12/19/2009 – Portland Mormon Choir Christmas Concert

Melissa is singing with the Portland Mormon Choir (www.portlandmormon.org). I am so proud of her – being a part of such a great group and working hard to produce a great show. The way they started it was so cool. The orchestra was on stage and played a couple songs, then the lights went out and two soloists were spotlighted on each side of the stage - a male and a female. They sang lines back and forth (in a beautiful chanting tone), then the audience begins to hear singing from behind. The choir members were entering the hall (approx. 2,000 audience members) from the rear doors, each holding a lit candle. As they walked down the side aisles, it created a unique surround sound. I tell you what, I felt the Spirit strong as they entered the concert hall. And the candles in each of their hands…wow. What a cool show. I thought it was a great mix of spiritual, Christ-centered material along with some fun, upbeat holiday favorites. Great job, Melissa…and all involved.

Chinese Doctors

So we’re sitting at breakfast talking about the upcoming day. Emery informs us that one of her classmates was born in China. I thought that was cool so I asked her to elaborate. After doing so, it became apparent to her that the kid was not born in China after all. Then, to save her friend’s reputation, she says: “Well, when she was born there were probably Chinese doctors in the hospital.” Kids say the funniest things.

12/5/2009 – Oden Injury

It is hard to put into words how tough the injuries have been on the blazers this year. Pendergraph (hip), Mills (foot), Batum (Shoulder), Outlaw (foot), Fernandez (back), and now the biggest setback of the year: Greg Oden’s (other) knee. The situation speaks for itself, but man is it a tough pill to swallow. Greg is a key component to a deep playoff run, and now we’re pedaling backwards again. Tough. Again… it’s tough to put into words.

12/3/2009 – CIVIL WAR GAME

I’m not sure I’ll ever see another Civil War game with this much riding on it again. It also turned out to be a Thursday night game on ESPN. A few friends came over to our place to watch the game together and the game truly lived up to the hype. We often caught ourselves turning to each other saying “Wow, what a game!” Both teams came to play.

Now, off to enjoy the Roses on New Year’s Day!

11/26/2009 – Happy Thanksgiving

We had a “non-traditional” thanksgiving this year. 3 other families came over to our place and we enjoyed the holidaym, not with the traditional extended-family group, but this time with friends. It was a fun twist. A cool holiday with cool folks.

11/23/2009 – Blazers vs. Bulls

Moriah and Brooke accompanied me to the Bulls game on Monday, 11/23. A friend also brought his son and sat near us. Blazers blew them out 122-98.

11/21/2009 – Ducks win at Arizona

Man, that was one intense battle in Tucson. I was watching on TV at home and found myself standing up in anxious anticipation. That was the most nervous I’ve been during a sporting event in a long time. And man did it pay off. Double-overtime thriller with a ducks touchdown to seal the deal. Whew! Now a civil war to decide the fate of the Pac-10 championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. I was jumping up and down, literally freaking out when that final touchdown finished the game. Dickson’s celebration (photo above) was perfect for the emotions we fans were feeling right then. Wow.