Visit with Ray, Malu, Neel, and Hael

As I was about to post my pictures from our visit with Ray, Malu, Neel, and Hael - the picture below came up in my photo albums (very out of order). I have to attach it here, because it reminds me of how much fun Neel and Nicholas always have together. Boy, have they grown!

Neel (1 year old) and Nicholas (1.5 years old) in Texas

7 years later, at age 8, Nicholas and Neel continue to have a blast together! 

Ray, Malu, Neel, and Hael stopped by Hanover at the start of their trip. Lily and I went out to lunch with them, then we stopped by Doug's office and lab for a visit (Neel LOVED it), and then moved on to the geology building. 

I think this conversation was about graphene.  Note the state of Doug's office at the end of the academic term.  He says he's read most of those books. 

Doug shows Neel and Hael the machine that he built for his graduate degrees.

 Doug explains just how tall Abe Lincoln is on an old penny.

 The microscope session started with looking at jewelry, but devolved to looking at how dirty fingernails really get.

After visiting Doug's lab, we headed over to the geology building. You can barely see the giant pendulum between Donovan and Hael. 

We got to top off the week with a trip to Plum Island to celebrate Hael's sixth birthday! 

Cupcake time for Nicholas, Lily, Donovan, Hael, and Neel!

Cupcakes with the whole gang, including Aunt Malu's parents and grandmother.

Hael and Donovan have just as much fun playing together as Nicholas and Neel. 

Neel 

 Lily

Nicholas, Neel, Donovan, Hael, and Lily

Donovan, Hael, Neel, Nicholas, and Lily

 Hael

Neel

Hael and Donovan 

Neel and Doug discussing some engineering issues.  This discussion was about polymer oxidation (no kidding).

For more pictures, click here or see the slideshow below.