Trip to New York

Right after Christmas we left by train for a four day trip to New York. After three trips to the Big Apple in 2013 we hadn't been there at all in 2014 and this was the last chance to see Christian before his return to Munich in January.
When we arrived in the early afternoon we first relaxed a bit in his apartment and Mia showed some of her games she got for Christmas

Then we walked to a nice playground by the Hudson river we remembered from a previous trip

From there we could also enjoy a beautiful sunset

The next day we stopped at Bryant park bu the line for ice skating there was too long and Mia just did the carousel

After this we headed to Read Hook neighborhood in Brooklyn by subway, shoulder - for Mia - and ferry for a late lunch at a crab house there

 We really liked the place

 Christian and Ji ennjoyed all the seafood and Mia liked the ice cream

Back in Manhattan we did some ice skating at the South Street seaport next to Christian's place

Sunday afternoon we watched the Norwegian Breakaway - the ship we took for a cruise a year ago - pass on the Hudson river from Christian's place and then moved to a hotel in TriBeCa

 Diner was Shezuan in the East Village

 Monday we checked out a Firefighter Museum

and the FAO Schawartz toy store which had some live demos

We enjoyed the evening streets and headed for little Italy for dinner

Luckily a street vendor for Cannelloni recommended a good restaurant

 The food was good and there was even some live music

 The last day we went on top of the Rockefeller Center to enjoy the view

 It was a bit cold but pretty nice

Christmas with Yilei's Family

Like the year before we got invited to celebrate Christmas with Yilei's family in Clarksburg. Together with the family of Rex brother and Yilei's father it was a nice group and lots of fun for Mia.
On the evening of the 24 we had a nice dinner and also posed for some pictures with Rex new SLR camera:

On the morning of the 25 all kids were excited but had to wait a bit until Rex had gotten up

 Then it was finally time to unwrap the presents

On our way back home we stopped for a hike in Turkey Run Park

Setting Up the Christmas Tree

Just like in the years before we bought a nice little Christmas Tree at Whole Food and set it up on a small table. First Mia wanted to put the big red star on the top:

When she then started decorating she mainly focused on the lower part:

National Christmas Tree

This year we met down town again to check out the National Christmas Tree behind the White house. It appeared to have more colorful lights than in the year before and they were constantly changing.

 Mia still enjoyed it but she was a bit disappointed that Santa's workshop was closed - it is only open on weekend days

Birthday Party at the Gym

After Mia had been invited at Calvin's birthday party earlier this year at a gym she wanted to have a similar party for her next birthday. She got one for her friends from the German school and it was really fun.
One can tell by just looking at the pictures Christoph took with his really good SLR camera

 The group was just the right size and everybody was about the same age

After one hour of program there was great food Ji had made and of course a cake