Rocket men and women

Back in June we took on the challenge to be as geeky as can be and build a model rocket and launch it. (Personally, I really did not think this was a geek thing, but anything for a free rocket.) Here is our previous post when we got the rocket.  Because of my vampire work schedule (graveyard shift) there wasn't really a very good opportunity to do this until recently.  Here are some pics as evidence that the mission was completed.

Putting it all together.  The box was missing the instructions so I had to pull them off the internet (thus, the computer on the table).
I made sure that everyone had a part in the construction. . . 
I even talked Emily into helping out. 
Believe it or not, Albuquerque actually has it's own Model Airplane / Helicopter /  Rocket park.  So here we are at the launch site / mission control.
Final prep.
10, 9, 8, 7, . . .  Lift off!!

The kids all had a blast.  I'm not sure what they liked best, launching or chasing the rocket.  Laura ran around with a big umbrella to stay out of the sun.  Windy even got into the act and launched the baby rocket.  I knew that one would not survive the landing, so we saved it for last.  There were a few hiccups along the way, like batteries that didn't work, but thanks to Leah Acton, we were able to get some replacements and have some fun.  The kids ran home with the photos and immediately made a slide show on iPhoto.  I tried to get them to use "Rocket Man" by Elton John as the music, but they didn't go for it.  Thanks Warren so much for all of the fun and good memories.  

-Shad

July Monthly Special

Last Minute Monthly Special

Here is my Monthly Special for July. This month we were asked to take photos of Architectural Detail. This is an area of photography that I really do enjoy so much. Sadly, Albuquerque is so monolithic when it comes to so many things (including architecture) that it is sooooo hard to find inspiration here. I wanted to use old photos from other locations, but I felt that was such a cop out that I struggled and struggled to get something local and new. That is part of the reason for the delay. In the end, I came up with a mix of old and new photos. Enjoy.

University of New Mexico

Museum of Natural History in Albuquqerque

Abandoned home at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico

Urban Middle School scene in Albuquerque

An old home right around the corner from Temple Square in SLC Utah

Lastly, our Temple here in Albuquerque

Hope you liked the Pics.  Here is the August Monthly Special. Hope you will join me in participating.  

-Shad

Self-Portrait Tuesday

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ICE CREAM - 

the final element of summer in Lelly's SPT challenge!

It was my birthday yesterday (35 - sigh) and to celebrate we went to Cold Stone Creamery. If you don't know what Cold Stone is, you're missing out. It's an ice cream parlor where you choose your ice cream flavor and some goodies and they mix it all together on a marble slab right in front of you. It's really yummy!

It's rather pricey, so we save it for special occasions. Cold Stone has a birthday club where you get a free Love It signature creation on your birthday.  Go here to check it out.

For my creation, I chose "The Pie Who Loved Me" - I substituted cake batter ice cream (my favorite Cold Stone flavor) for the cheesecake ice cream. They mix in fudge, Oreo's, and graham cracker pie crust crumbs. The only thing they could add to make it closer to my ideal would be brownies - but that might be too much of a good thing.

 

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Bizarre, but Sweet

For once, a Mother's Day tribute 

that didn't make me feel guilty!

(And yes - I realize it's another 9 1/2 months till Mother's Day, but the guilt is always there, lurking just below the surface.)

Self-Portrait Tuesday

This week, Lelly's Self-Portrait Challenge focuses on grass.

In New Mexico, if Mother Nature were left alone this is the kind of grass that would grow:

But no one really wants to leave Mother Nature alone, so instead we insist on trying to make grass grow in the desert. The city is the worst culprit, but we're the beneficiaries of all of the money they're willing to spend on water for that grass.

This is my little grassy nook while we're at the pool. (Emily was so immersed in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series that you couldn't tempt her to get in the pool.)

To avoid the frustration that comes with trying to grow grass in a desert (and to save our bank account from an insane water bill), we've opted for artificial grass. 

You can read a previous SPT where I talked about it.

Advice for Husbands and Laughter for Wives

Val emailed me this funny video entitled 

"Things You Don't Say to Your Wife."