Edmonton and Friends

Julia spent this past week in Edmonton, Canada, which had a nice blanket of snow. She spent the majority of her time in the lab (varying degrees from -18 to -33) analyzing the ice cores they extracted from Mount Waddington. Pictured below is a fancy tuna bowl from the Calgary airport. Meanwhile, Benjamin had a layover in Baltimore and came down to DC. It was great to spend time with him and Elizabeth (but really missed not having Julia there!). 

Wrapping up the weekend was a dinner with Aunt Linda and her friends Patty and Kristen. Lisa outdid herself with the yummy pork loin, roasted cauliflower, roasted potatoes, green beans, apple/onion compote, gravy, pickled apples, and homemade biscuits. It was nice to finally put a face to names I've heard often. Linda, Patty, and Kristen always give Mom the white glove treatment whenever she goes to Rochester. So sweet. 

Washington Post and Personal Survival Techniques

Steven happened to stumble upon a Washington Post article that features a paper that Julia co-authored. Very cool to see her research out in the mainstream media. 

In preparation for Antarctica, she went to Houston to get certified in personal survival techniques. This girl is brave. If only we had a picture of her in the orange suit!?!?!  

It was quiet on the home front this week. Pictured is Booberry, my office buddy. 

Parents Weekend and Wedding

Julia and Benjamin hosted a friends potluck dinner during the week. She featured the recent pork loin and squash we had when we visited. Then they went to Nashville for Matt's wedding (a dear friend from the Ohio State University). They had a good time. Julia got back to St. Paul on Sunday and flew out Sunday night to Houston for boat survival training.

Kathryn came home for her fall break and we were treated to some delicious brisket (and kabocha squash!). It was so good; a very close second to spending time with the whole family. 

I ran into Elizabeth; she had just come from rowing practice and Wawa and I was on my way to work. 

We spent Saturday with the Saunders for Georgetown University's parents' weekend. First was the women's rowing breakfast and then the BBQ. We love Elizabeth, Carrie, and Mark so much. They are so kind to include us every year. Meanwhile, Lisa and Tony were in Boulder for Ethan's parent weekend! There is nothing like spending time with your kids. 

Sweet St. Paul

We went to St. Paul to visit Julia and had the nicest time. Her apartment is so cute and she and Benjamin were lovely hosts. We walked and ate lunch along the Mississippi River. We finally got her new bike (belated birthday gift); we visited the Mall of America (with its huge amusement park in the middle) and Stillwater, MN--where we walked across the bridge and into Wisconsin. They also had an arts festival there with a ton of vendors. We saw The Importance of Being Earnest (very funny) at the Guthrie Theater and took in the cityscape from the endless bridge. Yummy food was had at Glam Doll Donuts, Spicy Feta, and from Julia's kitchen (ribeye, pork loin, chicken, roasted pumpkin). Her tiny gas stove (original 1940s???) makes it quite an accomplishment when it turns out. :) She bought me smoked salt...like mother like daughter. It was good for the soul to stay with her.