New Year's Eve 2007

What could be better on New Year's Eve than a hike in the woods? (Actually, hikes top our list of the best thing to do on ANY day!) As is the typical mode of operation in our home, I spontaneously contacted my Aunt Joan and Uncle Steve (my dad's kid brother), who live about 40 minutes towards D.C. from us, and asked if they had a hiking trail near their house. They did, and wouldn't you know, Aunt Joan was up for a hike, too! We drove down there, and enjoyed opening our Christmas gifts from cousin Josh and his wife, Laura, who made the girls adorable knitted hats (check out Evelyn!) and me a very hip and cool scarf (which now goes with the new, hip, cool, sophisticated, urban-intellectual hair cut I now have--scroll down to "Who is this?"). What a pleasure it is to enjoy the company of others in the great out-of-doors!

Upon returning from our hike, we headed to a Baltimore traditional must-see: the lights on 34th Street in Hampden. This is not too far from us, and it is a wonderland of lights and sound that is all done by the neighbors on this one street. I don't know how long it's gone on or whether or not prospective buyers of homes on this little street have to sign some sort of commitment to gaudy decorations and outrageous electric bills in December, but it is certainly the perfect entertainment for toddlers!

In spite of all the glitz and glory, Amelia's favorite part was this cement retaining wall draped with blue lights. She kept running back to it yelling, "Booooo! Booooo!"

So keep in mind that if any of you decides to visit us during the holidays, we will definitely take you to see this Baltimore kitsch-spectacular (this year there was a huge Christmas tree made out of old tires--perfectly acceptable form of recycling, if you ask me!)