It’s been another busy week at the Townsends. Last weekend we celebrated Illinois’ 100th homecoming with a win over Indiana. Daren and Monica were here for the game and helped us cheer the ILLINI to victory.

We went to Chicago this week on behalf of Rural Partners where hubby moderated a panel on rural housing at the Illinois Affordable Housing Conference on Navy Pier.

After that we went to Aurora for a health fair at the FAA where Hubby represented GEHA. As for me, I strolled North Michigan Avenue and dreamed about high-rise living and thousand dollar shoes.  Now that's my affordable housing!!!

Hubby with granddaughters, Deven, Makenna, and Claire.

Another cheerleader in our midst--Deven displays her best form.

Since our symbol, The Chief, has been banned, the crowd gets excited when they see him at half-time in the horseshoe during the singing of the Alma Mater.  If you look closely, you can see him in the center of the photo at the top of the stairwell.



The Alumni Band takes the field along with the Marching ILLINI at half-time.



The pep band excites the crowd in the stands.

Hubby moderating panel at Housing Conference.



A night time view of the Chicago Water Tower on North Michigan Avenue.

We encountered high winds on our way home, but witnessed this beautiful sunset.



The ghouls were part of a haunted venue on Navy Pier.



Navy Pier Park with the ferris wheel in the background.

Fall flowers frame view of Chicago Skyline.

Children Playing sculpture in the park just outside Navy Pier.

This is Rochester (nicknamed Rocky), the resident parrot at the Eastland Suites in Urbana.  We stopped there for pictures, and his caretaker let him out of his cage so I could get a good photo.