2009 Recap in Pictures
Not being the word smith that so many other people are, I am doing my 2009 recap in pictures.
Image heavy, so I will put it under a cut.
New years fireworks in the biting cold.
It was cold enough that Craigs sis Chris & husband Eric visiting from Virginia opted not to wait it out.
We bailed right after the fireworks were over.
Rode the ferry in the fog...
Marched as corporate pimps under our golden parachutes in the Krewe du Vieux parade.
Attended the Order of Inca ball as the king's (Inca's) guests. What a wonderful delight to experience the Mobile tableau.
Went to MOMs Ball the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras. 2 of our krewe members were part of the royalty this past year.
Rode in Krewe of Orpheus on Lundi Gras. Float name last year was "How the Camel Got Its Hump".
Was Irish for a day, riding in the Irish Channel Parade.
Went out to see the Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sunday.
Saw a bit of Chicagoland snow in late March on a visit to sister Susan & family.
And of course there was Jazz Fest. Craig & I had brass passes. He went all 7 days, I got to go for 2 days.
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Drew, Beaux, Nicolle and myself. Craig is behind the camera.
Took a whole bunch of streetcar pictures. Even got published in the book (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Streetcar-Named-Inspire/Matt-King/e/9780615291680/?itm=2&USRI=streetcar+named+inspire). Pictured is the small version I won at auction, GNO Grub mini done by Paulette Lizano.
Benefits of working in California:
Went to Muir Woods with sister Susan & family. (John & David pictured)
Met up with cousin John on that same weekend. We had not seen each other in several years. (He's the tall one)
2 weeks later, Craig came out for the weekend.
We hiked in Yosemite (Yosemite falls trail pictured) and probably overexerted ourselves, but the views were worth it.
What started out as just a stair replacement ended up replacing all 4 front columns as well after termite damage was found at the bases.
Caught the dueling barges for "Go 4th on the River" on the 4th of July.
Started off August visiting Gabe & David in Arkansas. After seeing Gabe in a small theater production of RENT the night before, we took a canoe trip on Big Piney Creek.
Took a trip to Brighton England to meet nephew Connor who shares my birthday.
And a side trip to Greenwich. Here Craig stands over the Prime Meridian.
Got to see Paris for the first time. Rachel, Ken & Conner pictured. Lesson learned: You cannot see Paris in 2 days. We did some walking, got to the top of the Eiffel Tower and took a boat tour on the Seine. Must go back for a longer period.'
Attended the Southern Decadence Parade in the French Quarter on Labor Day weekend.
Saw Marc Broussard (Among other artists) at Gretnafest in early October.
Spent our 11th anniversary weekend in Chicago and got to go out on the ledge at the Sears (Willis) Tower skydeck.
caught the Krewe of Boo parade on Decatur.
Saw the Bingo Show zombie style (with members of Fleur de Tease) at VooDoo Fest.
Working a week in Washington state gave me the opportunity to have dinner with Craig's brother Brad and wife Lorella in Seattle. I also got to have dinner with cousin DeeAnn that same week.
Spent Thanksgiving Day in Petal Mississippi at Craig's folks place. Had fun trying to get nieces and nephews to stay still for photos. Alix, Sophie, Peter & Hugh pictured.
Saw two good friends (Beaux & Nicolle) tie the knot.
Got back to Chicago the week of Christmas. Did the annual cookie baking with Mom.
Also got to visit with friends Sue & Jim and see their daughters (pictured) Beth and Katie (my Goddaughter).
Took a trip down to see family in Indiana as well. Nephew David and 1st cousins once removed Julie & Ellen pictured.
And of course, being up north, there was snow to be played in with nephew David.
I made it back down south for Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee.
Craig wanted to go see music for his birthday (New Years Eve), so after dinner at Muriels, we saw Eric Lindell at d.b.a.
2009 was a very good year for Craig & I.
Image heavy, so I will put it under a cut.
New years fireworks in the biting cold.
It was cold enough that Craigs sis Chris & husband Eric visiting from Virginia opted not to wait it out.
We bailed right after the fireworks were over.
Rode the ferry in the fog...
Marched as corporate pimps under our golden parachutes in the Krewe du Vieux parade.
Attended the Order of Inca ball as the king's (Inca's) guests. What a wonderful delight to experience the Mobile tableau.
Went to MOMs Ball the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras. 2 of our krewe members were part of the royalty this past year.
Rode in Krewe of Orpheus on Lundi Gras. Float name last year was "How the Camel Got Its Hump".
Was Irish for a day, riding in the Irish Channel Parade.
Went out to see the Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sunday.
Saw a bit of Chicagoland snow in late March on a visit to sister Susan & family.
And of course there was Jazz Fest. Craig & I had brass passes. He went all 7 days, I got to go for 2 days.
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Drew, Beaux, Nicolle and myself. Craig is behind the camera.
Took a whole bunch of streetcar pictures. Even got published in the book (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Streetcar-Named-Inspire/Matt-King/e/9780615291680/?itm=2&USRI=streetcar+named+inspire). Pictured is the small version I won at auction, GNO Grub mini done by Paulette Lizano.
Benefits of working in California:
Went to Muir Woods with sister Susan & family. (John & David pictured)
Met up with cousin John on that same weekend. We had not seen each other in several years. (He's the tall one)
2 weeks later, Craig came out for the weekend.
We hiked in Yosemite (Yosemite falls trail pictured) and probably overexerted ourselves, but the views were worth it.
What started out as just a stair replacement ended up replacing all 4 front columns as well after termite damage was found at the bases.
Caught the dueling barges for "Go 4th on the River" on the 4th of July.
Started off August visiting Gabe & David in Arkansas. After seeing Gabe in a small theater production of RENT the night before, we took a canoe trip on Big Piney Creek.
Took a trip to Brighton England to meet nephew Connor who shares my birthday.
And a side trip to Greenwich. Here Craig stands over the Prime Meridian.
Got to see Paris for the first time. Rachel, Ken & Conner pictured. Lesson learned: You cannot see Paris in 2 days. We did some walking, got to the top of the Eiffel Tower and took a boat tour on the Seine. Must go back for a longer period.'
Attended the Southern Decadence Parade in the French Quarter on Labor Day weekend.
Saw Marc Broussard (Among other artists) at Gretnafest in early October.
Spent our 11th anniversary weekend in Chicago and got to go out on the ledge at the Sears (Willis) Tower skydeck.
caught the Krewe of Boo parade on Decatur.
Saw the Bingo Show zombie style (with members of Fleur de Tease) at VooDoo Fest.
Working a week in Washington state gave me the opportunity to have dinner with Craig's brother Brad and wife Lorella in Seattle. I also got to have dinner with cousin DeeAnn that same week.
Spent Thanksgiving Day in Petal Mississippi at Craig's folks place. Had fun trying to get nieces and nephews to stay still for photos. Alix, Sophie, Peter & Hugh pictured.
Saw two good friends (Beaux & Nicolle) tie the knot.
Got back to Chicago the week of Christmas. Did the annual cookie baking with Mom.
Also got to visit with friends Sue & Jim and see their daughters (pictured) Beth and Katie (my Goddaughter).
Took a trip down to see family in Indiana as well. Nephew David and 1st cousins once removed Julie & Ellen pictured.
And of course, being up north, there was snow to be played in with nephew David.
I made it back down south for Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee.
Craig wanted to go see music for his birthday (New Years Eve), so after dinner at Muriels, we saw Eric Lindell at d.b.a.
2009 was a very good year for Craig & I.