Lunch in Mansfield

Kaden and I flew the Cheetah to Mansfield today for some grub at the Flyboys Cafe. The weather was clear and cold which made for a quiet flight east. We landed and parked in front of the cafe with about six other airplanes. We weren't the only ones who needed some theraputic Hobbs time.

After we threw the food down our gullets, we loaded up and tried to start the airplane. No dice. After a few goes and then the silence that followed, I knew the battery died. I called the FBO and they sent a charge-cart over to try and charge it there. Again, no dice. I took the battery out to get recharged properly at the FBO (Richland Aviation) and a few hours and $10 later, Kaden and I were starting up and heading out for home.

Kaden fell asleep at about 100' AGL and didn't wake up until we arrived home. And I mean HOME. He slept through the whole flight, the landing, me packing up, carrying him from airplane to car and the drive home. I think I wore him out.

It was a fun day, for sure. I love going up with him.

Check out all the photos by CLICKING HERE.

Orlando Trip / Shuttle Launch - Florida 2008 Part 2

Laura, Kaden and I headed to Florida for a few days to take in some more of the attractions and catch the last NASA Shuttle Launch that will be done at night. I was able to get some VIP tickets to the viewing site on KSC (done through my senator), so we wanted to catch it before the Shuttle gets retired in 2010.

The first day we got there, we headed to Downtown Disney for some dinner at a small, over-priced pub and then headed over to the circus tent for a Cirque Du Soleil show called "La Nouba". Kaden did very well and only got bored once, but to his credit, I was bored at that point too. It was a slow spot in the show.

The next couple days were spent eating out and swimming in the resort pool. We stayed at the Mike Ditka Runaway Beach Resort as we had such a good experience the last time. It was awesome again and, for the money, you can't beat it. We'll be back.

We ended up making it to the Shuttle Launch at KSC where we met a bus at the mall on Merritt Island, riding that to KSC for a security check and then on to the viewing area which is about 6.6 miles from the launch pad. You see it over the water. The exact spot of that viewing area is 28°30'45.25"N, 80°36'35.82"W. They had stands, the countdown clock, concessions and a souvenir shop. The launch was pretty neat, but the drive back was not.

We ended up spending part of a day at Epcot Center courtesy of a high school classmate of Laura (Thanks, Jason B!) and then we went to Tampa so I could meet with a client of mine while Kaden and Laura went to the zoo. They had a great time. I did get to have lunch with an acquaintance of mine. We did a little miniature golf in town, also. He loves the mini golf.

It was a great trip, but I could have taken it a little warming. The last few days it only got into the 60's. Not cool, Florida!

Check out all the photos by CLICKING HERE and HERE (photos I lost after posting awhile back, somehow).

HDR Photography

I just learned about HDR photography a few days ago and finally took a little shot at it. Since I'm home all weekend with the kiddies and can't get out to some "scenic" areas, I thought I'd take a shot at our house and play with it.

I think I'm going to do some more with it.

NYC Trip

Laura and I headed to NYC for a couple nights and stayed with Ryan and Melissa in Astoria. We ended up going all over such as Central Park, Upper East Side, Bryant Park for some ice skating, Greenwich Village and Brooklyn for some Peter Lugar.

It was a good time.

Check out the photos by CLICKING HERE.

Trunk or Treat

I took Kaden-the-Fighter-Pilot and Emma-the-Puffy-Coat down the road to the Crossroads church for their Trunk or Treat. Kaden had his plastic pumpkin and he got quite a bit of candy! We walked by the fire truck, ambulance and police cars from Perry Twp and then by all the cars who were giving out candy. Afterwards we got a picture by the big pumpkin sign and then headed out.

It was cold and windy!

Pumpkin Fun

Laura and Kaden finally broke out the knife tonight for our pumpkin outside. Good thing because we're leaving on Wednesday for NYC! They cut up a good face, pulled out the innards and lit it up. It was pretty cool and Kaden certainly enjoyed messing around with it.

I just brought a little rough-housing to the party.

Kaden and I - PS3

I rented Baja: On the Edge for the PS3 for a few days so Kaden could have a little taste of the PS3. He loved it. So did I. He and I played for about 90 minutes one night before bed.

Around the House

Here are a few pictures from around the house over the past few weeks. My picture folder tends to build up where I need to just put up a general post. Oops.

Emma crawling around the floor.


Kaden standing guard (sitting guard?) on the deck while I cook on the grill.


Emma loves her little play chair.


Off to the Ottawa-Metro Park!


Emma, do you want some popsicle? Sure!




She forgave me.


Kaden thought he was awake from a nap. Five minutes on the couch proved otherwise.

Pumpkin Patch

Kaden and Laura went to one of the pumpkin patches in Lima with some of the others from church. He always has a good time and loves to show off his wares when he returns home.

Ready for Halloween

Kaden got his 2008 costume and, as you can see, he's going to be a USAF/USN pilot. The patches are all contradictory to each other "USAF Top Gun" and an F-14 patch next to an F-117 patch, both retired by the way.

Anyway, he digs it and loves the helmet that goes along with it.