Illinois family

We took a quick one night trip to see our family this past weekend, after stuffing ourselves with turkey on Thanksgiving. 

 We packed in a lot in just over 24 hours.

We joined my siblings and Aunt Joy at Grampa's house on Friday night for family Happy Hour.  It was a fun night of getting caught up with everyone, laughing together, listening and singing along to music, and enjoying food and drinks together.  

Silly boys.  

Drive.

  Funny as Nick has just turned 15 and is ready to get his permit and learn to drive!  Eric took him out this past week for his first lesson!  Not sure if I am ready for this!

Pearl, and her lighting fast tongue!

We stayed at a hotel for the night and returned the next morning for coffee with dad!

Then we made our way down to Springfield to visit with Libby, and her parents Grandpa Dan and Grandma Jill.  We had lunch together and shared all of the happenings of the boys over the past few months.  

Next we visited Grandma Bonnie.  Nick enjoyed talking and watching Illinois sports with Grandma.  It was so good to see her in person!

We traveled back home after our visit for the remainder of the long weekend.

 

Nick turns 15!

Nick celebrated his 15th birthday on November 22nd!

We opened gifts and then headed to his favorite place, Red Lobster for dinner.  

We came back home for birthday cake.  Manchester City, his favorite soccer team, was his choice of cake this year.  

Eric took Nick, Sam and 3 friends to a Butler basketball game for his birthday party this year.  They had a fun time, being silly teenage boys!  I'm not sure how much candy remained at the concession stand after they came through!

At age 15, Nick still loves all sports.  His favorite is Manchester City soccer, and all of the University of Illinois sports.  He's embracing high school, he loved playing on the freshman soccer team and is making his way through his classes at his own pace, successfully.  He has lots buddies, including his brothers.  Nick and Ruby our dog have a special love for one another that usually includes a snack for Ruby.  He's constantly kicking around a ball in the house, sometimes it's a dog toy.  He will hangout and watch sports on TV with his parents and will occasionally even stick around for meaningful conversations.  Nick is growing into a respectable young man with a kind heart for others.  Eric and I feel very blessed to be his parents.

 

Andrew is a senior!

Our cousin/nephew Andrew is a senior!  He and Ellen came over this past weekend for a photo session.  I was honored to take his pictures, along with a few priceless ones with his mom!  Andrew is so photogenic and handsome.

We had a nice visit with the two of them that included a tasty lunch out at Bub's Burgers!

 

Late fall soccer tournament

 Nick had one fall tournament with his club team.  The grass was frosty in the morning, but the day gave way to a beautiful, sunny fall afternoon.  Their team beat a rival team Carmel, which they were pretty happy about.

Games will continue again in the spring, but practices will continue throughout the winter months.  

Halloween!

The boys all joined with their friends to trick or treat this year.  I never did get a picture of Nick, he was too focused on candy to pause for a picture for me!  

Ruby only got to model her costume at home, before she pawed it off!  

The boys were all in the same neighborhood, a much larger one than ours,  just down the road.  Eric and I joined friends in their driveway, same neighborhood as the kids.  We sat around a fire pit, enjoyed a few drinks, good food and company.  It was a beautiful night to be out!