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








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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.






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