Beach Fun

We just got back from a relaxing weekend in Oceanside and are headed to Portland tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I don't have much time, but I wanted to add some pictures from the beach. It was so nice to get away and the weather was surprisingly nice for November. Morgan is quite a walker these days and loved roaming around the beach house. She also got to take her first steps on the beach and I of course took a million photos. Here are some good ones and a little (unedited) video.

Ready, Steady, Go!

Here is Morgan playing the maracas on Halloween. She also had fun collecting rocks (to put in her mouth) out in front of our house.
After weeks of anticipation (and wondering if it were possible), Morgan has started walking!!! Just last Sunday we noticed her standing on her own while playing, apparently oblivious to the fact that she wasn't holding on to anything or anyone. On Monday, Sam and I had her take a couple of steps between us, and by the next day, she took four steps to her nanny. Of course she is still in the wobbly stages of only a few steps at a time, but we are excited. And so is she! She gets this big grin on her face and loves to waddle toward us and fall into our awaiting arms. She has realized she gets lots of loves and praise for this new skill! Each day she gets better at catching herself before she falls and is becoming more steady on her feet. She is venturing out to walk between her toys, and she even walked all the way across the living on her own. It is magical to see the joy in her face as she attempts this new skill. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to try something so new, challenging, and liberating. And it literally has just happened in one week's time. Now, Sam and I just have to figure out how to witness this magical thing without gasping ("Oh no!") or lunging (to catch her) when she falls. That is a lot harder than we thought. This weekend, we spent some (okay, a lot) of time trying to get Morgan to walk for the video camera. And we got a couple of good clips. Enjoy!

Do you believe in miracles?

Hello family and friends (it's Sam) - the is my first official post to The Holloway Happenings. For those of you familiar with Al Michaels' quote following the improbable win for USA Hockey in the 1980 Olympics - I truly believe my getting the chance to start my career at the University of Portland is a miracle. As little as six months ago, I was told they would not be hiring in my area - business strategy and entrepreneurship. Lucky for me, they did have an opening and after a three-month saga including multiple rounds of interviews and campus visits, they picked me to be their next Assistant Professor of Business Policy and Strategy.


The University of Portland (UP) is such a great fit for me on so many levels. First and foremost, they place a premium on teaching. In addition, they support research across many disciplines and they have a talented group of scholars in my area; from whom I can learn and improve as a researcher. Last, I get to do all of this within a few miles of both sets of grandparents and nearly all of Morgan's aunts, uncles, and cousins. I couldn't imagine a better place for us.


Here are some photos of campus including the newly constructed Franz Hall (above), home of the Pamplin School of Business. To the right is an aerial shot of campus, looking south along the Willamette river toward downtown Portland. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me over the past three years to reach this point. Robin has been amazing throughout, and I owe her so much for being my rock during graduate school and through our amazing 12 (twelve!) years together.