2011 Recap

Unfortunately, time has run away from me again and 2011 is all over and done with!  We were swamped during the Holidays this year and so I'm behind on some of my posts for 2011. Before we move on to 2012, I do want to recount some of the cool things we were able to do before the end of the year

• D's bday - had a wonderful time in West Hollywood. We dined at this super trendy restaurant called AOC, followed by a concert at the House of Blues where Steel Panther was the headliner. They're a spoof band similar to Spinal Tap, but more in line with the 80's glam rock.  Here are some pics from the night:

•  Chicago/Wisconsin Thanksgiving Vacation - D and I spent a week right before Thanksgiving visiting friends and family in the Midwest. We started the trip off with a Notre Dame football game, followed by a day in Chicago visiting old family spots and the Sears Tower (Willis Tower), a quick day in Milwaukee, a quick visit with friends in Brookfield, and lastly a family reunion surrounding D's grandma's 80th birthday celebration. Whirlwind trip, but we had a complete blast!  Even handled the weather fairly well too . . . even though everyone kept saying, "Oh the weather's great!  Its only 50 degrees out!" Silly SoCal transplants! Here are some pics from our time in South Bend and in Chicago:

My Oma's house in Chicago

D's house when he was a born

• Wedding #3 - D and I flew the weekend after Thanksgiving to his cousin's wedding in Phoenix. We were only there for 24 hours, but had a blast at the wedding and catching up with his other side of the family. OH! And we just happened to go to Alice Cooper's restaurant for lunch. Great bar scene and I had to pick up a couple souvenir t-shirts too . . . yes, as in more than one. Here are some pics from the wedding:

• The next weekend we were in SF. I was up for the year-end business meeting and holiday party, and we stayed the weekend to act as god parents for the baptism of good friend's daughter. Don't have any pics of that to share, but we felt truly honored to be part of her special day. Plus it was my first time meeting the little lady!
• Between these trips, I had a couple business trips thrown in too. All in all, I was on 16 different flights in 5 weeks.  I love to travel, but man was I happy to be grounded for a bit after that!
• Had a lovely little Christmas at home with D's parents. D and I were alone on our own on Christmas Eve and spent the day hiking, watching movies, and cooking up food. I did my first turkey for Christmas day too!  Turned out fairly well, learned some good lessons for next year :)
• Although D had to work on New Year's Eve, he was off on the 30th and we decided on an impromptu date night at Lexington Social House in the heart of Hollywood at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine. After dinner we went to Upright Citizens Brigade for some late night improv. A pretty small stage, but was fun to be sitting in spot where a lot of famous LA comedians had gotten their start (similar to Second City and Groundlings Theater)

And that wraps it up!  Phew. What a way to finish the year!?  Wouldn't have it any other way . . . now bring on 2012!