This past weekend was our last weekend of the year on this side of the country, as we’ll be leaving to go back East in a couple days. We spent it celebrating Christmas early with friends and family here in California.

On Saturday, we went to Megumi’s in San Francisco for a holiday party for the Nakayoshi core members. Megumi was a great hostess, preparing so many treats and goodies for everyone, and her apartment was sparkling with holiday decor.

holiday cookies made by Megumi
Megumi's homemade cookies - too cute to eat!

The party was potluck-style, so everyone brought a dish and everything tasted amazing. It seems like everyone in Nakayoshi (especially the ladies) has such awesome cooking and baking skills! They put me to shame… haha* After eating, we had a white elephant gift exchange (accompanied by the characteristic silly gifts and lots of laughs), gingerbread house building, and board games! πŸ™‚

conversations over dinner
cozy dinner conversations in Megumi's living room

the guys in the kitchen
more people crammed into the kitchen.

with lovely Emily, my birthday twin!
With my (almost) birthday twin, Emily! Her birthday is Christmas Eve, mine is Christmas Day.

Megumi making some announcements
Megumi starting the white elephant gift exchange.

Aileen and I :)
Me with the lovely Miss Aileen!

Dan got some Jack Daniels
Dan won some Jack Daniels... but it quickly got stolen away.

very intense...
Dan and Aaron were really serious and intense about the building of the gingerbread house. Very exact and diligent...

the ladies!
Cyril, Megumi and I. Thanks for the great party, Megumi!

For more fun photos from the party, see the Flickr set.

On Sunday, Dan and I went to San Lorenzo to his parents’ house to celebrate and early Christmas and gift exchange with the Allens. We’re really grateful that they were flexible and moved Christmas up a little so that we could celebrate with them before we fly over to my family’s to spend actual Christmas Day with them.

by the Christmas tree
Miwa with Choco

Dan's parents
Dan's parents opening gifts

Dan and I
Dan and I at his parents' house

We’re leaving for Virginia early morning of the 24th, so we’re currently in a packing frenzy. Hopefully the weather will be kind and we will be able to get there safely and on time, with no complications. To our friends and family on the West Coast, thank you for a wonderful time, and to those on the East Coast… here we come!