Working Out

Elisa likes doing push ups.



You can't hear it very well (a little the first time), but each time she does a push up she gives this little grunt breath that is really funny.

Another Milestone

Elisa used a spork for the first time tonight. She makes me so proud.

Pictures)

Elisa was really cute in her tigger outfit for Halloween. We went downtown with the crowds on Friday afternoon. She loved seeing all the other kids and watching them walk around. However, we had an unfortunate turn of events with our camera. After taking a picture I set it on the stroller and as we started walking again it feel off. It doesn't take pictures anymore. So, they will be fewer and further between for now. Fortunately we still have our old film camera and will be able to continue documenting the growth of Jonathan and Elisa, it'll just be a little less convenient for right now. Any recommendations on digital cameras (I'm hoping to replace before Christmas)?

Opening Night

It's been a long off-season and tonight the Blazers are back in action after reaching the playoffs for the first time in 5 years last year. They had 54 wins in 08-09 and they are going have less this year because of a tougher schedule, even though they will be a better team. Portland is no longer emerging, youth isn't an excuse anymore and the championship window is open. The expectation is that they will make a run at winning the Western Conference since they are the best team in the West to challenge the LA Lakers.

The key to the season is going to be chemistry. They have the depth (their second unit could start for 1/3 of the teams in the league), coach, and foundational pieces (Roy, Oden, & Aldridge - photo above) to make a deep run in the playoffs. It all depends on if the team put personal accomplishments aside for the good of the whole (click here for more).

At the end of the season, everyone will be disappointed if there is another first round playoff exit. With the championship window open they only have a few (3-4) years to make it all the way. Teams climbing the ladder only get 1 or 2 shots at winning it all. This year will be a good test to see if they can go deep into the playoffs and whether they will really be contenders. It will be fun to watch and I can't wait for that championship parade..... soon, very soon.

A Good Weekend

Elisa picking out her pumpkin.

We went to the Farmers Market in Fayetteville on Saturday morning.

Elisa kept picking up this tomato and I'd ask her to put it back. This process was repeated about six times before the guy said she could have it. She liked eating as much as she enjoyed holding it.

At one point I looked at Elisa in the stroller and her bunny was gone. She had dropped him somewhere. We started walking back retracing our steps and found him sitting right here waiting and enjoying the view.

Nike's 10K

Today was The Human Race 10k. This was the second year of this event and the whole idea seemed cool to me. Joining with a million other people around the world, all running on the same day at the same distance. Participants use Nike+ iPod kits and digitally upload their run times to Nike's website to verify completion. I recognize that the whole endeavor is a marketing scheme for Nike, but it was motivating for me to keep running. That's one big accountability group.

Shockingly, Siloam Springs wasn't one the 3 locations in the US that had organized races, so I had to run alone. Although most of the run went well I fell into a hole with about 2 miles from the end. There was a family standing in the trail blocking the path. A whole package kind of family: Grandma, Mom, Dad, Dog, 2 kids and they were all just standing there looking at the leaves. Since I was coming up behind them I figured I would just run by on the side in the grass. On my second step off the trail my right foot fell into a really deep skinny hole that was completely covered by leaves (I don't know how my shoe even fit into it since the opening wasn't that big). I'm really thankful and surprised that I didn't break my foot since the hole was deep enough that it came to 6 inches under my knee. I've never fallen while running before and it happened so quick. I was just running along then all of the sudden my leg disappeared and I was on the ground. All in all it was just a lot of fun to be apart of something on a global scale (99 countries were represented) while living in good ol' Siloam Springs.

In Depth Analysis

The following is Elisa's commentary on Football while watching a highlight on ESPN:

"Ball!

running

FALL DOWN!"