First Advent Sunday

Today was the first Advent Sunday.  Our family is taking time each week to look forward to Christmas and focus on the birth of Christ.  Today we read from Isaiah 9 about the prophecy of the coming Messiah.  It's a great way to get the kids focused on what Christmas is all about, Jesus. 
After we talked about the Bible, we did a craft together.  Today's craft was a snowman placemat!

Steffen's Jewelry

Steffen's Jewelry is having an open house today as the Christmas shopping season gets into full gear.  Heather is helping out at the store today and made a hot holiday beverage for the occassion.  They are running a promotional and have refreshments for their customers.

In addition to high quality jewelry, they have a number of collectibles and gift items.

 

So, I'm managing crowd control at home.  Alex had basketball practice today.  My parents stopped by this morning and took the kids out for breakfast.  I'm feeling under the weather but enjoying time at home.  It's fun to get into the holiday season!

Emma's Open House

Emma had a program at school this evening.  She had a lead role in one of their songs.  She got to dress up like a lady bug.  Her whole 2nd grade class sang several songs and then we went back to her room and she showed us around.  She's doing very well in school and has aspirations to be a teacher when she grows up!  Her teacher, Mrs. Rowan, is very good and Emma likes her a lot.

Here's a picture of Emma's artwork.

Vet's Day

Veteran's Day was this past Wednesday. Last Saturday, Heather was gone for the weekend so I took the kids to Memorial Park in town that has a monument for the Vets. It was a beautiful day and a small park area I had driven by many times but never had visited.

Halloween 2009

So I was getting a bit behind on uploading some pictures.  These are from halloween.  It was cold that night and the boys weren't sure what to go as so they pulled out their Jedi robes and when as Jedi Knights.  We also had Chill with Phil this night so we limited the trick-or-treating activites.

 

Some fun visitors! The Cat in the Hat and a princesss!

Let's Get This Party Started

Illinois basketball season starts today and the start of college basketball is always fun. Your team is undefeated and you have the anticipation of how well the team will perform. Alex and I met some friends for the first exhibition game at Assembly Hall to get a look at the team. While the competition in pre-season is sub-par, it was still fun to get out and watch Illini basketball.

It was great to see the new faces on the team and to try to get a gauge on how much the familiar faces have improved.

I think the Illini should be pretty decent this year. There are several Big Ten teams ranked in the top 25 that will prove to be stiff competition. Six teams made the AP Poll and five in the ESPN Coaches Poll.

AP Poll:
Michigan St. (2)
Purdue (7)
Michigan (15)
Ohio St. (16)
Illinois (23)
Minnesota (25)

ESPN Coaches Poll:
Michigan St. (2)
Purdue (7)
Michigan (15)
Ohio St. (17)
Minnesota (18)

Illinois missed the top 25 in the coaches poll but given the points for votes would land in at 27. Illinois tips things off tonight versus SIU-Edwardsville.

GO ILLINI!