Today I picked up Jonathan, sat down on the couch, and tried to get him to smile at me. For the past few weeks he's really been smiling at people and things. After looking at him for a few seconds I realized how cute he's getting. He's really starting to look more like Stacey every day. I gave him a big grin and told him that the ladies are going to love his big blue eyes and that he'll probably be a ladies man. He responded with a huge grin and blurted out something that sounded a lot like "weeeeeeeeee". Nice.
31 August 2010
30 August 2010
Science Class
This morning Julia and I were sitting on the porch when I noticed a little yellow caterpillar crawling down the tree trunk in the front yard. I had suspected the presence of a "leaf muncher" for some time, but this was the first time I actually saw one. I got him to climb onto the dust pan and while I was at the base of the tree looked up and saw another yellow caterpillar - one that was huge in size.
The furry yellow creatures look a look scarier then the really are. They have black hairs that come off their backs that look like spikes. Pretty cool looking. I found out that they are American Dagger Moths after a quick Google search. I know that these creatures turn into moths, but I haven't exactly thought about that since I was a kid. Seeing the pictures (see link) of the two completely different looking bugs side by side is pretty impressive when you think about it.
So, with the spare time afforded me I made Julia a typical "bug container with one leaf in it" for her new pets. She named them Max and Ruby. After I started taking pictures she wanted to take her own pictures. Next up: dissecting a frog.
The furry yellow creatures look a look scarier then the really are. They have black hairs that come off their backs that look like spikes. Pretty cool looking. I found out that they are American Dagger Moths after a quick Google search. I know that these creatures turn into moths, but I haven't exactly thought about that since I was a kid. Seeing the pictures (see link) of the two completely different looking bugs side by side is pretty impressive when you think about it.
So, with the spare time afforded me I made Julia a typical "bug container with one leaf in it" for her new pets. She named them Max and Ruby. After I started taking pictures she wanted to take her own pictures. Next up: dissecting a frog.
26 August 2010
Champions League Draw
I anxiously watched the draw this morning, still happy about last night's result. I was hoping that somehow the luck of the draw would favor us and we'd end up in an easy group. That didn't really happen.
First, by default we were placed in Inter Milan's group since there are rules prohibiting teams from the same country playing each other at this stage of the competition. Not only was there no drama relating to what group we'd be in, but we were given the defending champions in this competition and in Italy, Inter (from Pot 1).
Secondly, I was hoping for one of the weaker teams from Pot 2. We got Werder Bremen, a team who finished third in the German Bundesliga last season and who have had some great successes in recent years in the Champions League bridesmaid competition, the Europa League. They won their group in the Europa League last season and coincidentally beat fellow Group A member FC Twente in the first knockout round to advance to the Round of 16.
The fourth and final team (from Pot 4 - we were in Pot 3) drawn was FC Twente from the Netherlands. Really, I can't think of a more difficult draw from this pot. FC Twente only won the Dutch league last year. I was hoping that we would get some minnow and that we would battle it out for second place with Werder Bremen. Instead of a small club we were given one that actually could take second in the group.
Instead of dream draw consisting of the weaker sides from Pots 2 and 4 (or even one of the two), we have been placed in a slugfest to get out of the group. It's interesting how it played out. I see all 3 of the teams (assuming Inter is the best) as evenly matched. I don't see one of the three teams as much weaker or much stronger then the rest. Whichever clubs make it out of this group will have to earn it.
UEFA Champions League Group A
September 14 - Werder Bremen v Spurs
September 29 - Spurs v FC Twente
October 20 - Inter Milan v Spurs
November 2 - Spurs v Inter Milan
November 24 - Spurs v Werder Bremen
December 7 - FC Twente v Spurs
First, by default we were placed in Inter Milan's group since there are rules prohibiting teams from the same country playing each other at this stage of the competition. Not only was there no drama relating to what group we'd be in, but we were given the defending champions in this competition and in Italy, Inter (from Pot 1).
Secondly, I was hoping for one of the weaker teams from Pot 2. We got Werder Bremen, a team who finished third in the German Bundesliga last season and who have had some great successes in recent years in the Champions League bridesmaid competition, the Europa League. They won their group in the Europa League last season and coincidentally beat fellow Group A member FC Twente in the first knockout round to advance to the Round of 16.
The fourth and final team (from Pot 4 - we were in Pot 3) drawn was FC Twente from the Netherlands. Really, I can't think of a more difficult draw from this pot. FC Twente only won the Dutch league last year. I was hoping that we would get some minnow and that we would battle it out for second place with Werder Bremen. Instead of a small club we were given one that actually could take second in the group.
Instead of dream draw consisting of the weaker sides from Pots 2 and 4 (or even one of the two), we have been placed in a slugfest to get out of the group. It's interesting how it played out. I see all 3 of the teams (assuming Inter is the best) as evenly matched. I don't see one of the three teams as much weaker or much stronger then the rest. Whichever clubs make it out of this group will have to earn it.
UEFA Champions League Group A
September 14 - Werder Bremen v Spurs
September 29 - Spurs v FC Twente
October 20 - Inter Milan v Spurs
November 2 - Spurs v Inter Milan
November 24 - Spurs v Werder Bremen
December 7 - FC Twente v Spurs
25 August 2010
UEFA Champions League Here We Come!
Major disaster averted. After a terrible first 30 minutes on the plastic pitch in Switzerland last week, Spurs came out on fire tonight and cruised to a 4-0 (6-3 on aggregate) win. Peter Crouch scored a hat trick after opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Really, that was the best start we could have hoped for...5 minutes in and we were in the group stage if the scoreline held.
It was a great "European" night at White Heart Lane. The game was played under the lights and in steadily falling rain. I've played in a few night games in the rain and there is nothing like it. The team really rose to the occasion. This win was worth about 30 million dollars U.S. in future Champions League revenue (mostly television related, I assume). The word on the street is that we've been waiting to sign a new player until we had these funds secured. So, we'll probably sign a new player in the next week before the window closes.
We were by far the better team tonight, which makes me wonder just how different playing on plastic turf really is for a team that isn't used to it. I've played on it before and it's not an issue - it's just different. The ball moves differently on it. Maybe that's partly why it took us the first half to really turn the tide and our "quality" to overcome the situation last week. I really think FIFA or UEFA should mandate that these big games have to be played on real grass.
The goal that really gave us some space was Defoe's second goal. Sure, he handled it almost as blatantly as Henry did for France, but the blind finish with the left foot that curled in and then off the post was top class. Missed calls like this happen more often then you'd think, so I'm OK with it. It's just part of the game. I would have felt the same way had the roles been reversed. After tonight's missed call and the goal last weekend against Stoke City that was never given, I can't help but think that our luck is finally changing. Like the Red Sox of old, Spurs have been on the short end of many plays and games in the past. I have the opinion that missed calls like this even themselves out over time, so it's nothing to get too worked up about. Besides, we were the better team over the course of both legs and even more so tonight.
Crouch just schooled the defender on his second goal (the third of the match) - a header from a corner kick. When Bale was taken down in the box everyone was hoping Crouch would step up and take the kick for the hat trick. I laughed because I've never seen Crouch, a 6' 7" striker, take a penalty kick. He slotted it home with confidence though. Unlike Everton and Newcastle in the past, Spurs are the first non "top four" team to make it through the playoff game and into the group stage.
Tomorrow is the group stage draw. Hopefully we'll get put into a group with Barcelona, Real Madrid, or another one of the world's biggest clubs. Even the teams in the second pot should be considered some of the world's best. We'll probably be in the third pot, leading me to think barring a very favorable draw, advancing out of the group stage will be difficult and not expected. I think a lot of fans are just happy to be involved in the competition after some 50 years of sitting on the sideline. We're just going to enjoy the ride with little or no expectations. All of the hard work last year and over the latest two legs have guaranteed at least 6 games in the Champions League.
There's nothing like hearing the Champions League Hymn and then seeing Spurs take the field. Hopefully we can continue this great run under Redknapp and have many more nights like tonight.
It was a great "European" night at White Heart Lane. The game was played under the lights and in steadily falling rain. I've played in a few night games in the rain and there is nothing like it. The team really rose to the occasion. This win was worth about 30 million dollars U.S. in future Champions League revenue (mostly television related, I assume). The word on the street is that we've been waiting to sign a new player until we had these funds secured. So, we'll probably sign a new player in the next week before the window closes.
We were by far the better team tonight, which makes me wonder just how different playing on plastic turf really is for a team that isn't used to it. I've played on it before and it's not an issue - it's just different. The ball moves differently on it. Maybe that's partly why it took us the first half to really turn the tide and our "quality" to overcome the situation last week. I really think FIFA or UEFA should mandate that these big games have to be played on real grass.
The goal that really gave us some space was Defoe's second goal. Sure, he handled it almost as blatantly as Henry did for France, but the blind finish with the left foot that curled in and then off the post was top class. Missed calls like this happen more often then you'd think, so I'm OK with it. It's just part of the game. I would have felt the same way had the roles been reversed. After tonight's missed call and the goal last weekend against Stoke City that was never given, I can't help but think that our luck is finally changing. Like the Red Sox of old, Spurs have been on the short end of many plays and games in the past. I have the opinion that missed calls like this even themselves out over time, so it's nothing to get too worked up about. Besides, we were the better team over the course of both legs and even more so tonight.
Crouch just schooled the defender on his second goal (the third of the match) - a header from a corner kick. When Bale was taken down in the box everyone was hoping Crouch would step up and take the kick for the hat trick. I laughed because I've never seen Crouch, a 6' 7" striker, take a penalty kick. He slotted it home with confidence though. Unlike Everton and Newcastle in the past, Spurs are the first non "top four" team to make it through the playoff game and into the group stage.
Tomorrow is the group stage draw. Hopefully we'll get put into a group with Barcelona, Real Madrid, or another one of the world's biggest clubs. Even the teams in the second pot should be considered some of the world's best. We'll probably be in the third pot, leading me to think barring a very favorable draw, advancing out of the group stage will be difficult and not expected. I think a lot of fans are just happy to be involved in the competition after some 50 years of sitting on the sideline. We're just going to enjoy the ride with little or no expectations. All of the hard work last year and over the latest two legs have guaranteed at least 6 games in the Champions League.
There's nothing like hearing the Champions League Hymn and then seeing Spurs take the field. Hopefully we can continue this great run under Redknapp and have many more nights like tonight.
23 August 2010
First Official Day Off
Although last Monday was my first official day off, the trip to Canada delayed this new phase of our life until today. Still, today probably won't be that typical since we were still playing catch up from our trip.
I woke up to a beautiful sunrise. After breakfast Julia and I finished the yard work that I didn't get to last night. Stacey and I took turns exercising, getting ready, and unpacking our suitcases. By then it was time for lunch. I watched a soccer game over Julia's nap and then Julia and I ran to the Post Office and my parent's house to pick up the dog. The original plan was to play at the park but the rain today canceled that idea. We got home about 4:30, had dinner a little bit later, and now I'm typing this blog.
Today actually went really fast. Stacey feels more rested tonight since she didn't have to watch Jules all day. I have a feeling the days will fly by yet eventually turn mundane. We have a schedule planned for each day of the week, so we will both get time with the kids, time together, and time alone. Later on in the week I have time scheduled to work on things like the house, cars, and yard. I think I'll really enjoy those days too. After a few months I'll probably be ready to go back to work. For now, I'm just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.
I woke up to a beautiful sunrise. After breakfast Julia and I finished the yard work that I didn't get to last night. Stacey and I took turns exercising, getting ready, and unpacking our suitcases. By then it was time for lunch. I watched a soccer game over Julia's nap and then Julia and I ran to the Post Office and my parent's house to pick up the dog. The original plan was to play at the park but the rain today canceled that idea. We got home about 4:30, had dinner a little bit later, and now I'm typing this blog.
Today actually went really fast. Stacey feels more rested tonight since she didn't have to watch Jules all day. I have a feeling the days will fly by yet eventually turn mundane. We have a schedule planned for each day of the week, so we will both get time with the kids, time together, and time alone. Later on in the week I have time scheduled to work on things like the house, cars, and yard. I think I'll really enjoy those days too. After a few months I'll probably be ready to go back to work. For now, I'm just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.
21 August 2010
Lake Sammamish State Park
Saturday everyone from Stacey's side of the family gathered at the park in Issaquah, WA. We finally got to meet Julia's cousin, Sophia, and Robin, Matt's girlfriend. We tore into a picnic lunch of KFC, talked, and let the kids (Jules) play on the playground. We spent the afternoon together, had a great time, and got some great pictures of everyone on the Johnson side of the family.
20 August 2010
Oh Canada!
On Friday we drove from Saanich to East Sooke for some park and beach action. The regional park in East Sooke is one of the southernmost points on Vancouver Island. In one of the parking areas I looked up and saw we were surrounded by several massive maple trees. The leaves were so spectacularly large that I had to pick one. My best guess is that the leaf below is about 16 inches wide.
I can only imagine what these look like in the autumn in full color (oh wait, note to self: see the Canadian flag). I wonder how much property gets damaged each autumn when these leaves fall to the ground...
I can only imagine what these look like in the autumn in full color (oh wait, note to self: see the Canadian flag). I wonder how much property gets damaged each autumn when these leaves fall to the ground...
19 August 2010
Butchart Gardens
On Wednesday the whole famn damily drove up to Butchart Gardens. 55 acres of plants and flowers...'nuff said. I resisted the urge to take a picture of every kind of flower in the park. So, you'll just have to take my word that it was a very pretty place.This was definitely something high on my Mom's list. This garden is also known as "The Things You Can't Grow in Colorado Garden". Julia liked the flowers too. If I'm being totally honest, it's getting kind of late right now and I can't think of anything else to say about this. I'm just trying to fill up the space with some words so that I can get the post formatted correctly. I mean, how many times can I say that the garden was "fabulous"? Well, except for the lady from who knows where (India? Iran? Indonesia?) that was upset at her family and practically yelling during our entire "peaceful" walk through the Japanese Garden. Zen Buddhist she was not.
18 August 2010
17 August 2010
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