Museum of Science and Industry

We spent a day at the Museum of Science and Industry.  The MSI is really great these days.  First we visited the coal mine.  I hadn't been in there for 30+ years.

The Fairy Castle was under renovation.  So all he little parts were on display.  

Very cool!

Then we visited the famous german WWII sub, the U-505.

They really have it set up well in a new display room.  Used to be outside.  Now in its own big room along with a bunch of information and artifacts.

Took the tour.  First time I have done this in 20 some years.

It's very well preserved.

They have a great space exploration section.  Alex on the moon.

For the holidays they have xmas trees representing 100 countries.  This one is Thailand.

Alex takes a zap to the heart.

Man made lightening.

They also had a neat exhibit on Disney.  I forgot he was born in Chicago.  Lots of neat memorabilia.  But its definitely more fun to go to Disneyland!

Illini WIN!

Time for the annual Illini Basketball game at the United Center.

This year it was UIC.  Hopefully the game won't be close or a loss. Its just a matter of pride when playing one of the satellite schools.

We had nice seats behind one of the backboards.  Originally, we were obstructed by the UIC band.  Tubas were definitely in the way.  But we were able to shift a bit and got a great view of the game in the end. 

The family always enjoys this outing.

The Illini got off to a slow start, but dominated the second half.  No worries!

Fighting Illini beat Flames 74-60

Merry Christmas!

Come an join us for Christmas morning.  Here is your present.

I got some wonderful sound canceling earphones.  Will be great for the plane.

Bart had a good morning.

Diane was very happy with her exploding Tartus coffee mug.

Alex love's Christmas

Grandma and Grandpa Hope came by for Christmas dinner.

We went to The Brown Family Christmas Party and had a wonderful dinner.

Kayla was very excited.

Diane always enjoys Christmas.

Grandma Brown was very excited to get a computer upgrade.

Keith gets a new game.

Alex is excited about a new LEGO.

Bart has nome new books.

Lynnea has her favorite.  A Kohl's box holding a wonderful gift.

Ken got his frisbee golf set.

Nutcracker

Diane and I went to the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker for some culture.  We had fantastic front row seats. 

It was fantastic!  No photos, although I snapped a quick one as the curtain fell.

Life's simple pleasures!

It was a bit of a miracle.  Won the last 7 games in my "fancy" fantasy football league to win the championship.  I have won 3 times in the past 6 years.  I am delighted.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Decided to mix it up a bit for our xmas picture.  I think its our favorite from our summer trip.  

This is our pictures from the past 5 years.  Fun to see the boys grow into young men.

There is a gap here.  They are on an old (and dead) desktop mac.  These go back to 2002.

2004

1996

Bears Win on Monday Night Football!

Finally got to a Bears game and it was a cold one!  Straight up 5˚, with below zero wind chill.  Monday Night Football, Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys.  Great game.  Bears win 38-31.  Only my toes got a bit cold.

At halftime they retired the number of Mike Dikta, Legendary Tight End and Coach of the Bears.  He looked like he was freezing his butt off.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Late fall at the farm

It was cold down in southern Illinois the 3rd weekend of November.  Nice sunsets.

And somebody got lucky.  Yum Yum, Venison.

Africa

The trip got off to an interesting start.  Had a famous seat mate.  We enjoyed the NFL Red Zone together during the first leg of O'Hare to Dulles.

The meeting was held at Drackensburg (Dragon Mountain).  Very scenic.  The snow had just melted a couple weeks before.

Dramatic in the clouds.  It rained every late afternoon.

Table Mountain in the clouds (Cape Town).