It's crazy how our last two weeks developed. When we knew the dates that Mark was moving down here for the air show, we decided to come down here and help him move him, and see our friends, the Carlsons. Then, they told us that the air show was happening the following weekend, and asked us to stay for that. Then John checked to see if there was a medical conference happening (so that he could get his plane ticket paid for) and there was. Then, our friend Shawn Clark, invited us to his sealing which meant we could see Hannah. As we've been moving through all of these events, we've realized that this trip was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. We never would have planned any of this ourselves, but it has been the best thing that could have happened to us. And to think it all started nine months ago when Mark interviewed with Sandia at Illinois....
The last thing we had to attend was the Air Show at Kirtland AFB. Nancy had us out the door at 9:30 with her DV pass in hand (DV for distinguished visitor) and got us to our special parking quickly. We walked past all the long lines and security, were given VIP bracelets, and headed straight into the tent.
I can't say exactly when, but I know I attended an air show with my dad at some point in my young life. I can remember standing and looking up at the jets, and him being there with me. I don't know the date or location, but I know it happened. And because of this, there was something very visceral about entering the airshow. Then, along the way, we passed a sailplane (aka a glider), and I decided to tell Nancy that my dad used to fly them and was actually killed in one. Phew, the tears started flowing. It was very sweet and very emotional.
It was seven hours of plane after plane after plane with the Thunderbirds being the crowning attraction. And in the middle of it, Albertson's (the grocery store chain) provided us with a lunch to die for. Brisket, pulled pork, barbecue chicken were the meats, and several sides including potato salad.
My mother makes the most delicious potato salad. In fact, it's so good that I won't eat any other potato salad because it never measures up. I looked at the Albertson's potato salad, and seriously, it looked promising. I took one bite (once I sat down), and it was divine. In fact, I went back for seconds a couple of hours later.
And the desserts were to die for. Thick, fudgey brownies, and fruity, creamy cheesecakes. Oh my gosh, they literally had to roll me out of the tent.
It was so good too to be with friends. As Dave says, "We're family." Plus, it's wonderful how Nancy takes control--I love being able to sit back and not need to worry about all the details. We sat together for the entire seven hours, and there wasn't a single uncomfortable moment. And it was sunny but only about 60 degrees. I could DEFINITELY get used to this!
But once those Thunderbirds came out, all eyes were upon them. It was unbelievable seeing the jets choreographed to the music. I wish I could just replay my memories, because words can't do any of it justice. My favorite moment though was dedicated to the deployed Air Force members who leave their families--five jets went straight up, but at the top, one jet broke off from the four, and while the jets were releasing the white smoke, the jets all headed back down....and formed a heart. I had tears running down my face, and I looked around and all the other women were crying as well. It was so beautiful.
I felt so badly for the people who had to wait hours to catch the shuttles back while we just drove straight out, but we had steaks waiting for us at home.
Yes, more food. I swear I've gained ten pounds while here. We had fresh, marinated steaks, marinated chicken, fresh corn on the cob (Mark went to Sprouts twice for 20 ears of corn), and carrots. And then more cake and brownies for dessert.
And in a glorious moment, Mark decided to shave off his beard. He just headed into the Carlsons' back yard with his electric razor.
We just talked into the night. It was so fun, and wonderful. And then Dave brought up his Google pics, trying to show us how it works, and he decided to search "John Kennedy" in his photos. We then spent the next hour, watching videos and looking through photos of our time together in Germany. It was so sweet to remember (or not remember in my case). And the best thing? Dave couldn't believe we're leaving today. He wished we were staying longer. That's the best compliment of all.
The last thing we had to attend was the Air Show at Kirtland AFB. Nancy had us out the door at 9:30 with her DV pass in hand (DV for distinguished visitor) and got us to our special parking quickly. We walked past all the long lines and security, were given VIP bracelets, and headed straight into the tent.
I can't say exactly when, but I know I attended an air show with my dad at some point in my young life. I can remember standing and looking up at the jets, and him being there with me. I don't know the date or location, but I know it happened. And because of this, there was something very visceral about entering the airshow. Then, along the way, we passed a sailplane (aka a glider), and I decided to tell Nancy that my dad used to fly them and was actually killed in one. Phew, the tears started flowing. It was very sweet and very emotional.
It was seven hours of plane after plane after plane with the Thunderbirds being the crowning attraction. And in the middle of it, Albertson's (the grocery store chain) provided us with a lunch to die for. Brisket, pulled pork, barbecue chicken were the meats, and several sides including potato salad.
My mother makes the most delicious potato salad. In fact, it's so good that I won't eat any other potato salad because it never measures up. I looked at the Albertson's potato salad, and seriously, it looked promising. I took one bite (once I sat down), and it was divine. In fact, I went back for seconds a couple of hours later.
And the desserts were to die for. Thick, fudgey brownies, and fruity, creamy cheesecakes. Oh my gosh, they literally had to roll me out of the tent.
 |
| This was just Plate #1 ;-) |
It was so good too to be with friends. As Dave says, "We're family." Plus, it's wonderful how Nancy takes control--I love being able to sit back and not need to worry about all the details. We sat together for the entire seven hours, and there wasn't a single uncomfortable moment. And it was sunny but only about 60 degrees. I could DEFINITELY get used to this!
But once those Thunderbirds came out, all eyes were upon them. It was unbelievable seeing the jets choreographed to the music. I wish I could just replay my memories, because words can't do any of it justice. My favorite moment though was dedicated to the deployed Air Force members who leave their families--five jets went straight up, but at the top, one jet broke off from the four, and while the jets were releasing the white smoke, the jets all headed back down....and formed a heart. I had tears running down my face, and I looked around and all the other women were crying as well. It was so beautiful.
 |
| One requirement to be a Thunderbird? Attractiveness. No joke. And about 1% body fat. |
 |
| And this was WITH sunscreen! |
I felt so badly for the people who had to wait hours to catch the shuttles back while we just drove straight out, but we had steaks waiting for us at home.
Yes, more food. I swear I've gained ten pounds while here. We had fresh, marinated steaks, marinated chicken, fresh corn on the cob (Mark went to Sprouts twice for 20 ears of corn), and carrots. And then more cake and brownies for dessert.
And in a glorious moment, Mark decided to shave off his beard. He just headed into the Carlsons' back yard with his electric razor.
We just talked into the night. It was so fun, and wonderful. And then Dave brought up his Google pics, trying to show us how it works, and he decided to search "John Kennedy" in his photos. We then spent the next hour, watching videos and looking through photos of our time together in Germany. It was so sweet to remember (or not remember in my case). And the best thing? Dave couldn't believe we're leaving today. He wished we were staying longer. That's the best compliment of all.
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