Dallas Bound

The Packers are going to the Super Bowl. Oh, haven't you heard?

But before anyone could book their flights the Pack had to win the NFC Championship last Sunday. I don't think I've ever seen Matt more jacked up than he was before the game started. Since one of his favorite hobbies is to pepper me with questions when I'm reading or watching TV, I thought I might take the opportunity to return the favor (note: only between plays) asking stuff like, "if we eat animal crackers, would it be weird if Ralphie at human crackers?" and "can we talk about our feelings for a really long time?" Hilar. GG's nap wrapped up right during half time so she joined the fun. First order of business was to get her out of her clothes and into the appropriate cheering ensemble. Second was to cheer on her daddy's team. I have also hopped onto the GB Bandwagon, if for no other reason than the direct correlation between their success and the general attitude in my home. So hallelujah Packers. Bring home that one last win and maybe I'll be able to get that tennis bracelet (ha!).

Ho Ho Hooooooly Cats It Was A Crazy Holiday

Christmas 2010 has come and gone, and it was definitely a fun one. We had K&K and S&E over on Christmas Eve for the annual Maio tradition of Chinese take out followed by gifts galore. I'm sure you can imagine who scored big time this Christmas. Genevieve did pretty well too (ha!). It started with a singing card from Ramona (a pseudo-Maio) which sang Jingle Bells. And since Geeg knows the words to Jingle Bells, she is still opening and closing and reopening it today. Truly a gift that keeps on giving.

Jingle all the way!

Then the camcorders flipped on and we got down to business. GG really got into unwrapping the gifts up this year, with our favorite consistent comment being, "::giant gasp in:: it's a white box!!". Hilar. She got piles and piles of Thomas stuff from Grandma and Grandpa, some fun jewelry and hair accessories, and from Auntie Erin & Uncle Steve a super cute pink pig ornament that almost made her pass out with joy.

THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMASSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Cheeeeeeeeeese

After we were all stuffed and appropriately gifted, everyone bundled up and headed home so we could get little miss off to bed. She definitely knows who Santa is and what function he serves but she doesn't quite grasp that he comes at night and magically deliver presents under the tree. So Christmas morning we awoke and once again busted out the camcorder to capture the reaction when she walked into the previously empty living room to find it filled to the brim with goodness. It was so, so fun spending Christmas morning just the three of us together, especially since this is our last Christmas in this house. There were an obscene number of gifts to go around, and along with piles of puzzles and books AND a trampoline, GG got the one thing she's been asking for since this summer: a pink Boo-ers hat.

#1 fan

Carnage. But oh yes, that's a Kitchen Aid mixer you see. Thanks, Santa Baby

Once the destruction was minimally contained we refueled on a super healthy breakfast of chocolate twist donuts. Deeeeeeeeelish. Then we packed the Pilot and the Poodle and made the trek westward to Rochester. We made absolute RECORD time - just a hair over 4 hours - thanks to only stopping for gas once and not actually ever taking Genevieve out of her seat. Ahh the beauty of a kid who can eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while strapped in to a car seat. We arrived in plenty of time for dinner followed by - what else? - even more presents. This time the tot got a huge easel and piles of toys and clothes from Grandma and Pop Pop, and a sled from Uncle Grant. She's only been in a sled once so we were anxious to bust it out the next day.

A little pre-present warm up

Hey, I know how to do this

Yes, those are matching doggy reindeer jammies

The next day we got all bundled and headed outside. Too bad there wasn't any snow to play in. Oh sorry, I'm confusing this year with five years ago when we were married in Rochester and there was nary a flake on the ground. This year there were several feet already, just waiting to be flopped on. Uncle Grant had even taken time earlier in the week to build a humongous snow fort for Genevieve to play in (or so the claim went. If you ask me he knew a toddler was coming and took the opportunity to revisit his youth by building a fort but under the guise of 'um, it's for the 2 year old'. Busted). As with most things Genevieve was super cautious on the approach and not very interested in heading inside. But once I sort of dragged her in she loved it!

You want me to go where now?

Hey, this is just my size!

We wanted to get the sled out too but first we grabbed our ancient sled from the 80's just to drag her around the yard. Genevieve burst into tears and truly wanted nothing to do with it, but apparently it seemed mighty appealing to Grandma.

I shall help Pop Pop shovel instead

As parents Matt and I try to appreciate that Genevieve is not a fearless kid and that it takes her a while to warm up to the idea of trying new things (hello, I did laps around the wading pool with her for a half hour this summer before she would go in to her little ankles). So although sledding day 1 was not a hit, we tried again the next day on a little hill near my parents' home. The first run was a tear-fest but after the second or third go, someone decided she loved sledding. We went down and back up, down and back up, down and back up for an hour. There was no wind, and the sun was shining...it was so fun!

"Daddy, go FAST!"

Success!

"I crawl in the snow like a baby". Whatever you say, kiddo

Preparing for Round I with Grandma

Giving the hamstrings a work out. Wait, is she....?

Yep, she chose to lay wounded-soldier-style up the hill. It's all fun and games until someone flips out of the sled.

Where better to wrestle than the snow?

Snow bunny family

We stayed through Wednesday so there was plenty of time to hang out with our favorite Roch friends, the Kroenings. Their kiddos are getting so big and adorable, and it is always fun when we actually have a chance to get together and catch up.

Poor Henry is all, "why am I here?"

I love this one. Henry is looking at GG, GG is looking at Miles, and Miles is looking...well, who knows, but it's adorable

We headed out for a burger then back to my parents' place to play a little PS3 Move (Matt's big gift from Santa). Miles and GG were totally monkey-see monkey-do so it was no surprise when they too wanted to play a little.

Hey it glows. Gimmie that.

We headed home on Wednesday with another pretty easy drive. Maybe Geeg is making up for the migraine-inducing screams she used to present us with on car rides. Either way the car was loaded to the brim with loot and we were really glad to have had extended time with our family and friends.

We spent the rest of the week hanging out and on New Year's Eve dropped GG off for her first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's (direct Karl quote, "I can't believe I'm eating spaghetti and chicken patties for New Year's"), after which Matt and I headed to Menard's to buy them out of totes and other packing supplies. I ask you, what says five years of wedded bliss better than saving big money at Menard's??? Very little. We spent most of the night scratching the tip of the packing iceberg but around 8 p.m. finally got ready to celebrate our anniversary with a meal at one of the best restaurants in the city, Sanford. It's a teeny tiny east-side establishment with a James Beard award-winning chef and a Zagat rating which we've been dying to try since I moved here. What better time than our 5 year wedding anniversary? It was a great gastronomic adventure and worth every penny. The leisurely pace of a five course meal meant we got home with just 15 minutes to spare before the clock struck midnight. We couldn't believe that it was the last anniversary that we would spend in the same living room where we got engaged (::tear::), but at the same time we are both thrilled to welcome 2011. To 2010 I have a personal message: kiss my a$$. You sucker punched me one too many times and therefore we are no longer friends. But ahh 2011, darling, sweet 2011. We have high hopes for you. Let's start with some real estate, shall we?!?!?