Holiday Recap

Before Matt and I left Melbourne we went to check out some of the decorated houses around town especially on the Boulevard in Ivanhoe. The block off the street and everyone walks up and down looking at the Christmas lights.
Christmas lights and Giant mice!!

The Christmas Mouse theme was reoccurring quite a bit. I loved the book "Santa Mouse" when I was a kid but I have never seen so many mice of the lawn ornament variety.

The Giant Christmas Kangaroo paid a special visit to Luke and Natarsha.

So off we went the the USA expecting to be in Florida by Christmas Eve. The snow had other plans. Here is Matt enjoying his Christmas breakfast in the Dallas Airport Grand Hyatt. Luckily, we were able to fly out that morning and made it home in time for my Mom's beautiful Christmas dinner.

We got to catch up with lots of friends from my high school including Cliff, my 4th grade square dancing partner. GOOD TIMES!

I hadn't been to the Jacksonville Zoo since I was a kid and let me tell you it's a completely different place. It's an exceptional zoo. Amy, Sam and Matt are feeding the stingrays.

And Colt is holding onto Julie for her carousel ride.

My wonderful friend Debbie organized for us to have lunch with a bunch of friends but I was having so much fun catching up with everyone I forgot to take any pictures. After lunch, Judy, Matt and I went to one of my favorite places in Jacksonville.

To me the Cummer Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. I have such happy memories running around this place as a child.

New Years in New York City with Chris and Elizabeth.

We had a great time hanging out, bumbling around the city and drinking "Pork Slap" Ale.

Yep...that's right "Pork Slap". How great is that name?!?

However, I don't think anybody had as much fun as this guy.

Party on the Train!!

We headed to Coney Island for the famous Nathan's Hotdog stand.

Some crazy people were becoming members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. Did I mention there was snow on the ground??

CR-AAA-ZEEEE!!!!!

I haven't seen my friends Clare and Karen for YEARS so it was great to catch up with them.

Good Bye New York City...

Off to Chicago!!!

Jack and I built a gingerbread house with a kit from DaDa Dawson with surprisingly little mess.

Colin's Aunt Lenore was sweet enough to get Matt and I a gift certificate to Portillos. YUM!!!

More delicious hot dogs! It is almost impossible to find a good hot dog in Australia so I was trying to meet my yearly hotdog quota while in the States. Did you know the average American eats 60 hotdogs a year?? Very useful information.

Visiting some of my old stomping grounds with Mardi and Angela.

We hit Zebra and Jilly's and Moodys...

Can you tell this trip was very "junkfoodcentric"?

Last year Matt was absolutely devastated when we got back from Chicago and he realized we forgot to go to Moodys. He got his burger fix this time around.

We stayed in the gorgeous Palmer House Hilton. I love this hotel not only because it's stunning but because of all the Chicago history that is tied up in this place.

The best thing about Chicago is of course catching up with all of my wonderful friends.

It's always good to get a snow fix too. Chicago is always good for that!

We had a fantastic time on our vacation and it was so great to see so many loved ones and great friends!! Happy 2010!!!