5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OFF!

When Daddy returned last week, he brought with him two of his classmates who were making their way to Vegas before heading back to their families. We had so much fun with Mr. Rob and Mr. Steve!

Lately, Gehrig has been into everything relating to space: planets, stars, moons, space shuttles, rockets, etc! So, it was such a wonderful surprise to find out that Mr. Steve was a missileer! And not only that, but there is a missile museum less than 10 minutes from our house!

So, the next morning, after Chris made us a delicious breakfast, we headed south to the Titan Missile Museum, the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation. While there, we got to take a one hour walking tour of the underground missile site where we saw the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile in the launch duct. We were also able to visit the launch control center and experience a simulated launch! The best part was that we had our own personal missileer with us to answer any questions that we had!

Mr. Steve and Gehrig take a break from checking out the exhibits for a photo op!

Mr. Rob, Mr. Steve, and Daddy on the walking tour.

Checking out the rocket boosters!

There was a six-story view of the Titan II missile!

Here is what they were looking at! The Titan II Missile from six stories up!

Mr. Rob, Gehrig, Daddy and Mr. Steve in front of the TIPSIES.

Next, the tour took us to the underground launch control center that we accessed by a flight of 55 steps in the Access Portal. Here we all are posing in front of the missile. Sadly, our resident missileer was nowhere to be found!

Hard hats on for safety!!!!!!

The tour, of course, dumps you out into the gift shop!

Thanks so much Mr. Rob and Mr. Steve for coming to visit. We were so sad to see you go, but we look forward to seeing you in Vegas in a couple of weeks!

Colin's surgery was a success!

We praise God that little Colin's surgery went so well and with out complication. The surgery was to fix an undescended testicle and to repair a hernia. It was a really long day, but Colin was a trooper, smiling and laughing the entire time leading up to the surgery even though he hadn't eaten in over 12 hours, he had missed his morning nap, and he waited over 2 hours in a strange place! The surgery took an hour and a half, and when the doctor finally greeted us with the good news in the waiting room, we were overjoyed! We were allowed to go back and be with him after he woke up, and we remained in the recovery room with him for about 45 minutes before we were discharged. He was a little groggy and "out of it" while in the recovery room. He did wonderfully on the car ride home and took a little nap in his crib soon after. Once the pain medication set in, he was his usually happy self, just trying to keep up with his big brother. I am hoping that he get a restful nights sleep tonight. (Even though as I write this, he has already woken up, ready for his second round of pain medication.)

We are so grateful to everyone who prayed for our little guy today and supported us with your warm words of encouragement. Thank you so much!

Hanging out in the morning having a little family time before the surgery.

On the car ride to the hospital. He was allowed to have a little water as long as it wasn't two hours prior to the surgery.

He was so happy playing in the waiting room for 2 hours. He had no idea what lay ahead for him!

In the room preparing for the procedure.

The bubbles kept him really entertained while we signed paper work.

All ready to go. At this point we kissed him good-bye and he headed off for anesthesia. We didn't see him again until he woke up.

On the car ride home....he looks a little "beat down," doesn't he?

The Moment we have all been waiting for!

When Gehrig woke up and placed his last star on his calendar, he knew that it could only mean one thing! DADDY WOULD BE HOME TODAY!

So, we did a few last minute preparations in anticipation for his return. We made his favorite Oreo dessert, we hung up the banner and we bought some red, white and blue welcome home balloons.

All that was left to do was wait. Gehrig devised a plan to surprise Daddy. When he heard the garage door open, he hid behind a chair, and when the door opened, he jumped out and yelled, "SURPRISE!!!!!!" I don't don't know who was more surprised, Gehrig or Daddy!

Our family is back together again! YAY!

Daddy brought home with him a couple of his classmates who were making their way to Las Vegas. We loved having Mr. Steve and Mr. Rob with us. Can you tell that it had been a long two-day road trip from San Antonio to Tucson?????

Shhhh....Don't tell Daddy!

But we have been working hard on making a "Welcome Home Daddy" banner to hang above the garage so that it is the first thing that he sees when he pulls in! The boys worked so hard! They used crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, glue and glitter to make this masterpiece perfect for Daddy!

Yesterday we designed and colored the banner!


Colin even did great!
Until he started eating the crayons! Yes, he was pretty proud of himself.

Then today we put the finishing touches on the banner by adding stickers and glitter!

Colin seemed to really enjoy adding the stickers.

He did a great job!

Until he started eating the banner! I decided not to attempt the glitter with him!

Stay tuned for pictures of the final product and Daddy's homecoming. He should be home in time for dinner!