Monday, March 27, 2006


Here's one more picture of us at brunch at Leah & Antony's (notice new backsplash tile and cabinets in the background!).

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Our Spring Adventures

So, we haven't updated in a while. Sorry, but things have been pretty hectic. I'm taking three classes this semester and taught a unit (four weeks) of one of our master's level classes in higher ed. Braden's been taking two classes and studying for comprehensive exams, a two-day written exam plus oral defence ordeal which takes place in about two weeks. (Picture approximately 84 books sitting in piles on our office floor.) When Braden said to me the other day, "Did you know graduate students can check out 250 books at a time from the library?", I knew we were in trouble.

Anyway, we got back from winter break and had all three of our birthdays. I also had a conference in DC over spring break, so we stayed with Braden's cousin Erin, who generously let us crash at her awesome apartment, a mere five blocks from my conference hotel. We spent several days sightseeing and eating fabulous food. We also got to visit Braden's cousin Leah and Antony, and their two kids Dominique and Scotten. We had a great brunch at their new house and played with the kids at a local park. It was a wonderful trip.

I just got back from another student affairs conference in Indianapolis, which I have no pictures of because I was basically in a conference center and hotel, and it was cold and snowy, and I was at the conference the whole time. But I got to see a number of people, including Leeny who was job-searching there, and Jim, who was a House Fellow with me at Madison. All the presentations at these conferences have gone well.

We're now mostly back to life as usual... although Braden will be significantly less stressed out when comps are over, I'm sure.

Yes, it's the White House... moments later Braden claimed to see Gregory Roberts on his way inside.

Braden and I in front of the White House, before meeting Erin for lunch.

It was such a nice night, we took a stroll around the monuments (Washington, Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam).

Another angle...

Another...

Abe...

On a beautiful spring day, we all head to the park after a great brunch at Leah and Antony's new place. (Not pictured is Antony, who is at home laying a stone laundry floor.)

Erin talking Dominique off the roof...

Dominique hangs out on the monkey bars.

Swinging is a pretty good time, too.

Braden and Scotten have a great time on the slide.

Scotten thinks he now wants to go head first...

Braden and Scotten play in the sand, while Dominique and her neighborhood friend swing in the background.

Erin and Scotten, on the way to the park.

A gruelling semester for all...

Back in Syracuse, we celebrated Braden's 25th birthday at the end of January... who doesn't need new boxers?

Dan and Cathy brought their three girls, Sarah, Emily, and Grace, to visit on their way through Madison.

The girls play with Tsuki (the blur in the middle).

At Braden's parents' over winter break, Tsuki and Camby arrived at a sort of grudging coexistence... sort of.