Long December ...

"Long December" ... That's a great Counting Crows song. But its melancholy tone in no way characterizes our December. Everything was amazing, from the very first day to the very last. From the snow-filled streets of Grand Avenue to the day Santa Claus came to town to New Year's Eve, it was a smashing good end to a smashingly grand year for our family.

But we'll get to the kids in a minute. First things first: Dec. 1 ... Our anniversary! I usually try and outdo myself each year on our anniversary. Last year, for example, I'd thought it was unoutdoable. I came to Amy's work nine times that day (it was our ninth anniversary, of course) and brought her one cup of coffee, two Hershey's Kisses, three thongs ... You get the idea. So I was thinking about our 10-year anniversary and how a romantic guy such as myself really shouldn't let such a romantic milestone pass without doing some wacky, something zany, something funkalicious.

So I'm talking to a a few friends at the bar one night and the subject of "first dates" comes up. I tell them about ours, about how we got together in the parking lot of some random building near Highland Park and drank a six-pack and then went to a movie at the Grandview Theater on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. One of my friends says he's got a painting of that theater hanging up in his living room and my goodness wouldn't that be a great anniversary gift. I scour the 'Net and find nothing but some dude in Texas who will paint a picture of the theater for a measly $2,700. Um ... I don't really have that much, even for Amy. So instead of giving her some painting, I gave her Grand Avenue. I secretly arranged for her to have the day off from work and for the kids to be picked up from school by some friends. And at about 10 a.m., I strolled into her office and told her to get her coat. We hit Grand Avenue, Cafe Latté, The Grand Ole' Creamery, and then finished up the day with some shopping and a visit to the Grandview Theater. She loved it, and it worked (if you know what I mean.)

From there the month went swimmingly. Christmas brought yet another batch of Harry Potter doodads for Emma, and a bunch more Star Wars stuff for Sam. Santa was, as usual, quite generous to the kids. We visited Grandma Judy Christmas weekend where we had the usual Christmas craziness with Shelley, Dave and the boys and Kelley and Taylor. Sam got a game called "Buckaroo" which had everyone on stitches. The following weekend, we hit Grandma Carol and Grandpa Joe's, where we chilled with Beth, Bill and the their platoon of troublemakers, and Sarah (whose gift of beer is always very much appreciated.)

Finally, it was time for break to be over and the reality of school to come back into our minds. A new year has begun. May the force be with all of you.

Peace.

-Robb