2022: Family, Friends & Experiences
We were blessed with so many unforgettable experiences in 2022, but the one that stands out is our two-week, fifth-wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii last fall.
It was two years in the making (with countless hours of planning by James). We spent seven nights on Oahu and five nights on the Big Island. We relaxed at Disney’s Aulani Resort and explored Oahu, including visiting Pearl Harbor and hiking Diamond Head.
We toured Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, visiting mere weeks before Mauna Loa’s eruption. We enjoyed sampling and learning about Kona coffee and saw the total lunar eclipse. We also traversed the summit of Mauna Kea with friends to view the sunset and stargaze.
Mahalo, Hawaii! We’ll never forget it!
Hawaii Gallery:
California & Las Vegas
Another trip we won’t soon forget was our first trip of the year out West to California and Las Vegas. Originally planned as part of a Vegas Céline Dion concert itinerary (she canceled because of her health), we kept the trip and added Oakland and Sonoma, California, for a few days to visit friends and family. We enjoyed ringing in the Chinese New Year with James’ family in Chinatown, including beautiful ferry rides from Oakland to San Francisco and back.
We experienced the beauty of The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland for Sunday Mass, with The Very Reverend Brandon E. Macadaeg presiding. This new landmark opened in 2008. It’s the first cathedral built entirely in the 21st century. We highly recommend if you’re ever in the area.
This trip also included some very tasty food! Lunch with a view at Lake Chalet Seafood. Matthew got fish and chips; James got delicious blackened fish tacos. Delicious eats at Ernest San Francisco with our friends Steve and Tim. We went with the multi-course “let the kitchen cook for you.” Can’t say we knew everything we ate, but it was tasty and experiential.
We had beautiful getaway to Sonoma wine country. The colors were luscious and the tastes were divine. We also visited the original Williams Sonoma location. We reunited with our friend Sharina and had a delicious dinner in Sonoma at The Girl & The Fig.
We experienced Breathtaking views at Bodega Bay, home to the filming of “The Birds.”
After returning to the Bay Area, we explored the Winchester Mystery House. We saw more than 100 of the 160 rooms. The exterior and the dining rooms were our favorite parts. There are definitely some bizarre design choices in this house!
We then had fun exploring Apple’s headquarters, old and new (from afar), as well as checking out the company stores.
Then, it was off to Vegas. Thee original reason of the trip was to see Céline Dion, but the concert was canceled because of her health.
We had Vegas shenanigans and a pseudo-Marquette reunion with friends Brad, Kyle and Greg. We ate a one of our favorite restaurants: Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant and Bar.
We also had an awesome experience yesterday at "Omega Mart" by Meow Wolf Las Vegas. This interactive space starts off as a grocery store and quickly becomes something much more.
Everything is bigger in Vegas, including the hot chocolate and the omelettes at Peppermill Las Vegas. Enjoyed this tasty spot in the north end of the strip. Plus, we got a souvenir photo!
On our final night, we had quite the view at dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. It was a great way to end our trip, (which also ended up as a way to avoid a blizzard back home!).
Hollywood & Disneyland
In March, we went back to California for a cinematic weekend in Hollywood for the Academy Museum’s inaugural Oscars party and extended the trip with a two-day visit to Disneyland.
As per tradition each year, Oscar nominations were announced and Oscar Watching got in full swing James watched all 38 nominated feature films before the big night!
Watching all of the films seemed more important because James snagged tickets to Oscars Night at the Museum, an inaugural party at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Read more about the event and see photos at TheGoldKnight.com.
We turned the weekend into a reunion with friends Sarah and Joe, and Kristyn and Bill.
We also decided last-minute to extend the trip further with a visit to Disneyland for two days! We made some magical memories at the Happiest Place on Earth, and enjoyed some delicious eats at the California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
Milwaukee & Marquette
April brought a memorable trip to Milwaukee to James’ alma mater for the Marquette Liturgical Choir’s 20th anniversary reunion and concert. It felt so good to be back on campus. (See a quick video tour on James' TikTok.) It was an absolute joy to be back inside Gesu for the concert (watch the recording on Facebook).
During the weekend in Milwaukee, Matthew connected with his longtime friend, Ryan, from the Disney College Program and his family.
Celebrating friends & family
During the summer, we had some fun hanging out with friends and their pets, celebrating family and milestones including a baseball game with James’ mom’s side of the family at the Toledo Mud Hens to celebrate Brian’s birthday. We also attended a viritual bar mitzvah. Toledo Zoo adventure with the Lovitz.
Matthew’s niece Allie's 16th birthday
James’ grandma’s 88th birthday
James’ step-mom Jen's birthday
In June, we had a gathering at our house for what would have been Matthew’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. It was a lovely evening celebrating family, love and memories made over 50 years.
We also saw some fun films, including “Jurassic World: Dominion” and one of our top favorites of 2022, “Top Gun: Maverick.” We took Matthew’s mom to see both!
Hilton Head Island
We took our annual vacation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in July.
We saw an incredible sunrise, ate some delicious food, relaxed in the poo and had some wonderful family time.
Our year in theatre
The year also brought some memorable theatrical experiences.
We saw touring productions of “Come From Away,” “Waitress,” “South Pacific,” “Hamilton,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Tootsie.”
We had a fun evening supporting The Valentine Theatre’s annual gala, featuring Seth Rudetsky and Vanessa Williams. What a fun show and concert!
We saw Toledo native (and fellow Young Rep alum) Sara Sheperd in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” with so many friends and theatre family in attendance. What a community!!
In May, James had a great first show at the “Drop Dead Disco,” The Toledo Swiss Singers’ annual murder mystery. It was grooving to the beat. We had a fun time putting together our annual murder mystery. James played Cotton Blend, a disco owner fresh out of prison.
In July, our niece Addison was our little Oompa Loompa in “Willy Wonka.”
We had a night back at The Croswell for “Company.” Other productions we saw included “Footloose,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Anything Goes,” “Kinky Boots” (James also took pictures) and “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
On the way home from Hilton Head in August, we stopped in Lexington to visit family and attend “Chicago” by the Lex.
In September, we returned to one of our favorite places, Stratford, Ontario, for a quick weekend at the theatre/Shakespeare festival!! We saw productions of “Chicago” and “Richard III.”
For the holiday season, Matthew returned as Bob Crachit in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” for three weekends and 17 shows. It was an extended run that had two shows on Matthew’s birthday. James helped live stream the final weekend of shows.
Professionally, James attended his first in-person conference since 2019, held in Chicago, where he facilitated a presentation on social media, titled “Building Connections on Social Media: Being a Source of Truth and Community During an Age of COVID.” While in Chicago, he met up with friends and also toured the world’s largest Starbucks, Chicago Reserve. He reunited with his college friend Heather, along with his high school friend Patrick.
In July, James was promoted to “Supervisor of Web & Digital Media” at UToledo.
In the fall, James was also part of a political state-wide race for Nancy Larson.
In May, Matthew had his first post-pandemic work trip to Las Vegas for a global Buick GMC meeting. There was a special closing night concert at Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub (home of “Love Island USA” in 2020), featuring Barenaked Ladies and The Chainsmokers. Then, in July, his team had their first all-people (100+) in-person meeting in three years to learn, celebrate, and plan the future of their General Motors programs.
In the fall, Matthew's cousin, Mike, and his wife, Margaret, visited for the weekend and we celebrated Mike’s birthday. James' sister, Jess, won the volunteer of the year award from Owens Corning. We celebrated at special dinner and presentation.
We also attended at lecture at The University of Toledo with Tony Kushner, who afterwards signed Matthew’s copy of “Angels in America.” And closing out our celebrations, James cousin Spencer received his Eagle Scout and had his Court of Honor, and James' sister Zoe celebrated her 21st birthday.
As we look ahead, 2023 offers more travel, experiences, and chances to connect with our family and friends throughout the country.
We wish you a Happy, Prosperous, and Healthy New Year! We thank you for being a treasured part of our lives.
With love,
Matthew, James, Kitty, Sonoma, & Kira