We Welcome the Second PhD to the Family

We took a trip out to Stanford to watch Nate present, then defend his thesis.

But before that.. 1st stop


Angels at Athletics baseball game.


At least mom is watching the game.


MC. Hammer threw out the first pitch. On a related note, check EBay for my MC. Hammer bobblehead doll (we were one of the first 1000 to the game).


Taylor Dayne (one of Nate's favorites) sang all of the right words to the Star Spangled Banner.


Coco Crisp (ex Redsox player), Athletics scored 8 runs in the first, before the first out.


A trip to Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk.


Mom and son, with a roller coaster in the background. No, we didn't get on it, but we did have garlic fries.


A tour of a two-story Best Buy, Beth eat your heart out.

Now to defending his thesis, first the presentation.

Nate's introduction by his professor. Nate told us there is normally 25 attendees to these affairs, there were at least 50 that showed up for this one.


This was his opening slide, I was okay up to this point, well I recognized the name and date at the bottom. See if you can follow along.





56 Minutes later,

Summary and conclusions.

After a few questions and a gap filler, we all leave Nate to the 5 board members for another hour who will ask him questions about his research. Mom, Ben, Kathi, and I set up a snack-type party to celebrate his positive defense outcome. He made it.





This makes it official.

I mentioned at the top that Nate is the second of the family to receive his PhD, many of you may be wondering "Who was the first?" Well, that should have been easy.



















Liam Schlosser. PhD (Pretty handsome Dude)


Congrats Nate, sorry Doctor Nate








13504

The Postman Comes to NH for a Visit

On his trip last summer, he couldn't do much but sit and look cute. This year he's much more mobile, which means gates and kid proofing. But, it also means a lot more fun.


On the way to NH, Liam watches to make sure the maintenance crew checks over the aircraft.


This is Liam, bc (before cut), we were concerned getting a hair cut could diminish his cute factor.


It didn't, in fact it made him even cuter and look two years older.


After discovering and learning about a pine cone, he gave it to me. I've got it on my desk just in case you want it back.


He didn't like where my driveway reflectors were, so he repositioned them,


then repositioned them,


then again, and again,...


Even the whole family got involved.


It was tough, but I gave up some "buddy time" for Nana and Aunt Beth.


I was just showing him that we can point too.


Okay, I'll hold on to your rock collection.


Trying to figure out where the bubbles are coming from.


Liam demonstrates how he shows his love and appreciation.


Who's enjoying this walk more?


I may have missed my calling.


This is why we took 932 pics, in the hopes we'd gets a few good ones, this is one of my favorites.


and this one.

Liam, and his mom and dad, are gone, but he's left behind two marks that will remind us of him and they will last forever.


and

his hand print on the door.

Looking forward to the next trip, and maybe a new outside routine.






13501

Finally, Roof Project Completed After Three Years

After just over three years, a major project of raising the roof was finally completed this past summer. The job was divided into three parts:

1) Building a new roof over the old one, then dismantling the old one.

2) Demolishing the old walk-in closet, then rebuilding a larger walk-in closet

3) Building a closed in deck onto the front of the house under the new roof

Looking at the house before the project, the goal is to:

Raise this roof to the same level as the garage to the left, and:


to raise this roof to the same level as the back of the house roof, and to enclose some of that chimney.


Work begins with an expert in this field, Paul. People are finally understanding why I wanted a little brother,

Even Shawn came down to pitch in, now I owe him hours on his house.



I also got involve, I can hit a nail 3 out 5 times.


Paul's checking over the back roof and thinking "How the heck did I get involved with this?"


Shawn is shown putting the finishing touches on the new front roof.


This is after putting on the fire and ice, okay, ice and water.


A view of looking up between the new and old roof


New level roof on the back.

Phase 2, the closet. Because the roof was raised, the walk-in closet can be enlarged.

This is what it looks like once the sheet-rock is removed.


and the front wall and old ceiling was removed.


The new insulating installed, that hole in the wall is for bringing the sheet-rock up to the room.


Clarance arrived to help with the installation of the walls. Notice my ramp, not a bad idea huh?


Mudding a room is some much fun.


Painting comes in second place for fun.


The floor is in, ready to fill with clothes and quilting material.


Almost doubled in size, this is the new closet.

Finally - Phase 3, the front deck.


With the new roof extending out about 12 feet, why not close it in?


Not very level, but that can be fixed.


Along with a new deck, we started replacing the windows too.




Notice the way the door opens, that was changed later, it just didn't feel right opening that way.



Installing the pine board walls.


Joe flew all the way from Florida to give a hand to finish up the top of the deck ceiling.





Long process, but after three years this project is finally complete


Liam provided constructive construction ideas.


The whole project came out very nice, thanks to Paul, Shawn, Joe and Liam.















13214