Balloons, Intestines and Other Christmas Fare

Jake came with me to run some errands today, and we had an opportunity to have a special lunch date, just the two of us.

Of course, Gen was the place. I think it's both of our favorite. We sat at the counter, since it was pretty crowded. That way we could watch the sushi chef at work, too...AND the flatscreen TV on the wall, which always seems to have infommercials playing...but they are usually entertaining.


This was the view right in front of our place at the counter. We didn't know whether to put money in or take some out. There were two of them, and they weren't at the register, so we didn't figure it was a "need a penny, take a penny" thing, like at 7-11. So we just left it alone.



We saw that they were all decked out for Christmas, too.

We'd never seen balloon Christmas decor before. Very clever.



And about this point, we were rethinking our decision to watch the infommercials. Seriously?! Is this supposed to whet my appetite?

Well, it didn't stop me from enjoying my usual "Seazer" salad and sinful Godzilla roll. And Jake manged to finish off his California roll/Soba set, too. Sorry, no pictures...I must have been starving and forgot. Guess I'll just have to go back, huh?

I'm looking forward to having more of these dates with Jake...he's got great taste!

Christmas Dinner 2010

As is our Okinawan Christmas tradition (3rd year running), we headed to the Butler O for Christmas dinner.



This year, we invited friends to go with us. (I just got the kiddos here while parents were up visiting with people. I meant to get another pic with all of us, but forgot.)

The food was fabulous, as always. I love that we can get traditional holiday dinner fare, as well as more exotic dishes, too. The only thing I tasted that I was disappointed in (and it was pretty unanimous) was the sweet potato souffle. It was an obvious attempt to stretch the sweet potatoes (which are hard to come by here...as we know them, anyway...purple ones abound) and it just tasted blah! That's OK...everything else made up for it.



Heh, heh...remember Last Year?



Now we all need a nap!

Merry Christmas!

It looks like some of Santa's helpers made an appearance during the night. What could that huge thing be?


The kids actually let us sleep until about 8, which was very much appreciated after being up so late wrapping. Then in the morning, I sneaked into Coree's room and had the kids wrap this special present for Cliff that had been hiding in Coree's closet and put it "under" the tree. Then I got him out of bed and we headed out to let the fun begin.



Of course, we start with stockings. Jake was tickled with his Swiss-Army utensil knife.



And all of the kids were stoked that this was SIX, full-size Toblerone bars, and not just a package of pieces. Would I skimp like that?



Cliffie does a great stocking...especially with my help. Actually, he always does great on his own, but I still manage to find makeup and other little things for him to give to me, too. It's an excuse to get just what I want without feeling guilty for splurging. Stocking stuffers are essential, right?



The annual summer sausage. Some people do apples and oranges...Cliff does meat...what can I say?



Jake opening a gift that was one of many in the Nerf theme.



Does that look like a happy boy? I think it does.



This gift, Grandpa Jim helped us collaborate on. Apple doesn't ship here, so we had to do the mailbox shuffle. Normally, I refuse to do that (and just won't patronize the company) but Apple does sell through the BX here...they are just out of everything at Christmas time.



Here's another clever shirt. LOVE the NYC theme...and Patrick loved getting more money for his trip!



I do not know HOW this one escaped my radar all these years. It is spectacular. I'm so glad to have my own copy to add to the "must be played every Christmas" collection, along with It's a Wonderful Life, Elf and A Christmas Story.



I heart this shirt so much! I can't speak highly enough of Snorgtees. It was so tough to narrow down the selection. Coree got one with a giraffe that says, "Moo...I'm a goat." Yes, totally random...but any of you who know how much Coree adores giraffes, and what a bizarre sense of humor she has, know that it was as if it was designed for her.



I like to fool him into thinking it's a shirt...



When really it's his own box of heaven.



Speaking of giraffes, this book had some adorable giraffe shots, so I had to share them with Coree.



Isn't this adorable? I do have a Christmas ornament fetish...and next year, when I put this on the tree, I'll be thinking of how proud I am of him.



Jake is really the only one still young enough for toys...but that doesn't stop Patrick from playing, too.



And look what was in that big old box? The sweetest part...this was a complete steal. I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed to tell you how little we paid for this. This was on clearance and is an AAFES brand (just for the military), made by Toshiba. Let's just hope it's a really special deal for the military...and not a "special" deal. At least it came with a year guarantee.



From the looks of the carnage, it seems to be a pretty successful haul, all around.



I know Daddy thinks so! But the kids didn't even blink at the boxes of sugar-cereal I put at each of their places at the table (an idea I stole from Brenda, thank you very much). But they sure did eat plenty of it later on. There were plenty of gifts not pictured here. Troy got Settler's of Catan, which we can't wait to play. (No, we've never played it...don't judge.) And Jake got Nerf gun after Nerf gun.

The biggest surprise of all? An iPad for me (or as I like to call it...the world's most expensive calendar). I seriously love it most for the calendar feature and I feel so organized. Cliff went way overboard, but I'm not complaining. And since I spent about 1/3 as much on his gift...he's not complaining, either!

Christmas Eve 2010

I spent the day finishing up the baking, and then we drove around the neighborhood in the rain, dropping off packages of goodies. We didn't sing for anyone this year, though...it just kinda worked out that way.


The kids were full of anticipation for the traditional, Christmas Eve gift exchange. This is a tradition we started many years ago...and who would have known it would turn out to be such a favorite. This was probably the first year I didn't know who everyone had drawn. I did know a couple (because they needed help with online ordering or ideas) but it was kind of fun being surprised with the rest.



Jake just turned twelve last month and is now a Deacon at church, which means he helps to pass the Sacrament on Sunday...wearing a white shirt and tie. Even though he just got brand-new zipper ties last Christmas, he wanted real tie-ties. He felt he needed to learn to tie his own tie to be legit. Cliff surprised him with a collection of three. Very nice.



And Jake surprised Coree with a Webkinz Sea Otter, which was on her list to Santa. It is adorable.



Coree's gift to Patrick was very clever. He had asked everyone for only money for his trip to NYC over spring break. Coree wanted to give him $20...but in a surprising way. (She said plain money would be lame.) I tried to help her think of some kind of candy that would be New York themed. 5th Avenue bars don't exist here...we thought of taping a "New" onto a package of York peppermint patties...but Patrick doesn't like peppermint patties, and Coree insisted that he like the candy, too.



At first he looked at the box of Gobstoppers with polite appreciation. Then Coree told him to open the box. She had opened and re-glued the box so that the $20 bill was right there in the punch-opening.



Get it? SHOW stoppers? Trip to Broadway for drama? Very clever, no?



I didn't know who Patrick had, but I was there when he shopped. I didn't see what he got, but he was very confident in what he was purchasing.



A couple of books that he's probably looking forward to reading, too. Well played, Patrick.



And Troy knows how easy I am to shop for. A Yankee (or Salt City) candle that smells like food. Always in good taste.



I was lucky enough to draw the Cliffster's name.



And knew he was eager to get "The Pacific" series.

We've never set a dollar limit on the gift exchange...we've just left it up to the kids, but they do have to buy the gifts from their own money. It's always worked out fine. Some years gifts are more expensive than others, and it's very touching to see them save and search with their person in mind. Every morning when Cliff puts on his nice watch, he thinks about Jake and the fact that he probably spent all the money he had on it, just because he wanted to get Dad something really good.



We put cookies out for Santa. Not really...this is just to show you most of the things I made. There are a couple of varieties missing here that I gave away before taking this photo. Pictured are (Clockwise from 12): Creamy fudge with and without nuts, peanut butter truffles, oreo truffles, mini-chip snowballs, 3 varieties of butter spritz cookies, outrageous cookie bars and Oreo fudge. Many of these things were new for me this year, and I just have to ask....homemade truffles....where have you been all my life? Oh my goodness! Same with the snowballs. They are like Mexican wedding cookies, but with mini chocolate chips instead of nuts. Now THAT'S what I call an improvement!



As usual, the stockings overflowed...and NO, I did not get the Stewart tartan ones sewn again this year...so Troy will leave on his mission before I've had matching stockings for the whole family on Christmas morning. I have failed as a mother. *sigh*



And here's the haul under the tree. Funny how much less space the presents take up as the years go buy. As kids get older, their toys get smaller...and more expensive.



Now where is the cat going to sleep? Hopefully she won't be spiteful and it will all be intact in the morning.

Yet Another Christmas Party (Ho...Ho...HO)

Look, kids...more mandatory fun! Yes, we were not quite done with the Christmas festivities. The fun just kept coming. This was the Wing Christmas party, where families were invited...not to be confused with the Wing family Christmas party. Are you following me? Keep up!



The most fun part was walking around the building to see the decorated doors of the various office spaces. I'll dispense with the suspense and post the winner right here. Pretty spectacular, no? Talk about over-achievers.



You may want to click to enlarge this, but basically they used their expertise in the area of awards. This medal is for a certain elf...and the door is complete with navigational tools for Santa, and a Wing naughty and nice list. Well played.



The singing, dancing Grinch was in the conference room, and was a big hit with the kiddos. Incidentally, I'd LOVE to know who made the call to include this guy in their 4000 or less lbs. of household weight allowance with which we get to move over here?



The G-6 played the pop-culture card with "Santa's fly like a G-6" and even had the music video playing on a loop, which you can see up top. Very clever, even if ghetto.



Love the coal. It gets clever points.



And this letter's legalese is SO right on, unfortunately.



This was very cute...love the elves. You might not be able to tell, but they have the faces of the medical personnel.



What you would expect from a Marine, Christmas door-decorating contest.



I guess the Chaplain Dept. went all out last year with a shadow box and nativity scene, and even though it was clearly the best, it didn't even get an honorable mention. Leading to this year's "check in the box" theme.



I don't know about you, but I'm thinking Facebook profile pic!



And late that night, while I was baking in my jammies, the doorbell rang...and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but all the Sr. officers on Plaza, caroling from door to door. What a fun tradition!

It's just around the corner...and I have to finish all this baking!