Late Fall Activities

The time between Halloween and the Christmas season was busy with the usual kid activities, family gatherings, and sporting events.  

The kids and I were lucky enough to attend three family birthday parties in one day - cousin Nathan, Grandma Mildred, and Grandma Phyllis.  The first picture is a four generation picture - Grandma Mildred, dad, myself, and the kids.  The second picture is of mom and dad with all of their grandkids (some crazier and louder than others).

The birthday party for grandma Phyllis was bitter-sweet.  It was wonderful to be able to celebrate her one more time, but it was sobering to know that it would be her last birthday after having been diagnosed with late stage lung cancer.  She sadly passed away a few weeks after this picture.

Olivia had her first "official" school dance in November.  I say official since she has had 2 dances that happened immediately after school, thus having to wear her school uniform and those were more centered around games (like the limbo).  This dance was an evening dance and was solely focused on the dance part.  Olivia was excited to finally get to show off her fashion sense to her classmates!

The University of Illinois men's basketball team played five games in Springfield, and we had front row tickets to all of the games.  How often do you get to pose with Abe Lincoln in front of a U of I backdrop?

And while we are on the subject of basketball, Ethan has been kept busy playing on the fall/winter basketball league in town.  Here he is shooting a free throw.

Ethan having fun with classmates at a school Thanksgiving themed day.

I took a break from hosting Thanksgiving this year due to other obligations, so Kim stepped in to host.  She even decorated a "thankful tree"!

Olivia (far right) participated in her school's 6th grade choir concert - she even sang a solo which brought tears to my eyes!