10 Nights in Cincinnati

Friday
We arrived in Cincinnati exhausted, but happy to see everyone.  After a short nap we proceeded to Gran Fiesta to celebrate Lisa's graduation with some margaritas.  I'm sure Erv was happiest since he's finished paying tuition forever.

Saturday

We celebrated with a pre-Christmas Eve bash at Tina and Erv's since we'd be back on Kauai for the 24th.  Lots of snacks and beer while watching Maddie open her gifts or at least pictures of them since most were sent to HI.  Dominic got his FJ Cruiser Power Wheels for his birthday, Christmas, birthday, Christmas, birthday, Christmas present from us.  Both he and Maddie enjoyed it though Maddie was unsure of Dominic's driving skills and prefered to drive on her own.

Revealing pose for Lowrider Magazine

Sunday
Maddie got to meet some of Em's aunts and uncles for the first time since Cindy was kind enough to host the gathering with her usual excess of food and drink.  Afterwards, we just chilled out with her parents, sisters, and brother while the kids played with each other.

Monday
Great Grandma G hosted dinner and served her excellent chicken liver pate followed by the famous and most delicious ham crepes.  After dinner, we got to hang out and catch up with Erv's side of the family as well as selecting paintings that Great, Great Uncle Ernie had sent from Germany.

Tuesday
LaRosa's at Great Grandma D's house while we caught up with Big Den's side of the family.  Though I hated to eat and run, through miscommunication, I had made previous plans of which Em was unaware.  Hark, Paul and I went to Dilly Deli, one of recently named top beer bars in America, to sample some of their fine brews.  While enjoying some Troegs Hopback, we were accosted by some moron trying to impress upon us how expensive his Irish whiskey was.  The bartender should have served him a nice warm glass of "shut the hell up."

Wednesday
Em asked me to cut my hair as a Christmas present to her. 

.

So I did.  Instead of giving my hair to Locks of Love,  I wrapped it up as a Christmas present for Mike and Big Den since they needed it more.

Big hair runs in the family

Em and Maddie went to the frigid Festival of Crap at the zoo which Maddie apparently enjoyed despite the olfactory assault. 

Since our previous attempts to get to a Ruby's Steakhouse as a group had been thwarted, I took it upon myself to get there - a perfect opportunity for dinner with Big Erv since we had poker later in the evening.  Dinner was superb, though my massive filet was just the slightest bit overdone.  We departed the Precinct for Matt's house and played some cards amid wallowing in obscenity and inane conversation with the fellas, all the while slugging back the Elliot Ness on tap.  A fine evening to say the least.

Thursday
Mike, Hildog, Laura, Paul, Em and I, with our swarm of kids, descended upon downtown Cincinnati to check out the lights and the Cinergy model train display. 

I think it was Maddie's first time in a parking garage or the city, but she seemed to enjoy the action.  Afterward, we managed to get some tables at Rock Bottom Brewery for some pub grub and beer, followed by Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.

Friday
Our big night out since we had a babysitter.  There was a great showing with 17 people at Dewey's Pizza for dinner and then over 20 people at Northside Tavern.  We certainly appreciate the effort that people put into changing their schedules to hang out for the evening.  While waiting interminably for the Heartless Bastards to play, we learned that Northside Tavern has an awesome beer selection and that Todd has reproduced again (number 4!  Egads!).   The Bastards came on at midnight in their usual late fashion and played a decent show though I was disappointed on not hearing their new single "The Mountain".

Saturday
Slow to awaken from our late night with too much beer, I was thankful that we were going to Big Den and Cindy's house for a big brunch and Christmas celebration - just sitting around.  As usual, Santa spent too much, but we got great gifts and had fun spending time with everyone there.

Maddie kept stealing Chase's ride - not too good with the sharing yet

Sunday
Maddie's big day!  Her first birthday party, which seems so weird to me, considering I feel like she just squirted out all covered in goo.  I never thought birth was beautiful.  I'm amazed at how much she's changed in a year, starting out so helpless and small and just a year later she's a little person capable of talking, getting around, expressing her feelings and what she wants, etc., etc.  We had tons of people at my parents' house so we had trouble keeping everything in order and getting a chance to talk to everyone.  Maddie thanks you for all the gifts! 

After everyone left, we settled down to some Chipotle for dinner and later made a quick trip to Grandma/pa D's to say goodbye.

Time with the family was definitely the "flavor of the week" so I regret not spending some more time with my friends.  However, I'd be hard-pressed to choose any of the family time to give up.  That's the hefty price we pay for living 5000 miles away.  Sometimes it's hard to justify, sometimes easy...like on Christmas morning when it's 75 degrees...you can walk out on the lanai in shorts...push Maddie on the swing with the sun shining...see the ocean and watch the palm trees sway in the breeze...you get the idea.