Well, this is how we spent our day today... it was very interesting... the boys LOVED IT! We went to the Air and Space museum on the mall in DC two years ago, but this one, in my opinion, was much more interesting! Take a look... (sorry for some of the dark pictures)
SR 71A blackbird...fastest jet in the world! Flew from LA to DC in 1 hour 4 minutes! It is a spy plane. Cool story about how we got the titanium to build it.
Concorde supersonic jet... crossed the Atlantic ocean in 4 hours... that's FAST. 
Enola Gay ... our boys got quite an education here at this stop. Gives you pause...
WWI bomber...does this look like a BOMBER to you? Amazing to think where technology has come since the days of 1914! WOW!
Enterprise space shuttle ... this was MY personal favorite. There was LOTS to see here... the heat resistant tiles upclose... before and AFTER reentry... an O-Ring, and lots of little educational displays set up all around. Cool exhibit!
Cruise missle ... told the boys this was similar to what they are using over where Chanan is. One of the hardest displays was of the Japanese "kamikaze" planes. I didn't know about them, and got a sober education... my boys had a hard time processing that information, because they have a post-9/11 perspective... where they saw terrorists use two commercial airplanes with innocent people on board as a sort of "kamikaze". How does a 6 year old, let alone a 9 year old, process horrors like that? What a sad, fallen world we live in. But the entire tour was EXCELLENT, and I would highly recommend it to anyone! There is just TONS to see in there! Tomorrow is a low key day... last day here before heading home. We hate to leave, but it will be good to be home, too! We miss y'all up north! See you soon!
OK, I told you I'd be back. Now that I have eaten like a glutton and gained about 25 pounds, I would like to tell you about the VERY cool Christmas present that Brianna gave to Matt last night. Matt has always gone out of his way to buy Brianna very special gifts, and she always has the "sparkle" in her eye as a result. So this year, she wanted to give Matt the "sparkle" in his eyes. OH BOY did it work!!! At the Christmas eve dinner, she got everyone to sit for her little speech, and she made the comment that every hero deserves a hog, so here's the keys to yours. And she tossed the keys to him. Note the expression of disbelief and confusion...
holding keys in disbelief... you ARE kidding...After a few seconds, he RAN down the stairs and out the back door to where the motorcycle was parked. I might note here that JASON was the one who DROVE the Harley 1/3 of a mile from Matt's house to Alan's where the party was. Yes, ladies and gentlemen... JASON DROVE A HARLEY... his 60 seconds of heaven! Note the look on Matt's face now...
if this is a dream, DON'T wake me up.Dream wears off, reality sets in... hop on and start her up!
2004 Harley Davidson Sportster... that's what I'M talkin' about baby!! Honey, this is sooo cool! THANK YOU!!!
THANK YOU HONEY!!!!A little chilly out, but they took her for a short spin anyway.
Let's ride!So, I'm thinking Matt probably slept outside snuggled up to his new toy... LOL! Nah, just kidding... a little. Brianna, you make the rest of us who bought our husbands boxer shorts and a CD look bad!!!!!! But it was totally fun watching the "sparkle" in his eyes... mission accomplished.
Well, we made it to Maryland in good time. We arrived about an hour ahead of schedule (11pm). Yesterday we got a Christmas tree. Guess how much the price tag was? Just guess. $139.00!!!!!!! Yep, that's right. $139 for a DEAD TREE! Needless to say, we did NOT pay that much for it! No person in their right mind would! It is beautiful, with twinkling white lights and red pointsettas all over it! Al and Win did such a nice job decorating for christmas. We just love coming down here! Today, we are going to the Nat'l Zoo, and hopefully we'll have a peek at those pandas! Stay tuned here... maybe I'll even get to post some pictures while I'm here. Christmas eve, it is church, and then ...... CHRISTMAS DAY! Presents and football. Yep! Football is almost like a religion in this house! LOL! Oh well. I know where my heart lies (NOT in a football field). It is in Jesus Christ my Savior! Well, I'm going to go get my sudoku puzzle book and exercise my brain. Post later! Merry christmas!
Well! What a wonderful surprise we received this evening! My mother-in-law and her husband stopped by our place to introduce us to the newest member of the family... a 12 week old cocker spaniel puppy!! He is so adorable! We even got to help name him...Introducing.... FRECKLES!!!
Is he ADORABLE or what????Welcome to the family, Freckles!!!
Well... here we are... one week until Christmas! Woo Hoo! I am feeling much more relaxed today for a few reasons. 1. We got most of our shopping done Thurs. and Fri. 2. I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped until 3am this morning. So that is all done too. 3. I got all my "long distance" Christmas gifts mailed out at the post office today... can you say LONG LINES?? 4. I am feeling a little bit better today with regard to bronchitis. 5. My children and husband are all OUT today, leaving me alone to tackle the laundry, dishes, and housework. And what am I doing??? Blogging! Anyone who knows me knows that I will go to GREAT LENGTHS to avoid doing the dishes. Dishes are NOT of God.Adam is at the movie theater with a friend this morning seeing the new Narnia movie. I will be curious to know his response. It is, I believe, a special showing for families of a local church assesmbly. So it may be preceded or followed by a discussion by church leadership. Will let you know. I prayed that Jesus would touch him as he watched. My friend Kelly over at sanguinary blue posted a cute little thing that says:The Four Phases of Life1. You believe in Santa Claus2. You don't believe in Santa Claus3. You ARE Santa Claus4. You look like Santa ClausThought that was kinda cute!Well, I guess I cannot avoid the obvious any longer. Yuck. Have a blessed day! Peace!
