And the winner is...

This last Saturday at around three in the morning, Kerri and I jumped into the van and proceeded to follow a CMS school bus containing our son, to Portales, New Mexico for Southeastern New Mexico Science Fair. Nathan's project on robotic edge detection technology had advanced from the city level and though Kerri and I were excited about his accomplishment, I think Nathan was more focused on a bus trip out of town with twenty to thirty other tweenagers.

As a side note, I do not envy the bus driver or sponsors who had to ride on the bus with the kids.

Aside from the main focus of the event... FREETIME! Nathan had to stand by his project for two hours and answer questions from a host of scientists, engineers and college professors serving as the fair's judges. In the end, Nathan came away with one of five awards presented by the United States Navy, a medal and certificate from the U.S. Army and Second place overall in the Engineering category at the fair.

We are very proud of him and look forward to traveling to Socorro for the State Science Fair this spring. Once again, we will be traveling in our own, quiet vehicle.

Has anyone seen the ancestors lately?

Sarah came home from school with a geneology project to work on. As she and Kerri mulled over the particulars, they came across a requirement that Sarah interview her family and write about some of the stories and traditions therein.

Kerri suggested that Sarah talk with her Grandmothers Christensen and Fincher. Sarah scrumpled up her little face, tilted her head and after a short, thoughtful pause, she informed her mother that... no, in fact, Mrs. Houston had specifically told them to talk to the actual ancestors.

hmmmm no.

Kerri and I both agreed that in all likelihood, it was Sarah who had misheard her teacher, and after a bit of gentle persuasion on our behalf, we think Sarah agrees.

But I don't think she is really convinced yet. Not really convinced.