How 'Bout Them Hawkeyes!

If you thought our Christmas week was busy our New Year's week was even busier. My folks, Matt and I drove to Chicago Sunday night so we could get up and make our 6 am flight to Tampa the next morning. Matt and I watched Flight of the Phoenix on the way to Chicago, which was a questionable choice considering it is about a plane crash and we would be boarding an airplane the next morning :). But we made it down to Florida safe and sound.

It was 80 degrees when we arrived in Florida so after we checked into our hotel we made a bee-line to the nearest restaurant (which happened to be at a mall) and ate outside at an Italian bistro. Matt also hit the "Oakley" jackpot at the mall when the Oakley store had all of their shirts 50% off. Fifty dollars and five shirts later he exited the store grinning ear to ear! We met up with Joanna and Cory for dinner and planned out our week.

Tuesday was HAWKEYE DAY!! We got up early to attend the Beach Bash, which was at Clearwater Beach. It was a little chilly in the morning but warmed up to about 80 degrees. We watched the band play, saw many Hawkeye players, bought Outback bowl gear and just relaxed in the sun! Matt and I also walked down to "the spot" where he proposed to me almost four years ago. Don't worry we did a reenactment complete with pictures. After we left the Beach we went back to the hotel and cleaned up for the Hawkeye Huddle!

Wednesday was a "free" day with the only Hawkeye related event was the parade later that night. So we decided to go to the Zoo!! It wasn't the biggest zoo but it was set up so nicely with each animal separated by its native country. After the zoo we got ready for the parade, which was in Ybor City. The parade was really nice with 20 bands playing including Grete's high school alma mater the Waverly Go-Hawks! The parade was kind of like a Mardi Gras parade with all the bead throwing however no one's tops were removed in order to retrieve the beads :). After the parade we ate in downtown Ybor City before going back to the hotel. Matt and I tried our hardest to make it to midnight for our New Year's kiss but being a pregnant chick and the fact we had to get up early the next morning for the game we kissed at eleven and called it a night - we are definitely getting old!!

Thursday was GAMEDAY!! We got up early to meet at Jo and Cory's hotel, which was about a mile from the stadium. We walked to the stadium a couple hours before game time to take in the sights and sounds of all the Hawkeye fans tailgating. We even got to see my cousin Stephanie and g0t a picture with Herky! Once we entered the stadium we found our seats - which were awesome -, grabbed some grub, and waited for the game to start. I don't have to tell you that the game was AMAZING!!! It was such a nice day and the fact the Hawks played so well made it even better. Especially after making the trip down to the Orange Bowl five years ago to watch the Hawks get slaughtered it was nice to see them win! After the game we dressed up for a nice dinner at Roy's, which was a Hawaiian fusion restaurant by our hotel. The service was very good (the waitress placed the napkins in your lap when you sat down) and the food was even better especially the dessert! Later that night, Matt finally got to feel the baby kick!!! He/she must have been celebrating the Hawks victory because the kicks kept coming! It was a great way to start the New Year!!

Early Friday morning we left for the airport and made our way back to Iowa. It was quite a shock going from 70 degrees to around 30. But we were glad to be home and even happier to pick up our little Hayden - we missed her! She had a great week staying at Matt's folks house and it made leaving her easier knowing that she was having such a good time while we were gone. Thanks Mom and Dad Hatz!!

So that was our trip in a nutshell!! We had a great time and it was nice to get away. Now that the holidays are over we are focusing on BABY including registering, getting the nursery ready and trying to prepare for parenthood. We know that April will be here before we know it!