Happy New Year!

We started with our traditional sushi fest.  In this case, sashimi fest.

Diane got some poppers, which are always fun.

Its a challenge to catch them inflight on film (or chip in this case)

But they were good with the timing.

This may be the most synchronized one.

Everyone was excited about starting a new year.  It could be a good one.

ILLINI WIN!

It was time for the annual Illini game in Chicago at the United Center.  They were playing Auburn.  They had lost the past 3 years.  Last years game was particularly brutal because they were 9-0 before they lost to Nevada 48-64.  It was the beginning of a tumble that would cost the coach his job.  

http://hopefamily61.blogspot.com/2011/12/perfect-weekend-not.html

This year they had 47 points at half-time.  Looking much better!

We had great seats.  7 rows up below the basket.  Here is a panorama with my iphone

Uncle Cuda was along for the ride and we had a great time

In the end, the Illini won 81-79.  It wasn't as close as it seems because they scored on a buzzer beater 3-point shot to make it close.  It's definitely more fun when they win.  They are now 13-1 and ranked 12 in the country.  But they are facing a powerful Big Ten this year.  Still I bet they make the tourney (and beat NW at least once).  This is a fun picture with a fisheye lens that I got for my iphone for Xmas.  You will be seeing it again in the future (I'm sure)

Merry Christmas

This year we enjoyed Christmas Eve with Diane's side of the family.

Diane loved the leather jacket her mother got her for Christmas.

Zeus was mostly confused and hid under the table.

Christmas morning with the family.  Always a fun event.

Alex was happy with his PS3 game.

Diane loved her Bloodstone earrings from the Northwest.

Bart was pleased to get a new monitor for his computer.

I was happy to get some new toys.

Grandma and Grandpa came over for Christmas Dinner.

Now Grandpa get to see big bucks every day.

SUPERBOWL CHAMPION 2012

YEAH Me!  I am pleased.

First Snow of the Season

Chicago smashed the record for longest duration between snowfalls.  290 days without measurable snowfall.

It was nice and warm inside.  Diane's green thumb has these Orchids blooming in our windowbox.

Happy Holidays

Trans Siberian Orchestra

For our holiday outing in 2012 we went to the Christmas Concert by the Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.  It was the boys first rock concert.  They has a great time

Here is a taste of the show. The end of the last encore.

Seattle

Had to go to Seattle for the annual CAVD meeting.  They had an exhibit of artefacts from the tomb of King Tut.  Saw the tours in 1978 and 2005.  So glad I was able to see this too.  Spectacular!

Also got to visit an exhibit of Chilluli Glass art.

The exhibition was displayed below the Space Needle in Seattle.

Bears Lose :(

Bears vs Seattle.  Great game.  We lost in overtime.  Bummer.  They score a field goal to tie after getting the baal with 24 seconds left in the game.  Alas, they lost in overtime.  The B-2 flyover at the start of the game was very cool.

Diane and I went to the Vikings game.  It was an unusually beautiful day for end of November.  Bears pounded them 28-10

Diane and I went to the Houston game.  It was raining throughout the game but we were in a covered area.  Bears lost 13-6 in a real thriller.  Both teams were 7-1.  It was the beginning of the collapse of the bears for the second half of the season.

It was Sunday Night Football.  Even Bob Costas was there.

Happy Thanksgiving

Shawnee National Forest

Its that time of year again for a trip to the south.  Here is a nice rub we found in the back part of the farm.

Gave the cousins a tour of the farm.

Did get lucky catching a nice little bass in the pond.  Love that pond.

REDWOODS

It had been many (25?) years since I had last visited the north coast of California and their delightful Redwood groves.  The tallest trees in the world.  They can grow over 300 ft.  They can live to be more than 2500 years old.

They had cut down many trees.  Here is the stump of a big one. 

We also got to enjoy some fall colors.

Dan with a tree that they didn't finish cutting down.

They are very fire resistant and can do well even after they have been gutted by fire.

I like this picture.

The forest shadows give this one the look an impressionist painting.

Trying the capture the magnificence of the Redwood forest can be challenging.

View from the bench in Ladybird Johnson Grove.

For sunset we went to a small beach near Crescent City and had it all to ourselves.

It was a great sunset.

The yellows, oranges, and reds were striking.  I like the sunset coloring the crashing wave and tide pool in this one.

This is the pastel version.

We stayed until it got dark.

There is a whale spout near the center of this image.

There was a bit of fog which did fun things with the light cutting through the trees.

great beach at the end of the trail.

Lots of rainfall here.  Gree. Green. Green.

The light caught this spiderweb nicely.

So good to get back to the Redwoods.  Granted it was off season, but there were few hikers on the trail.  All the better to enjoy these amazing groves by ourselves.