Then...

Now...

Then...

Now...

Congratulations!

After four days of writing on comparative politics and international relations, and successfully orally defending said written material last Thursday, Braden has passed his comprehensive exams! And not just with a "pass", but with a "high pass." So after Monday, he will be done with his graduate coursework. (I, however, have another year left...). On to the dissertation!

In honor of his achievement, here is one of the first pictures I ever took of Braden... our "first date" hiking in Hemlock Draw, in January 2001.

So I was reading someone's blog today, and she'd posted pictures under the theme of "Way Back Wednesday." I was inspired to look at the oldest digital photos I have (from Christmas 2000, I believe), and this is a fun one. Meghan had left cookies out for Santa, and received this note (suspiciously similar to Josh's handwriting) with the paper plate: "Dear Meghan, Sorry about the plate. Blitzen was a little hungry. Love, Santa."

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

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.

A family portrait taken by my aunt Shellie. (If you're in the market for wedding or family photography, let me know and I'll give you her contact info. She does great work!)

Tsuki dozing on the heated tile floor at Mom and Dad's in Madison.

Grandma opening Christmas presents from all of her kids--her first DVD player and an entire season of MacGyver.

Braden consuming one of the many brats he ate over vacation... Tsuki likes brats, too.

Grandma with all of us. (Kappelman kids, that is, not grandchildren.)

Braden and I opening birthday/anniversary presents at my parents'. We're working on collecting the rest of the pieces in our wedding china.

Ooooh... a covered vegetable bowl.

The family enjoying our Christmas Eve tradition of present opening after church and eating mozzarella sticks and shrimp. (We open on Christmas Eve because when Dad used to have to work at the farm on Christmas morning, we kids had to stare at the pile of presents until he got home... very painful. Plus it just gave us more time to enjoy, instead of hurring off to relatives' houses or making dinner.)

Braden and I...

Mom admiring Braden's many soccer balls.

Tsuki's first Christmas presents!

Braden and Matt enjoying the new Bond game.

Dad entertains Tsuki with sqeaky balls.

Lots of stuff fits in the IQube.

Josh demonstrating the new IQube to Tsuki.

Tsuki is somewhat overwhelmed by her Christmas presents.

Josh and Dad egging Tsuki on. 

I made oatmeal sesame bread today... partly out of necessity (something for dinner) and partly out of procrastination (don't really want to work on those final papers). It came out really well. Great taste, although I think the bubbles were bigger and more uneven than they're supposed to be. 

Tsuki's my baking companion. 

I'm posting this at the risk of being labeled "one of those weird dog people." I saw this in the store while getting dog food, and the package had a shiba on it, which I thought was too funny (they're known more for being devils than angels). Tsuki didn't really like it--she kept catching it out of the corner of her eye and turning around to try to see it.