A real rocket scientist

Last week I posted some pictures of Peter launching his rocket that he got for Christmas. I asked in the post if anyone had ever seen a real rocket launch, and we got this back from none other than Peter's Grandpa (on Bruce's side of the family).

"We noticed that Peter was able to launch some model rockets – that is very interesting and a lot of fun. Bruce with the boys launched a lot of them, even multiple stages. You asked if anyone ever saw a real rocket launch. You can tell Peter that his Grandpa has watched quite a few.

Grandma and I were able to watch a shuttle launch from the Cape in Florida. I saw a night launch of the Delta rocket – it was very spectacular. I also saw a Titan launch and was at the tracking station on two different occasions for a launch and saw all the data coming in and plotted temperatures compared to predictions. I was able to climb through the shuttle mockup that they have at Kennedy Space Center and see what the astronauts do and how they sit and also watch through a back window the cargo bay with satellites and such that they carry to space.

I guess I have had that privilege over the years because I worked in the business.

Anyway, tell Peter that yes his Grandpa has seen quite a few launches and that the model rockets accelerate much faster than the real ones because their power-to-weight ratio is so much higher.

Love, Grandpa and Grandma"

He doesn't say it here, but Grandpa is one of the premier thermodynamics engineers in the country, and is in fact a real rocket scientist! Here is an autographed photo of an Alpha-Centaur Launch that Grandpa was give by co-workers when he retired from Lockheed Martin.

I told Peter he could grow up and be a rocket scientist like Grandpa and he said, "I'll do it."

Here are some pictures from past years of Peter and his Grandpa.

These are all in 2002 at our home. The one below is in 2004 in Park City, Utah. (Can you see the pocket protector which all good engineers carry at all times? he he)
But being a rocket scientist is only one of the many great skills and qualities that Grandpa has, and really not the most important one to us. The most important ones are that he is a great father and grandfather, has a strong testimony of the gospel and is a wonderful example to his grandchildren of keeping commandments and serving. We surely do love Grandpa and are grateful for his warmth and love for each of us.

After Christmas Fun

Man, we've been having fun! The day after Christmas Whitney, Stetson, Bruce and I went on a horseback ride. I rode May for the first time. She started to buck one time but she stopped before I went off, so that was good! Ha ha It was really fun to go riding with knowledgeable horse riders.

That evening, we started our 24-hour Anniversary Date. Nineteen years and still going strong! We had a wonderful day, especially because Stetson and Whitney stayed with the kids and made sure they were fed and didn't set the house on fire! Thanks guys!

It's pretty incredible to be married to someone like Bruce. When we were dating, he was my wildest dream come true, and he still continues to be just that. I love you Bruce!When we got home that night, there was a sign on our bedroom door that said "The Honeymoon Suite", and this Welch's Sparkling grape juice was on our bed. These types of things happen when Whitney is around! Thanks Whit!


We also came home the next day to a rousing round of Speed Settler's. This was not for the faint of heart. We've also been playing Blokus, Puerto Rico (my favorite), Great Dalmuti, and Ticket to Ride.

On Sunday night, we went over to Stephen & Kendra's to eat, visit and play games.
We had a great fun playing the card game Great Dalmuti. Joshua Bruce was the Great Dalmuti the WHOLE game!
We had to have this shot in particular where Josh was the Great Dalmuti, and Bruce the Greater Peon. Yes - this was worth recording, for Joshua's sake, as his main goal in life is to beat his Dad at something. (I'm gonna hear about this - about the ping-pong game where Josh won. So yes - he did beat Dad once at ping-pong!)

This is a video of Libby playing Silent Night. She recorded herself playing the song. At one point on Christmas Day we heard the song playing, and both Bruce and I assumed it was one of the older kids. But then Bruce looked at me and said, "That's Libby playing!" It's pretty fun to have one of your children surprise you like that. Very fun!


Lastly, we have to show off Peter's rocket launch! This was one of his presents from Santa Claus. He asked for a rocket because they had done an Enrichment Unit at his School on rockets, so he knew all about them. Cousin Josh was with us for the launch, and he got this sequence picture with his camera. Click on it to see a zoom of the picture. Peter and Libby's friends, Kole and Dallas, were also over to see the launch. We launched it three times. The first time (video below) the parachute didn't come out very well, but the next two times it did. It's interesting that launching that rocket was so entertaining. Has anyone ever seen a real rocket launch? Let's hear your story if you have!


One of the delights of the week has been having our nephew Joshua Wayne with us for a few days. He is so much fun, and we've loved having him hanging around. It was sad to Stetson and Whitney go, but what fun we had with them too!

Well, tonight is New Year's Eve and we're having a party with friends here at our house. Josh, Joseph and Jesse will be over at the Stake Center (this is a Church building) for a Youth Celebration, and the rest of us will be here banging the pots and pans at midnight! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year's!

P.S. For any of you that know my brothers, you've got to see this post at Zuttozoom. It's hilarious, and made all of the rest of us jealous that we couldn't be there!