Eric and Lisa

Yeah, I noticed that it's been over three weeks since I posted in this blog, but really, nothing very interesting has been going on to talk about. It's definitely fall now -- Eric's favorite season -- and so we've been watching a lot of football and enjoying the cooler weather. Apple cider has made an appearance in our fridge, and will continue to be regularly stocked until the end of November (per Eric's request). The trees in our neighborhood are beginning to turn shades of red and yellow, and we love being able to have the windows open to welcome the cool breeze during the day.

We've continued to train for the 5K that we're going to run as a family at the end of October during Bethel College's homecoming weekend. Eric is having no trouble whatsoever (because he was in shape before we even started training), but I'm still chugging along in my training program. I'm using a running program created for "couch potatoes" that slowly works you up from not exercising at all to running a full-fledged 5K. It's been perfect for me since I had 12 weeks after Ian was born where I was unable to do any exercise at all (not even yoga) due to the healing process following his delivery. I highly recommend it for anyone who is wanting to get in shape without worrying about over- or under-doing it. (Here's the link: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) Ian, of course, will not be running the 5K due to his lack of walking skills, so he'll be pushed in his jogging stroller by one or both of his grandmas, who will be participating in the 5K walk. Both of our dads are thinking about running with us. We're really turning this thing into a family affair! I'll try to remember to give an update about how the whole thing went after it's over.

--Lisa

On Saturday (Sept 2), Ian got to experience his first-ever sporting event. We took him to the IU-Western Michigan football game and tailgate at IU's Memorial Stadium. We went to the tailgate with some of our friends beforehand, where Ian met AJ, one of our friends' babies who is just two months older. Ian enjoyed being carried around in his "Snugli" carrier most of the day and took a nap on a blanket in the grass at one point. Eric and I enjoyed the barbecued ribs and the good weather! Two hours before the game, we have a tradition called "The Walk", where the coaches and players walk through the tailgating area toward the stadium. Ian got to "high-five" a lot of the players as they walked past, sucking his thumb the whole time. At the game, he took great glee in screaming at the top of his lungs (happy screams) at random moments. It seemed like he liked the loud band and the crowd. We had to leave the game early because it started at 6pm, and by halftime, Ian was starting to get really tired from the whole day. On our way out, we stopped by Uncle Jeff and Aunt Judy's seats to say hello. As we drove home, we listened to Don Fischer's call of the game in the car and picked up Aver's pizza for supper. It was a really good day.

--Lisa