Fast forward a few weeks to December 22nd when Rich, Emma, and I traveled to Berlin, Maryland (basically Ocean City, MD) to celebrate Christmas with my mom and uncle. A good time was had by all. There was the obligatory putting-the-santa-hat-on-the-dog and fire potatoes my uncle swore by (yeah, those black nuggets aren’t coal).
We watched Scrooged, a family tradition, and opened all of the gifts Christmas Eve since we had to leave early on Christmas. My awesome gift of the year is my brand-spanking new photography case with wheels and everything.* I now have license to bring even more stuff. Yay!
*Cancun was the Xmas gift between Rich and me. That might have been a bit awesomer than the camera case…
We woke up bright and early Christmas morning, bundled up, and took the five hour trip down to Raleigh, North Carolina to spend Christmas afternoon with Rich’s family. Emma slept in Rich’s lap as he drove down there.
We arrived in Raleigh, NC Christmas afternoon. They had very patiently waited for our arrival to open up the gifts. Rich’s sister was the “Santa” and handed out all the presents one by one. I really love Rich’s family and they have always made me feel 100% like family.
There were some very cool gifts this year. Katherine, Rich’s sister, got a shiny new red laptop. Brian, Rich’s nephew got a North Carolina Hurricanes jersey (they are big hockey fans) and a remote controlled car. Darlene, Rich’s mom got a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring that she had been eyeing for quite a while. The kids chipped in and got their parents a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast. As is customary, the kids played video games while the adults relaxed (or, in some cases, passed out!).
I’ve got to show the sweet pups, Emma and Raleigh…
We went down to Charleston, South Carolina for New Year’s Eve with some of Rich’s buddies. They try to find a new place in a new city every year. I brought our itty bitty digital camera which I haven’t used in eons – seems like it has passed it’s prime as the bright whites are now bright pinks. We got there the day before and had a nice dinner at a very charming house-turned-restaurant, Poogan’s Porch and then checked out a neat daiquiri bar, Wet Willie’s. We got dressed up and watched the ball drop from Mad River bar. Poor Rich didn’t have a great trip back the next day, but that’s New Year’s for ya!
We had a great time on the East Coast and I can’t wait to go back – especially now that my friends Vic and Kristen are expecting this summer!
Here are a few more pictures from our time in NC…
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
– Jane Howard
