Entries Tagged as 'naoko'

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

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Early Thanksgiving Dinner at Aunty Laura’s House

November 17th, 2010 · No Comments


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.

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Doug & Naoko’s Labor Day Party

September 7th, 2010 · No Comments


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.

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Danny & Caroline’s Wedding Shower

May 24th, 2010 · No Comments

On Saturday Aunty Gail, Heather and Naoko hosted a family wedding shower for Danny and Caroline in Schaumburg at Heather & Jeff’s house. It was fun and relaxing. We drank an endless supply of margaritas, ate Mexican appetizers and for dinner had some great takeout from a local Mexican restaurant. I finally got to meet Caroline’s parents who came down from Wisconsin. Mostly it was just fun to hang out with everyone, especially Danny and Caroline. We don’t see them nearly as much as we used to because Danny’s restaurant schedule doesn’t really coincide with anyone elses. Danny & Caroline’s wedding is in just about a month exactly. Excited for the big celebration!

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Smores Lollipop

February 6th, 2010 · No Comments

For Kenji’s birthday, Naoko handed out these smores treats as party favors when we were leaving. Cute! And delicious!

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