Mimi and pap came into town on Wed and we went to pie tanzza; on Thurs. Steve came into town and the Matthews went up to university of Maryland for Pap commencement speech to the Maryland business school graduates. Pap did a great job addressing the crowd of almost 1000 people; check it out on line if you have a free 15min. After the commencement we went right to riker and pipers xmas recital at building blocks; both girls did an excellent job singing and dancing- riker had a bells solo and even wore a steelers santa hat. That night we got a sitter and the adults went out to dinner at willow’s; we had a great time catching up with mimi and pap.
On Fri riker took mimi to the rough faced girl play in Shirlington as her xmas present; mike went with but went to the Shirlington Library to do some work. That night we had a home cooked dinner by pap then steve mike and wendy went to Clare and don’s while mimi and pap watched the kids.
On sat morning mimi and mike took the girls to the international spy museum; then home to listen to the steelers whoop up on the rams. That night was xmas eve; so we wrapped presents, went to church, and then tracked santa on his way to Arlington, va. Riker was scared that santa would come into the house and made mike guarantee he’d keep watch on the stairs.
Sunday was xmas and damn were the girls excited; they were up at 8am and did not finish opening presents until 10am; before heading off to the airport we took the girls to the park so riker could ride her new scooter that uncle steve gave her. We dropped everyone off at the airport and picked up aunt lynn on the same trip; she is in town for a few days to watch the girls so mike and wendy can make their annual trip to NYC.
On Monday morning we had a great breakfast, opened presents from aunt lynn, then went to clemijontri so the girls could get some energy out; Aunt robin and kate met us there.
On tues morning mike and wendy took the train to NYC we had a blast; we stayed at kenny’s princes place in the west village; we went to time square, out to eat a few times, saw phish and the disco biscuits, hung out with schaivi, jess, pete, and marshall, and took the subway up and down Manhattan. It’s a great annual trip and so fun and easy on the train.
We got back home to well taken care of kids by aunt lynn and played it cool for a few days; Julia and Bridges came into town on the 30th; we hung out with the kids and watched the phish show on tv; definitely a strange experience.
On new year’s eve we first went to jammin java for a kids concert, rocknocurous; it was so cute to see neve, riker and oliva jammin’ at the front of the stage!…..all our friends were there and afterwards we went to a local park to let some energy out……that night we went to the carrier’s to get the kids together; we knocked open a pinnate then faked a NYE countdown at 9am then put the kids to bed and the adults (and drew) watched the real count down,…..it makes you feel old to spend NYE this way, but it’s always been armature night when you go out on NYE.
