Labor Day Extravaganza

On August 26, 2008, I turned 32. To celebrate, Marcee & I decided---check that, I decided and Marcee was kind enough to indulge me---to criss-cross the country for a Labor Day extravaganza of sporting events. First, we headed to Columbus to catch Ohio State's home opener against the Penguins of Youngstown State. It was Marcee's first time to the Horseshoe and the Buckeyes did not disappoint with a 43-0 victory and a quadruple "Script Ohio" at halftime. In addition, we got to spend the night in Peggy's recently renovated Bexley Park abode and to check out Stephen's recently acquired Pickett Place digs. On Sunday, Marcee & I jetted into New York where we immediately headed out to the USTA center in Flushing Meadow for 12 hours of US Open tennis. Joined by Bronwyn, Luigi, Joshie P, Charlotte and her husband Nick, we got to see several of the games' greats including Federer, Roddick and Nadal. However, the highlight of our time at the US Open was a 4 set thriller involving Novak Djokovic & several appearances by our crew on the stadium Jumbotron. The match concluded at ~1am. Click here to see pictures from the weekend.

Jon Harris' 60th B-Day

To celebrate Jon Harris' 60th B-Day, the extended Harris-Leff family descended upon Disneyland in the middle of August. The group numbered 13 in total, with ages ranging from 2-69. Hard to say who had a better time, the youngsters (Melanie & Jenna) or the group's elder statesmen (who shall remain nameless:). Highlights of the trip included dinner at Goofy's Kitchen, soaring & screaming over the state at California Adventure and the Pixar Parade. I think Melanie captured it best when she said, "I saw all of my friends!" Matthew & Peter put in a guest appearance and Marcee & I snuck into LA to see Wendy, Harley & Laura before heading to LAX. Judy's pictures and captions of the weekend were terrific. Click here to check 'em out.

First Wedding Anniversary

Shortly after returning from the river, Marcee & I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We headed up the coast for a few days of rest and relaxation in Mendocino where we stayed in one of the area's most romantic bed & breakfasts, the Brewery Gulch Inn. Tracy & Marc had stayed there just a few months before. Highlights of the trip included a trip to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, dinner at Cafe BeauJolias and canoeing on the Big River. That, plus lazing away in bed watching movies & tennis while eating pizza! Marcee gave me a photo album of pre-wedding related pictures and had a graphic designer set our wedding vows. I made her a crossword puzzle based on all of our adventures together this year and designed a pair of Converse sneakers to match the ones I wore at our wedding. We both wore our wedding sneaks all day in what I hope will become an anniversary tradition.

Rocky Mountain River Tours

Shortly after meeting Marcee, I heard about Jon Harris' annual pilgrimage to Idaho for a week of river rafting. This year, I got to experience the trip firsthand. Marcee & I and Tracy & Marc joined Jon & Judy on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for 5 days of rafting with Rocky Mountain Tours. It was Jon's 13th time down the Middle Fork. The trip was everything that Jon promised and more (except for the part where I got thrashed by a recirculating rapid at Tappan Falls). The food was amazing, the scenery was beautiful, the guides were capable & kind, and the rafting was exhilarating. The highlights of the trip were to numerous to mention so I will let Judy's pictures & captions tell the tale. Click here to see them.