Day 1, 12/22: arrived in Westfield in the afternoon and 4 of us stayed with the Mannings, Marlon with the Sherrys.
Day 2, 12/23: the boys went to school with their best friends. In the morning we went to a special international coffee at Karen H’s. house, then to Franklin school for the lunch break. It was pizza day and I met a lot of the pizza moms and Trixi all her friends. At 5:00pm we were invited to the Butera’s happy hour and at 8:00pm we went to the Rush’s Christmas party. In between we picked up the key for our house down the shore during the Christmas days. Marlon went to the Devils hockey game. The played the Capitals (Washington DC) ad won 4:3.
Day 3, 12/24: we had to go grocery shopping because all shops are closed on 12/25, THE Christmas day in the US.
Here you can see Joe taking care of the kids while baking cookies for Santa.
From 1:00pm to 5:00pm we attended for hilarious Christmas party at the Dispenza’s house. Here is Steffen with some caviar on blini with crème fraîche and Johnnie Walker Blue label
After that party we drove down the shore and stopped on the way to our house in Rumson, where Kim’s father lives and celebrated Christmas with about 60 guests, all family! It was great! So many nice people, a piano player, a beautiful house and a river behind the house (from here it is not far to Jon Bon Jovi’s house!). At about 8:00pm we continued to Lake Como where we stayed in a nice house near the beach. Trixi’s friend’s grandmother owns this house, stays there in the summer and was so nice to let us stay there! While Trixi took a shower, Christkind (Christ child) found it’s way from Germany to New Jersey and laid some presents in front of the fire place. What a surprise as she came out of the bathroom!
Day 4, 12/25
Not every store was closed!
We found this restaurant in Asbury Park but the line was much too long for us. And a great self-made pasta dish was waiting for us at home (noodles with tomato sauce!)!
Marlon in front of the sunset
Day 5, 12/26 Stores are open again! And the Jersey Shore premium outlet mall (exit 100) near Lake Como opened even at 7:00am! We didn’t make it by 7:00am but at 9:00am! As I went to the car at about 11:00am to get rid of the first full bags the parking lot was packed! We were done by 1:00pm and drove back to Westfield. We checked in at the Butera’s. They spent a few days in New Orleans and we sat their house and dog Jagger. Marlon stayed at his friend William’s house and Jake at Jack’s. Here you can see William in his kitchen and bed room. At 6:00pm we went to a Cocktail party at Maiju’s house. Kiitos!
Day 6, 12/27: Trixi had a play date with two friends (Mackenzie and Julia) from 10:00-1:30pm. After that we drove into THE City. Unfortunately we had picked the only rainy day for this trip. We met the Mannings with Jake at 2:30pm at Footlocker at Times Square. Finally Jake got there some new shoes! Then we walked to THE tree at Rockefeller Center.
Here we had a quick look into my American girl doll store. It was much too full!
After that we spent some time in FAO Schwarz and bought expensive candy. Finally we had dinner in a nice Italian restaurant and came back at 9:00pm. Marlon was so nice to feed and walk Jagger at his regular dinner time!
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