Space Shuttle Discovery's last launch to the Space Station

Discovery ready for lift-off!

pulled-out view

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

5-4-3-2-1 : BLAST OFF of Space Shuttle Discovery,

serving the United States faithfully, as has

it's crew. This is Discovery's last mission.

( I made that up..but not the last mission part)

the launch pad after lift off

Dad went to see the Space Shuttle Discovery lift off from the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday. He left on Wednesday, and came back yesterday. To all you folks out there: traveling with no kids is easy...kids slow you down ( and yes, it's true..they got down there to Orlando in one day, and when we went down there it took 2 days). Anyway, they got to see Discovery lift off, and we got to watch it on video Thursday night. Here is a link to see it if you want to:

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG-_pPeQ_tU

We've seen it go off once, as a family, but that was at night. I will post a couple of pictures of that launch back in 2008 or whenever it was, in the next post.

Katy

Homemade Applesause

Here is our picture-and-recipe mix for our homemade applesauce. The ingredients are:
apples (I don't remember how many we used, but I'm guessing about 5-8), cinnamon, and honey.

Cut up the apples ( do it into slices/chunks), and

put them into a pot with some water


Add honey ( I did about a spoonful, but Mom had to add
some later on...just how much you think is enough),
and cinnamon.


Mix well, and put on high


When mixture bubbles, turn down ( we did it to low)
and put a lid on it. Mom checked it a bit later,
and said it was done ( and she also added a bit more
honey). It's probably good to check and taste to make
sure you don't burn it.

Enjoy!

Katy

Driveway Dig-up.

The CAT that pulled up our driveway.

Step 1: Cut the cement.

Step 2: Pull the cement up with a CAT.

Step 3: Start digging, but make sure NOT

to pull up OR cut/break the gas line!

Above is the gas line ( the yellow line)

The cement at the end is to hold the sewer line ( the

white PVC) in place.




Overall view.


Gravel goes next


Then VJ gets to sit in the CAT's seat!

We kids have all had a virus, and luckily we had our new sewer line put in then....when VJ wasn't tugged off to preschool, and making a big racket. So, yes, we got to watch. Dad stayed home for a little while, and we got to see them make a big deep hole, and jump into it once or twice. Afternoon action is what that was....expensive, of course....but fun to watch.

Look at the gravel photo. As you can see, it was only that one square that was pulled up and the ground underneath exposed. Thankfully...cause it was a big job.

We are all feeling very much better....and yes, that includes VJ. He has gotten into mischief, and everything else he does. We thankfully got to go to church today.

Cement Mixer!!

Pouring and spreading.

Pouring...a picture from inside the house.

If you know VJ, this was his delight....a real cement mixer in the yard/street in front of the house is a real treat!

Snowman

Above are some pictures of the snowman we made when we had the 8 inches of snow. You might notice that he has a long carrot nose, celery eyes, and a piece of rosemary for a mouth. VJ couldn't resist and a few days ago, he got the idea into his head to smash his head in...typical little boys.

Katy

When we drove around our neighborhood yesterday, we found this dragon. The red stuff is ( I think) tissue paper and is supposed to be fire.

Mom, Noah, VJ, and I were impressed and Dad was too when I showed him the pictures today. I can't even picture myself doing that...even the snow man ( with out a face) that I built ( with VJ trying to knock it down) isn't the best, and was hard. I'll try to post pictures of our snowmen in the next post.

Katy

"Sledding" pictures

VJ found it easier to slide on his butt

We used inflatable pool boards



Couldn't be easier

All three kiddos

Noah

We tried sledding yesterday, and in some places it worked well, others it didn't. Going to the Gooch Lane park, VJ was OK, but the way back wasn't the same story. It's not easy to walk in snow, but and VJ found it harder than I did. Bundled up in snow pants, a big coat, mittens, rain boots( the only boots he had), a pair of socks, and two WalMart bags on each foot underneath the boots, means that he is heavy ( besides his regular weight). Unfortunately, Dad did not join us, or else I would take many pictures. Don't worry, you will see plenty of funny, but not embarrassing pictures of Dad on either his birthday or Father's Day ( probably both).

Noah came up with the idea of sledding in our yard. When we take pictures, if you have seen our yard, you will know where it is. Even though you do have to squeeze in some kinda sharp bushes, the rest is bumpy, slick,and makes you feel like you will break your tailbone ( you have to lay down on the flat pool thingy). We are making it feel less bumpy. The only thing is that if you make it too slick, you will slip( it was very funny to watch Noah slip and slide trying to get on the top to slide down on the pool thingy.

Katy