the gift exchange.
Derek, Chris, Mitch
Gift exchange in full swing.
Amanda and Brad. Brad got bacon popcorn that we brought.
Danny got Spam in the gift exchange.
Mitch & Chris
Tommy & Kenji
Dallas with his rice. (Photo by Heather)
On Christmas day we always go to Dallas’s Aunty Gail’s house out in Mount Prospect, IL. Every year Aunty Gail makes beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole and her mom’s lettuce/mayo/crab/pea salad. It never varies. Dessert varies because other people always bring different desserts, but Aunty Gail always makes her signature cookies. Now, I’m not complaining that it doesn’t vary, because it’s not like I’m eating steak and potatoes every night! And dinner always tastes super good.
After dinner all of the adults have a $10 gift exchange. There were a lot of people participating in the gift exchange this year. 25, I think, but it wasn’t very crazy at all. Not compared to some of the other years. We’re going to have to kick it up a notch next year. This year I came out with some votives and Dallas got a big bag of rice. Actually, he got something else and traded for the rice. He always wants that rice gift that Aunty Gail puts in every year.
This year it was amazing to see all the kids in the family. .. and more on the way!
Previous Christmases at Aunty Gail’s:
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
Tags:aly·amanda·bb·ben·brad·caroline·chris·christmas·cory·dallas·danny·derek·doug·gail·glenna·heather·hideto·jeff·john·kate·kenji·kyle·laura·miko·mitch·mount prospect·naoko·neil·peggy·tommy·winnie
Tommy
Dallas in the basement playing video games with Tommy, Kenji, Mitch and Chris.
Kenji will be 2 in December.
Brad and Amanda getting ready to eat.
Aunty Gail helping her grandsons Chris and Mitch get dinner.
Pretty blurry, but Naoko is always the cutest pregnant lady. And she told me she’s never gotten morning sickness!
Matt, Aunty Gail, Uncle BB, Brad, Amanda, Danny
On Sunday Aunty Laura hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I think Laura does this every year but we have only been able to go one other time, in 2008. Funny Naoko was pregnant then too, and Tommy was about Kenji’s age. Doug and Noako are expecting the baby in January and they don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. I hope it’s a girl!
Great food. Good to see everyone again. We hadn’t seen much of these guys since early September.
Tags:amanda·bartlett·bb·brad·chris·dallas·danny·gail·kenji·laura·matt·mitch·naoko·thanksgiving·tommy
Doug & Naoko’s House
Naoko and her friend in the kitchen
Guys standing around the grill: Matt, Danny, Sal, Doug
Grilling steak and fish for tacos
Hanging around in the living room: Jen, Claire, Kim, Chris, Mitch, Mia
Playing with Kenji (He’ll be 2 in December)
The new kitchen is so huge. Naoko is such a wonderful cook and baker. She must love it. (Aly’s friend, Aly, Aunty Glenna, Cory, Naoko)
Aunty Glenna & Uncle BB
Naoko surprised them with a cake for their 29th anniversary
Mrs. Hughes friend, Mrs. Hughes, Aunty Laura, Uncle BB, Danny, Caroline
On Sunday we went to Doug and Naoko’s house for a Labor Day barbecue. Doug and Naoko just moved to Palatine a few months ago. They’ve got two boys, Tommy and Kenji, and another baby on the way so it was time for them to get out of their small condo, I suppose. They did a lot of work to the house before they moved in and the house is big and gorgeous. Lots of open space. And I love their 3 seasons screened in room. The house is classic, yet modern at the same time. And I’m sure the kids will love all the outside space.
Naoko surprised Uncle BB and Aunty Glenna with a rose and a cake for their 29th anniversary. Aunty Glenna told me that they were like us and knew each other for 6 years before they got married, so really they’ve been together 35 years. Which is kind of funny because in a few days I’ll be 35 years old. I’m sure that did not make her feel old at all!
Doug & Naoko like to have a Labor Day party every year. Here are some photos from years past:
- 2005: we played a lot of horseshoes
- 2006: Jordan brought fresh smoked salmon from Alaska. He’d just been on a trip there.
- 2007: No Party?
- 2008: Lots of kids
- 2009: Also celebrated Aunty Gail’s retirement. One more photo from that year.
Tags:aly·bb·caroline·chris·claire·cory·danny·doug·glenna·jen·kim·labor day·laura·matt·mia·mitch·naoko·palatine·sal
On Saturday Danny & Caroline got married at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. We left our house with plenty of time to make the 18 minute drive to Oak Park, but didn’t realize the Puerto Rican parade was on Saturday. The parade itself is downtown, but in all of the communities with large Puerto Rican populations… ours and the neighborhoods surrounding ours… it’s mayhem! People just run around, bike around, drive around waving flags and celebrating. I’m sure it’s a good time, but we had to be somewhere. There were tons of road blocks and redirects and it took us more like 45 minutes to an hour to get out to Oak Park. I felt like we were in that Seinfeld episode.
Finally we arrived. The ceremony was just beginning. Attendants were walking down “the aisle.” Caroline was about to take her stroll down so we got to see her “backstage.” After she made her entrance we were allowed to make our way across the lawn and watch the ceremony. Cheney Mansion has such beautiful grounds. And the weather was so nice too. The day before we had tornado-like storms. Saturday’s weather called for it to be sunny and in the 90s. A bit too hot, but actually by 5:30 p.m. it was perfect.
Danny & Caroline’s Wedding Ceremony
The Bride and Groom Kissing
All done!
I couldn’t hear everything that was said during the ceremony because we were so far in the back, having arrived late. It seemed pretty traditional. I saw parents stand up at different points. It was quick, though. 15 minutes? 20 minutes? Afterwards Danny and Caroline greeted everyone in a receiving line.
Danny & Caroline greeting everyone
We had cocktails outside for an hour or so. Very nice. Like I said, the weather was perfect and the gardens at the mansion were gorgeous. The wedding was odd in that Dallas’s family was there, but then I’d turn and a lot of our friends were there too. I wasn’t used to seeing these people all in the same place.
Ed, Jen, Chad, Kristin
Jen & Chad
Cory (bridesmaid) & Miko
Aunty Glenna & Uncle BB
Dallas’s parents Kathy & George
George, Kathy, Rachelle, Dallas
Dallas, Uncle Neil, Scotty (Danny’s brother and Best Man)
Caroline & Danny
Rachelle & Dallas
Loden & Trent
After a while, Caroline’s dad announced that it was time to come inside the mansion for dinner.
Caroline’s dad announcing dinner
Wedding Program
It was expected, but I always like it when my name is spelled right.
Wedding Placecards
And I loved these poppies.
Centerpieces
Aunty Peggy, George, Kathy, Aunty Karolyn, Uncle Sonny, Aunty Gail, Aunty Laura, Aunty Glenna, Uncle BB, Uncle Neil
Look at this. Chris is almost as tall as Dallas and Brad. He’s 14!
Brad, Dallas, Chris
After dinner we all kind of mingled and visited while waiting for the band to start up.
Aly, Danny, Amanda
If you didn’t notice earlier, Danny’s boutonniere is rosemary. Fitting, since he works in a kitchen. Here’s Dallas trying to get a whiff.
Brad, Danny, Dallas
Brad, Danny, Dallas
The dance floor is on the 3rd floor of Cheney Mansion. The wedding band was JT and the Clouds, a popular Chicago band. One of Danny and Caroline’s first dates was to go see them play. Also, the lead singer, Jeremy, aka JT, works with Danny.
JT and the Clouds
Kenji arrived on floor 3 ready to dance!
Kenji
Tommy and Derek? Not so interested.
Tommy & Derek
Caroline and Danny had their first dance.
Danny & Caroline
Danny & Caroline
Some were a little shy to get dancing at first, but it wasn’t long before the dance floor was packed.
Dance!
Loden, Trent, Caroline
Loden, Danny
Danny & Rachelle
Loden & Ed
Loden & Danny
Fun wedding. It went by SO FAST! Congratulations, Danny and Caroline! I wish we were done already! 
Tags:aly·amanda·bb·brad·caroline·chad·cheney mansion·chris·cory·dallas·danny·derek·ed·gail·george·glenna·jen·jt and the clouds·karolyn·kathy·kenji·kristin·laura·loden·miko·Music·neil·oak park·peggy·puerto rican·rosemary·scotty·sonny·tommy·trent·wedding