Report card time for a future University of Illinois Student

Mason received his second quarter report card on Friday 2/8. It is difficult to see but he received straight A's for a GPA of 4.0. Monica and I are both very proud of our future U of I student.

Mason's first trip to the Assembly Hall

I took Mason to his first Illinois Basketball game at the Assembly Hall on Saturday February 2nd against Purdue.

Both teams warm up before the game.

Mason is all smiles and ready for a great game hopefully ending with an Illini Victory.

Mason isn't the only person taking in his first Illinois game at the Assembly Hall. Sitting much closer to the court in the corner is Michael Jordan.

Illinois played pretty well and actually shot over 80% from the free throw line which is quite out of the ordinary. Unfortunately Illinois was not able to overcome turnovers and lost the game.

Mason still had a good time despite the Illinois loss. Hopefully Illinois will pull out the victory next time.

Daren and Monica go to the Rose Bowl to watch the University of Illinois take on the University of Southern California!

After spending the night at the Las Vegas Airport, Monica and I were ready for some warm weather and a good time. There was even an appearance by some Chief Illiniwek look a likes.

Judging by their behavior they must have traded some fur skins for whiskey earlier in the day.

Illinois hung in the game for 2 and a half quarters before succombing to inexperience and turnovers. The final score does not show it but the game was actually a lot closer than it appears.

The Illini finished the season 9-4 which is remarkable considering they had 4 wins in the last two years combined. We are encouraged that the Illini will make more appearances in the Rose Bowl.

After the Rose Bowl Monica and I drove to Ontario, California for a day of shopping and relaxation before flying back to cold, wintry Chicago.

Overall it was a pretty good trip. I was able to watch the Illini play in another BCS Bowl Game. Hopefully the next one I go to we will be able to pull out a win.

The University Of Illinois Fighting Illini are going to the Rose Bowl......

and Monica and I will be there to cheer them on. The Illini finished 9-3 this year which was good for second in the Big Ten and eligible for a BCS bid. We fly out New Years Eve for the big game in California. I will post pictures when we return. GO ILLINI!!

Christmas 2007 With The Townsends

Monica and I enjoyed our first Christmas as Husband and Wife with Mason!

Monica is pictured with the first of many romantic Christmas gifts from me. It is a Chair Massager to compensate for my poor massaging technique. She will still need my nails to scratch her back so I am not totally obsolete just yet.













Mason shows off his Chief Illiniwek shirt. He plans to wear it on Jan. 1st when the Illini take on USC in the Rose Bowl.











Does Mason look excited about his new socks or what??!!?? Obviously they make this the best Christmas ever!










Here I am showing off my new desk calendar that Mason got me. The calendar features my favorite show "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan.













Monica shows off our little Girl's Christmas presents. Mason got his little sister the bib and her Daddy got her the crib toy. She can't wait until April when she will get to see them herself.









Mason shows off all his books that he can't wait to read. Books and socks for Christmas...what else could a 12 year old boy want??

Christmas with the Carrasco's......and the Smiths, Zorbaughs, Bernals, and Wyrobeks

The Roselle Townsends celebrated Christmas with Monica's side of the family on Sunday December 23.

The mass chaos of present opening begins! Mariah admires her new sweater. Olivia is trying to decide where to begin. Jessica and Tommy take a short break to catch their breath while Rachel is anxious to open her next gift.











Present opening concludes and is followed by the comparing of gifts to see which kid "won."













Rachel takes time out of gift opening to take a cute picture.

Pregnant sisters Monica and Nancy compare the size of their bellies. Nancy and Bryan are expecting a little boy about a week before Monica and I will be having our little girl.

On Monday December 10th Monica and I found out that we are going to have a baby Girl in April. We are both ecstatic and beginning to think about names. Mason wanted a little brother so he is a little disappointed but i'm sure he will warm up to his little sister once she arrives.

Below are our Baby Girl's legs. They are pretty long so her Mommy is hopeful that we have a future volleyball player on our hands.

Daddy's Little Girl gives her parents a smile from the womb. With that big brain she is no doubt going to be a future Illini.