Dad's 80th Birthday!

This was taken last November when we held dad's 80th birthday party. It was a great party, and all the siblings were in town to help dad celebrate this special event. The oldest and the youngest grandchildren were also present to help mark the occasion.

Happy 80th Dad!

Antonov AN-225

Look at the size of this beast that landed at Fairbanks International Airport today. There is only one of these in the world, and these pictures do not truly tell the story of just how HUGE this thing is -- almost a football field long! It took Josh three pictures to get it from nose to tail:



This is another view that gives a better idea of how big the AN-225 is. The plane taking off is a 737, on the runway right behind the AN-225, and it is tiny in size.

This picture gives a good idea of how wide the wingspan is. Look at the size of the engine compared to the truck on the ground, and also that the tires are as big as the people walking next to the plane.

I think Josh would have given most anything to be able to go out on the tarmac to get an up close and personal view of this plane. It would be fascinating to watch it take off, but it is supposed to be closer to midnight. Josh was still so tempted (me too!), but it is a school and work night.
The local paper also had an article on this plane, which brought everyone out in droves to take a look see. Their article can be found at: http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/5884101/article-Huge-Russian-jet-lands-at-Fairbanks-airport?instance=home_lead_story.
Wonder if Josh will be piloting something of this size in the future?

Boeing Museum of Flight

Some pictures from the camp at Boeing Museum of Flight which Joshua attended last summer with his buddy, Sam. This is Josh on the first morning of camp. I was lucky to get this picture at all, as he was in such a hurry to get inside and start camp.



After the first day of camp we did some exploring inside the Museum of Flight. Here is the future astronaut.



As we were leaving, the Blue Angels started to arrive. They were at Boeing Field during the week Josh was at camp practicing for Sea Fair in Seattle. We were lucky to see lots of flying that week!


Josh and Sam cooling off in the hotel pool after a hot day at camp. Seattle was having record breaking high temperatures during our visit.


I really like this statute that is outside one of the entrances of the Museum of Flight.



Some pictures of just a few of the many planes that are inside the Museum of Flight. This is such a great place to explore, and is definitely worth a visit when you are in Seattle!




Yup, this really is a flying car that was in limited production!


The kids ate their lunches outside, watching the planes land and take off at Boeing Field.


While most of the kids are trying to get an autograph from the Blue Angel pilot, note that Sam and Josh are still sitting at the picnic table. They were trying to decide what their first planes would be. (Josh wants a J3 Cub.)


Before we knew it, the week was up and it was time for the closing ceremony. Here we are in the auditorium waiting for Josh and Sam to go up on stage with their group.


Here's Josh on stage (tall one in the middle) for his group's closing. The boys had so much fun we hope to do this again this summer. We'll decide for certain once the Museum of Flight posts this summer's camp schedule.