End of Semester Review: NCA

Every year, our big academic conference is held the week prior to Thanksgiving break. This year, that week happened to fall between Ashley's successful defense and a travel-heavy Thanksgiving for us.

On Wednesday, Ashley's parents sent her congratulations flowers to the office. We took them with us to Jackson that afternoon.

On Thursday, we woke up, packed our suitcases, and headed to the airport for the 7+ hours of airplane and airport time.

The view from our floor in the hotel in San Diego was worth it.

Ashley presented a "Top Paper" (on Peace Corp narratives with Rebecca Dohrman and Suzy D'Enbeau).

Of course, academic conferences are not ALL about work. There is also some play involved ... here is Ashley visiting with the gang in between sessions.

Miss Sydney Elizabeth Munz ...

... and her parents ...

And Noah Dohrman-Weiler and his momma ...

And Sydney was VERY proud of her Mom's academic contribution ... (just prior to this picture, she was clapping and carrying on ... must have worn her out)

Unfortunately, we were so busy with presentations, sitting in on panels, visiting with friends, and having a dinner date just the two of us (one of the only times since Eden was born), we forgot to take any photos of us.

But we did get to visit with our good friends Elizabeth and Joshua (and Sydney) ... different than our other evening outings with those two. This time we ordered in pizza, took desserts from the swanky break room, and hung out in the hotel room while Sydney slept.

The conference was also different because (1) we were NOT on the job market and (2) it was the first time we had left Eden. As for the first, what a blessing; much more relaxed. As for the second, Eden was tickled pink to stay with her Granddaddy and CC ... Thanks guys!!!