How do we get to Canadialand?

A few weeks back ago on a Sunday Kris, Dane and I had nothing to do, so we thought, with Windsor, Canada less than an hour away, why not hop in the car to what what we could see.

We headed north on the freeway, passed Detroit, paid a toll and got to cross a bridge. Not quite the Golden Gate, huh?

We stopped at the travel center on the way in to pick up some maps

Kris & Dane were very excited to receive these information booklets. (Don't adjust your computer screens folks... they really are that pale)

We grabbed some Chinese food, headed to Caesar's Palace and watched the US lose to Canada in hockey... what else was there to do on a Sunday.

And we passed this on our way out of Canada, it must be where babies go to get their drink on, no?

Boulderific

This past weekend Kris headed to Boulder, Colorado to compete in the regional portion of a MBA Venture Capital Competition. He went with a team of his fellow students which included one of his closest friends in Ann Arbor, Mr. Dane Johnson. Dane's fiance Ellen and I decided to take Friday off to join them in Boulder for the remainder of the weekend.

We had a blast exploring the town and surrounding area. It was actually kind of warm compared to the chilly temps we've been having in Ann Arbor. The downtown area was in walking distance from our hotel and was filled with restaurants, shops and sights to see. The town had a very laid back vibe and the locals were incredibly nice. Here are some photos of the fun.

Here's a nice picture of the three of us at the top of a mountain just outside of Boulder (that's Dane in the background:))

Kris' team ended up winning the Entrepreneurs Choice in the competition, but unfortunately won't get to continue onto nationals. They did a great job, but the other teams had some questionable advantages. They did get to walk away with a HUGE check for $500 which they get to split 5 ways! Of course the check went everywhere we did for the rest of the weekend.

The boys celebrated their big win,

Again

And again!

Then the check had to go home with us and was carried on. It had to go though security several times, while many by standers gave annoyed faces and asked, "What's that for anyways?"

But it made it back with us in one piece... with a few bumps, scratches and dents.

Before we headed back to the airport we stopped through Denver and walked around downtown and near the art museum. This giant cow statue was just begging for this photo opp!

This little horsey did not want to be left out.

Ellen and I wrapped up the trip with a final pose.

Finally, photos from the holidays

About a month late, but better late than never, right? Here are some photos from the holidays that I finally managed to get from my camera to the computer. Such a great time filled with so many of our loved ones!

Kris, Jeremy (an old colleague from KPMG) and I on the roof top of Peggy & Ed's in SF on NYE.

10 years prior to this date Peggy's friend Tania Kiani (pictured on left) dragged her to SF for a NYE party. It was at this party that Ed and his friend Laura (pictured on right) met the lovely Peggy. 4 years later on this date Laura married them in their lovely home in SF.

Grammy and Anne posing together on NYE

Kris and I helped Oliver find his toys. Quite the stash!

The Walls hosted the family holiday celebration on Christmas evening in Santa Barbara

Kris & Grammy

Rich & Katie

Guess what Grandma made for us for Christmas?

Kris & I were part of the new tradition of going out to Chinese on Christmas Eve with my Dad and brother Cliff. The restaurant was packed and it was delicious, I think we'll keep up this tradition.

I have officially shut down my recruiting/interview process and accepted a summer internship in the investment banking division of UBS in San Francisco. Thank goodness I can continue working for a firm that is technically Swiss.

Back to the Midwest

We know this post is very late, but we're back in the Midwest and settling into life here after our wonderful holiday break. We're experiencing some technical difficulties so we have not been able to get our pictures from the camera to the computer, hopefully we'll sort that out soon and post some pics of our time in CA. The above picture was taken by my brother Cliff in my family's backyard on Christmas morning, such a sunny and beautiful day.

Kris is in crazy productive mode and is back in school on top of interviewing for his summer internship. He's hoping to land a position in Finance on the West Coast, so think good thoughts for him.

I'm back at work and we just have the nicest group of families right now. I'm really enjoying working more closely with families again. Tons of people from the community have been calling me and wanting to get involved. Friday I met with the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity's Philanthropy Chair, his group would like to begin volunteering with us, which means that I may have to hold a training at the Frat House in the next couple of weeks. Should be interesting!

On a happy note Kris recently participated in the Venture Capital Investment Competition, a national competition for MBAs. His team won the first round of the competition on Friday and received funding to represent U of M at the regional competition in Boulder, CO in February. Woo Woo!

Seriously?!?!?

I just looked at the weather channel and it says, "Ann Arbor is currently 11 degrees but feels like -6". It literally hurts to breath on my way to school, and even though school is close it is still a long time without oxygen. Good thing I received a snuggy for my b-day (shout out to 'Zona!). I would post a picture of me in it, but even though I am not planning on ever running for office that photo would probably come back to haunt me.

On the school front I am still getting absolutely killed. Between school/recruiting/clubs I am swamped. Good news though, I received a check ++ on an assignment today...which I think is the highest grade other than a smiley face. Who knew business school had the same grading scale as preschool.

First Snow

Tonight we had our first snow that actually stuck to the ground. We've had a few flurries over the last week, but nothing like today.

So we both threw on our new winter gear and ran out into the winter wonderland. There were tons of students out walking around and yelling, "First Snow!"

Kris decided to try his luck at reenacting the famous Christmas Story scene.
It didn't stick.

Then we built our first very pathetic snowman.

And I took a rest.

...here we go!