Happy Birthday Nik!

On this day, 19 years ago our oldest son Nikolas Jeffery Wunrow entered the world. It was a long hard day for Chris. Nik was a big baby at 9 pounds, 5 ounces. That's a lot of baby for someone as petite as my lovely bride. But I know we are so happy to be blessed by our little ray of sunshine. Nik continues to brighten our day with his wonderful smile and his kind and gentle spirit. We celebrated Niks 19th birthday at his favorite resturant Benihana. He loves the veggie fried rice and orders a double helping. We never get tired of the show the chef puts on. This year we had an exceptionally good show, very animated and entertaining. Nik received a new iPod from Chris and I, a case for his iPod from his brother Alex and an iTunes gift card from little sister Catie. As Nik put it, the iPod now completes his mobile media upgrade that he started last summer with his cell phone, digital camera and laptop. Happy Birthday Nik, we love you!

Grandpa's Christmas Surprise!

Having lived out of state for the last 18 years, one of the way's our family has adjusted to holiday gift giving is my Dad sends Chris and I a check to cover the gifts for the five of us. This year, I was teasing Dad that I was holding out on telling him what I bought for my self on his behalf, because Christmas is all about surprises. This way the gift will still be a surprise, except surprise is on him! I've been stringing this along for over a month now so I feel it is time to reveal the big news. I had a chance today to actually go out and use the gift that Dad and Bonnie got me. So without further adieu, I will reveal the surprise by way of pictures. Can you figure out what the gift is?

Nope, its not a hat, or a jacket, or an all expenses paid trip to Lake Minnewashta...

It's a pair of Atlas Snowshoes!

I found these Atlas Showshoes on the REI Outlet site a couple of weeks before Christmas for 75% off. I could not believe what a smokin' deal it was. I placed the order and anxiously waited for them to be shipped to my local REI for pick up. Well, I kinda misread the fine print and instead of arriving two days before Christmas, they arrived two weeks after Christmas! The good news is I have them now, and there is still plenty of snow on the ground. I did go Lake Minnewashta Park today and gave them a trial run. I had a great time, romping around off the beaten trail. Thanks Dad and Bonnie! It was a Merry Christmas!

Upon Further Review...

Well, my period of mourning is over and I'm ready to write about last weekend. Lets start off with the really good stuff. My Cousin Rich (technically cousin in law, but he's always been a cousin to me) starting his new job at Mortenson last week. He and I went out to dinner on Friday night at Jake O'Connors, in downtown Excelsior. We both enjoyed a Friday fish fry and a few really good Irish beers. It was great to catch up with him on his new job. It sounds like an awesome opportunity for him. Chris and I are also excited to have more family close by.

On Saturday we awoke to a temperature of -15 degrees. Add the wind chill factor and it felt like 25 below zero! That kind of cold will take your breath away if you take too deep a breath. Catie and I had planned to attend the first annual Excelsior Arctic Festival. When we moved here I vowed not the let the cold dictate what we do on the weekend. So around noon Catie and I bundled up and headed out for our Nordic hike. We hiked out to Frog Island which is 1/2 mile out on Lake Minnetonka from the Excelsior Commons. It was still -5 at noon, with a good wind blowing across the lake. We made it out to the Island and explored a bit. We found a rope swing that people use in the summer to swing out into the lake. Catie tried it out a few times. Not quite the same when you can't let go and dive into the water. One the way back Catie suggesting we nock on the door of one of the many fish houses on the lake and ask if we could come in a chat for a while. Instead, we hiked back to the commons were they had a huge bonfire set up on the beach. By then I had ice hanging from my whiskers. Volunteers were making S'Mores which tasted really good after the hike. We warmed ourselves by the fire for a while before making a trip to McDonald's for a late lunch.

Sunday we waited with great anticipation for the Packer game. Lets just say that we did not get the outcome we were hoping for. The team looked tight and nervous right from the opening kickoff and never really did get on track. In the end the better team won. It wouldn't have felt right for the Packers to back into the Super Bowl. It was still a magical season. I have so many great memories. Alex and I journeying to Lambeau in August to see the Packers play the Jaguars, Alex's favorite team. Alex along with my cousin Jon Wunrow and his son Seth seeing the Packers beat the Vikings in Minneapolis, the game where Brett threw touchdown pass number 421, breaking the record held by Dan Morrino. Being able to see all the Packer games on Sunday Ticket when Brett broke the record for most wins and most yards in a career. Having the team that just two years ago was 4-12 go 13-3 was awesome. No mater what happens in the off season this team was something special and brought me much joy.

8 hours until game time

The week leading up to the NFC Championship game has been a blast. Every day there are articles in the Minneapolis paper about the Packers. My favorite Packer fan podcast (Packers Therapy) is now doing two shows a week leading up to the big game. The official Green Bay Packer podcast has posted anywhere from 3-5 interviews with players and coaches per day. Add to that the Sports Illustrated and NFL web sites and I've been able to live and breath Packer football as much as I want all week!

I'm so looking forward to the actual game now. The way the team has been playing I really feel like they have a shot at winning. It's been very cold here, and I know the temps in Green Bay will be similar. Game time it should be at or below zero and a significant wind to bring the wind chill to near Ice bowl like conditions. The Packer offensive lineman have all stated that they will be wearing short sleeves today. That's crazy! I hope their Moms can talk some sense into them. Win or loose, this has been a great season. So much more than I ever dreamed it would be. I'm going to enjoy every minute of the the Championship game today and dream of a possible return to the Super Bowl! Go Pack Go!

Packers reach NFC Championship game!

What can I say? I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement. The Green Bay Packers, my team, are back in the NFC Championship game for the first time in 10 years! We had a small group of friends over to watch the game yesterday. It didn't start off very promising with Running Back Ryan Grant fumbling the ball away on 2 of his first 3 touches. Seattle was able to convert these mistakes into an early 14 point lead. Mike McCarthy did a great job of keeping the players calm. The Packers then proceed to score 6 touchdowns on their next 6 possessions. During this stretch the Packers defense allowed only 2 field goals. The game started with a light snow falling, but it continued to snow harder as the game wore on. At times the visibility was very low. The playoff atmosphere at Lambeau, with the snow falling... well it just doesn't get any better! I'm attaching a few video links with game highlights.

Brett Favre highlights:
Ryan Grant highlights:
Favre Magic:

Now we look forward to the late game today featuring the NY Giants at the Dallas Cowboys to determine the Packers opponent in the Championship game. I'm rooting for the Giants so we can have the Championship game played at Lambeau field.

Top of the World

Today is a sad day for adventurers and outdoor enthusiates around the world. Sir Edmund Hillary passed away today in New Zealand of a heart attack. For those that don't know him, Hillary along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to set foot on Mt. Everest, the worlds tallest mountain, to roof of the world. The pair where a part of the 9th British expedition to the mountain. At 29,002 feet above sea level, Everest's summit raises as high into the atmosphere as a typical passenger jet flying at cruising altitude!

I have been a lover of the mountains for most of my life. I moved to California to be near them. I have spent many vacations hiking, climbing and exploring the mountains of the American west. However, ever since my teens I have been infatuated with the really big peaks. The Himalaya were three of the 5 highest mountains reside and home to Mount Everest hold my rapt attention each spring during climbing season. I have read countless books about Hillary and many who have followed in his foot steps. One of my life goals is to trek to Everest base camp, to see this amazing peak up close.

The story of Hillary and Tenzing captivated my childhood imagination. It made me aware of the harshness, danger, beauty and drama that a big mountain holds. His story is the first one to grab me, to make me want to learn more, to read and see more. Thank you Edmund, for lighting the fire of adventure that has burned in my heart ever since.