A New Normal: air show

Friday, May 4, 2012

And the Thunder Rolls.....

It's been two years since the Air Show, now known as Thunder and Lightening Over AZ, was here and we were super excited. It fell on Brody's birthday weekend, which was also the weekend of the crappy weather. We decided to forgo the Air Show on the windy, cold day and decided to brave it after Brody's birthday party. My dad came with us which we love, because he knows all about the jets (he used to fly A-10s and F-16s, both of which we saw there) and Delaney loves to hear all about them.

The last time we all went to the Air Show, Delaney was NOT a fan of the Thunderbirds, so we came prepared with big ol headphones this time.

Waiting in the security line with Granddaddy.

Delaney: "Here. Do this with your foot."

So they do.

And....we're in!

Checking out the 747

Sitting in the helicoptor. She was lovin this

So did he!

The kiddos shared some Dippin' Dots and chilled for a bit in the jogger

Then my dad saw an A-10 and they all went over to check out the ~~pilots~~ plane. and of course, he bought a sticker:)

The weather was wonderful! Brody was tired, which I knew he would be, but I really thought he would try to make it. He didn't. Little man was passed out.

Whoa....flashback....

I dunno why, but I just love this picture. This is Delaney and Granddaddy checking out the flag that is on the F-16.

Checking out more planes

She decided that the A-10 fly bys were a bit too loud, so she put on the headphones.

And continued to wear them in the potty, while she walked, and whenever she didn't want to listen to what we were saying, she would say, "I can't hear you" and then proceed to do whatever she wanted

Trying to figure out the best place to watch the Thunderbirds, close to the exit to escape the mass exodus as soon as the show finished.

Awake, but oh so grumpy. I am pretty positive, I even put Coke in his water bottle to try and wake him up. That' s right people, Coke- judge all ya want.

We had some ice cream, looked at planes, met a Thunderbird pilot whose uniform was quite well tailored, just sayin', learned some stuff and made some memories. Next time the Thunder rolls...the kids will be 5 and and almost 7.....:( Holy smokes that's a crazy thought.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

"Too Close For Missiles, Switching to Guns"

I am an Air Force brat and proud of it. I was born on Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas while my dad was in pilot training. I grew up with airplanes. I knew what an A-10 was at a super young age. I grew up at Air Shows. My daddy used to fly in them and do the commentary for pilots. I think airplanes are way cool (although I am deathly afriad of flying in them and yes, my dad was a fighter pilot and now is a commercial airline pilot-weird I know). My dad retired from the Air National Guard when I graduated from high school (about 12 years ago now) when he was flying F-16. It has always been very strange to me when I meet new people and they have NO CLUE about airplanes. It was just how I was raised I guess. When I met Eric, he didn't know much about airplanes. I was nervous to introduce him to my dad because he is 15 years older than me and I didn't know exactly how that would fly (haha). We decided that the air show, that they have here at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, would be a great time for them to meet. A little scary, but we were on my dad's turf and he was good with that. Of course, they hit it off and now get along great. The next time we went, I was early in my pregnancy with Delaney. It was a different feeling walking through the airplanes with my parents thinking about bringing my own child to one. I knew that my dad would show her the ropes. THIS year, wow, what different story! We went with my step-kids, Kaylie and Daylen, and Delaney and Brody! I have this big family now and want these memories.

Delaney had a blast! I dressed her in this super cute, bright orange outfit so it would be easy to pick her out of a crowd. Brody was styling in his new threads and I was excited to go! The second we are in the gate, she is done with the stroller. Not only that, but she wanted to wear her hat, backwards like daddy. So much for the cute hair. My dad, Granddaddy to the kids, didn't help- he kept saying, "I'll hold her, I'll walk with her". So, he did. He showed her airplane after airplane. I was getting warm, so we found an airplane (an A-10 to be exact) and sat under the tail for some shade. Delaney and my dad were gone again and Brody and the big kids had some frozen lemonade. All of a sudden, Delaney comes back wearing a huge white shirt that my dad bought for himself and she wanted to wear it. So now, no cute clothes that I can seen from afar and no more cute hair. Oh well.....

Delaney and Granddaddy....

Nana and Granddaddy walking with Delaney

Kaylie and Brody hanging out under the tail.

Here's Delaney modeling Granddaddy's new shirt

Brody and his lemonade.

We had a great time at the air show. My mom said it was just like watching my dad with me when I was little. Couldn't help but a little misty. Delaney loved it! Brody slept and looked around when he was awake with big eyes.

Delaney and Granddaddy in front of a F-16.

Brody sleeping. Won't sleep through the night, but will sleep through an air show.

The Thunderbirds are the big finale and we love watching them! Now, if you have never seen an air show or witnessed an F-16 doing an afterburner fly by....let me just tell ya....your jiggly parts will be jigglin. It is so loud, your insides shake. So awesome. Okay, so awesome for big people. For little people, like Delaney, it's terrifying. We knew the first one was coming, but couldn't get to the stroller in time to cover her ears and she lost control! She was screaming!!! They do three or four fly bys and they are so loud! At this point she was crying and saying, "No more youd airpanes Granddaddy. All done now ok?" So we decided to walk towards the car. They kids all fell asleep in the car and we have the memories of our first air show as a complete family.