Say Cheese!

For those of you who haven't already heard, Mike has been offered a GM position at a Hilton Garden Inn in Oshkosh, WI - and it should go without saying that he has graciously accepted their invitation.  That's right! We're moving to Wisconsin! This is a big career-step for Mike because the property is bigger than any hotel he has operated before and it will provide new and exciting challenges that he is really looking forward to (including a restaurant/lounge, a banquet hall that seats 400, and even a parking lot that accommodates aircraft!).  Check out the website to further satisfy your curiosity!  http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=OSHGIGI 

We will surely miss New Orleans.  We've lived here a year-and-a-half and we've grown very fond of calling it home.  And although we're leaving behind some lifelong friends, we'll be taking with us a lot of unforgetable memories. Mike will miss hot sausage Po'Boys, fresh oysters, Abita beer, Tom Fitzmorris, and golfing in January.  I will miss palm trees, roast beef Po'Boys, the first house Madelyn called home, drive-thru daiquiris, and my friends.  Neither one of us will miss cockroaches, "Who dat", 8.5% state tax, 8.5% parish tax, or sweltering hot summers.  Maddie says she'll miss Emma, powdered sugar from Cafe DuMonde, and her bedroom.

But this isn't all sad!  This is a great move!  Not only for Mike's career but for us as a family too!  We'll live so much closer to friends and family in Michigan!  Our drive to Grand Rapids is being reduced from 17hours to 6hours!  Perfect!  And Chicago, one of our favorite cities, is a short 3hour road trip away.  We couldn't be more excited! 

Merry Christmas 2011

Boldly going where we have never been before..

Captain's Log, star date 1208.2011.  This is the first entry (long overdue) from the man of the house.  I enjoy reading this blog, the only one I read, and felt compelled to contribute. 

We are in the heart of the holiday season, a time when the media reminds us that things will be stressful.  Between work, shopping, traveling, overeating, and the rest of it, so many people lose some of the holiday spirit in the hustle and bustle.  They are in a foot race at walmart for the last iPhone, iPod, iPad or Tickle Me Elmo.  Afterwards, sporting a fresh bruise and the perfect gift, they return home to have one mother tell them how they should cook dinner, and the other tell them that the house could use a good cleaning.  Too many people are eagerly awaiting the return to the routine that January offers.

Little Maddie, now 8 months old, has just seen her first Thanksgiving.  It was a great time, especially because the whole Mueller crew made the trip to New Orleans to help us celebrate.  She stayed pleanty busy socializing with the family and picking up fun new tricks from her older cousins.  We ate gumbo and po boys and beignets in addition to a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  Stacy was an amazing hostess!  She kept the great food coming and left us with no shortage of things to do.  We visited the French Quarter and French Market, went shopping, ate at Acme Oyster House, and more.  The only sad part was watching the family pack up and leave after a short 3-day visit.

Since that visit our baby girl has continued to grow at an amazing rate.  In the past few weeks she has sprouted 4 new teeth!  She has had a few moments of obvious pain, but typically remained in good spirit.  She is crawling so quickly, responding when we call her name, walking around with help from parents or furniture, and even giving kisses on demand.  Madelyn also had an opportunity yesterday to visit with a bunch of her Parenting Center buddies as moms and babies gathered near Audobon Park for their first ever "Real Housewives NOLA Christmas Party." 

We will miss spending time with the Muellers and Glasses for Christmas but a part of me is glad that it will just be the 3 1/2 of us this year.  I have discovered an increasing appreciation for Christmas time over the past couple years.  From a time of hustle and bustle, working, spending, and eating, it has transformed into thoughts of how fortunate I am and memories that have brought me here.  I remember my engagement to Stacy, a moment and a woman who has changed my life for the better.  I remember our first married Christmas as we thought about the next one and the little jalepeno we would spend it with.  Now, with Madelyn here, we celebrate our first Christmas as a family.  Without distractions, without chaos and stress, we can sit together snuggled by the tree and appreciate these times, making memories for the years to come.

Happy Holidays from the Glass Family!