Robotics Lives On

The majority of Friday and Saturday were spent at the FRC Utah regional.  Yeah, we don't have any actual family members on the team, but the truth is, this team is like family to us.  They are our people and we couldn't wait to go watch this year's robot, cheer for the team, and hang with our people.

In Clark's absence, Zach is Abe's adopted son on the team.  We adore Zach and love that he is the new safety captain-- one of Clark's old jobs!  

I was a bit of an emotional wreck at times throughout the weekend-- missing Clark.  This FIRST robotics team and group of friends was such a HUGE part of his life.  Shortly after the kids and I arrived on Friday and got situated in the stands I thought, "Hey, let's hurry down to the pits to say hi to Clark."  Only to quickly realize, of course, that he wasn't there.  The emotions came fast and furious.  Thankfully I was surrounded by beloved friends who smiled and understood my mom tears.  Despite my overactive emotions, it was weekend that did my soul good! 

The team had new shirts this year!  I guess once you're part of PrototypeX, you're always a part of the team.  Or so we like to think!

Greta was a little trooper all weekend and Peter was happy to pass down his homemade PrototypeX shirt to Greta because "... he is big boy now!"

By Saturday afternoon she finally succumbed to a nap on Daddy.

There are no words to say how much I love and enjoy these two.  I am grateful for them every single day.  

And the same goes for this lovely lady too.  She doesn't currently have a child on the team either, so that makes us the team's biggest groupies.  It's looking like we're headed up to Boise later this month watch them compete up there.  We can't help ourselves, the competition is so exciting, but it is just so much fun to hang out in the stands together. 

Best picture of the day... Bethany inadvertently gives Andrea elf ears!!! Ha ha ha!

Selfie entertainment.  If I may take a moment to say that Peter was exceptionally well-behaved for both days.  Dare I ask, "Have we turned a corner?"

I cannot go into all the details of why the ladies of the Fox are posing in our "She-Fox-Den" pose.  But let it be known we've got each other's backs... And loud singing in the car together heals most of whatever might ail us.   

A special shout-out to Clark for leaving us his Amazon music playlists that have just the right songs with just the right amount of edge at just the right time.  

There... was that vague enough for you?

Aww... Greta's first Prototype "X"!

This year's drive team.  Oh, I should say that our team did earn a ticket to Worlds today- they ranked 3rd in the qualification matches (out of 52 teams) and made it all the way to the finals.  They didn't win the finals, but the captain of the 2nd place team gets the wild card ticket to worlds.  Also, our coach, and our very good friend, Keith (second from left) won a major award!  The Woodie Flowers Award goes one excellent mentor at each regional competition.  Keith has had such an impact on so many kids, including Clark, that we are thrilled for him.

The kids still LOVE wandering the pits and collecting pins and swag from all the teams.

So while we did miss Clark dreadfully this weekend, we thoroughly enjoyed reliving wonderful memories of the great times we've had with him and FIRST.   Good heavens, I make it sound like he has died.  He hasn't.  He's just on a mission!  Get a grip, Betsy!

I suspect George might be our next big robotics guy!