Christmas Parties-2011

Oh, the festivities around Misawa are endless! Christmas celebration, it seemed, had dragged on for two weeks because until Dec. 10th, our base was tied up in a very important inspection. So then all parties were planned between Dec. 10th and 23rd.
Don’t worry, I will account for all the events we went to, just the ones to which I brought my camera (hehehe).
On Dec. 19th, our dental squadron organized a family Christmas Party. It was held at a new location, building on base called the GRID. It used to be sort of like an entertainment center for single airmen but now everyone on base can use it for parties. It has different table games, huge screen TV, “blow up sumo wrestlers’ costumes” and stuff like that.
Since it was a potluck, everyone brought an appetizer style food or dessert. Food was great…wish we had more salads. And no bottled water!:) Dental party with only soda and juice is kind of crazy-hahaha.
The biggest attraction (besides seeing our many friends and their kids) was, of course, the appearance of Santa Claus. Parents were supposed to wrap up a book as a gift to have Santa give it to each child (it makes it so real when Santa actually gives you a gift rather than just takes a picture with you). I liked that book idea, books are always a great gift in our house.

Here is Mark meeting Santa for the first time that he remembers.

Unfortunately, this one is a bit blurry because I couldn’t figure out how to deal with bad lighting at first.

And Alex—he still believes in Santa Claus and was the only one of my kids who actually wanted a picture with Santa at the Med. Group’s children’s party from my previous post.

And here is Katya, who got a set of books by Beatrix Potter. Trying to get her to read all sorts of genres, not just modern type stuff like “Secrets of Droon” or Percy Jackson books-haha. 

Katya is beginning to struggle with the idea that Santa Claus is real. So I told her as long as she believes he is real, he is real.

Kids had a great time with their older friends too—babysitters and friends who are visiting their families back from college:).

And then…

WHOA!!! Who is that!???? Unbelievable! Japanese ramen noodles must have done wonders for hair! Robert looks like he is sixteen again.

Continuing the tradition of Doctor Ws’ singing at the dental parties, Robert and our friend Tom, prepared a Christmas medley, so to speak. Of course, to understand all the inside jokes, you must be in the military (many references to the exercise that they’d survived in December).

Robert and Tom singing at the dental party.

Here is Robert again! Sorry, cannot get over the fact how different he looks with long hair. His coworkers were taking pictures of him as well—it was hilarious!

Okay, okay, back to reality. So after that Dec. 19th party, we had a bit of a break and only one huge birthday party to go to. That was great fun too since we knew most of the people that were invited. The party was so huge that the whole Weasel's Den (our inside playground on base) was rented out for the evening, so we could use all additional entertainment there, such as bouncy house, miniature golf, etc.

Then on Thursday, Dec. 22nd, we finally did it! We went to the Med. Group Christmas Party for the first time ever! Robert was very surprised, apparently.

We went mostly to see what all the hype was about, but we made sure we had some good company with us. We convinced the other W’s to come, which made the party a lot more fun that it would have been without them.

I know dates get in the way, but I just love dates! So easy to keep my thousands of pictures organized…

Here is Ms. Bridget and I….possibly trying to decide what dessert to choose—an apple or peach cobbler.

Food was not so great at all. For what we paid it was not worth it. The party was held at the club, with Hollywood theme, well decorated, but did I mention that the food was not great? haha

All right, honestly, I am glad we went because I do love all sorts of parties, socializing, just meeting new people, an dressing up of course. Therefore, I do not regret going. My next year’s goal is to go to Air Force Ball….

As you can see, I am trying to catch up on my pre-Christmas posts. My mom is here visiting, so I am a bit “off schedule” and scatterbrained. Hope you are enjoying your Christmas and all other holidays