More Kennedy Space Center pics

 A model of the space shuttle

Trev & Ab playing with a sphere floating in water that weighs 9 tons.

Trev & Ab playing the simulation games.  Trev successfully landed a rocket on the moon!

Sitting in the space shuttle

Abby preparing to launch

Trev preparing to launch

Trev explaining the finer points to Jim

Ab & Trev deciding how to run over the water without getting wet!

Standing in front of a display in the model space shuttle exhibit

Kids say the darndest things!!

We did have a little bit of a rough start to our day at the Kennedy Space Center.  It was very cold (about 46 degrees) and windy and of course we weren't dressed quite warm enough.  We got on the tour bus, after waiting in a very long line, and got dropped off at the launch pad exhibit.  We then waited in another VERY long line to get back on the bus.  We had decided to stay on the bus and go back to the main visitor center.  Unfortunately, we were forced to get off the bus and go to the next exhibit.  We were looking at the various stages of an Apollo rocket.

Trev:  "This is the best part of the day so far!"

Abby:  "Sitting on the floor eating dinner?!?!?"

Yes, we were indeed sitting on the floor eating dinner because there were no tables to eat at!!  Fortunately, we went back to the KSC on Tuesday and had a much more positive experience!!

KSC needs to take some lessons from Walt Disney World on how to run happy, efficient, and fast tourist destinations!!!

Kennedy Space Center

We went to the Kennedy Space Center on Monday.  This has been on Trevor's mind for a long time.  It was a good time and Trevor was a pretty good tour guide for us novices!!

Trev & Ab waiting to get on the tour bus.

The tour bus

   

Trev & Ab with their 3-D glasses at the Imax film "The Hubble Telescope"

This is the machine that transports the space shuttle to the launch pad.  It moves at the speed of 1 mile/hour!

Abby standing at the Launch Pad lookout.

Launch Pad A

A real astronaut!!

  When we went to the Kennedy Space Center, Trevor had the opportunity to have a real astronaut sign his new book he bought!!  He was pretty excited.  This made his day!

The Small Things

Spending the holidays with family -- wonderful!!

Leaving the snow behind -- awesome!!

Making our connecting flight -- relief!!

Spending time with my family with no distractions -- heartwarming!!

Checking emails and posting on my blog on QUICK wireless internet -- PRICELESS!!

Stuart, FL

Abby & Trevor enjoying the fire pit at our hotel.

Trev chillin' in the room.



Jim enjoying a drink with me in the lounge!!



Christmas Eve 2010

  Jim, Anna, & Leah

 Rachael & Anna

 Leah & Anna

 Leah & Rachael

 Amy & Leah

 Bill, Joyce, Rachael, & Anna

 The 5 youngest grandkids with Marian

 Leah opening the sweater from Joyce!!

 Trev got the Bears football.....I think I will see this flying in my house soon!

 The gift Leah had been wanting....cowboy boots!

 Marian's gift from Santa....a fireplace heater for her room.

Dune Buggy Ride

On Sunday, we went to Silver Lakes, MI to take a dune buggy tour.  This was a definite highlight of our trip.  We actually got to ride on the dunes, enjoy the scenery, and appreciate the humor of our tour guide.

This is the dune buggy that you ride in.

This is our tour guide....he was fantastic!!

 A photo opportunity on the dunes!

You can see the trails in the sand and it was a beautiful day on Lake Michigan!!

Saturday Night

On Saturday night, we stayed in Muskegeon, MI at the Shoreline Inn.  We didn't have reservations but we found this great hotel with a pool, a view of a lake, and a breakfast in the morning.

The sitting area with the view of Lake Muskegeon and the sofa that turned into a queen size sleeper bed.

Another view from the room.

The other half of the room with the king size bed.

Michigan Dunes

On Labor Day weekend, we took a trip to the Michigan Dunes!!  All of us had a blast!!  On Saturday, the weather was cool and windy but sunny.  We climbed the dunes at Warren Dunes State Park.

Looking out at Lake Michigan from the top of the Dunes.

Trevor & Abby trying to climb up a very STEEP Dune!!

Even Jim got in on the action!

Having a cold snack on a cold day at the concession stand!

Trevor with his Root Beer Float.

I love seeing all of the colors of Lake Michigan.



The journey begins at the bottom!!



He cracks me up :)

  Trevor had trouble falling asleep on Monday night.  This is unusual for him.  On Tuesday night, he said to me, "Mom, I know why I couldn't sleep on Monday night.  On my Axe deodrant that I use it says may cause female attraction and late nights.  That's why I couldn't fall asleep!!"   
 
  I am still laughing today :)