Day 2

We woke fairly early. Around 8 am. Everyone began getting ready, we had breakfast at the hotel before we departed.

It was New Years Eve, so in preparation of the evenings festvities, we headed to Waldwick, NJ to Maratene's Fine Wine and Spirits. We were supposed to go there on Day 1, but our delays caused this to be moved. We had purchased a Groupon for wine and would be using it to buy our supplies for the night. We were able to purchase 2 bottles of wine with Groupon #2. I also grabbed a 4 pack of mini champagnes for our celebration. Shane found a beer that he loves and is hard to find where we live and Aerin got a bottle of gin.

We then ventured to go ice skating in Little Falls, NJ at the Floyd Hall Arena. There we used Groupon #3. Admission, skate rental, popcorn and soda for 4 people. Shane, being from NJ, has been ice skating numerous times in his life. Aerin had been a few times. Justin and I, however, had NEVER ice skated before this day. We did ok, no one fell down and it was fun. I used muscles I didn't know I had, and my calves hurt the next day, but overall it was a success!

By the time we finished ice skating, we were starving. So we drove to Montclair, NJ to eat at a quaint Italian restaurant by the name of Gencarelli's Cucina. I had emailed the owner, Debbie prior to our arrival to make reservations. She met us at the door with open arms. Never before have I been greeted with such a welcome from a stranger. The food was absolutely amazing. They had hundred year old recipes from Italy. It truely is a treasure. A war was almost started between Aerin and Justin over the rice balls, they were just that good. It is here that we used Groupon #4. And man, was it worth it. We are all STILL talking about that meal and how we can go back on our next trip.

We headed back towards Maywood, NJ to go on our next adventure, but we arrived too late, which caused another change in plans.

We decided that was enough excitement for the day and went back to our hotel room to get ready for the New Years Eve celebration at our friend's house. On the way we stopped at Frank's pizza to pick up a few slices and dough so that Crystal could make zeppolis.

We rang in the New Year with great friends at the home of John and Crystal. Unfortunately for Justin and I, we were worn out. So, not long after the ball dropped, we fell asleep on the sofa curled up with Raina, one John and Crystal's dogs. At some point in the night, Shane and Aerin woke us up and we went back to the hotel.