¡Feliz Navidad! and: Prosit Neujahr!Officially, 2009 is, as they say, in the books. It was a pretty good year. Some things happened worth mentioning: UC Bearcats went undefeated in football (until the bowl game, let's not go there), and something else I can't seem to remember that I think is kind of important....oh yeah, we got married! So it was a great year. And a great decade. That's why we decided to go out with a bang this year, spending Christmas in Cincinnati with family and friends, and watching the ball drop in New York (not Times Square) for New Years Eve.
Christmastime. It really is the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Family, friends, food, fun, and folly (alliteration). We were actually able to go home to Cincinnati this year, so we decided to make the most of it and take 5 days and experience all that Cincinnati has to offer (mainly the three trips to Skyline in 5 days, a trip to LaRosa's, and Montgomery Inn sauce). Some of you may have actually joined us, but on the Tuesday before Christmas we got together in Mt. Adams to hang out, eat, drink, and benefit the Leukemia society in the celebration of the late Bill Kramer. I'll let the pictures do the talking here, people. Thanks to all who came out - we raised ~$400!!
This Christmas (I gave you my heart...) we had the pleasure of traveling cross-City multiple times. Our families don't really all live close to each other - thanks, guys. Thanks for making it difficult for us. We were, however, able to drive the Plageman's sweet new car and drag race some high schoolers down on River road with it. So, in the end, it was worth all the traveling. Christmas Eve was spent split between the two families, and pictures of course were taken.
Christmas day! The joy of awakening to see the tree and all its splendor! The smell of cookies, and bacon, and presents and joy! *cue Charlie Brown Christmas theme* We started the day off opening gifts at the Wolf abode, and made our way to the Plageman side of the family by lunchtime. We had a great time seeing everyone - even though there never seems to be enough time for anything, anymore.
Christmas day at the Mayhaus family turned into a dance party before you could even blink. For those keeping score at home, I 'won' the dance-off between Emily and I. Christine had some good looking moves too. Those who didn't have good looking moves? My dad and uncle Bill. No offense, guys.
Snow Tubing. The essence of all things wintery and Christmastime. And fast becoming both of our family's new holiday tradition. This was so much fun. Highlights of this was the 18 and 20 person train that got to go down the hill at the same time, crushing every downhill speed record on the way. Many friends and family alike joined us. If you see yourself, holler.
Christmas was great - 5 days wasn't nearly enough time to spend at home and see everyone, but it was a good time. Of course our flight was delayed on the way home. Did you really think it wasn't going to be? Luckily we had an early enough flight that we still got in early enough to New York. There's always something with this City...
With only a 3 day break (for our sanity), Charlie and Katie flew up to New York to hang out for New Years Eve. We tried something a little different this year. We actually went to see the ball drop. I know what you're thinking - "That's crazy!" Yes, it is, but we weren't in Times Square. We watched it drop from 59th street and 7th avenue - a full 17 blocks away, but all the fun with half the craziness. Right behind us, fireworks were set off as well. It was a New Year's Eve wonderland. The best part was trying to get back to the subway and home. The subway station was the most crowded I've ever seen it, but we somehow got through fairly quickly and made it home in one piece. Check that off the list of things to do before we leave New York....
Katie had never been to NYC before this trip, so we did it up in style. Restaurants, subway trips; you name it, we did it (within reason). We went shopping on 5th avenue. When I say "we" I mean Christine and Katie shopped while Charlie and I wandered around for 25 minutes looking for a street gyro. It tasted delicious when we found it, as it usually does. We also went to see one of Broadway's most famous plays: Phantom of the Opera! What a great show, indeed. Our trip there, however, was not so great. We had great plans to go eat dinner right across the street from the theater at John's Pizza, take our time and casually walk across the street to see the show. Nope, it didn't happen. We get there, and the place is totally packed. So, we decide to walk a bit to find a place. The only issue with this plan is that it was 8 degrees out with hurricane-like winds whipping through the streets and alleys. I don't think i could feel my entire body when we finally stumbled into a restaurant.
On another note, Katie and Charlie were able to feel our pain as their plane was delayed leaving New York. What a great city for traveling!
Sorry this wasn't updated earlier. As you may notice, it's about a month late. I vow to make a better stance at posting blogs. We've had some funny stories, and I'm sure everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting to see what happens next. Stay tuned.....
