Entries Tagged as 'glenna'

Caroline’s Baby Shower

December 29th, 2011 · No Comments


Caroline & Danny


Wisconsin Girls: Rachelle & Caroline


Miko, Aunty Gail, Heather


Aunty Laura’s soup


Heather’s salad along with Aunty Laura’s signature flank steak and cone sushi


Aunty Laura got these on a recent trip to Germany and was calling them Mozart’s Balls. They’re Mozartkugel.


Who let Uncle BB in?


Aunty Laura, Caroline, Danny


Miko, Winnie, Peggy


Packers Bib


Caroline (about the Packers onesie): Isn’t it cute!??!? Danny: NO


Jordan onesies.


Danny & Naoko


Caroline checking out the awesome green tea cake that Naoko made. (Glenna on the side.)


Just cut the cake, Danny!

Last year, while everyone was still in town visiting for Christmas, Dallas’s family in the suburbs threw me a bridal shower. This year right after Christmas they threw Caroline and Danny a baby shower. Caroline is expecting a baby boy in the beginning of February.

I bought the baby his first Packers outfit, which Caroline loved and Danny hated! It was a onesie, hat, bib and a Packers 101 board book. Caroline was holding the hat up and was like “oh look, he could wear this home from the hospital!” and I said, “yes, it will be right after the Packers win the Superbowl!” Danny was not amused.

[Read more →]

Tags:···················

Christmas Dinner at Aunty Gail’s

December 28th, 2011 · No Comments


Brad, Amanda, Dallas, Aunty Gail


Doug, Tyler, Uncle BB, Eddy, Naoko, Aunty Laura


Brad & Aunty Glenna


Rachelle & Eddy


Heather & Eddy


Tommy & Mitch

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. This year Naoko made a super light and airy cheesecake (usually it’s so dense and filling!), a chocolate cake and cream puffs. Naoko’s desserts are always fabulous, but Dallas and I both commented together about how great the cream puffs were. The custard was so delicious. Heather and I each brought candy trays. Mine should look familiar, since I’ve been featuring all the candy recipes here last week.


Christmas Dinner


Christmas Desserts


Kenji


Kate & Tommy


Kate, Ben, Tommy, Derek

This year there were relatively few (only 18!) people over for dinner. I think it’s the first year that we could all sit at the long table. The first year that I didn’t sit at a kiddie side table! After dinner, many other family members came over and we had the gift exchange. Every year Aunty Gail tells you a thousand times, “$10 gift bag, no junk, no junk!” Ok. Well, what can you really get for $10 that is not junk? This year she finally increased the limit to “$20 gift bag, no junk, no junk.” To be honest, I think I was already spending $15 on the gift bags anyway. And actually, the price increase helped a lot. There were many good gifts, and no junk, Aunty Gail, no junk.


Back: Uncle Neil, Uncle Peggy, Miko, John, Derek. Front: Winnie, Ben, Kyle, Kate.


Uncle BB, Aunty Glenna, Brad, Amanda, Tyler, Aly, Adam


Back: Jeff, Heather, Aunty Gail, Eddy, Doug, Naoko. Front: Chris, Mitch, Kenji, Tommy.


Back: Eddy, Mitch, Tyler, Chris, Derek, Ben. Front: Kenji, Kate, Tommy.


Eddy, Mitch, Tyler, Chris, Derek, Ben, Kate, Tommy, Kenji


Marty, Uncle Sonny, Brian


Siblings: Uncle Sonny, Aunty Laura, Uncle BB, Aunty Gail, Uncle Neil


Siblings: Uncle Sonny, Aunty Laura, Uncle BB, Aunty Gail, Uncle Neil


Uncle Sonny, Aunty Laura, Uncle BB, Aunty Glenna, Aunty Gail, Aunty Peggy, Uncle Neil


Rachelle, Aunty Laura, Dallas


Brad, Aly, Dallas


Trying to get all the cousins in one shot.


May be more difficult than the kids!


Someone with Heather’s camera got this good shot I snagged. Back: Marty, Winnie, Kyle, Brian, John, Doug, Dallas, Amanda, Brad, Heather, Jeff. Front: Naoko, Miko, Aly, Rachelle.

This year all of the golfers were fighting over a package that they thought were a pair of golf gloves. Dallas ended up with it in the end and guess what? It was a Coach key chain. Score for me! When it was Winnie’s turn to pick a gift she let one of the kids pick and they picked a very large box, which is not ideal because she lives in California and would have to travel home. So when it was my turn to pick I took her big box. It ended up being an amaryllis bulb, which I’ve always wanted to try growing, so score again for me! There were a few boxes and tiny gift bags that people thought were going to be bags of rice. Usually Aunty Gail will put a few pieces of rice in a Ziploc and wrap it and then the gift is 20 pounds of rice. Dallas always wants this gift because it’s something he can actually use. Most of the small, light gifts this year turned out to be gift cards. Aunty Gail’s gift was actually a Shake Weight that Aunty Glenna got. I don’t know how there are no photos of her, or the many people who tried it out, but it was hilarious, as you can imagine.


Aly & Eddy


Gift Exchange


Eddy playing with the Potty Putter.

As always, amazing to see how the family is growing every year. And great to visit with everyone!

Previous Christmases at Aunty Gail’s:

[Read more →]

Tags:································

Doug & Naoko’s Labor Day Party

September 4th, 2011 · No Comments


Yesterday we went to Doug & Naoko’s annual Labor Day barbecue. Dallas and I hadn’t seen the Chicago suburbs family since New Years Day! Actually, Aunty Gail was at our wedding, but everyone else… it had been a long time. I don’t know how 8 months flew by, but it was good to see everyone.


Heather & Tyler, Rachelle & Eddy

It was not so long ago that Heather’s kids were the youngest in the family. SO not the case these days. Her oldest Chris is the same age as my niece Stephanie: 15. Her younger boy Mitch is 12 (I think?). I remember saying something to Chris about “when you were 9 blah blah blah.” Then thinking “9? no way!” But it’s true. I have known those kids, this family, for more than 7 years now.

At the barbecue, I met the two newest members of the family. Tyler is Brad and Amanda’s baby and is one month old. Eddy is Doug and Naoko’s youngest and is 8 months old.


Aunty Glenna, Cory, Caroline, Naoko, Rachelle, Aunty Laura, Amanda, Heather

Many of the ladies of the family. Aunty Glenna is celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary with Uncle BB today and is a brand new grandmother. Cory is moving to Vail in a month or two. Her husband Chris is already there. Caroline is pregnant and due February 10th. Naoko has 3 sons – Tommy is 5, Kenji is 2, and Eddy is 8 months. Me, newlywed. Aunty Laura is expecting her second grandchild in February. Everyone thinks it will be a boy. All of the kids of that generation are boys (except 1? Kate?) Amanda just had baby Tyler a month ago. Heather likes to hold babies (holding baby Tyler in this photo).


Sal, Brad, Danny

A bunch of the guys golfed all day. Aunty Gail was with them too. I heard she was the best golfer of the bunch. Probably the most sober too. Coincidence? After golfing I found a bunch of the guys standing around by the grills. Typical. Danny will forever be the designated grill chief now. They know he worked in a vegetarian restaurant, right?


Caroline, Aunty Laura, Aunty Glenna, Cory, Heather, Tyler, Amanda (hiding behind flowers), Aly, Aly’s boyfriend, Naoko manning the stove

From the grill area I took this spy cam photo of the kitchen. I think only Aly saw me!

In the living room Ghostbusters was on. I thought this was a perfectly innocent movie, but the kids started getting all riled up saying there were ghosts in the basement and running after each other acting like ghosts. Some parents were worried their kids were going to have nightmares. A while later the TV was switched to college football.

Another shot of the living room. I can count about 10 kids in this photo. There were even more at the party. See what I’m saying about Mitch and Chris not being the kids any more? In this photo of my first Labor Day BBQ at Doug & Naoko’s there are 3 kids. Joey and Marietta’s two girls and baby Vince (Matt & Jen). If you add on Chris and Mitch, that’s 5. That number has at least tripled, I think. Well, and it’s not all family. Doug and Naoko’s friends have a lot of kids now too.

Even though there were 8 kids on the couch, Dallas and Sal still caught some ZZZZs. Not when Charlotte (Sal & Kim’s) took a liking to Dallas though. She’s the girl laying down on the right side of the photo with the navy and striped dress on. I was sitting out in the screen porch and every time I looked into the living room she was climbing on his shoulders, putting a stuff animal on his head, sticking her fingers in his face, etc. Once she was even giving him a back massage. Who’s this girl?!?! hhaha. Dallas said that Charlotte was calling him Uncle Joey for a while. Because he looks so much like Joey, a tall white blonde. See the 5th photo down, here. When Kim told her to tell Dallas goodbye as they were leaving she said “Bye, Alice!” So funny.

All in all another great barbecue. Noako put out some delicious food, as always! Great to see everyone again.

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? Or just no photo or post?
- 2008: Lots of kids. First year I noticed that?
- 2009: Also celebrated Aunty Gail’s retirement. One more photo from that year.
- 2010: Doug & Naoko have a new house

[Read more →]

Tags:·······························

Bridal Shower With Dallas’s Family

December 29th, 2010 · No Comments


Rachelle, Miko, Naoko (plus baby!)


Back: Caroline, Rachelle, Miko, Naoko, Cory. Front: Krystyn, Winnie


See Duff butting in on the left side?


Dallas’s Cousins & Cousin’s Wives. Back: Caroline, Rachelle, Miko, Naoko, Cory. Front: Duff, Heather, Krystyn, Winnie.


Mom & Me


Aunty Laura, Aunty Glenna, Aunty Gail


Aunty Karolyn, Aunty Peggie, Aunty Laura, Aunty Glenna, Aunty Gail

The Sunday after Christmas Dallas’s family threw me a bridal shower. Aunty Laura hosted at her house, along with daughter and daughters-in-law, Cory, Caroline, and Krystyn. Aunty Laura’s son Danny, who cooks at Spring and Green Zebra, cooked for all of us ladies. A lot of Dallas’s family had flown in for Christmas (they do every other year), so a lot of them were able to attend the shower. Aunty Laura was also nice enough to invite my mom and she was able to make it. All-in-all there were about a dozen of Dallas’s aunties and cousins and cousin’s wives.


Shower Gifts


Opening up my new teapot.


Aunty Laura


Yay! Food Processor!


Aunty Glenna, Cory, Aunty Gail, Aunty Laura, Mom


Opening the big gifts.


Aunty Gail


Aunty Laura, Mom, Karolyn, Krystyn, Winnie, Peggie, Caroline


New Luggage


So many great gifts!

Dallas’s family generously gifted us with a new set of Tumi luggage, a food processor and a tea pot. I was so excited about all of these. The luggage will, of course, be great for our upcoming trip to Hawaii and for all of the other travel that we do. This looks like great luggage and I’m sure we’ll have it for years to come. I’m excited to get rid of our mish mash, ramshackle luggage that we’ve been using for so long. As for the food processor, I’ve always wanted one and now we have one. This will for sure come in handy in our kitchen adventures. And the tea pot.. it’s just so pretty. We don’t drink a ton of tea, but there are other uses for tea pots and I’ve always wanted one of my own. Also, before the shower my parents gave Dallas and I a new printer. It’s wireless and I set it up last night. Love it! Thank you, everyone, for the fabulous gifts!


Danny working in the kitchen.


Danny plating the food.


There were dessert trays on the table. We ate dessert between courses! This was my sweet tooth party, after all!


Tuna Tartare, chives, cashews, scallions, ginger/lemongrass cream


Danny explaining the next course.


Cory made these brownies and lemon bars. Lemon is a palate cleanser, right?


Danny came out of the kitchen to explain each course to us.


Kabocha squash soup, apple, blue cheese foam


Cory also made these cream puffs and cookies.


Pork belly, parsnip/apple puree, smoked balsamic reduction, hard cooked egg, smoked potato puree, truffle aioli


Naoko’s cheesecake with berry sauce.

While all of the ladies were visiting and opening gifts in the living room, Danny was working away in the kitchen. He prepared a 3-course lunch for us that was probably one of the fanciest meals I’ve eaten at someone’s house!

For the first course we had tuna tartare with chives, cashews, scallions and a ginger and lemongrass cream. This was delicious. I loved how the cashews gave some crunch to the tartare. I don’t think I’ve ever had nuts in tartare before. For the second course we had Kabocha squash (Japanese winter squash) soup with blue cheese foam and apple batons. This was so rich and delicious. The blue cheese foam was perfect and the apples lent a crunch and sweetness. For the final course we had pork belly with parsnip and apple puree, a smoked balsamic reduction, and a hard cooked egg filled with smoked potato puree and truffle aioli. This looked so pretty on the plate and, of course, tasted just as good. I don’t know how pork belly is prepared or cooked, but it was great. and I love anything with truffle… especially aioli, a.k.a mayonnaise!

If Danny is the chef of the family, Naoko is the baker, for sure! For dessert she made a cheesecake with berry sauce that was divine. I thought I was too full to eat a slice but it was so light, not heavy at all, so delicious.

Thanks to everyone for pulling together and throwing the fabulous party for me. I should also mention that Cory made the dessert trays we had on the table and that she and Caroline and Krystyn served as the waitresses for lunch. Thanks to Aunty Laura for hosting at her house and for coordinating everything. And thanks to Danny and Naoko for cooking and baking such a great lunch. Thanks to Heather who took most of these photos. And to everyone for the awesome gifts!

[Read more →]

Tags:·················

Christmas Dinner at Aunty Gail’s

December 28th, 2010 · No Comments


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

[Read more →]

Tags:······························