This is notorious LIZ. She's pretty and pretty darn fast on skates. I watched her with a smile on her face take out an opponent and get points for her team.

Wil designed their team t-shirts. Several positive comments were overheard by other teams. On the back it says,"Back up I'm about to do SCIENCE! These were great students to spend an entire Saturday with.

This is Wil's "bridge to nowhere" This was one part of his participation in the Olympiad event. It was smashed at contest, so this is the only evidence I have of several days of cutting, sanding balsa wood and gluing. I do, however, still have lots of balsa sawdust floating around the dining room.

I went to Columbia to see Wil compete at the state competition of Science Olympiad

James and his derby car. Wil was called on to weigh in the cars and then run the races. James won one race with his car named dragon!

So There is this Place Called Epic, Where all the Geeks go to Play...

Wil would like to point out as often as possible how super he is...

Wilson hanging out with the Blues Brothers.

Liz with her dream man...

Overall, Epic was one crazy cool place. Johnathan really enjoys showing off how amazing Epic is. There was a player piano, there was an old fashioned record player, there was a mock up of the space station, all in all it was amazing!

We Went to Wisconsin for...Cheese? NO! For our Cheesy Family!

Liz, her new daughter Autumn, Amber, Wil, and I went to Wisconsin over the weekend to see the Balinski's new baby boy Asher blessed.

This is him in his blessing suit, and we got to go with Chelsea to help pick it out!

This is Miri looking her Sunday best in her brand new dress.

Talmadge, looking dapper and ready for church.

Ellie in her dress that matches her sister Miri.

We had a wonderful time (even with the 8 hour road trip each way), and were really glad to be able to see Chelsea and Johnathan and reconnect with them.

And the award for best travelling baby goes to ... AUTUMN MANLEY!!! She was such a doll, and was happy go lucky and charming the whole way (to the pleasure of all of her carmates).

Wil's Robotics Awesomeness

Elizabeth, her kids, and I went to Wil's robotics competition down in Kansas City at Kemper Arena.

This is him and his roommate (the one on the far right, Alex) trying to get the robot up and running.

They were so excited when they could finally pass inspection!

This is Wil's entire team (from top left to right down) Junseok Oh, Matt DeBlieck, Connor Douthat, BreAnna Jahn, Jason Wallace, Margret Steele, Michael (Jemimah) Maples, Nathan Harris, Alex Mannion, Wilson Pipkin, and Jacob Tuia. They placed 28th out of 58 teams at the Kansas City First Robotics Regionals.