Secret Santa November 22, 2007

OK, as I was given the task of assigning Secret Santa again this year, I thought I’d put the list up in time for any nuts who want to do shopping on Black Friday…we don’t have any of those crazies in this family, right?  Well, I guess its not all that “secret” since I’m letting everyone know who has who, but I think it’d be rather impractical to try to make this confidential!

Kris gives to Becky

Jennifer gives to Kurt

Kurt give to Greg

Rachel gives to Kris

Greg gives to Rachel

Becky gives to Jennifer

OK, if you don’t like it, tough.  And I’m sorry, but I don’t remember exactly who got who last year, so if I’ve duplicated, I apologize.  Greg and I both have Amazon wish lists to make your shopping experiences easier!  And to Kris and Jennifer, I would personally love any suggestions you could provide as for what the kids need.  Kurt will of course get them something loud and weapon-like that they will love and cherish, but I like to be slightly more practical!!

Missing everyone this Thanksgiving, hugs to all,

Becky

Jon’s B-day party November 18, 2007

Greg, I hope you get this note in time.  We would like to invite you and your family over to Jennifer’s parents’ house in Shawnee for Jonathan’s birthday party this coming Thursday morning.   Festivities start around 9:45 AM and we’ll be done around 11:45 AM.  Let us know if you plan to come and/or if you need directions to their house.  Hope to see you soon!

Kris and Jennifer

Becky Updates November 11, 2007

I just realized I should probably just post an update for me (and Greg) since I haven’t spoken with anyone except mom and dad in quite a while.  For once I actually have some good news to share.  My first paper (I’m first author) has been excepted!  This, of course, is a huge deal for me.  I feel like I’ve been trying to get this thing published forever!  It only needs minor revisions and I will re-submit it for publication just before Thanksgiving.  Also, another paper that I am second-author on will be submitted early this week.  In addition to those two, I have another first author paper being submitted later this month and 2-4 more in the pipeline.  It is truly amazing.  I feel so happy and proud that all of my hard work for the last few years is finally coming to some fruition.

Also, this coming Tuesday, I will have my final committee meeting – the one where they tell me (hopefully) that I have permission to write my dissertation and schedule my defense.  Having my paper accepted last week could not have been better because they are way more likely to let me graduate with one paper already under my belt.  So although I still have some minor work to do on my meeting presentation, I am looking forward to presenting my data to them.  If things go well at my meeting, I will finish up most of my bench work by the middle of December and then go back to Kansas and spend about a month there with Greg, writing my dissertation and job hunting.  It will be a busy time but busy in a good way!  I plan to schedule my dissertation defense for mid-March…so anyone that wants an excuse for a trip to Tucson is more than welcome!

Greg also has some potentially exciting news, he has applied for a new job at the Spencer Art Museum at KU for the job of systems administrator.  This will be a nice move up the food-chain for him and will allow us to really look into buying a house next Summer after I move back.

I am happing to be hosting dad’s stay in Tucson, starting tomorrow.  He will be in town for the Tour de Tucson again this year.  Ironically, I will be out of town for part of his stay here!  Greg and I will be in Austin for his older sister’s wedding next weekend.  We’ll be there for 5 days, so although we won’t be together for Thanksgiving, it’ll be a nice time to spend together.  Plus, weddings are always fun!  I’ll be sure to post pictures of the trip.

Sophie is doing well, currently laying on her “thrown” on the couch.  I miss everyone and hope your next few busy weeks are very enjoyable!

K & R update November 9, 2007

I don’t know if Kurt has mentioned this to anyone or gone into detail about what’s been going on in Indiana, so I thought it’s about time for an update… also we have more details known now too. Kurt’s research requires him to test some of his specimens in Minnesota. There are also test specimens from KU that will be tested in Minnesota, but there are two new Master’s students from KU working on that part. Somehow it was decided by the professors on this project that at least one grad student from each of the two universities (KU and Purdue) will be in Minnesota for at least the first 6 tests (2 of these tests are Kurt’s). Their estimate for each test is one month. Around the beginning of January the first set of tests will start, and since Kurt is the only grad student from Purdue working on this research, he is required to be there for 6 months for the first part of 2008, while the two KU grad students will be taking turns.

How often will he be allowed to travel back to Purdue, you might be thinking at this point: a weekend once a month under the explanation of “creating new specimens” so the research project will pay for the flight. Apparently “going to see his wife” isn’t an acceptable explanation.

Rachel is “job hunting” for some source of income starting January 2008. It’s not really going as planned, but there are a few options… the decision making isn’t fun.

I guess that’s all I can say about that at this point. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in the next couple of months

Love, R & K

P.S. — I think all of you have met Kurt’s friend Dustin Smith (was the 3rd groomsman) and his wife Sarah. They had a baby girl Nov. 7th, Johanna Layne Smith! They emailed pics of her today, and she is a little baby female version of Dustin