Soaring!

I am always so jealous of Andy getting to fly for a living. When it came to his A-10 graduation, I asked him what he wanted for a gift. After months of deliberation, he said he wanted me to go soaring (gliding) as his gift so that I would have an opportunity to experience flight in a different dimension.....and you bet I did!! We drove out to what seemed in the middle of nowhere to be greeted by three retired pilots sitting on a porch talking "fly talk" as us wives call it :) We said we wanted a ride in a glider and with one signature and 20 minutes later I was up in the air!! You get pulled out by an airplane with a rope. The glider has two seats, no engine, no battery, no high tech avionics...just wings to keep it smooth in the air :) The plane tugs you about 3,000 ft and then you "pull the plug" (rope) and you are left gliding in the air in hopes of catching thermals that can take you thousands of feet higher. It was an AWESOME experience and I am so grateful for my hubby gifting this to me :) Now that I know I like it we will have to try the acrobatic gliders next...wohoo!! Be sure to watch the videos at the end of us taking off and landing. Inside the glider getting ready for a tug..

Up in the air being pulled

The A-10 has nothing on this panel! haha :)

Catching some thermals near the mountains. Once we cut the rope, it was incredibly quiet...you can imagine what it would sound like flying without an engine...birds have such an advantage on us :)

The strip where we took off

I'm flying!!! (and wearing a corny hat without will :)

Andy's turn!

Tyler and Georgia relaxing on the golf cart...maybe Tyler will go up next time :)

Tyler Weeks 4 and 5

Things have been pretty busy in the last few weeks. We have been packing up our house in preparation for our Korea & California move. We only have 1 week left in our house! Although the "to do lists" have been lengthy we are still making ample time to enjoy our lil' man. He is starting to smile now when we talk to him and gaining more neck and leg strength (I think he will be an early crawler...yikes!!). He is also starting to sleep a bit more at night which mom likes :) Here are a some photos of the past few weeks...
Sitting up straight in his Bumbo chair

Tummy time is hard work!! A nap is in order..
Tyler fell asleep like this with his arms in the air. Ironically this was taken Halloween night..."I am FRANKENSTEIN" !!!


Georgia loves to take her naps with Tyler...she's a great big sister :)
With my friend Eve who came to visit and help with packing the house...thank you!!

Typically just moments after I feed him, he falls asleep smiling for a couple minutes just like this photo. He even giggles in his sleep! We've noticed he also sleeps with his eyes open, so as I am feeding him I will be talking to him because he is "looking at me"....then I notice his eyes roll back into his head and his giggles start...I must be pretty boring :)
If we don't brush down his hair right after his bath...this is what will happen. In this case, Andy helped the cause by spiking his hair...the poor kid has many embarrassing moments in his future with parents like us!! Praying at bedtime :)
This is our "Grandpa" photo. We think he looks like an old man with his wrinkly forhead, dishoveled hair, puffy eyes, and pouty lips. No offense to anyone over 50....haha!!!

He is growing like a weed and getting long and lean.
My friend Lacey from college was in town for work and came over for a couple hours to meet Tyler. It was fun seeing you again, thanks for visiting!

Andy's Final Flight

Andy had his final ride as an A-10 student last week. Most of the class still had a couple of flights left after graduation so they couldn't quite relax until now. I was given clearance to walk out on the flight line and watch him do ground operations and take-off. It was cool to see the plane "fully armored" with a sidewinder, maverick, and other bombs that he was about to drop at the range just moments later. This was an awesome experience to get a glimpse of what he does all day...I just wish I could be in the plane with him (but there's only one seat :) Great job in the program Andy!! You make me so proud :)

The "Top Gun thumbs up!"
Getting ready to taxi onto the runway
Here is a video of Andy taking off

Tyler Weeks 2 and 3

Tyler turned 3 weeks old on Monday and is doing great! He is starting to gain some healthy weight and is becoming more and more alert. He makes the funniest faces and is starting to smile and coo. We are having such a blast with him!

With my mom and dad

Finally got the sling figured out :)



Sleep deprivation photos :)

Wonder what these two are talking about!?
Tyler's first hike at Mt. Lemmon's summit

With my friend Carol (aka: "The Sewing Lady":)
Family Uno...got a lil' heated...Tyler was in on the game

Unfortunately he got the chicken leg genes from both of us. Sorry bud!
Campfire in our backyard with Andy's parents
Had to put this photo in here...Andy looks so tough with his mistletoe turtleneck and apple soda
Ty loves his baths...he could stay in here all day as long as he's warm


"I'm a pumpkin!!!"