A Rainy Christmas

So I was feeling pretty bad for myself because I'm here in Texas NOT having a white Christmas, but I talked to mom, and she said Michigan has been in the 40's and 50's lately with no snow! So I guess it's ok to be in Texas! We've been having a lot of fun here in Texas. I realized that this is the FIRST Christmas in my ENTIRE life that I haven't been home to wake up early and sneak upstairs to get my stocking! We've had some delicious food here and some really nice gifts. It's been great.

So I still haven't heard from Toshi about what he wants for christmas, which may lead to him getting NOTHING!! We don't have much time left for shopping, and I'm having a hard time thinking of something that Tosh would want that's only 5 bucks. So ANY suggestions or hints would be GREAT. If we don't hear anthing, he may end up toilet paper or deoderant....I'm running out of creativity FAST!

Love you guys. Merry Christmas. Can't wait to be home!!!

Forced Entry!

I am not writing this for pleasure. I am writing this under duress. In other words, mom is making me do this. It is nice to think that we are starting Christmas vacation. Although, I only have a week and a half, but mom has two full weeks. Oh well, you take what they give you. It all goes by so very fast. In fact, the other day, I was explaining to mom everything that was going to happen during vacation, and then realized that my vacation was already over. Mom just laughed and said to get away from her. It will be good to see everyone and eat alot of good food!!! It will also be good to hear Tad's voice again when he calls. Well, I have really overextended myself with this entry, and so I am signing off. Best wishes to all.

Help mom!

moms, so here are some pics of some frames that I got at a christmas party that I don't particularly like, but they're nice. So we thought we could give it to Preston's mom because his family is exchange pictures this year instead of gifts, so they'll need some frames. But we weren't sure if they were "mom style" so his dad suggested that we ask you. Obviously not all moms have the same style, but I think you 2 might have a similar style. Anyhow, let me know what you think....

Blog Crazy

Wow, this family (well mostly mom) is going BLOG CRAZY!!! I love it.
Actually I was thinking that a blog would be a perfect place to post hints for Christmas.

So......These aren't so much hints as actual things that I would like that should be under 5.00 each, you all might think these items sound lame, but these are actually things that I consider "luxury" that I wouldn't actually ever buy for myself because I can live without them, that said:

1. A cooking timer
2. Christmas Socks
3. Small face washclothes
4. One of those flexable cutting boards that just looks like a flat sheet, that you can bend and cut on ( I have no idea how much those cost, so if they're pricey, cross this off my list).
5. Christmas KITCHEN towel

Mom, I came up with some good gifts for Preston. I ordered 2 thingys online and had them shipped to your place, they should get there before we do. I'll call you about it later. If you don't want to use one of those 2 things, then I came up with something else too!

Ok everyone, remember that this gift exchange is NOT suposed to cost anyone over 5.00! The point of it is not to get someone some super awesome gift, it's mostly just to give everyone SOMETHING to open. So, that said, I know Sugiyama's tend to be over achievers, but I guess we're also known to be cheap, so you probably don't even need this reminder, but I'm going to feel like a total chump if I spend only 5 bucks on someone and somone else spends 15. So play by the rules! Can't wait to get home!

BLOG!!!

You know, I got a myspace thing to keep in touch with my cousin and got addicted to blogging... I went kicking and screaming into the whole thing... I never even had the patience to keep a diary as a kid. For some reason, though, the second I got license to post whatever I wanted on myspace, I went nuts. I write a new blog nearly every day! (It might have something to do with turning 30 soon, might not...lol...who knows...) It's nifty that there's a Sugi blog somewhere... (yay!!)
BTW... Nets--- I have you for the x-mas exchange. What do you want? It's almost x-mas!!!!

Mom's profile

Ok, I can't see my list so I will do the best I can with my memory. I have too many hobbies. I like to sew, bake, garden, read, make cards, and I am interested in learning ballroom dance. I like to learn languages and am trying to learn sign language right now. I spend most of my time working and driving to sporting events. I like Hershey's extra dark chocolate bars with cranberries and blueberries yum! I like any dark chocolate. Dove is good too. I also like any kind of caramel corn or caramel and nuts and chocolate mixture. I like dried tropical mixes too. I like salsa music and classical and oldies. My favorite colors are green and purple. I can always use bathroom hand towels: the bathroom is pea green and plum. I wouldn't mind a new Christmas hand towel for kitchen or bath. I like lotion or shower wash that smells like almond or coconut. I would love to have a 1 1/2 inch or thereabouts square paper punch but that would likely be more than $5. I might also like a book/magazine with ideas and techniques for making cards. I wouldn't mind if it was used. This should give someone plenty of hints.

Let's get to know each other better!!!!

OK. I can see Tim's eyes rolling on this one, but just humor me a little here. Can everyone take a minute and write a little about their hobbies and interests and a few hints for the holiday gift buyers? Could you all let us know what your favorite hobbies and interests are and how you spend your free time (if you have any). Tell us your favorite treats, favorite color, favorite kind of music, and give any hints for your person who has your name. I'll get us started.

Moving up in the world of technology!

I didn't believe that the Sugiyama Family would EVER have a website, but what a glorious sight to see! I love it. Now hopefully we can all keep up with each other even better, although this doesn't mean that you can stop calling me! I just finished our Christmas Newsletter and should be sending it out before we leave for Texas (cross your fingers!)
I am majorly loving Toshi's first post! Hilarious! I about died laughing. It was a perfect post for a blog. Preston and I have our own and I posted once when I made lemonade for the first time and when Preston was actually hungry and I wasn't-all extremely insignificant things, but fun to share.
If you guys have any questions about blogging, let us know, we're practicaly professional bloggers. It's fairly self explanatory, but I know some people might struggle...no names mentioned, but if a cell phone is tough...I'm just saying....

The Peanut Butter Depression (named by Toshi)

Dad has waited 2 weeks while the family has been out of peanut butter because it wasn't on sale! He can't eat just any peanut butter, it has to be Jif (and it has to be on sale). Finally it went on sale at Meijer and we will be eating peanut butter again.

Thankyou Preston!!!!

Thanks to Preston who spent quite a bit of time helping me set up this website. Now it is up to all of you to fill it up with pictures and fun news.

Christmas Pictures

One of my mission friends ended up marrying an excellent photographer and they happen to live in Irvine. So, we went out with them to the beach (one beach south of where we took our engagement pictures) and she snapped some shots. We weren't optimistic about how they'd turn out, but she did a great job and there were several good ones to choose from. It was a "very Finnish photo shoot", with Annette and I wearing the sweaters we got while in Turku, Finland and the photographer herself being Finnish. Hope you like them!
Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Welcome to our website!!!

Welcome everyone!! I hope that our family can share information with each other on this website! Everyone is welcome to post information and events to share with the rest of the family.