Confirmed Antarctica and Birthdays

Julia got the best birthday news--she's going to Antarctica! The funding has been confirmed, and she'll be going for Christmas and into January. She has started the physical qualification process (pictured below getting a physical exam, next will be the dentist). 

Julia had a birthday party at the beach with her Minnesota friends. We connected with her while she was shopping at Target for supplies, LOL. Unfortunately, her DC party was delayed due to a significant weather event and flight cancelations. Benjamin and Julia eventually made it to DC late Sunday night, so we plan to indulge in a Carvel cake now and then celebrate with the rest of the family at the lake.

Birthday Bash

We celebrated Tony's 55th birthday at Fogo de Chao in Tysons. The food was delicious (faves beef rib and wagyu ribeye featured below), and it is always good to spend time with family. You can't take that for granted. Thanks for a wonderful night, L&T.

Research Completed and Bronze Medal

Research has wrapped up, and Julia is safely off Mount Waddington. Below is a last shot on the mountain, then the big hair reveal when back at the ranch. Three weeks without a proper shower... not bad! :) The last picture is with her colleagues, all shiny and clean. Only back one day in Minnesota, and this girl is back out there working for the environment--a clean-up of the Mississippi River event. She lives her passion. 

Guess who won the bronze medal for the 2023 National Senior Games--Meme's basketball team! Congratulations! Amazing! She went to New Hampshire from Pittsburgh to visit Julie and her family (pictured with David). 

Drilling, Deep Creek, and Darlings

The ice core drilling continues. Julia sent more fun pictures; she's the "popcorn queen" of the camp. She said she thought maybe another week. I hope the weather holds and they will have enough (healthy) food.

A quick trip to Deep Creek Lake for relaxation and catching up with the Sarrges and Austins. It was hard not to have Chad there, but Buddy's presence is comforting. Loving on that dog makes you feel better. Thank you, Lisa and Tony, for taking Buddy in and caring for him.  

The necklace with Chad's thumbprint came in. Perfect choice. Mom and I met with Vera and her darling girls at Fairfax City Square. They have one speed--fast! They can run like no one else. Adorable and good medicine for the soul.

Ice Coring and Weather Delays

I cannot imagine having to hunker down in a one-man tent on the side of a mountain while a storm is brewing--but this is Julia's reality! Yikes. I guess more time to paint and some alone time. :) 

Thankfully, the team has made progress drilling for the ice cores and getting them off of the mountain. There is a picture of her kneeling beside the cores when they were loading them onto the helicopter (while it was running). They are not finished yet and the storms have delayed progress. Again, I am thankful they have Wi-Fi and Julia continues to send proof-of-life (and breathtaking) photos. Check out her laundry picture--clean and drying on the snow. Food pictures include a peanut butter/Nutella and peanut butter/jelly bagel and some sort of hummus, pickle concoction on a bagel or rice cake(?). 

In DC, I went to the American Art Museum for a team-building activity. We did a scavenger hunt and it was a lot of fun (probably because my team won!).