Aviation Nation 2009

Each year, Nellis Air Force Base hosts a public event which allows the general public to come onto the base and view planes and witness fly-bys of many different planes, including the Thunderbirds, the USAF’s ambassador’s in blue.  http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/index.html

This is the second year we have taken the boys and each year they have a great time.  Kenny was so enthralled with the planes and said that he wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force when he grows up.  He wanted to touch each plane, to feel the surface, whether smooth, rough, bullet-marked, etc…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He wandered around wide-eyed, amazed and he seemed to be trying to take it all in and remember it all.  I loved walking with him and observing him as his mind filled with awe and possibilities.  I could see his mind working to formulate an idea of what it must be like to sit in the cockpit of a plane and fly over the world.

We saw current planes (F-16, C-130, etc…)

 

 

 

 

unmanned aircrafts (raptor, predator, and a mockup of the Global hawk)

planes from all of the wars (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korean), 

and aggressor planes (migs, Israeli Kfir (F-21)).

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing to watch as they fly overhead and see the capabilities they have, the speed, power…

Here are some other pictures that you might enjoy:

Kenny posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kale posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kenny holding a grenade launcher.

Kenny waiting for the Thunderbirds air show.

On a more personal note…

As I watched the Thunderbirds fly overhead and looked at all the men and women who serve in our military, working to keep each of us free and safe, I was filled with a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that they do.  I know that the government is doing all they can to reduce the amount of time and personal presence to protect and limit deaths as they strive to keep the country’s freedom strong, but as I thought about all the men and women who have given their lives and knowing that more will be called upon to give their lives, I am so grateful that I have been blessed with all that I have.

It was a blessing for me to be able to attend Aviation Nation this year.  I am reminded that so much is done for me by others that I fail to remember and recognize often enough.  I am challenging myself to REMEMBER and show my appreciation each chance I get.

Halloween for the Boys (Part 3)

On Friday the 30th, we had the ward’s annual chili cook-off and Trunk-r-Treat.  Kenneth decided that he wanted to make a chili to enter in the contest.  So he opened the fridge to see what we had (not much).  He ended up using 5 cans of Hormel Chili, added hot dogs and ground beef seasoned with onions and garlic and called it “Chili Dog Chili”.  He won third place.  Can you believe it?

Kenny decided that he didn’t want to wear the wig again, so we spray-painted his hair black and put some makeup on his face – to make him look dead – and called him a goth vampire.

He actually looked pretty great with black hair. It suited him well.

This picture was taken after he had been out and about for several hours.  He had eaten several pieces of candy and a sucker – thus the orange around his lips and the worn off makeup.

After the trunk-r-treat, we drove up to the outlook for the city and took some pics and enjoyed the view.  Check out the pictures taken by Kale, Mom and Dad.

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Kenneth decided since it was Halloween and he could get away with almost anything, to cut his hair and give himself a mo-hawk. 

He also cut his beard so that he had mutton chops and a split goatee.  He looked like a UFC Fighter.

We had a great time and enjoyed spending the evening together as a family.  They boys collected quite the stash of candy and should be set until next year.  They went around 3-4 times and got lots of compliments on their costumes and as always, were quite the hit with the ladies. 
For Halloween night, we holed up in the “Theatre Room” and watched movie, enjoyed teriyaki beef for dinner and then went to bed.

Halloween for the Boys (Part 2)

In Nevada, the 30th of October is Nevada Day – it is the day Nevada became a state- and therefore it is a holiday and so the boys had the day off from school.  SO, on Thursday the 29th, they had their Halloween parties and got to dress up.

Kenny was a GOTH Rocker named Darth Diamond.  Kale was a Wizard.

They seemed to like their costumes and were excited to share them with their friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kale’s Costume started out as a girls witches costume that we converted into a wizard’s outfit.  We added dragon charms on the front and the hat and an iron-on decorative cross on the back.  We hortened the sleeves and cut off 8 inches from the bottom.  He looked great!!  He did look a bit “girly” though so we added some dark eye makeup and that did the trick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the shoes.  This is what the costume was based on.  He was a little unsure of the wig, but after we got it on… He was ready to go along with the costume.  We painted his fingernails black and used black eyeliner and lipstick.  He looked great!!!

Halloween for the Boys (Part 1)

Kale’s school had a Halloween Sing-along on the Wednesday before Halloween.  Following are the videos of the songs that they sang. 

Kale's First Class Song - Pumpkin, Pumpkin

Kale's Second Song - 5 Little Skeletons

Kale's Third Song - 5 Little Pumpkins

Kale's Fourth Song - Scarerow Song

You’ll have to forgive us for the poor quality; our good camcorder was not charged and I we had to use the “small” camera.  Also, the room had poor lighting and thus, poor quality pictures.  But you get the gist and should be able to enjoy the songs.