Taste of England

Rick spent the last week in England learning a bit about the job he'll be doing there, looking at houses, making friends, and picking up some treats. Cake, scones, and biscuits from Betty's. We hear it's a pretty yummy place.

Oh Beautiful...

Lexie decided everyone should dress patriotically for the 4th of July. (And for Rick coming home from England tonight.) She is such a cutie!

Finally!

She finally said it! I guess that's what happens when Daddy goes to England, Lucy learns new tricks. She also learned how to come down the stairs (although I still don't trust her there completely but she's really pretty good at it on her own), stand on tubs, climb over tubs blocking the stairs so she can climb the stairs and she's slept through the night the last 3 nights! She's had a great week!

Lexie's Post: Zero Gravity

This morning, I had to wake up early, so that I could enjoy an once in a lifetime experience. Riding in a propeller plane! As I sleepily climbed into the car, I was worried that it would be frightful to be up there, high in the sky! I had not realized what a treat was in store for me!

As I waited in a large room, full of people, I looked for friends that i remembered from Air and Space Camp.  Finally, it was my turn to go in the plane! I walked over to the plane that I was to be flying in. Mom took a picture of me next to the pilot.

I then found myself buckling myself into the seat and suddenly the queasy stomach feeling disappeared. I was about to fly! We slowly made our way down the airport parking lot and waited our turn until we could go down the runway. We went very quickly down the runway and all of the sudden we were up in the air. I was flying! I looked down to see my family waving at me and then the airport looked like a small playhouse to me. And then it was gone out of sight.

 

I saw many different colors of grassy fields and lots of buildings with lots of different colored roofs. I was reminded of Kathrine Lee Bates' poem when I saw the beautiful purple mountains and the lovely fields. My pilot started to fly up a little and then down quickly. Going down meant that we were going at zero gravity, as my pilot, Mr. McLean explained. It felt really weird. It felt like I was flying out of my seat. It's like I was going down a roller coaster. Then Mr. McLean took a piece of paper and put it on the dashboard. He then flew higher, about 10 yards and then quickly flew down. The piece of paper went up off the dashboard for a second. After awhile more of flying we made our way back to the airport. It was a really bumpy landing. I was kind of worried about it. I was really relieved when it was just a little bumpy of a landing.

Then I got off and got to go back and see my mom. I went inside to fill out my log book and certificate. I waited for Joseph and then we went on home.

What a really fun way to spend the morning!

Joseph's Post: Up, Up, and Away!!!!!!!

This morning, I went to the Front Range airport in Watkins, Colorado for one more day of space camp.  We waited in a room until our name was called. Then we went out and a pilot took us to his plane.

Before we got in the plane my mom took a picture of  me.

Then the pilot asked me questions about the parts of the plane. He asked about the elevator, rudder, and aileron. Those are parts of an airplane to make it fly, to turn, and to land.

Then we got to climb on into the small propeller plane. I got to choose if I wanted to ride in the back of the propeller plane or actually FLY it. I chose to fly the plane!

We had to wait our turn to take off at the runway. It felt like I was in a car that was going really fast on the highway that rolled onto a spring and then we bounced up when I was taking off. From up in the air I could see really far away. The things on the ground looked like toys. My pilot, Charlie, asked me if I wanted to fly the airplane. I said sure. I got to steer the plane and make it go up and down. I also got to talk to the tower with the big head phones I was wearing. It was awesome.

The landing was like I was a bird flying and suddenly hit a clear glass wall and fell straight down. It seemed a little smoother than taking off, but just different.
After landing, I got a logbook, and a certificate.

Today was an awesome day!

Young Eagles

Just a few more pictures and videos from our day today. It was awesome!

 Watching all of the planes.

This Lucy girl LOVES her big sister!

A LOT!

 Playing in the grass while waiting for Lexie and Joseph to get back from flying.

 Lexie's back! It was hard for Eliza to wait for her to get out of the plane.

 

Lexie's take off.

Joseph's take off.

I really should have done a better job with these, but holding Lucy and trying to video...not the easiest thing.

The kids got passes to work on getting their pilot license (free classes). They are pretty stoked about that. This has been such an awesome experience. I'm bummed Rick was out of town or else we could have gone up with them. But I'm glad I didn't back out because he was gone. I was a bit nervous taking 5 kids for a whole morning to something where I didn't know the format and how things would be. It was perfect though and I brought more than enough snacks and there was plenty to keep the kids engaged-it was a great morning. I hope we can do it again sometime.

Andrew's Latest Lost Tooth

He was pretty excited about losing his tooth! Can you blame him? And he did find it so it wasn't lost anymore.

Nothings Gonna Stop Her Now

Lucy doesn't let anything get in her way of what she wants. Not even tubs.
She can make it over them so quickly, it's not even funny. (Ok, it is a little bit.)

I guess she ought to learn how to come down stairs pretty quickly.

Random Pics

We are cleaning out. Trying to purge. But getting rid of books is so hard to do because we love books-especially our children. But it looks better now that we've gotten rid of so many of them.

 Our little graduate.

The boys picked out what they wanted for lunch. They got vetoed. We had peaches and sandwiches.  But they were sure thinking and trying to pull a fast one.

Cute Baby & Cute Helper

We love this cute, sweet baby! We had to take a picture in this outfit because we had one of Eliza at this age which was one of our favorites. I think these ones can be favorites, too.

Lucy enjoyed being "fed" by Eliza tonight during scriptures. I hope these sweet sisters always stay good buddies.

Swim Meet

Lexie has been loving swim team. Today was her first meet. I love how defined her arm muscles are becoming. I wish I had time to get out swimming by myself everyday.
I love how she loves swim practice and has become such good friends with Bryn. So cute to watch.