Good News!!!

December 15th!!!

We are having Gioia's 1st Birthday Party on Sunday. We'll post more pictures next week.

Valpo Trip and Easter

We took a little trip to Indiana for my basketball team to participate in the National Lutheran Tournament at Valparaiso University the last weekend in March. This year, Kim was able to come along for the first time. My Mom and Tyler (nephew) met us there. Here are some pictures of the trip as well as some from Easter.

Tyler during our first game against a school from Wisconsin. We went 2-2 in the tournament, with our last game against Trinity - Waconia, MN.

Tyler and Gioia had a great time playing with each other for 4 days.

Grandma and the kids hanging out in the hotel room. Kim and Grandma got Gioia to take her first couple steps in the hotel room.

Once the games were done, it was time to wrestle.

Gioia eventually won by taking down Tyler.

This is one of the few moments Gioia was in a good mood during the week of Easter. She is having a real tough time with her top front teeth coming in.

In April, my Uncle Mark & Aunt Kari are visiting during the middle of the month. We are planning on going with them to the Grand Canyon. We will be wrapping up the month with Gioia's birthday......I am not coaching baseball this year, so I'll be having a pretty relaxing spring.

March 2010

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been so long since we've updated Gioia's blog! We've been busy with Jay's basketball team, saying bon voyage to the Vikings super bowl hopes, and enjoying family visiting! Phil came out for his annual golf trip February 19-22nd. We were able to enjoy some time with him when he wasn't busy on the course. February 26th, we drove out to San Diego to visit some MN Schutte's! Great-Grandma Schutte, Gloria, Paul and LuAnn were there visiting. We viewed the new school and celebrated Connie and Joanna's birthday with Oliver and Pat's family who are always fun! Paul and LuAnn traveled back with us to Las Vegas to spend some time at the tables...at least that was the plan.

Grandma Ruzicka and Aunt Jacqui visited for a week during their spring break. Jacqui got her 1st experience with Vegas and can't wait to come back while Grandma 'pushed' mom and dad out of the way and got her fun with Gioia:)

Can't wait to be back to MN this summer (a new baby to meet and wedding to celebrate)!!!

We're traveling to Indiana on March 25th for Jay's basketball tournament. We are going to meet Grandma Schutte & Cousin Tyler there.

Gioia is 10 months old now and of course wanting to learn about everything! She is very attentive and active! Although it dosen't show by her petite body, she is very strong, trying to get out of her crib, into/out of the bathtub and pulling herself up to stand. Soon, she'll be taking off with out help. Enjoy these pictures and the video at the end...Gioia's newest milestone!!!


I really like walking up the steps...not so much down though.




Grandma Ruzicka and Jacqui can't believe how big I've gotten.

We took a drive down to the Hoover Dam. The new bridge is almost complete....yes there is a window behind her:)

Gioia not really into pictures today.

I'm eating all normal food now. Enjoying some pasta with mom and dad. It always tastes better when they eat some first. I'm more interested in wearing this particular dish:)

This is what's happening in December!

Gioia started to do the army crawl last week.



Now she's getting around everywhere in the house.

Kim was in the kitchen when she heard Gioia laughing. Gioia got stuck in her toy basket.

Already a Vikings fan! Watching them kick butt against the Bears.

This is her way of helping us decorate the house.

She didn't scream. She really didn't know what to think about Santa.

Kim's office decorates a Christmas tree that helps supports a local charity. We went to see it Friday night, amongst all the others in the "Magical Forest." Gioia loved all of the lights and the little train that kept driving by. By the time it was time to go, she was bouncing around and singing with the music. Gioia also got to experience her first few snow flakes as we were pulling up to the house.

Halloween at Big Bear Lake, CA

We headed out to Big Bear Lake in California for Halloween with Jon, Marti and the boys. We wanted to camp in the tent, but the weather was too cold at night (lows in the 20s). The boys went Trick-or-treating in the Village, while we fell asleep at the cabin for a family nap. Here are somes pictures of the trip.





Gioia destroying Mommy's pumpkin from work.



Gioia's Halloween Costume!



The cabin at Big Bear Lake, California.



She lasted 30-minutes on the lake.

Cruise'n on the lake with snow in the mountains

Jon and 2/3 of the troops!

Luke claiming the only catch of the day.

Bobble Head Gioia

We're probably the worse parents in the world for making fun of our kid, but this was just too funny to pass up.

We are going camping and fishing this weekend in California, so we'll post some pictures sometime next week.

Gioia in her new jumpster

Gioia at 5-months old