Playin' Basketball

Ashley decided she wanted to try and play basketball this year.  A good friend of hers started playing which led to pick-up games after mutual every week.  Ashley realized she enjoyed basketball and so wanted some "real" experience playing.  I signed her up for a rec league and her friend, Kirstyn, signed-up to play on the same team too.

Having never played before, Ashley had some catching up to do especially with some of the super athletic girls on her team, but she was able to hold her own and did pretty well especially for someone who had never played before.  Her team had a pretty big range of talent.  Some girls didn't know how to handle the ball at all and others were doing a cross-over dribble.

Dave and I had a good time watching her play and we admire her for wanting to learn something new.  Of course, our biggest concern was her finger.  She broke it about 6 weeks before and unfortunately, she's reinjured it a couple times.  She definitely has to keep it taped and a good long break from basketball might help!

Thanksgiving Visit

We were so happy to have Debby and Sam come visit us for Thanksgiving! We stayed pretty low key--all of us taking a break from our busy schedules, but we still managed to have fun.

On their first night here, we stopped and had dinner at Naf Naf Grill, casual but very tasty. The next day was Thanksgiving. I made a traditional turkey dinner and I think everything turned out yummy. Everybody helped out, even Paige who made cute paper moccasins as place cards for the table.

That evening Debby, Sam and I bundled up and headed to the outlet stores for some Black Friday shopping. We got some good deals and lets just say, Sam and Debby know how to shop. They bought a ton of stuff, still not sure how they stuffed it all into their suitcases!



Freezing cold Californians shopping at the outdoor mall!

Over the next few days they were with us, we watched some DVDs, did some more shopping, ate at Heaven on Seven (our favorite New Orleans restaurant) and went bowling. I love spending Thanksgiving with family! So glad the Kumars came to visit, next time they should bring their adorable doggy, Harry!



shopping in downtown Naperville

Parade on the Magnificent Mile

We got connections. Or should I say we have friends with connections?

Our friend Jane works for a company that happens to have an office that overlooks Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It also happens to be the perfect place to watch the annual Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade that kicks off the holiday season.

I've always wanted to go to this parade but have always been scared off by the crowds and the weather. I'm just not sure that standing around with hundreds of thousands people in the freezing cold, with a blocked view of a parade sounds worth the hassle. As a result, we never even tried to go this parade...until now.

Not the best picture but, can you see the crowd of people?  This is just one little section
of the street.  Was sure happy to be inside when I saw this!

Jane's building opens up for the evening of the parade and even hosts a reception in the lobby. We got to watch the parade from the comfort of the 12th floor. We had a perfect view. On top of that we enjoyed chocolate-covered strawberries, cupcakes, cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, and fresh fruit from the reception. It was perfect and so much fun! Our view was right in front of the grand finale firework show. One of the best things we've done in Chicago.

I should also mention that before the parade, we drove in early to grab some food. Jane and her husband Ron are Chicago locals so they took us to the best places, including a Korean taco shop and Molly's cupcakes on Clark Street. The tacos were fabulous and we are now fans of Kimchi fries! As for the cupcakes, we learned why Molly's is famous. YUM!!

Korean Tacos!



Young Women in Excellence

At the end of each year, the Young Women's organization at our church holds "Young Women in Excellence" which is a program that celebrates what the Young Women have accomplished and worked on throughout the year.

The adult leaders of the Young Women help plan it, which means me and fortunately a group of really, really talented ladies.



Here are the invitations and the programs

The theme for this year's program was Mission Possible.  It turned out really cute and we had some fabulous decor.  The older girls even did a skit in which they struck some "spy" poses and then popped a balloon bomb to read a secret message about the Young Women Values, it was very cute.

The refreshments were all in the value colors, including the bottled water!

We also had a great slide show, with pictures of each girl and their "code" or "secret agent" name--they loved that.  Everyone also got a laugh out of the video we had some dads make about "the villains of personal progress"

As a part of the program, each girl sets up a display table of a 10 hour project she has worked on during the year.  Ashley did the value of Individual Worth and shared her IMEA experience.

It's My Party!

Finally, it's here--Paige's birthday party.  She had to wait 10 whole days after her birthday but I think it was worth it.

This year we contracted the party out, I was shorter on time than money!  We decided to hold it at our local community center in the E-Fit room.  It's basically a huge room with a climbing wall, an air hockey table, and a bunch of electronic-based games.  There is a huge Dance Dance Revolution screen with mats so that lots of kids can play at once.  They also have two target walls that have lights on them that you can hit with a noodle, throw or kick a ball at.  It's basically like giant wack-a-mole.  They also had a big flat screen tv and video game area with a Xbox connect and a Wii along with video games requiring physical activity.

Honestly, pretty easy party.  You basically, just set the kids loose in the E-Fit room and let them play.  The center provides party attendants to set-up all the games and keep the kids involved.  I think the kids all had a good time as well as a good workout.  Paige loved playing air hockey and climbing the rock wall.

After we finished up in the E-Fit room, we then we had our own party room for cake, presents and Bingo.  I bought Paige the huge All-American Chocolate cake from Costco which is definitely for chocolate lovers.

She sure has a great group of friends from both school and church.  What cute kids!

Ashley - IMEA Festival

So literally, right after my dad left began the next couple of months that I consider a blur of activities.  It is all good stuff, but man, we were so busy. 

It starts off with Illinois Music Educator's Association (IMEA) festival.  I mentioned a while back that Ashley auditioned for choir and made it.  Well after a month of before and after school practices, the day of the festival arrived.

The festival has a choir, band and orchestra component.  Ashley was in the choir.  Kids come from all over and spend the whole day practicing and learning to play/sing together under the direction of professional guest directors.  At the end of the day the kids peform for their parents in a big concert. 

It was really a great experience for Ashley.  A special opportunity to further her music education, perform, and make new friends.

Chicago Fire

On a last minute whim, Dave decided to take my dad to a Chicago Fire playoff game.  It was on Halloween Night so the girls and I didn't go, which was a good thing because it was freezing cold and the girls definitely had more fun hanging with their friends. 

The upside was that Dave and my dad had a good time, even though the Fire lost.

It was one last hurrah before my dad went home.  He was with us for two weeks, but we sure could have had him stay longer.  Can't wait until he can come again.  Missing him already!