Christmas 2023
Our Christmas celebrations have been forever changed by COVID. While we were able to resume our traditional Christmas Eve dinner with Auntie Deanna and her family, we no longer have Christmas Day dinner
with the rest of Grandma Sato's family. Instead, we now have dinner at our house with just the immediate family (Grandma, Grandpa, us, and whoever is around from Uncle Joel's family).
Christmas Eve dinner was really quite nice this year as all of Auntie Deanna's daughters were in attendance. We always see Auntie Deanna, Auntie Melissa, Uncle Craig, Collin, and Curtis; but we never see Auntie
Cheryl and Uncle Daisuke (because they live in Chiba, Japan). Sometimes we see Auntie Pam, but this is the first time her partner Tony came as well. Oh, and even Uncle Joel dropped by to drop off gifts (he had
mandatory overtime this year). Grandma brought clam dip to begin the feast. Dinner was prime rib, salmon, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, followed by chocolate silk pie and
cheesecake for dessert.
Christmas Eve at the Helms' house! |
Mom showing off her selfie skills. |
Grandma with Auntie Deanna and all her daughters.
For Christmas Day dinner Mom made garlic shrimp pasta with tri-tip steak. She also made Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, zuchinni with cheese and Italian Seasoning, and some more sweet potato casserole and
mashed potatoes. Oh, and of course, Grandma brought clam dip!
Gift wise, I scored lots of presents. I received a number of Japangeles t-shirts, Lego, a laptop desk, a bluetooth speaker, a hoodie (with penguin), a Pop Funko, and MONEY!
Time to open gifts!
Lego Nano Gauntlet! |
Wireless speaker! |
T-shirt! |
Another t-shirt! |
Laptop desk! |
Penguin hoodie! |
Star Wars papercraft kit! |
More Lego! |
Black Panther Pop Funko! |