Happy New Year!

Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone! How was last night? Who was at home and still made it to midnight?

Seattle has an insane fireworks display at the Space Needle that lasted for about ten minutes and was all synched to different space-themed songs. Totally badass. Hope to see it in-person one day as last night the dog and I enjoyed it from the comfort of our bed as Samson and Julie slept off their sparking apple juice and Proseco buzzes.

Bottle Service Samson

Prior to that we continued with our family tradition of going out for Italian beforehand. We went Northeast and ate in the University District at Ristorante Doria. Great meal with the highlight being the boy's spaghetti and meatballs. Delicious. How many ways can I distract Samson so I can steal another bite? "Look over there, it's Buzz and Woody!" They don't teach you those moves in 'Happiest Toddler On The Block.'

2011 was quite the year for us. So exciting to venture to a brand new city and a part of the country but also so difficult leaving behind all of our friends and family. Sigh. But alas some really teriffic end-of-year/start-of-year things to share . . .

Thrilled to report that our Lake Bluff estate has found a buyer (there were two, actually!) and they close on the house on January 24th. There was an initial offer in on the house and while being a far-from-ideal offer we were excited to have one and looking forward to being done with the Bluff. Low-and-behold on Christmas Eve, we got word from our realtor that another offer came in that was above our asking price. Jingle bells, baby! Not sure if that is what Samson asked Cocoa Claus but we'll take it!

"Speak up, Cocoa Claus can't hear you."

Also very happy to report that I've accepted a new job. Starting this week I join the staff of Seattle's 107.7 FM, The End. The End is a great station as it's been made famous for being the first to play Nirvana and Pearl Jam among others. So it's a much different orbit than SPIN but same galaxy as we still should be getting out to a whole ton of shows. There is a Website, so if you're missing me you can visit http://www.1077theend.com/ and listen along.

A sold house, a new job for me, Julie establishing herself at Starbucks, if only we could include that the boy was potty trained we'd really be living the dream. So we head into 2012 with a whole ton of good momentum. Hope that you can say the same. Take risks, laugh, and enjoy every sandwich. Happy New Year from the Lipskys!

And now some bonus 2011 holiday pics . . .