Michael and I went to Kansas City earlier this month. I did some research, but we were also able to visit with family and friends. We spent the first afternoon with Uncle Bob. Michael loved Bianca (and Uncle Bob but mostly Bianca). That evening, Michael and I had dinner with Michelle and Dillon. Finally got to meet their daughter, Talia, who is a couple months older than MDC3. She is a beautiful little girl, and I was so happy to finally see her in person! Talia was a little unsure about Michael. He's got a lot of energy. But, she was sweet enough to share her toys and to show Michael how to pillow dive.

My parents came to KC the next day, so Michael got to see his G&G V and more of Uncle Bob the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit at the Crown Center. Michael was all over the place, and he enjoyed playing in the kid-size city.

We had such a great weekend in KC! My research went well, and we had an excellent time with family and friends.

This is pillow diving



Playing with Bianca



Michael's favorite things at the Clifford Exhibit. They had a big Clifford statue, and his tail was a slide.

Let's Ride

These pictures are especially for Granddadders and Auntie...

Digging

I joined the excavation of Col. Robert E. Lee's campsite on the Concho River, Texas earlier this month. The site was in Paint Rock, Texas. Paint Rock is named for the Indian pictographs found in the cliffs which overlooked our dig site. The majority of my time was spent working on "Feature 1," which is thought to be a burned rock midden (a.k.a. a pile of rocks that was not naturally occurring, indicating human activity).

I was able to take Michael with me thanks to my friend Kristen. Kristen joined us and watched Michael back at the hotel while I was off digging. In addition to be Michael's babysitter, Kristen is just a lot of fun to have around. And, it made the drive to-and-from West Texas very enjoyable. Thank you, Kristen!

"Does Treasure Hunting Make Cents?" in the INA Quarterly

I co-authored a piece which was featured in the Winter 2009-10 issue of the INA Quaterly. The issue is now available online, and can be viewed at:

http://issuu.com/instituteofnauticalarchaeology/docs/inaq_winter_2009-2010_issuu/12

The piece is on page 12.

Michael, Diamond, and Optimus Prime

Michael LOVES Diamond, Optimus, and Cheetara. Only Cheetara is quick enough to escape his "affection." Diamond doesn't seem to mind too much if he offers her some food! And, Optimus showed extreme patience with MDC3's extreme hug.