Holiday Cheer!

It is an exciting night at our house! For the first time since we bought the house 4 years ago, we are able to have outside lights! We have no outdoor outlet on our house and thus have not been able to have outside lights, much to Travis' disappointment!

This year I suggested that we run an extension cord from the Garage and once Travis consulted with his dad, we found out it was a go! You should have seen the excitement on his face! I must admit, I was a bit concerned with a "Griswold's Christmas" motif, but the end result is very tasteful, tactful, and beautiful....at least I think this is the end result....

Travis has been shopping after Christmas deals for several years picking up lights for when we have a house that it would work with! I am so thankful that we finally have the opportunity to use the lights and give some seasonal joy to Travis! :)

Well Done Hubby!

Happy Holidays!

Nutty Squirrel

We have a new pet! Not really, but we could. There is this squirrel who had decided that our crab apples are a delicacy! He started eating them in September and now in November...well see for yourselves. I guess this shows what over indulging in a delicacy will do!

He's turned into quite the fatty!

He has also left quite a mess on our tree ring! We are assuming the winter snow/ice will take away the staining. It looks like he used the blocks for a cutting board.

China Buffet

My grandparents had a cabin at Cresent Lake in Alpha Illinois for years. I loved the cabin as did the rest of the family. As you came in the door to the right was the toy cupboard. This was a fantastic piece of furniture that held toys, games, coloring books, and odds and ends of Grandma and Grandpa Vans. We all knew right where to look or ask to go to for things to do at Grandma and Grandpa Vans. A couple of years ago the family as a whole made the decision it was time to sell the cabin at the lake. It was a very sad time and like loosing my grandparents all over again when we had to go through all of the belongings at the lake. We all went through the cabin putting our names on things we'd like to have. My cousin, Brandon, and I both wanted the "toy" cabinet. My brother thought I was nuts and was ready to burn the thing because it was in such bad shape. However, I, the hopeless dreamer, was sure it could be restored and used forever in my own house someday...

Brandon was so kind and gracious and gave the china hutch to me.

I finally sent it away to be refinished. Travis gave me the refinishing piece as my birthday/Christmas present.

After several issues with the refinishing of the piece we picked it up today! It is BEAUTIFUL! I never would have thought the piece would end up like this. I can't believe it's the same piece! I also, want to kick myself because I forgot to take a before photo...however, I, along with the rest of the "Vancil" family know what it used to look like.

Are you ready?????

Marriage and Friendship

Travis and I have a wall in our living room devoted to wedding pictures. We've had a space below the pictures that has always seemed "empty". I have found the perfect thing to fill it up!

A friend from school was having an Uppercase Living party. For those of you who don't know, it's a home party that specializes in the new cool thing...I think it's new and cool....who knows...well, I like it so that 's all that matters right?

Anyway,

It's decorative stickers that are phrases, or quotes. They have something for every room/area of your house, kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, office, bedrooms, living areas etc. There are pictures for kids rooms and nurseries and more that you could possibly know what to do with. You pick out the quote you want, then you pick the size of the lettering and the color and poof, when it's delivered to you it's customized!

I surprised Travis and bought this for us. I love it and it matches our living room colors. It's called Bordeaux...basically, it's maroon :)

Thanks to Molly for coming over and helping me hang it....it's good to have friends that live near by. This was definitally a 2 person job. It wasn't hard to hang, but it took 2 sets of hands!

It's pretty cool right?

Check it out:

http://www.uppercaseliving.com/

Happy Veterans Day

First of all, I want to thank any and all veterans who have served our country to protect us and this great place to live! My dad is a veteran as was my Grandpa Van so I'm very proud and honored to have military in my family. With that being said.......

I LOVE VETERANS DAY! Travis and I have done absolutely nothing today, and I mean nothing. It was a chore for me to walk down 13 stairs to start a load of laundry, yes, of course there was plenty to do around here: clean out the fridge, dust our bedroom, clean the dust bunnies out from under the bed, scrub the shower so I could take a bubble bath, work on our National Board Certification, redo a bulletin board at school etc, etc. however we have chosen to take a day and do nothing. I don't know if I will even to the Wii Fit today, which by the way I love! I'm thinking it might be just what I need to get on the exercise band wagon, this is being said as I eat the remaining 5 birthday truffles and 1 piece of birthday cake and look at the calendar to decide when mom and I can make dozens of Christmas cookies, cakes, candies, etc.

Anyway, I digress....

Trav and I have done nothing today and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself....so has Travis....and Buddy.

Travis and Buddy have been sleeping since 1PM, what else are you going to do on a cold, rainy day off school?

I can tell you this much, this makes me look forward to snow days! :)

Happy Veterans Day!

Thanks Dad!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my 28th birthday! I had a great day starting with waffles for breakfast made by Travis and my birthday present from him. I got a Longenberger recipe box to keep all of my "borrowed" recipes in :). The other half of my gift is still at the furniture refinishing place in Knoxville, I'm hoping to pick it up this week!

Travis said it was my day so we could do whatever I wanted......you know what I chose.....to clean our house! :)

Last week was conference week for both Travis and I and man oh man, did we let things go. I was happy to use the time to just get caught up on the picking up, dishes, dusting, vacuuming, etc.

We did make time however for lunch at the Landmark...YUM! We both had lobster bisque and 1/2 a sandwich. After lunch we were able to browse the shops on Seminary Street. It was cold, but a fun day just to bum around.

Travis' parents met us at our house at 3:30 where I received some birthday presents! We then went to meet my parents at Dad's house. Mom, Dad, Justin, Travis and I, and his parents all went to dinner at Martini's in Burlington. The goal was for us to do their "grazing" option, however, most of us decided we'd prefer to order off the menu. Travis and I will save grazing for another time. We all had yummy meals, and very filling meals. We stopped at my dad's house after dinner for more presents and my birthday cake! Travis and I made it home by 8:30 and much to my surprise, there was ANOTHER birthday present on our front steps from Sarah!

Ahhhh, I love birthday's! :)

I had a great day and many phone calls, well wishes, and cards to help me celebrate my day!

Thanks to everyone who made my day great!

Travis and I on my 28th birthday

Churchill Football

I'm very proud to say I'm a football wife! :)

Travis has coached the Churchill Blue Streak for 5 seasons now. This is his first season as head 8th grade coach. Something I'm quite proud of, and I'm sure he's quite modest about.

Stretching before the Lombard/Churchill Game

Running Plays before the game

Last Tuesday he finished his season. This was a special season because he's coached this group of kids for 2 seasons, last year as head 7th grade coach and this year as head 8th grade coach.

The kids really connected to Travis' coaching style and he really connected with all of them.

Although the last game of the season against the other Galesburg Jr. High didn't turn out quite as we had planned, I must say that Travis and his guys were the true winners. Travis made sure that each player got sufficient playing time. This was the first game they have ever played at the H.S. field, and it was "under the lights" during a night game. What an experience for a 13/14 year old boy. Travis knew that it was important for all the guys to feel a part of the team on that special night. And no, they didn't win, but they also didn't result to shady football shenanigans. Both Jr. High teams will soon be on the same team if they choose to continue on in their football careers. Travis did what was needed to show the guys how to play hard, but with dignity and honor to the school system and most importantly to the game.

Big decisions for a big game

I am proud to be a football wife, and super proud of my football husband coach!

Left: Coach Sutton/Asst. 8th grad coach
Middle: Coach Rasso/Head 7th grade coach

Right: Coach Stecher/Head 8th grade coach

Travis, although sad to loose his "guys" is grateful to be enjoying some time to get caught up in the classroom especially with conferences around the corner. He is also enjoying catching up on Wii football and today was the start of the NBA basketball season, so don't fret friends Travis has plenty to keep him busy.

Tanner's Apple Orchard

Saturday I got to go back to Tanner's Apple Orchard near Peoria Illinois. This is a great orchard that is perfectly suited for young children and families. I take my first graders every year! I have always wanted to go with out 23 little ones so this year I invited my brother, Justin, his girlfriend Stormie and her 3 year old little boy, Rylie. Mom and I were going to tag behind Justin and Stormie, but Justin planned a wiener roast for the same day as the apple orchard trip so we left him behind and just the girls and Rylie went.

We had a great time feeding the goats,

riding the ponies,

driving a barrel tractor,

and playing on the playground, these were just a few of Rylie and my favorite parts :)

Mom and Stormie liked the gift shop and lunch ;)

We were going to go into the orchard to pick some apples, but the trees are now bare and all they had left were pumpkins! Rylie already had his pumpkin so we forgoed the trip into the orchard.
We had a great time and can't wait to go again next year! Rylie and I were tuckered out from all the playing we did so we both slept on the way home!

Alieve Cold and Sinus

I have been miserable with a sinus infection/cold for the past 2 days. Today or rather yesterday I finally purchased some Alieve Cold and Sinus. It has worked marvelously! I was able to work all day with no complaints, and debated on whether to take another dose before bed. Wanting to ensure a restful night with no sniffling, I took another pill..............

It is 2:29 AM and I am WIDE AWAKE! I have been awake for an hour and a half! I have tried everything! Just laying there, using the restroom, counting backward from 100 (twice), I've watched TV for a half hour, and now I'm here posting about my sleeplessness! Argh!
I wish I would be this awake at 8:40AM when I have 23 six and seven year olds bouncing through the door after they have had a full nights sleep!
I know I'm going to be soooooooo tired tomorrow, but who knows maybe after I take my next Alieve at 10AM, I'll be set to go.

Moral of the story....buy Alieve cold and sinus when you're sick, DO NOT take it at bed time!

I hope all of you are having sweet, restful dreams!

Family Fun 101

Today we had my extended family to our house for a Vancil Fall Family cookout. Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mike and part of their family came down to our house for the first time since we've lived here. I always enjoy getting together with this side of the family because it reminds me of when we would get together almost weekly at our Grandparents cabin at the lake in Alpha. Today Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mike (my dad's sister and brother in law), Brandon and Mandie (my cousin and his wife) were able to make it. My other cousin Amber and her family were unable to attend. Also coming to join the fun were mom, dad, Jane, Justin and his girlfriend Stormie, and her little boy Rhylie. We had a lot of fun catching up. I think the last time we were all together was almost a year ago at a wiener roast at my dads!


We had a beautiful day with warm temps. and a nice breeze! We grilled pork chops, brats, and hot dogs and everyone brought yummy food! We played bags, and golf ball toss and I chased Rhylie around the yard, and he chased Buddy! (Buddy is a trooper!) (and it wouldn't be a cook out if Buddy didn't steal some sort of food....today he managed a hot dog of the table when no one was looking and 1/2 a pumpkin pie while people were loading their cars!)


We also received blissful news that I am going to be a cousin again! Brandon and Mandie are expecting their first baby in June. Travis and I are very excited for them!


Hopefully we will all get together again before Christmas, but with everyone's busy schedules I am content with getting to enjoy today!

The new mom and dad, Brandon and Mandie along with Aunt Peg.

Justin, Jane, and Stormie

My new buddy, Rhylie. We played a lot today...I'm pooped!

Mom and Jane (thanks for the cake Jane...YUM!)