Detroit New Years

Last night Chris and I got home just before 11:00 p.m. A huge sense of relief washed over as soon as we dropped the bags in our front hallway. Bags that are still in there needing to be unpacked... but that can wait.  In the last two weeks we have been home for only just a few days... I really missed our bed and babies (Jake & Hercules). 

On December 30th we made a trip up to Kingston to meet up with the rest of the family who was heading to Detroit.  It made more sense to car pool in Mama's van as opposed to taking separate vehicles. We left after midnight to make the nightlong trip to Detroit.  We decided on pulling an all-nighter because 1) Mama did a night shift and was ready at 11:00 p.m. 2) we wanted to avoid Toronto traffic which we would of hit if we left in the morning and 3) the earlier we left meant more time to shop. 

We arrived in Detroit just as the sun began to rise on New Years Eve.  Since we wanted to be nice to the family who invited us over, we took a walk around the neighborhood to kill time before we knocked on the door.  However, unknown to us, the youngest brother, Ant decided to sneak into the house to wake up the family.  As Chris and I were heading up to the door after our walk, we heard screams coming from the house.  Ant woke up his darling cousin by scaring the shit out of her... ahh, the family fun began early. 

New Years Eve was spent with the family.  During the day we shopped and I loved all of the deals that the malls had to offer.  That night we ate, drank and looked through old slides from the grandparents.  It was fun to see baby pictures of Chris's aunts and uncles and the progression of the family.  I was impressed with the everyone who pulled an all-nighter and was able to stay awake to party.  Me, I stuck to water after the mandatory glass of champagne because lack of sleep and booze equals me falling asleep on the floor.  

{coat - Sirens/black skinny - Smart Set/shoes - Spring/scarf - Paris, present from Sister's travels/purse - Forever 21}

We kicked off January 1st, 2011 with a nice long walk around the neighborhood.  Most of the family agreed that a good remedy for hang overs is fresh air & light exercise.   As you can see, I got my walking shoes on... Just have to watch out because Phoenix loves to tangle up people.

 

Being just a block away from the Detroit River is really nice, we walked along the river for about 30 minutes.  Most of us were dreaming about owning one of the beautiful homes that were along the river.  One day I would love to live close to water.

The homes in this neighborhood were beyond beautiful and ridiculously large.  We all joked about which one we would buy, along with the boats and cars which are all out of our financial reach at this moment.  But it's nice to dream.

My favorite houses were the one which looked like a stone castle, for the obvious reason that it looks like a fairy tail.  I'm a sucker for those princess & prince love stories.   *sigh*

The ivy that wrapped around this tree was amazing, it added a mystical feel to this house.

It was a beautiful walk which was followed with more shopping.  Later that night all of the cousins played ping-pong and talked shit until late into the night.  Ping-pong is not my game (especially after a beer or two)  and all of us got our asses handed to us by Auntie Joan.  Only a few stayed up until the sun rose, Chris was one of those few, me... no way, 5 a.m. is way past my bed time. 

Detroit was fun.  There was so much more that we wanted to see: Urban Gardens, Ford Museum,  downtown, walk down 8 Mile and the Motown Museum... all of which will have to happen with another trip.