End of the Year Road Trip

Much like everyone else, Todd and I spent our Christmas and New Years holidays on the road.   A short description of our trip is that we covered 2453+ miles in 47+ hours over a period of 12 days.   For the extended version please keep reading .... 

We left Little Rock on the Dec. 22nd and made our way up to Scott AFB, IL.   While there we stayed the night with some great friends Mike, Sarah, and Yliana Good.  It was so great to see them, we hadn't seen them since our wedding, and it was the first time we were able to see Yliana since she was born.  We decided that while in STL we needed to check out the Arch which is what we did bright and early on the 23rd.   After paying for parking and tickets to go up the arch it was a bit of a let down (in my opinion).  Yes, it was super cool to be up that high, but after spending 5 minutes up at the top there isn't anything else to do.  The good news is I can now check it off my list of things to do.   Once we were done in St. Louis we headed up to Naperville, IL to stay the night with my Uncle Mike & Aunt Nonni.  We timed it just perfectly (and completely on accident!) to help them celebrate Nonni's birthday.   Like always, it was so great to see Mike, Nonni, and Kami (and not only because of the Portillo's chocolate cake!)

In the pod on the way up to the top of the Arch

Busch Stadium 

Checking out the view

Christmas Eve we were on the road early headed up to Racine, WI to spend it with the Beales' side of Todd's family.  I enjoyed eating a smorgasbord (I've always liked using that word) of food while meeting many new family members.   We also enjoyed a fun game of White Elephant.   I was lucky enough to draw #1 (in Todd's family its the best position to be in) so I was able to unwrap many presents.  In the end, I picked a lava lamp because Todd's always wanted one.  After finishing with the Beales' in the evening we headed up to Plymouth, WI to spend some time with Todd's parents and brother, Eric.   We opened presents and then played games the rest of the night. 

John & Karen with John's Mom

Eric, Grandma Beales, Todd, and me

Todd opening his present

John & Karen opening their gift .... a US flag flown during one of Todd's missions in Afghanistan

We spent Christmas day with the Reimer's clan (Todd's Mom's side) up in Bailey's Harbor, WI at Grandma Reimer's house.   This is located in Door County which is a very well-known area in Wisconsin specifically for its beauty.  Todd still has alot of aunts, uncles, and cousins that live in the area so like Christmas Eve it was another day of meeting alot of new people (and of course eating food).  After many hours there we headed back to the in-law's place to stay the night. 

The next day was another new adventure for the both of us - we went to our first Packers game!  It was actually both of our first professional football game too.   The game was the Giants vs Packers at Lambeau Field.  Turns out some of the Reimer side was headed to the game as well so we tailgated with them for a bit.  They were also nice enough to loan us some extra winter clothes to help keep us warm.  I think I would have froze if it weren't for their clothes!   When the sun was out it was somewhere around 25 degrees and only got colder as the sun went down before half time.    I had on so much clothing that I wasn't too cold or too hot, which means I had an awesome time at the game!   The Packers winning and keeping their playoff hopes alive made it even sweeter.   I think I took about 300 hundred pictures at the game, so I've decided to spare everyone with adding just a few ...  

Todd and Eric

I borrowed a puffy jacket and ski jumper for the game.

#27 is Brandon Jacobs, he played at Auburn when I was there

Only minutes left in the game

Packers win = big smiles by all

Packers beat the Giants - 45 to 17

After the game we headed even further north to the UP (upper Michigan).  We stayed in the UP for 2 days at the Gifford's house.  (When Todd was growing up he lived in the UP and spent alot of his time at the Gifford's.)  While we were there we really didn't do much of anything.  It was so relaxing and much needed!  

We then spent another night at Todd's parents house in Plymouth only to then to keep heading down south to Milwaukee.   Our first night and only night in Milwaukee was Dec. 29th, which was the day that Dave and Alison flew into town.  (Dave was a groomsman in our wedding.)  We went out that night with the two of them plus Eric to The Safe House.  This is a spy-themed bar that has loads to occupy your time.  A person could play black jack for drinks, watch the magician, sing karaoke, or just sit and with friends.  They also have a lot of secret tricks planted around the building like a men's bathroom door that when opened is a brickwall.   Its clearly something different then the typical bar.   

To cap our 12 day excursion, we spent the last 3 nights in Chicago for New Years.  Again, Todd and I didn't really do much, we had both already been to Chicago.  The one thing that we did go see was the Bean (aka Cloudgate), this was Todd's first time to see it. Other than that we eat, drink, and sleep.  We spent our New Years eating dinner at the Tavern at the Park which was delicious!!   Then on to the party at the Crystal Gala on Navy Pier with 4,000 of our closest friends.   Needless to say, this will be the last year that we do anything like that, we both agreed that we would much rather be at a house party or neigborhood bar with friends.   The point of our time in Chicago was to hang out with Dave and Alison one last time before we leave the states.  I think the overall consensus is that we had a great time and enjoyed the time together.

Todd under the Bean

Before heading out for NYE

We finally headed home on Jan. 2nd after dropping Dave and Alison off at O'Hare.  I believe it took us somewhere around 12 hours, but at least we had Harry Potter on tape to keep us awake.

In closing .... we hope everyone has a safe and happy 2011!!