Still a Lot Happening

I attended a three day workshop through American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for Certified Personal Trainers (CPT's) September 24th-26th. My next step is to study for the exam, take the exam, pass the exam and become certified.

I also started work on Saturday at PNC YMCA @ U.S. Steel. The U.S Steel Tower is in the picture below. If you look closely you will see 'GO PITT' lit up in the windows. They do this every home Pitt game.


Tuff and the boys from our small group went to the Pitt game versus Miami game September 23rd. As you can see in the picture below they sat in the 'nose bleed' section but it did not stop the fun.


As of Monday, September 27th Tuff is sling free. It marked six weeks from his surgery. He now gets to move his arm. For now his range of motion is still very limited. For example he cannot roll the window down in our car which has crank windows.

Wednesday, September 29th we drove north to Rochester, New York to see Richie, our college friend. On our way back to Pittsburgh we spent one night at Niagara Falls, Ontario and the next day at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Richie and Tuff, friends since day one of college.


Richie's little brothers and Tuff sporting new tattoos from Dinosaur's BBQ. Everyone traveled to Rochester from Montana to see their brother Brandon get married.


Niagara Falls:

After Victoria Falls (in Africa), Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the globe. In other words it was really awesome to see and we definitely recommend going.

Horseshoe Falls from Goat Island, New York



American Falls from Goat Island


Looking back at both American and Horseshoe falls, which our bodies are covering. For those of you who have not been, that is Niagara Falls, Ontario on the right side of the picture. We stayed the night there in a room overlooking the Horseshoe Falls.


Definitely a rainy day so no clear shots. From the observatory tower: American Falls and Niagara Falls, New York to the left, Horseshoe Falls in the back center, and Niagara Falls, Ontario to the right.



We took the Cave of the Winds tour, which travels a path around the bottom of American Falls. The picture below was taken from the top of American Falls looking down at people taking the tour.


Getting suited up for the tour. Check out the sandals they give you and Tuff's funny face!


If you look closely at the photo below you will see that Tuff stopped to meditate with the guy sitting, soaking in the powerful mist.


Once the guy was done meditating he asked Tuff to take a picture for him. This guy was hilarious.


This is the point where I had to put the camera away. The closer we got to the falls, the more soaked we got.


After the tour, we crossed the border...almost did not make it across though. We had to go through three check-points where we were grilled with questions and they searched our vehicle, including reading every detail in my weekly planner. Below is what our passport pictures look like....



...and below is what we looked liked crossing the border. Do you think this is why we were grilled?


Our view from our hotel room of the Horseshoe Falls. We made it to Canada!


The rain eventually stopped. Below is a picture from Canada toward New York of American Falls on left and Horseshoe falls on right.


American Falls


Niagara Falls, Ontario was like a mini Vegas. Lots to see and do.


Very commercial and expensive there; a burger and fries will run you about $20.


At night they light the falls in multiple colors but our camera did not pick up any good pictures so I borrowed one (Leendert 2009)


Below is our view of the falls from our hotel room in the morning. It was a brilliant sunny day.


We traveled about 15 miles north to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for three wine vineyard tours, Inneskillin, Stratus and Jackson & Triggs.

Chardonnay grapes



At Inneskillin we got to taste the icewine that was the official sponsor for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.


Smelling the 'bouquet' of the wine at Stratus


Barrel fermentation at Jackson & Triggs


Last view of Niagara River before it spills into Lake Ontario.


And now for a new addition to the blog: Senior Pic Remake
Please scroll down to view the Senior Pic Remake and the senior pic.

A Lot Happening Lately

Just two weeks ago our friends Patrick and Tyler were cut from the Steelers roster. Good news! Tyler is signed on the practice squad with the Steelers and Patrick is on the active roster for the Tennessee Titans. Also on the good news list is that Patrick and Kutsch Kutsch (Maggie) are getting married!


Tuff took some more pictures of our new place he wanted to share with everyone.

The entrance


The patio


Tuff's grill


Dining room


Living room


Kitchen


View from living room looking south


View from living room looking southwest


For Labor Day we went to two barbecues. It was a really nice day so we were able to play outside games.


I golfed last week for the first time in a while. Tuff rode the cart since he is not allowed to golf for a year. He still hunted for golf balls though.


This weekend through today Tuff and I traveled south to Nashville. We started with Friday evening at Mike and Leslie's. By now they should be familiar to most of you. They travel up to Wheeling, West Virginia a few times a year to visit Mike's dad.


The next day we dropped by Centennial Park for music corner and to visit Gabe, my high school classmate who lives in Nashville now.



That night we reunited for a fiesta with our young couples group we so dearly love.


The injured showed off


The girls (Thanks Leslie for the photos)


The next morning we met up with some friends the Garrett family at Athens Family Restaurant. We also met up with our friend Amber but she left before this picture. Little Sawyer was wearing his Tuff Harris Titans jersey.


After breakfast we were off to pick up Cheryl and head to the Titans vs. Steelers game.


Here we are walking to the game. Turns out game day kick-off temp was 87 degrees, the hottest temp played at LP field. An unofficial field temperature during the game was 100 degrees.


Kutsch Kutsch made it down to Nashville to watch her fiance Patrick play in blue. Even though the day was hot, the game was quite exciting, ending in a Steelers victory.


Afterwards we tailgated with the Amatos. That is Kenny Amato below waiving. His wife Sandi is from Montana and they both met at school at Montana State. Most of the tailgaters that day were Montana State Alumni.


That evening we met up with the Pleasant family. Reggie is the Chaplain for the Titans. Their family is really special to us and always energizes us just being around them.


The next day we met up for lunch with Charles and Siouxsan Robinson. We met them Christmas Eve at church in 2009. They have an organization called The Red Road, in which they serve to educate and empower.
Siouxsan beaded a beautiful choker for their five year old daughter.


After lunch Charles and Sioux met us at Arrington Vineyards. It was founded in 2005 by country music artist Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn.


Below is one of their 14 wines.


We sat on the patio to enjoy the panoramic views of the vineyards, some apple cinnamon cheddar and the hills of Tennessee.


For our last evening in town we met up with Casey and met his wife Kelsey. They are wonderful together. We made a trip to Sweet Cece's for some frozen yogurt. Our friend Libby works there. Below is a picture of all of us including Libby's dog Bodie. Libby hosted us for two nights of our Nashville visit.


On our way home the vehicle in the picture below passed us. The sign on the back says, "Prisoner Transport. Stay Back 50 Feet." Eek.


Tuff is currently rehabilitating for about two hours a day and has the rest of the day to do whatever he wants. We are making up a schedule so we both stay active and not idle.

Fall is approaching and some of the leaves are already changing colors. On a side note I start a job in October at the YMCA downtown Pittsburgh. Its located in the tallest building in Pittsburgh. Pretty cool. Also Tuff and I are helping lead groups for a high school ministry called Blitz.