Our East Coast Christmas.

It was quite the whirlwind as our trips usually are. Even with taking two weeks for this trip, we still didn't get to see everyone we wanted to spend time with :( Such is life.

After a day or two of some serious jet lag, we headed into the city with the Rubano's to check out Eataly. If you haven't been, and are a lover of Italian food and drink, you need to go! You can cruise the market and stop and have snacks and vino at each bar to whet the appetite. When we ended the day with nutella gelato I was taken back to the cobblestone streets of Firenze. YUM! The best I have had since our trip to Italia 2 years ago.

Prosciutto di San Daniele

Rubano's

It is seriously amazing and I am not even a "foodie" as much as Casey is...maybe I should have him blog about this?! Nah, then we would be waiting until June and I know people want photos!

But of course, your typical tourist photo in front of the tree....because yes, we are now tourists and I truly felt like one this trip. Maybe that's just what happens when you are gone too long.

Tourists.

I got to spend a full day of long overdue quality time with one of my best friends, Mindi. We talk constantly, but nothing compares to the energy of being together face to face and having deep conversations...the type that leave you completely refreshed and are so necessary from time to time. Love her to death!

good times!

Us San Diego beer snobs were stoked when we discovered that Maloney's happened to have Pizza Port's Santa's Little Helper on draft. What a nice surprise! They also had a really decent selection for a small NJ pub, including some of the NJ brews we tried.

And of course, nothing compares to family time! My wonderful mother-in-law hosted the 2nd annual Christmas for the Rubano/DiBello crew. We are so blessed to have such tight families :)

Merry Christmas!

My last day on Dakota Ave...playtime with my godson, Nicholas, and his little sis, Ella, who are both getting way too big! And hanging with the prezpadlo's just like old times...well, sort of...Joey is now 21 and we are, well, 21 also :)

Casey got to spend time at the Bouncing Souls Show with his BFF's Richie and Eric... after eating this sandwich! WHOA! (that's prosciutto, fresh mozz, fried eggplant, balsamic and roasted red pep....and a rice ball...his favorite!)

I wish I took my camera with me everywhere we went...there are so many memories and good people I forgot to capture...but I guess that's what being in the moment is all about. This trip was long overdue and gave me the Jersey fix that I was looking for.

We are still stuffed and recovering from all of the eating and drinking! Green juice is what the doctor ordered ;)

Happy new year!

Thank you all for an excellent visit!!

More photos here!