The Cone Comb at state (and our trip to Boise)

After Rebekah's wins at the school and regional Tournament of Innovation, we thought the state Tournament of Innovation in Boise was a good excuse to go on a little family trip and visit my brother and his family. Unfortunately, the thought of spending time with the Grovers strikes fear into the hearts of our kin, so my lovely brother, sister-in-law and nieces decided they'd vacate their house that weekend and visit a "friend" from "dental school" in "Logan."

All right ... so they already had the trip planned when we found out that Bekah qualified for the state competition. We were sad that we didn't get to spend more time with them, but they allowed us to squat (definition #3 ... numbers 1 & 2 would just be weird) in their home while they were away.

Friday after our long drive, Seth tried in vain to put Miri down for a nap (her cousin's crib was WAY too different/exciting/weird for her to close her eyes for very long) while I made two attempts to find the Discovery Center where the tournament was being held to drop off The Cone Comb (curse you, Google Maps, for telling me the wrong exit). After that, we ate dinner and took the girls for a walk around the neighborhood. Gratefully, we were able to find our way back to the Hotel Scott. Miri tripped on the asphalt and scraped up her nose pretty well. (I mention this now so that in subsequent pictures you don't think, "What happened to that kid?")

Saturday morning we had some time to burn before driving to the Discovery Center, so the girls played outside for a while.

Miriam and Rebekah "doing an Indy walk" (Bekah's explanation) while swinging in the backyard. Yes, the wind was chilly, but if it's above freezing, the girls believe it's downright balmy outside.

Then they played inside for a while.

Analee during the pop gun battle we waged in the living room/kitchen.

It was epic. Seth had some pretty incredible moves.

Then we herded everyone into the van to check out the Discovery Center while we waited for the award ceremony.

Miriam trying to touch the spring that appears to be right in front of her. It was actually located below the opening, but a series of mirrors "moved" it.

Rebekah lying on a bed of nails.

And using the shot of air of blow her face instead of the ball.

Andrea and Miriam in the green screen room. We made it look like our heads were floating next to a shark's mouth.

After lunch and a trip to the park, we came back to the Center to hear if Rebekah's invention won anything.

How Analee looked while waiting for them to announce the winners in the non-working invention category.

How Rebekah looked while waiting for them to announce the winner in her age division.

How Miriam looked. See the injured nose?

The tension mounted as they announced the third and second place winners in Bekah's age division and category, but she was relieved when they announced her as the first place winner.

Getting her ribbon from this dude.

Celebrating with Seth.

Needless to say, we're glad we drove the 300 miles so Rebekah could participate.

Sunday was a day of relaxation, church, packing up and traveling home. Oh, yeah ... and another one of these:

Beware the pop guns!