Early Christmas in Detroit, Part 1 (2017)

Liz, getting some quality time with Sandy.
Liz, getting some quality time with Sandy.
After a few songs, some of the organizers moved everyone back into the vestibule. They needed to clear space for the choir, who would eventually walk down the main aisle, and circle the entire room a few times, before eventually proceeding onto the stage.
Liz and I trekked over to Valpo late in the afternoon today. We were slated to help move some furniture, to get the home TV/Internet wired up again, and to exchange Christmas gifts. Wtih everyone’s holiday travel plans, coupled with the fact that Julie and Bob were getting new floors – the timing just hadn’t been good for us to get together, until this weekend.
Jahnu opening up a pretty sweet Nerf bow/arrow set. You may also notice that he’s changed into another gift (a Griffindor Quiddich outfit, from Harry Potter).
A delicious meal of dumplings, pot stickers, and fried rice. If I was asked to manifest my childhood as a single meal, this would be it.
Liz and I arrived on Friday to spend the Christmas weekend with my family in Indianapolis. Though I originally purchased Beasts of Balance for myself… I decided that it would be better as a gift to my niece and nephew.
In addition to how awesomely creative the cards are (check out the one from last year), the physical card I receive from Ian and his family is a reminder of those bygone times. And of all these talented people I know, spread out all over the world.
Liz did a lot of decorating last week, making our under-construction house feel more in the spirit of things. It’s been amazing how much cozier things feel now, with the slight glow of some holiday lights.
On our last day in Frankfort, we had a very slow and relaxing day. Slept in, and spent most of the day watching movies in the living room.
The day after Christmas, Katie and Dan’s family headed over to Frankfort to hang out (and to have a post-Christmas dinner). On arriving, we all ended up congregating and hanging out in the kitchen for a long while.
In back, that would be Sebastian putting on his Darth Vader helmet. I wish I had some video/audio to share, because in addition to changing his voice… it also spits out Vader quotes. Which, coming from his short frame, was actually just hilarious.
There is something quintessentially American about being Chinese-American, and ordering out for Chinese food on Christmas eve. Back when my parents used to have a restaurant, this happened all the time. But it still feels like the thing to do, especially around the holidays.
It’s been a very relaxing few days with Julie and Bob. Though there has been one day where I’ve been working on my laptop (in the dining room), the rest of the time has been a very comfortable, and slow passing of the hours. We’ve watched a lot of movies (which I always fall asleep to), and have had a lot of good food.
This is quite possibly my favorite image from the holidays.
Later in the evening, my parents came over and stopped off at (where else) a nearby Chinese restaurant for some take-out. The dining room table was covered with a lot of stuff, so we set up shop at the kids’ table. Is there anything more quintessentially American than Chinese food at Christmastime?