Post-Christmas and New Years

****Please note: We have posted a few blogs today since I am a bit behind on updating them. Be sure to go back and read the last one or two to hear all about the Helmers' adventures in Europe!***

Aggie and I took Ann and Kurt to the airport in the late morning of Dec 26th. They were flying out to Rome and were going to spend 3 days there before heading back to the US of A. Of course on the day they left, the sun was shining and the weather was amazing (since they had arrived in Munich the week before, it had done nothing but rain). This obviously stunk b/c they were leaving; on the flipside, we heard that the view of the Swiss Alps from the air were awesome!

So, while they tackled Rome, Ag and I hung out, got things in order, worked out, etc. That evening, John and Helen hosted a post-Christmas party and their Swedish neighbors came as well as our Russian friends, Vlad and Yulia and their friend. It was a great time by all! One new thing Aggie tried but I wouldn't is a Russian delicacy, Salmon caviar (aka, fish eggs). The eggs were a decent size and a very bright orange color. She said it was good ...however, I have issues with raw fish and long story short, I wouldn't kiss her till she brushed her teeth!

That week we also met up with a couple who just recently moved here from the US. They actually worked for the E&Y office in Cincinnati! It was fun chatting for a bit over a few pints of Guinness (we were at an Irish pub), and of course, we all stated our love for Skyline and Graters! Also, we confirmed how small the world is...they know a few of our friends and we know a few of theirs.

This week we also celebrated Aggie's birthday. She had a very special day...She went to lunch with Helen, came home and was surprised by me being there when she walked in the door (I had gone to the office that morning). Being the stud of a husband that I am (ah hem), I had roses and a few gifts for her which she seemed really excited about and appreciated. Our friend, Carol, stopped in for a bit, and while I went back to work, they visited with our friends, Dave and Ali. Later that evening Ag and I went to dinner at this Italian restaurant near our place, and the food was awesome. It was a wonderful day!

For New Years, we went to John and Helen's. (We go there a lot as not only are they are good friends, but they always have fun parties!) Dave and Ali came as well. Of course, it started snowing like crazy on New Years eve....right around the time we were leaving. I totally bit it on the sidewalk and my pants were covered with snow. We turned right back around and I changed. What a mess!

Finally we got to their place, had some drinks, ate an amazing dinner and enjoyed the conversation. We also put on skits (yes...skits). This was a really fun twist to the evening. Ag and I acted out events that happened in 2008 that all of us had been involved in and each team/couple had to guess the event. Dave and Ali sang a song and did a skit and Helen and John played a fun game. We then met up with their neighbors who were having a party, had dessert and went down to the lake for the big firework display.

The weather was kind of crap still and it was hard to really see anything, so we decided to move the party back up to the apartment. We finally got home around 3am, tired and exhausted.

The 1st was a day to relax and do nothing. We then headed out to Chamonix, France on the 2nd. The town of Chamonix is near the highest summit in Europe, Mont Blanc (15,774 ft). We will write about that trip next. In the meantime, have a great weekend and we will be in touch again soon!