tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67864598891064434092024-03-06T01:51:35.513-05:00E-man & Z-girl Adventures (and other Bucior fun)Wife to one, mother of two(!), and family and friend to many more. Captain to one entire ice hockey team. Commander of a satellite on it's way past Pluto, and Tester of one being built to go to the Sun. Let the fun begin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-47269004354437969712015-11-04T13:59:00.000-05:002015-11-04T14:04:31.210-05:00Where is Pluto now?Far, far in the rear view mirror I'm afraid. As our spacecraft zooms away at almost 15 km/second (or over 32,000 mph!) we continue to blast images back towards Earth, where there are gathered on the ground thanks to the lovely <a href="http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank">DSN</a> and sent to the scientists for analysis.<br />
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Over the past few months, we have seen some beautiful images and learned some amazing things.<br />
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One of my favorites, the image above was the far side of Pluto as it was back-lit by the Sun. You can see right away the existence of an atmosphere, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/new-horizons-captures-plutos-hazy-atmosphere-parting-shot-n397951" target="_blank">apparently 5 times what was predicted</a>.<br />
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Here you can see the famous heart picture of Pluto, <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/pluto-dazzles-in-false-color" target="_blank">enhanced in false color with the help of the RALPH instrument</a>.<br />
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And not to be forgotten, Pluto's largest moon Charon had this<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/feature/pluto-s-big-moon-charon-reveals-a-colorful-and-violent-history" target="_blank"> beautiful closeup</a>. To me, the level of detail is absolutely amazing.<br />
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The images and scans continue to come down. I won't even pretend to understand all of the scientific discoveries that have happened, but from what I've read they are significant. Next week I am attending a conference given by the Division for Planetary Science and will be able to listen to some presentations about what we have learned so far.<br />
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Finally, here's a really cool video of what it was like for New Horizons to encounter the Pluto system.<br />
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Our universe is vast and largely unexplored. I for one am thankful to be part of this teeny tiny view.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-67909912274097382602015-09-22T11:30:00.000-04:002015-09-22T11:30:19.512-04:00Pluto Day!!!! Part 2When last we left off Matt and the kids were off to the K-Center for the festivities and I was heading back to the MOC to await the signal from the spacecraft telling us that it successfully completed the fly-by.<br />
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The MOC was getting pretty busy. No one wanted to miss out so we all squeezed into a spot. We were waiting for 15 minutes of telemetry that the spacecraft had turned back to earth to transmit. Not only would the telemetry tell us that our little ship had survived but also whether or not it had encountered any problems and had it recorded all the data expected (images etc.). Meanwhile, behind us in the conference room watching through the glass were a good amount of important people just waiting for the call that everything was nominal. Nominal, people in the space industry really like that word. It conveys so much with just 7 letters.<br />
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Instead of writing about our excitement, you can watch it all unfold here. You can find me in the middle left hand side of the room. (Notice the use of 'nominal' quite a bit).<br />
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The excitement in the room was more than I was expecting. Once all the of the subsystems reported 'nominal' and we knew that we had recorded the expected amount of data there was rejoicing! And maybe a few tears. And lots of fist pumps. All of the people waiting semi-patiently in the Situation Room poured in. The rest of the 15 minute telemetry track is a bit of a blur.<br />
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When the track was over, it was decided that our Mission Operations team would walk over to the K-Center so we could be congratulated on stage. The website www.theverge.com got some of the best pictures of us. We were hot, sweaty, and emotional. And it was awesome. (Full article link <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/16/8975345/nasa-new-horizons-pluto-flyby-celebration-team-photos" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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And best of all, there was a standing ovation for our Mission Operations Manager, Alice. Cause she is awesome.<br />
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It was an amazing day and I'm so glad that my family was there to share it with me. And I'm proud of all of the people that I work with; it took an entire team to make this happen. As more and more amazing pictures are coming down, we know we have only scratched the surface of what we will learn about this amazing planet.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-78982930615002272752015-07-22T21:28:00.002-04:002015-07-23T07:26:10.198-04:00Pluto Day!!!!! Part 1 (there's SO much to share)By now you *might* have heard about us on the news, seen us in the paper, on the interwebs, inundating facebook, twitter, and well everywhere. Perhaps someone out there is still using morse code to send the news.<br />
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"New Horizons Probe arrives at Pluto"<br />
"-. . .-- / .... --- .-. .. --.. --- -. ... / .--. .-. --- -... . / .- .-. .-. .. ...- . ... / .- - / .--. .-.. ..- - ---"<br />
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(who knew the internet had a morse code translator?<br />
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I'd like to step you through my day on July 14th. It was absolutely amazing. And long. And something I will never forget.<br />
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I got here to APL at 5:45am so that I could make it to the science team meeting. I was in the room when the now famous "Pluto Heart" picture was revealed and to say there was a bit of excitement was an understatement. And after the first 'wow' there was discussion and gesturing and pointing and discoveries as they all took in what no one had ever seen before.<br />
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You can see a bunch of the scientist's pictures here and it's hard not to feel what they are feeling. To have worked so many years on this project. To have seen a world for the very first time. To know that they have years ahead of them to analyze the data. And to know that more is coming! Amazing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/kasiagalazka/new-horizons-scientists-behind-the-scenes?bftw&utm_term=4ldqpfp#4ldqpfp">http://www.buzzfeed.com/kasiagalazka/new-horizons-scientists-behind-the-scenes?bftw&utm_term=4ldqpfp#4ldqpfp</a><br />
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After that fun we headed over to the K-center. A ton of people had shown up to celebrate the countdown to the actual Pluto closest approach (4.5 light time hours away). Since we didn't have telemetry (you know, because the spacecraft was a little busy) all of the Ops Team was able to join in the celebration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from space.com. We are hiding way in the back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We left the stuffed animals in charge.</td></tr>
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Then it was time to head back to the MOC because we had uplink tracks most of the day. Somewhere in between those and the super fun events to come that evening, I was contacted by the local paper for my county. I gave an interview and they sent a photographer down to take my picture out by the dish here at APL. Little did I know I would be the whole front page the next day. Here's a link if you care:<br />
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<a href="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-carroll-woman-part-of-historic-pluto-mission-20150714-story.html">http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-carroll-woman-part-of-historic-pluto-mission-20150714-story.html</a><br />
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It was getting into the early evening and families and friends were starting to gather at the K-Center. Everyone was gathering to wait for the first telemetry back just before 9pm from the spacecraft to tell us that it survived the encounter and was holding all of the data we were so desperate for. I headed over to meet Matt and the kids to make sure they got their badges and such. The kids were proud to be wearing their Mission Operations t-shirts!<br />
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to be continued....................<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-72838973416127006812015-07-13T13:09:00.001-04:002015-07-13T13:09:48.812-04:00One day left!As of last night at 11:38 pm, the New Horizons spacecraft was exactly 1,000,000 miles from Pluto. So between that time and tomorrow morning at 7:30 am it will have closed that gap. That's fast people. Phew! Slow down already!<br />
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The most recent LORRI image from July 11th, amazing.</div>
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Also, Pluto and Charon together from a few days ago. :)</div>
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Also, here is a link to a great article from the Washington Post about our anomaly and the success of our recovery. This was in the print paper and I was named in one of the photos (make sure to click through the collection of pictures about APL).<br />
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-inside-story-of-new-horizons-apollo-13-moment-on-its-way-to-pluto/2015/07/10/fb361248-25ad-11e5-b72c-2b7d516e1e0e_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-inside-story-of-new-horizons-apollo-13-moment-on-its-way-to-pluto/2015/07/10/fb361248-25ad-11e5-b72c-2b7d516e1e0e_story.html</a><br />
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Finally, here's an events update:<br />
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First the updated link for NASA television events, you can also watch NASA TV online if you don't have the NASA channel.<br />
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<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-updated-television-coverage-media-activities-for-pluto-flyby">https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-updated-television-coverage-media-activities-for-pluto-flyby</a><br />
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But mostly, here's the short, fun version.<br />
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<b>Tuesday morning at 7:50 am</b>, the actual Pluto closest approach. We'll be watching a clock countdown to zero here at APL, and will be broadcast live. This will also have a NASA release of the most recent Pluto image, and I'm sure it's going to be amazing.<br />
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<b>Tuesday night at 8:50 pm</b> (full broadcast from 6:30 to 9 pm with interviews and stuff). First 'phone-home' from the spacecraft after the closest approach. We will have telemetry for about 15 minutes but no pictures. This will definitely have live-streaming of us in the MOC. Very exciting.<br />
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<b>Wednesday some time</b>: the closest-closest picture of Pluto will be released at some point. Looks like there will be a live media briefing at 3 pm.<br />
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On to Pluto!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-14200014233663723112015-07-09T08:53:00.002-04:002015-07-09T08:53:32.569-04:00Safe!! ............and safe..........We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog post about communications to a satellite 4.5 hours away by light to tell you that New Horizons decided to have her (him? it?) own fireworks on the 4th of July.<br />
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By design, the spacecraft detected a problem on it's prime computer and promptly switched over to the backup one and safed itself. It did exactly what it was supposed to do, but it still makes our heart skip a beat! And since it was only a few days before Encounter mode started and a recovery takes many days (because our Round Trip Light Time to get a command there and back is almost 9 hours!!), it was a BUSY weekend. Many of our people hardly slept from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning.<br />
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We are all happy to report that we are back on schedule and the spacecraft is NOW in Encounter Mode! We are starting to get science observations again, new pictures and scans, and the excitement is ramping up.<br />
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See?<br />
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Who doesn't want to wear a New Horizons model for a hat?<br />
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And for now, here's the most recent LORRI picture, taken this morning.See the heart?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-32329849746981195462015-06-28T21:20:00.001-04:002015-06-28T21:20:13.308-04:00PlutoPalooza!!Our star-studded status is ever building; from 90210's The Peach Pit to our destination Pluto, check out Ian Ziering talking for NASA:<br />
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But now you're asking, what can I do to be a part of this momentous event? Where can I watch the goings on? How can I see Sarah and the rest of the Flight Control team LIVE on television? Well, I'm here to give you the answers.<br />
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Our period of closest approach really spans from July 7th through the 16th. This is our <b>Encounter Phase</b>. I imagine there will be many beautiful pictures that will come out between now and then. But the actual closest approach to the planet happens on July 14th.<br />
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So, the wonderful people in our Education and Outreach department have put together a PlutoPalooza toolkit for everyone to access. Click <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/Participate/community/Plutopalooza-Toolkit.php" target="_blank">here</a>. On this link you will find informational videos, stickers you can print, posters, info graphics, you name it. There will be tons of these parties being held around the world; at museums, NASA centers, astronomy clubs, or even YOUR LIVING ROOM if you so choose.<br />
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The spacecraft will actually be flying past the planet at closest approach at about 7:30 am on the 14th. However, because it will be actually taking data (instead of talking to Earth) and the one-way light time (the time it talks the signal to reach us) is about 4.5 hours, we won't actually have our first contact again until about 8:30 pm that evening.<br />
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MUY IMPORTANTE: NASA will have a live telecast on their channel (check your local listings) that will include broadcasting from the auditorium here at The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory with interviews and such AND live streaming from inside the Missions Ops Center (that's me!) from 6 to 9 pm on July 14th. This is the time to watch, and have a PlutoPalooza in your own living room. (For DirecTV users it's channel 346 but you must be an HD subscriber, so mom and dad you might need to go to someone's house). This content will also be available live on the NASA website, but I imagine you may have a harder time getting in on that.<br />
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That's all I have for now. Up next time, how do we talk to something that's 2.9 <i>million miles</i> away? Hint: with some very big equipment.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-37682154959248962992015-06-22T16:45:00.001-04:002015-06-22T16:45:54.878-04:003 weeks, and one planet to go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Three weeks to go!!!! Check out the short video below, it's a quick glimpse at how far we've come since our first planetary trip (Venus) in 1962. </div>
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And the pictures keep increasing in resolution, I should have more soon.<br />
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Here's one from June 21st of Pluto and Charon from the LORRI camera, it was the most recent one I saw on pluto.jhuapl.edu. I know it still looks so fuzzy but you just can't believe how exciting this is given the 4 or 5 pixel pictures we had for so long.<br />
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And finally, if you have time please check out this video called "The Year of Pluto". It's an hour long so you need some time but it talks about all aspects of the mission. If you want to see me in particular, I'm at 26:00, 27:10, 28:50 and minutes 40 to 43-ish (not that I was taking notes). Apparently though I do all kind of engineering at my job, I'm only good on camera for taking care of our hibernation bear and eating cake. Famous!<br />
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Up on the next blog, information on how YOU can participate in closest approach. It involves something called a "Plutopalooza". Stay tuned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-43216473837702616992015-06-07T20:27:00.001-04:002015-06-07T20:27:20.894-04:006 weeks to go!!New Horizons is screaming along towards Pluto and Charon, we have only <strike>8</strike> 6!! weeks until the encounter (apparently I started this post 2 weeks ago, sigh). I find myself getting more and more excited; there's nothing like seeing articles about your day to day work on CNN or having a slot on your calendar as a reminder that the New York Times will be coming by for an interview (and don't do anything stupid or infamous while they watch you through the glass).<br />
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As an example of what our little spacecraft is doing, here's some pictures of Pluto and it's moons. You can see how the scientists process the images coming down from New Horizons; for the first time we are seeing the tiniest moons of Pluto. You can read the article <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/News-Article.php?page=20150512" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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We also were able to see that *maybe* Pluto has ice caps from this video.<br />
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In other space news close to me, MESSENGER finally gave up the ghost and crashed into the planet Mercury, having run out of fuel <b>and the will to fight gravity</b>. I was in the Ops Center for the final transmission with gobs of others and it was really nifty. See the pictures below, on the left is the first picture it took of the Mercury surface after achieving orbit, and then it's final picture before impact on the right. MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury and was able to full map the planet, seeing parts unknown to human eyes. You can visit <a href="http://www.messenger.jhuapl.edu/">www.messenger.jhuapl.edu</a> for more info and cool pictures.<br />
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More to come, including my trip out to California to visit the big 70-m antenna!!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-43254385429297726552015-03-20T23:06:00.000-04:002015-03-20T23:06:15.096-04:00Slowing Down in the midst of a Speed UpLife is moving so fast, and sometimes I want it to go faster, and then sometimes I am desperate for it to slow down. Because MommyShorts is so much more eloquent than I, please click <a href="http://mommyshorts.com/2015/01/parenting-speed.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see what I mean.<br />
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One of the things I cherish right now is that Evan gets off the bus and we have about an hour together before we get Zoey from preschool. Lest you think I should pick her up right then, she *loves* the afternoon at her preschool and the time on the playground with her friends and doesn't want me to come early. Also, we pay good money for that playground time. :)<br />
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But for Evan and I, it's relaxing. He tells me about his day (a little begrudgingly but isn't that how it works?). Sometimes he plays with a friend down the street, but usually it's just us. And I know that won't last for long so I enjoy it.<br />
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Moving on to what's happening!!<br />
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**********************<br />
On having family too far away:<br />
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Evan says "I miss that little girl".<br />
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"What little girl?"<br />
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"Aria".<br />
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Later he mentions that he only has cousins that live far away. Sigh<br />
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**********************<br />
On how Spring is drunk:<br />
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Today is the first day of spring, and this is how we greeted it. Clearly Zoey is pulling out her gangsta face again; this is a new phenomena with her. Usually it is accompanied with crossed arms as well.<br />
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This <strike>week</strike> in the two months since I last blogged in Space:<br />
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Another spacecraft here at my work successfully delayed it's dramatic splat onto the surface of Mercury for a little while longer. MESSENGER celebrated 4 years in orbit and is currently preparing to mouse fart out the gas it has left to keep it afloat until late April. <a href="http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=271">http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=271</a><br />
<a href="http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=276">http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=276</a><br />
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But most excitedly, New Horizons is almost there! As of now, the spacecraft is closer to Pluto than the Earth is to the Sun (for more info click <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/News-Article.php?page=20150312" target="_blank">here</a>). We recently used our long-range camera to get pictures of Pluto and it's largest moon Charon. Though it doesn't look like much it was really exciting to actually be able to see it!<br />
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Later, LORRI also captured these images of two of Pluto's other moons, Nix and Hydra (discovered through Hubble images in 2005):<br />
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That's all for now, only a few months to go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-71275247800600681442015-01-14T20:18:00.000-05:002015-01-22T13:02:01.536-05:00A New Year and New Destinations!It's here! It's 2015! The year we arrive at Pluto! The year I finish my Master's Degree! The year Zoey turns 4 and Evan turns 7!! The year we are hoping to move into a bigger house!<br />
<br />
I feel like I need to take a big deep breath. And a nap. (You know, to get ready for my next midnight shift coming up!) Anyone know of a good cleaning service? Cause we are going to need some help...........<br />
<br />
As of today, we are six months from encounter. I can't believe it's this close.<br />
<br />
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Video cameras were present when we work up from our last hibernation back in December, and you can see yours truly in this video (New Horizons starts at the 1:35ish mark):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jQmRxStVXkk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
In other news, our family is doing great. Evan has finished his first half of Kindergarten and loves it. He has made many new friends and is one of the better behaved kids in his class (?!?!). Zoey is in her first year of preschool; her favorite job is when she gets to be the flag girl (or the weather girl, or calendar, heck she loves all the jobs).<br />
<br />
I'm going to try to keep up with weekly recaps this year, with more frequency as we get closer to the Pluto Encounter. Should be fun!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
So Happy New Year from our crazy family to yours!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-82955910027993780782014-06-27T21:09:00.001-04:002014-06-27T21:09:44.373-04:00A Year and a Lifetime of MemoriesMy dearest Grandma Helen,<br />
<br />
We have missed you so much over this past year, it's hard to believe it's been that long. You have been in my life almost as long as I can remember. I think of you at the oddest times, when I see your initials randomly on someone's whiteboard, when I see a Canadian goose honking in the sky, when one of my children's books mentions a kookaburra and I tell the kids how you used to sing the song to us as children.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Merry merry king of the bush is he</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Laugh, Kookaburra, Laugh, Kookaburra</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gay your life must be."</i></div>
<br />
Evan remarks that you must have sung to us a lot, which you did. He doesn't know you didn't have the greatest singing voice, but we loved it anyways.<br />
<br />
I am thankful that Evan will remember you, if it's only a blur in his mind as the years go by. He does lament that now that you are gone, we don't know any handicapped people anymore.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjzXauph1T_8HW70TaVGil1WYULF4-7y6VBOVlcSnY6-HnAkwqR6pBfxYuhcJaaItkRnd8BuTy77icBkTH8xQjP-UqVWTViRkv6WxM2JQpYzEsemjCPvwBBKGB-2ZnE33HT4EdSGltw/s1600/November+2008+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjzXauph1T_8HW70TaVGil1WYULF4-7y6VBOVlcSnY6-HnAkwqR6pBfxYuhcJaaItkRnd8BuTy77icBkTH8xQjP-UqVWTViRkv6WxM2JQpYzEsemjCPvwBBKGB-2ZnE33HT4EdSGltw/s1600/November+2008+015.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen and baby Evan at one month, October 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am thankful that you got to cradle Zoey for the first time, in only her first weeks of life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOdS4-HJM1R-YJ0q4DEDABRHSh7dymE47MREDnaXq7mntDzVVPB_34OFNK8zALH-mouWN5eytRUbK-INQp7c8y1Kyr9Z0y3KmOAzQN7uNjzTDnlKWCABWWcGM-tv2KtvUhQfhrmMGQQ/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOdS4-HJM1R-YJ0q4DEDABRHSh7dymE47MREDnaXq7mntDzVVPB_34OFNK8zALH-mouWN5eytRUbK-INQp7c8y1Kyr9Z0y3KmOAzQN7uNjzTDnlKWCABWWcGM-tv2KtvUhQfhrmMGQQ/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen and baby Zoey at two weeks, June 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am thankful for that last visit. Thankful that you were awake and able to talk to us, to tickle Zoey as she climbed on your bed, to tell us to never get old. You said you were tired, and I kissed you on the forehead as we walked out the door. Evan waved goodbye. I am thankful for that day.<br />
<br />
Most of all I am thankful for you. Thankful that you took us into your life with open arms (and an open door). The time spent at your house when we were kids is something I will never forget. Dressing up in Jack's old t-shirts, sleeping together in that gigantic bed, watching movies and eating your butterscotch cookies.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I will remember you always, and forget you never. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Your loving granddaughter, Sarah</b></div>
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****************************************************************************</div>
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<b>****************************************************************************</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For pictures from Helen's memorial in August of 2013, click <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/112745640982055781822/albums/6029774016431108561" target="_blank">here.</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-81219256841219512452014-06-04T11:50:00.000-04:002014-06-04T11:51:32.789-04:00My kid can swim like Michael Phelps, wait what?My kids need swimming lessons. And I kept forgetting to sign them up. Finally inquired, and Shoot! they start this week. So I sign up Evan one day ahead of time and then Zoey..........but they don't have the time I need so I have to sign up her for the one that starts in........<br />
<br />
......wait for it..........<br />
<br />
10 MINUTES!<br />
<br />
Mad dash to finishing paying, get her in her bathing suit, in the car, to the gym, and in to the pool. And it's kinda controlled chaos there. Two instructors in the pool, about 8 kids all holding hands jumping in a circle in a pool that looks way too deep for Zoey and I wonder if I've made a mistake.<br />
<br />
Eh, whatevs, I just deposit her on the steps and one of the instructors grabs here. This is how Michael Phelps started right? Did I mention that this is THE Michael Phelps school? Oh dear........<br />
<br />
But she hangs in there, looks a little scared but not enough to get out of the pool. She seemed to make some friends, and all but one kid are bigger than her (and quite a lot of them can do stuff way above the class description).<br />
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I'm so proud of her! She did really well, and is excited to go back. There was one little boy that started crying when they got to the part about jumping into the pool (with help). A separate instructor took him off and calmed him down. I remembered what my first swimming lessons were like, screaming, pulling my moms hair, hysteria. Mostly because my cousin David told me when he took his first lessons they threw him in the deep end of the pool. Thanks David! But once I realized how fun it was, I never looked back.<br />
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Evan starts his soon, and he's really excited. We'll see!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-55123443552382795472014-05-01T22:52:00.000-04:002014-05-01T22:52:42.435-04:00A boy and his carsEvan has recently gotten back into his car collection. Which is good, considering he has what feels like thousands. He's pretty specific about them; he wants them to have symbols (meaning he can clearly see if it's a Nissan, Toyota, VW, etc.) He could care less about the matchbox cars that just look like they go fast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi7aH4dHVa8cExfxTXRcM45ZJoxxdXajPKKXS3okLprqWlDJ4VJQiZYlbx5E2GXD6xMVVtW2NVq7eVIJlcj9m_YgSpOMyeSNLOKF1wKlKFh9O8Isk7c2Efmfw1XgM5wxwRmBxQLuC-g/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi7aH4dHVa8cExfxTXRcM45ZJoxxdXajPKKXS3okLprqWlDJ4VJQiZYlbx5E2GXD6xMVVtW2NVq7eVIJlcj9m_YgSpOMyeSNLOKF1wKlKFh9O8Isk7c2Efmfw1XgM5wxwRmBxQLuC-g/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
He loves Beetles, Prius', Smart Cars, and above all the Nissan Juke. And he studies every car that we drive by. This is how we know:<br />
<br />
- That someone that works at McDonalds drives a yellow Beetle Bug and they work the morning shift<br />
- That someone that works at the bank drives a white Nissan Juke, and Evan keeps asking if we can go inside and meet them so they will show us their car<br />
- That the reverend at the church preschool he attends drives a Blue Prius<br />
<br />
At preschool they collected empty boxes, taped them together, and painted them. Some kids made rocket ships, buildings, princess towers, etc.<br />
<br />
Evan made a Nissan, complete with hatchback.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-80919416255958508052014-02-19T16:12:00.000-05:002014-02-19T16:12:29.043-05:00What's Goin' On............Things and stuff, lots of things and stuff.<br />
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First, in the gigantic world of SPACE.<br />
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The <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/">New Horizons</a> spacecraft continues its march (drift, flight, rocket-launched trajectory, etc) towards Pluto. We have about a year and a half to go until our closest approach on July 4th, 2015 and everyone is getting pretty excited. So excited that they created a great video comparing our mission to the ongoing Olympic games; you can see me in it at the 2:09 mark when they mention Olympic hockey (obviously). <i>(note: I don't think this aired on TV, though someone thinks they saw it. But, well, it should have.)</i><br />
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Over this past summer, we had our one and only full encounter rehearsal that spanned 14 days. There were some great people there recording our whole team and then they took the time to create two really great podcasts. Please check these out; there are a little longer but give a great explanation of what we are doing and why. You should see me a bunch of times but not talking (saving myself for next year).<br />
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<a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/news_center/news/20131223.php">http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/news_center/news/20131223.php</a> (there are both small and large versions of the video depending on how fast your speed is).<br />
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And then here's a great article about why we are going and the things we expect to learn once we get there. Just because some people decided to declare it not a planet anymore doesn't mean there aren't loads of things to learn. <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/mysteries_of_the_universe/2014/02/pluto_new_horizons_mission_the_dwarf_planet_explains_the_history_of_our.html">Click here.</a><br />
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In the <a href="http://stereo.jhuapl.edu/">STEREO</a> world we continue to circle to the backside of the Sun (both spacecraft will be blocked from Earth by the Sun for a few months each next summer before we see them again and they start to circle back to Earth). This past Christmas STEREO produced a rare <a href="http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=24&month=12&year=2013">Christmas Conjunction</a> of Venus, Earth and Jupiter, which led me to discover that there is a great paper discussing the fact that the "Star of Bethlehem" may very well have been a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, bright and shining to those who saw it and a rare event indeed. You can read the paper <a href="http://www.tccsa.tc/articles/star_susan_carroll.pdf">here.</a><br />
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Finally, for stuff outside of my work world but no less exciting, for Apollo's 8 45th anniversary where the famous 'Earthrise' picture was taken, a new video was put together. They combined the pictures with new data taken from a satellite currently orbiting the moon to create a montage of what exactly the astronauts were seeing along with their audio. It's pretty cool.<br />
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Uh, well that was really long. So in other news Evan lost his first tooth, Zoey is out of diapers, and the downstairs bathroom is ALMOST DONE. Phew.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-85337226610740067362013-10-08T23:07:00.000-04:002013-10-08T23:07:03.718-04:00Soccer Starts and Zoey gets a LollipopSo, Evan is playing soccer. Like the tons of Bucior's before him, and also his Aunt Becca (who had a short career of games before she tried to kick the ball at the same time as another boy, fell down, and never returned).<br />
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As you can imagine a group of 4 and 5 years act, well that's how it is. He is on a team with two of his best girl friends from preschool, and there is lots of hugging and giggling and general mayhem. I take lots of pictures and the story they tell is, well, very varied.<br />
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Some of the pictures make it look like they are ACTUALLY playing.<br />
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Though the truth is, they spent most of the time being goofballs. Observe.<br />
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And then we have Zoey, trying to stay busy with lollipops and her size 1 soccer ball. Usually she gives up and asks Grandma to take her to the playground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B0YtBQr8Slm_YES46YQKwQE2aiX7vOLGioP89NO8HIxWWYQm6xsAlxTs3MtobPnEH_qJlmLMeN3LhwRCyP38_HgNAZL-BHkEIXDAySQLm-DCAsBUAPhw-1BB5woHmcQqGD97TxHe5w/s1600/soccerblog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B0YtBQr8Slm_YES46YQKwQE2aiX7vOLGioP89NO8HIxWWYQm6xsAlxTs3MtobPnEH_qJlmLMeN3LhwRCyP38_HgNAZL-BHkEIXDAySQLm-DCAsBUAPhw-1BB5woHmcQqGD97TxHe5w/s640/soccerblog13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All in all, Evan mostly likes it. And we like anything that gets the kids running around and in general tiring themselves out. Hooray for that.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-75530870249602039722013-09-03T22:35:00.000-04:002013-09-03T22:35:12.787-04:00Look who's almost 30!Holy moly, my youngest sister is almost 30. Turns 29 today. The three of us, we are no longer young, not that it stops us from acting like ding-a-lings when we are around each other. It just now sometimes involves alcohol not KoolAid.<br />
<br />
So, to my baby sister Jessie:<br />
<br />
You started as this, a weird looking head at the bottom of the picture.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzPwYBaerh03UJ7gyaV8CI51h393WHmpPWW_xhZPBMlPEstibAAVtNZRGmQBqsv3Q7evntuuQP1QgKdEnfPEIatbbFNPraXYQJL1Kae04zRVh4PWEJnyeTiyc4P6fw3Wqqaz2kL-rYw/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzPwYBaerh03UJ7gyaV8CI51h393WHmpPWW_xhZPBMlPEstibAAVtNZRGmQBqsv3Q7evntuuQP1QgKdEnfPEIatbbFNPraXYQJL1Kae04zRVh4PWEJnyeTiyc4P6fw3Wqqaz2kL-rYw/s400/pic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...a sweet baby girl at Easter time...</div>
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...a fish...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cTbMhLKquVuO5uXsI_Tdn0oAGN1w1j2Dw1k0h4P9asw2ib-kaByw7dqNFiyvAUQ_1nDSvyVOKnZBHfPADgVO48kUZ3auraFrRTcXjc0oG8GXrT9T3ftxC-qh7UY1YLSaOXYzK75drw/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cTbMhLKquVuO5uXsI_Tdn0oAGN1w1j2Dw1k0h4P9asw2ib-kaByw7dqNFiyvAUQ_1nDSvyVOKnZBHfPADgVO48kUZ3auraFrRTcXjc0oG8GXrT9T3ftxC-qh7UY1YLSaOXYzK75drw/s320/pic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...then you grew up, letting us take photos like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIclBp9l74ndwKm7W79VvZ3iVPQL3vRh7sjuLfC-13ceQhe7CWhNjaayjiNqiB75b0dBUHZGPKhQgx_ZgbzsdGxoRw1-FJNCaFtjhB0-B64R8pZCZWxxY8QAoPo2S-SCF_jDpRKVdb5g/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIclBp9l74ndwKm7W79VvZ3iVPQL3vRh7sjuLfC-13ceQhe7CWhNjaayjiNqiB75b0dBUHZGPKhQgx_ZgbzsdGxoRw1-FJNCaFtjhB0-B64R8pZCZWxxY8QAoPo2S-SCF_jDpRKVdb5g/s400/DSC_0727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKtwSBGG4nznlJs_w6iVYY3fAlEwv8osMmiT0sHgpZMbK4MRc3TDA7hh6e_1qZukW3yjJJFZYR6Aq2Tm1sk1_l1QGiE33KT3SKPCnCGPcui4MWF6CmKdEBCSQ9NXTWMRxjkkWYfK5Pw/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKtwSBGG4nznlJs_w6iVYY3fAlEwv8osMmiT0sHgpZMbK4MRc3TDA7hh6e_1qZukW3yjJJFZYR6Aq2Tm1sk1_l1QGiE33KT3SKPCnCGPcui4MWF6CmKdEBCSQ9NXTWMRxjkkWYfK5Pw/s400/DSC_0353.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love you for all of these things. But mostly I love you for pictures like this:</div>
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<br /></div>
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...Evan's very first elephant ride...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKb_3CwQjKC9ADw8CHwN8mmN9NC7BzGORjObF6iDc-fLMOUvmE8m9qGSZKWSmnNR-64NYh7n6alEXwDx1dHl2Ag_5Df24y2ZVMsSpcp_zkqso-BdQPQ0b2vyNckI2splqG1_HIJ90IA/s1600/DSC_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKb_3CwQjKC9ADw8CHwN8mmN9NC7BzGORjObF6iDc-fLMOUvmE8m9qGSZKWSmnNR-64NYh7n6alEXwDx1dHl2Ag_5Df24y2ZVMsSpcp_zkqso-BdQPQ0b2vyNckI2splqG1_HIJ90IA/s640/DSC_1696.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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...and Zoey's precious sleeping face at one day old, having slumbered on your lap all night...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7qO5oApq9yUxRw66wasGI8ovYAtQjR_E2xEy0Yrg-i341HEww676L_SspOZ56RBnJS6QAXsriGwNPY90ES5iA1Ql-0_NzYXWgCgUZEn96i5jrg_LV_wc5yUFnWkC1mB5XM0bqonpvw/s1600/Jessie%2527s+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7qO5oApq9yUxRw66wasGI8ovYAtQjR_E2xEy0Yrg-i341HEww676L_SspOZ56RBnJS6QAXsriGwNPY90ES5iA1Ql-0_NzYXWgCgUZEn96i5jrg_LV_wc5yUFnWkC1mB5XM0bqonpvw/s640/Jessie%2527s+Pic.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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I am so proud of everything that you do, but over the last few months I love you most for who you were for our dear Helen, for staying overnight with her at the hospital, for being her confidant, her friend, for helping her to feel safe and loved. I am beyond thankful that she was able to be at your wedding, clearly she was so happy to be there. </div>
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Happy Birthday Jessie.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-54166930676669168912013-08-21T10:34:00.001-04:002013-08-21T10:34:12.872-04:00It's the Little ThingsAh the joy of having two kids in one bedroom. Their beds are set up caddy-corner to each other; when we moved Zoey from the crib to the toddler bed she didn't like being on one side of the room by herself. Every once in a while they attempt to sleep together but Zoey usually ends up getting in her own bed before they fall asleep.<br />
<br />
But last night, as I sat on the chair in the hallway waiting for them to fall asleep (cause if I don't they run around like crazy people and I hear sentences such as "Zoey, jump? Hahahaha"), I watched Zoey climb over her headboard, over an almost asleep Evan, and cover herself up in his bed.<br />
<br />
And they slept there together all night.<br />
<br />
When they woke up this morning they were tickling each other; here is their "Pits Up!" picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXydpEzU7Sg1KhnztcnA1DRxtACOmXevjSSegy7NY_nT1XTsnu7F996xmYUlQq_HvL-cnWXkC1iuwkLpvzQWf21VmJ7erzV4bK-qednCvzrbWZWGySNi6FR6bl9IkndOoF0gCF8jFfug/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXydpEzU7Sg1KhnztcnA1DRxtACOmXevjSSegy7NY_nT1XTsnu7F996xmYUlQq_HvL-cnWXkC1iuwkLpvzQWf21VmJ7erzV4bK-qednCvzrbWZWGySNi6FR6bl9IkndOoF0gCF8jFfug/s640/photo.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Shortly after this picture, Zoey peed on the potty for the first time. The look of surprise on her face was hilarious. And then Evan proceeded to dress himself. Correctly I might add.<br />
<br />
What has happened to my children?<br />
<br />
Oh yea, they are growing up. Sigh.<br />
<br />
:)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-64113580054349671922013-08-07T14:54:00.000-04:002013-08-07T14:54:42.381-04:00What's Happening in the Space World....We just finished our two-week 24/7 Pluto Rehearsal on the New Horizons mission. We are gearing up for our arrival in July of 2015 which seems so far away yet so close too. At the end of the rehearsal Alan Stern had a great presentation on how New Horizons happened in the first place and where we are going. You can watch it on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyRAmviIuE" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Or here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iPyRAmviIuE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
During the rehearsal, we turned New Horizons to take a long-range picture of Pluto and Charon. Though teeny-tiny, you can clearly see the distinction. I mean, this is from 550 million miles away! You can read more <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/news_center/news/20130710.php">here.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kOzh9Wc5cb5sbgSA-guNAKuw0s1YR5EOaZmxKSNzmNtCGPrPybbreetVIiUO0smgoZxEEmJCfT8Qxowg16yMO-fqUWI4xny2WGpRo_SWWX0BwMSZ-qpt_jkxV4_RMDS4o9ts9hpEVQ/s1600/pluto_charon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kOzh9Wc5cb5sbgSA-guNAKuw0s1YR5EOaZmxKSNzmNtCGPrPybbreetVIiUO0smgoZxEEmJCfT8Qxowg16yMO-fqUWI4xny2WGpRo_SWWX0BwMSZ-qpt_jkxV4_RMDS4o9ts9hpEVQ/s640/pluto_charon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Want to see what you look like from space? Both the Cassini and MESSENGER missions took some time to look back at Earth and take our picture. Somehow I missed this piece of info until AFTER it happened so I don't have a geeky picture of me waving HI, but you can see the side by side picture below. I can <i>just </i>make out the Great Wall of China. Right? Haha, <i>right.</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-20820646915751343862013-07-10T10:44:00.000-04:002013-07-10T10:44:12.455-04:00Losses.....and GainsI had meant to write this post a few days ago, and even in that time some more things have changed. My beloved Grandma Helen passed on June 27th in hospice; her obituary is <a href="http://www.thebaynet.com/announcements/index.cfm/fa/viewannouncement/announce_id/845/cat/61/type/new" target="_blank">here</a>. She was an amazing woman and I want to write a special post for her with lots of information about her life, so it will take a bit longer.<br />
<br />
I am reminded sometimes of the circle of life; we are so saddened to hear of someone's passing and then sometimes in the next breath the miracle of birth explodes onto the scene. My starkest memory of this happened on the day after Christmas six years ago.<br />
<br />
I had just received a phone call that Helen's younger (and only) brother has passed. He was a great big guy with a booming voice that made us girls laugh at every turn. We loved when he would pretend to pick us up by our ears (which really was us clinging to his forearms in desperation). He clearly loved his lot in life as the younger brother to a house full of sisters; the friendly teasing was always abundant when he visited.<br />
<br />
Less than a half an hour later I got a call from a good friend that their daughter had been born, at home and healthy. The excitement in his voice was so healing (and I was also thrilled that I warranted a phone call! This was pre-facebook era of course).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Welcome to the world Holly</i></div>
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<br />
And so it has been these past weeks; Helen has gone and new babies have come (Rick and Emily, Ryan and Kayla) and the promise of those almost here (Rachael and Jeremy, I can't wait!).<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
I received news yesterday of the passing of a colleague that I worked with for many years at Goddard Space Flight Center. Louis was an amazing man; I never saw him fail to light up a room.<br />
<br />
For Louis,<br />
<br />
For the times we laughed,<br />
<br />
For the times you told us wonderful stories about your dog Tiffy,<br />
<br />
For never letting us look at fanny packs the same again,<br />
<br />
For bizarre and interesting stories about growing up in the south, where the fried chicken sat on the counter top all day in the summer for snacking and no one ever got sick,<br />
<br />
For being the life of the party at my wedding, how could I have forgotten that you caught the garter,<br />
<br />
For being my friend,<br />
<br />
For being a friend to so many others,<br />
<br />
For all this and more,<br />
<br />
Thank you. You will never be forgotten.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=165749027#fbLoggedOut">Louis' Obituary</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-55649246579697168112013-06-06T22:47:00.000-04:002013-06-06T22:47:03.930-04:00A Wedding of Hockey Proportions, and a 'What The Heck'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love weddings. They are a great time to laugh, celebrate, eat and drink (wahoo!) and in general have a great day. Especially if you didn't have to do any of the planning. </div>
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But for me they also give me time to think about the people I know that are getting married and all the events between my life and theirs that led to this moment. I thought this post would be about the happy couple, but sorry Elizabeth it's mostly about Walter. Partially because I've known him so much longer, and, well, he never thinks I think he's important enough. :)</div>
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The oldest picture I have of us playing hockey together is from 2004 (and ironically I'm not even in this picture cause of a broken ankle). This was actually at the Verizon Center played after a Caps game. I have always loved playing with you, despite the fact that you make me look like a slug going through molasses. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSog9-hlTju-Dnoz8L6Sc5iuYI5WKSFwikD5zCM5JxX-ici0jhe_EJxQqGWQF0FyE9aToOcOAxlGHWnc1P2njUbQcquaHqhWeDDZ2FKUAg-56_6l2VEa7VJkaJSqk0AsQsWZkpp51xYg/s1600/NordiquesatMCICenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSog9-hlTju-Dnoz8L6Sc5iuYI5WKSFwikD5zCM5JxX-ici0jhe_EJxQqGWQF0FyE9aToOcOAxlGHWnc1P2njUbQcquaHqhWeDDZ2FKUAg-56_6l2VEa7VJkaJSqk0AsQsWZkpp51xYg/s400/NordiquesatMCICenter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the fun trips we've had, where you make me ask the hotel from desk for more cookies 5 times a day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9C3JqwjO5kboNp_B9KU75MaCjpkiakD124c_q6YYXMou6J20NDMHZqj-kr2CrYZ7FZuEy8tjDoSTvxyJN2pSvauGRNuk5_63XE3-2aUQ_UQHX-_IOjyLSUiiLyR2s1k6TOyifgZWTg/s1600/January+Pittsburgh+Trip+07+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9C3JqwjO5kboNp_B9KU75MaCjpkiakD124c_q6YYXMou6J20NDMHZqj-kr2CrYZ7FZuEy8tjDoSTvxyJN2pSvauGRNuk5_63XE3-2aUQ_UQHX-_IOjyLSUiiLyR2s1k6TOyifgZWTg/s400/January+Pittsburgh+Trip+07+063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy, Walter, and Matt in Pittsburgh before a Pens game</td></tr>
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I mean you must know we care immensely right? Despite the fact that we have pictures of Michael all over our house? You know, because we borrowed this awesome-sauce picture from your mom:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArRkpg8sQfd-eYKXF4_qx0W9i6DifqpNhXi2MJ0Oid3Y0LISnJ6ZdHVbceb9848eN1Nv9P6hCWp6DNsYPsOmdpp1euW6esRC-qQx5i-2wkVncoyaJ-zouOUAdu0Su-0d0NxpzLVS7hw/s1600/Walter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArRkpg8sQfd-eYKXF4_qx0W9i6DifqpNhXi2MJ0Oid3Y0LISnJ6ZdHVbceb9848eN1Nv9P6hCWp6DNsYPsOmdpp1euW6esRC-qQx5i-2wkVncoyaJ-zouOUAdu0Su-0d0NxpzLVS7hw/s400/Walter2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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...and our entire hockey team had t-shirts made so that everyone knew we were members of the 'Walter Bender Jr. Fan Club'.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn-gtK1zCJ-p2cgP4wEOc19uEhsfZ_EjuNjlWZ_wtptpnWUwpZdQgBTkPB9Ly5EPUUjK0FQz1wMFIm8jqDan9E_k9RIhPuOzBa5KgfQCls9sLxya8VvGqDWzRLS0gitQSSKCLdwE-DA/s1600/walter+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn-gtK1zCJ-p2cgP4wEOc19uEhsfZ_EjuNjlWZ_wtptpnWUwpZdQgBTkPB9Ly5EPUUjK0FQz1wMFIm8jqDan9E_k9RIhPuOzBa5KgfQCls9sLxya8VvGqDWzRLS0gitQSSKCLdwE-DA/s400/walter+shirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt modeling said shirt</td></tr>
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Most of all I am happy with the time that you spend with our kids. Walter and Evan and noodle-stuff, definitely in need of some wet wipes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFy_W1mRxhO_MyV6fFtS3EgrlPKUltSO5nE0IGx3JQQO-fpp-b60COb6PrnTW0KP7Tid8VP3zyiEnSLrFvubspbSa3KGmZqpWzeJpsB4GBFo_DItMCV-veyXKPm0SsNEyh9wL0xUYlQ/s1600/noodle+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFy_W1mRxhO_MyV6fFtS3EgrlPKUltSO5nE0IGx3JQQO-fpp-b60COb6PrnTW0KP7Tid8VP3zyiEnSLrFvubspbSa3KGmZqpWzeJpsB4GBFo_DItMCV-veyXKPm0SsNEyh9wL0xUYlQ/s640/noodle+stuff.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And then Elizabeth showed up and you became even happier that you were before. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvZ05Al4rg3k6h3fb8W_pym8DdiCoTx9Khg8OHk4vO4AMWd2iN33otpCcQzBFOEFO7IwPr5y95uuyHZH_9QpNmLbUNCXoHKKH0t3oCZAuL5HGRfMuS8_gmdUDeanpA-JCd_hpWyz9bw/s1600/Elizabeth+and+Walter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvZ05Al4rg3k6h3fb8W_pym8DdiCoTx9Khg8OHk4vO4AMWd2iN33otpCcQzBFOEFO7IwPr5y95uuyHZH_9QpNmLbUNCXoHKKH0t3oCZAuL5HGRfMuS8_gmdUDeanpA-JCd_hpWyz9bw/s640/Elizabeth+and+Walter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Evan's 2nd Birthday Party, 2010</td></tr>
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You even tried to match on Halloween:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QP9HvgQV39FzAyoPJ13JS78Wklc99EtrBJnG6JTGHAjPXi5ZOis5y11CkQaLEQbjABgVVDzi-U6y_Uoi5F43cNg-a-EeE_iE9YtmkwS9n0FJOQaIOp-JIrq8XbtnvSKaHTf5hRIeNg/s1600/Halloween+Evan+Walter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QP9HvgQV39FzAyoPJ13JS78Wklc99EtrBJnG6JTGHAjPXi5ZOis5y11CkQaLEQbjABgVVDzi-U6y_Uoi5F43cNg-a-EeE_iE9YtmkwS9n0FJOQaIOp-JIrq8XbtnvSKaHTf5hRIeNg/s400/Halloween+Evan+Walter.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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But most of all, the fact that the both of you chose Evan to be your ring bearer is the greatest of all.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQiuK7V7-PiNdWPxdoSS5nT9WqikYl11CYpWLe7QB15XN8P5cSiZixZYGJV2bVlTr2r2jxfGUvvFJqFU4Xa0iD1Uqxv6_Ih7Cr-0DUXuCdG_m2KVHZnUUAD3-zFTYDR0Rb8Xmko3_WQ/s1600/walterandevan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQiuK7V7-PiNdWPxdoSS5nT9WqikYl11CYpWLe7QB15XN8P5cSiZixZYGJV2bVlTr2r2jxfGUvvFJqFU4Xa0iD1Uqxv6_Ih7Cr-0DUXuCdG_m2KVHZnUUAD3-zFTYDR0Rb8Xmko3_WQ/s640/walterandevan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal Dinner</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rbATbyTxGwsgk4RKCRiaYiaB8nSj9qXwMYUBwBtmf3MQbk-6-GWyc_ZthswYDEN5Bw0EvJYnSyb1VBMAirryCng6hMiazdkHGOFLF-QsVJtvRmD6cY3O5NNC15Z4gYPQB1m2WDlRg/s1600/wedding1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rbATbyTxGwsgk4RKCRiaYiaB8nSj9qXwMYUBwBtmf3MQbk-6-GWyc_ZthswYDEN5Bw0EvJYnSyb1VBMAirryCng6hMiazdkHGOFLF-QsVJtvRmD6cY3O5NNC15Z4gYPQB1m2WDlRg/s640/wedding1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Wedding</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1u8Gkv3AzE3Qa2crPJdW3mNgU9li2vUjmbAV4Q94oofHxYvADp7yLVSUo5zExdckondlK8BPkGV4uJo6nQJlibG3in9ELj45CPIqiB1lKo2f-yaDzj2J_Yd-s0q3nVLhSnoYA0hbUw/s1600/wedding2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1u8Gkv3AzE3Qa2crPJdW3mNgU9li2vUjmbAV4Q94oofHxYvADp7yLVSUo5zExdckondlK8BPkGV4uJo6nQJlibG3in9ELj45CPIqiB1lKo2f-yaDzj2J_Yd-s0q3nVLhSnoYA0hbUw/s400/wedding2.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Anyways, congratulations to you both. I'm simultaneously happy for your marriage and furious that you are moving away. Even if it is for a few years. We can't wait to come visit though (course that might be my stomach yearning for the bakery in Oakmont, haha).<br />
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Of all the billions of pictures that I took over the last few days, this one is my favorite. It's ridiculously blurry, and Walter your head got real skinny, but it was the first time you were introduced to the room as husband and wife. And it was amazing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6dnI5wbysyWM0efTgEWoDdYFJXSzt9NXdwIq2HcLs5obn5Xt5XVdofQMP1-z4H0w8YUbB257Y5_RANppseb-vClKefXus0Z3A9CnuQ0EPrBhmOkphcpCCimwGh6dfFocAlre3iUlQg/s1600/wedding3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6dnI5wbysyWM0efTgEWoDdYFJXSzt9NXdwIq2HcLs5obn5Xt5XVdofQMP1-z4H0w8YUbB257Y5_RANppseb-vClKefXus0Z3A9CnuQ0EPrBhmOkphcpCCimwGh6dfFocAlre3iUlQg/s640/wedding3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And now I'm crying. What. The. Heck.<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-86573872857542668662013-03-14T21:25:00.002-04:002013-03-14T21:32:08.882-04:005-minute MagicAlright this post isn't really what it sounds like. :)<br />
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BUT-<br />
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Look what I made in about 5 minutes. Plus a trip to the store for materials, but you may already have them in your home.<br />
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Tools: Scissors, some ribbon, a brad, and a hook to hang on (not pictured).<br />
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I hung a <a href="http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/" target="_blank">Command</a> Strip hanger on the wall (I *love* all of their stuff and use it to hang things all over our house). Then I cut a long length of ribbon, found the middle and folded it back on itself, cut a little slit with scissors, and used the brad to hold the two pieces of ribbon together.<br />
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Then I snipped the ends in pointed shapes, and added all of Zoey's cute hair clips that we always forget about. And tada!!!!<br />
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Though she never <b>keeps</b> them in her hair, but it's nice to display them all the same.<br />
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Note: I got the inspiration from Sherri over at Young House Love <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/02/playing-hooky-rocking-a-poncho/" target="_blank">here</a> though. I love them.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-28056439666341182512013-03-11T00:14:00.000-04:002013-03-11T00:14:04.192-04:00Tons of Bathing Suits and a Goodwill ScoreIt was a beautiful weekend, and since we didn't get slammed by the 'Snowquester', the kids got to run around out in the sun. The ground was a little smooshy, but eh, who cares.<br />
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At one point, Zoey busted her lip on the slide. She cried for about 2 seconds, and then started right back up the slide again, tears brimming in her eyes and blood seeping down her chin.<br />
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She might just grow up to be a hockey player. :)<br />
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Evan had a friend from preschool come over on Saturday evening (he has been waiting forever for her to come and was ridiculously excited), and even though we have about a bazillion toys what do they want to do? Play dress up, with all the clothes in the room. Including Zoey's clothes. He will be forever grateful that I did not take pictures. But poor little Zoey wanted to be in on the fun, and since she can't really dress and undress herself, she resorted to putting her arms through the holes of the clothes and stacking them on her arm. Like 10 bathing suits at a time. :)<br />
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She was at it again this morning, so I got a picture.<br />
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Notice Evan's swimming trunks on his head.<br />
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And on Sunday afternoon we decided to visit the Goodwill in Westminster, it being much larger than our one here at home. I usually don't find anything really that I'm looking for, though Evan usually comes home with a Matchbox car or two and Zoey finds a few Little People. But lo and behold this:<br />
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A wooden kid's sized table and chairs, similar to the set we already have, but with nice curved chair seats. The table was $7 and the chairs $3 a piece.<br />
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$13.<br />
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I'm pretty sure our other set cost around $100.<br />
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Wahoo!<br />
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I mean, is that crazy or what? We also got a battery powered Jeep for pretty cheap and a tricycle too. We will definitely visit that one again. I'm still on the search for a small wooden doll cradle for Zoey, but I didn't see any there.<br />
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Next time. And also when we go, we will take a bigger vehicle. Without crap in the trunk. And bring some tools.<br />
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Just try to imagine what my Passat was like with 3 adults, 2 carseats with kids, a table, two chairs, a stroller, a trike, and a kid sized Jeep. But we made it home, and only with a few tears. :)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-20253101881960112022013-02-07T21:33:00.001-05:002013-02-07T21:33:33.807-05:00Snow (or what passes for it in Maryland)A few days ago we got 'just' enough snow for the kids to go sled riding. This was Zoey's first time, and come to think of it Evan's too. In previous winters she has been too small, and for Evan we have either gotten no snow at all or too much for him to even see over.<br />
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So we did what normal people do; we went down the street and panhandled for sleds to borrow. And another sled-rider to boot! (Thanks Sophia).<br />
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They loved it. Zoey was so excited she actually tried to go down the first hill all by herself. Fearless.<br />
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Enjoy the pictures. I love that you can see just the pure joy in their smiles. If you care, you can see the rest of the whole set (click <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/112745640982055781822/albums/5842401908930731697?authkey=CNPk_8XRj6Hu4AE" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-26963400999811308672013-01-10T20:58:00.001-05:002013-01-10T20:59:33.962-05:00Graduate!She beat me. My youngest sister by 8 years got her Master's Degree before me. Sigh. I am only one class (design project) away though. I'm. Just. Having. A. Hard. Time. Getting. Started.<br />
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But, I am very proud of her! And the graduation was so great!<br />
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Well it wasn't really great, cause all graduations pretty much stink; they are long, drawn out, and you are only there for about 10 seconds of excited-ness for your student. And despite that, when I'm finished I will want my family to sit there for me too. Prepare people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie (slightly out of focus, but this was the best I could get)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, much better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, Jessie, and Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Jessie, and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm21OsdQTLL1-Uf1h1yw_dyNWbHTopTmxalK1kyMEiAel32lqfK4hyd2o6TD67ywLavx8wEUe3kDmLpR8m8w522R1I_cYbcbYEx8yVKn8rlMK1tqNpNbDMP81Op40Uh98a7gxzvqmQA/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm21OsdQTLL1-Uf1h1yw_dyNWbHTopTmxalK1kyMEiAel32lqfK4hyd2o6TD67ywLavx8wEUe3kDmLpR8m8w522R1I_cYbcbYEx8yVKn8rlMK1tqNpNbDMP81Op40Uh98a7gxzvqmQA/s400/DSC_0464.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppa Lance, Jessie, and Lance (and notice Jessie's flip flops)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdNCJZ6B1yMs7sfZtWngqWPh_jynWRYfP8GnBhCxP0s145uRmKLPuazhZ_nW3G3UuJIm0T_O6tCXl2eN1NIWYXQulsm-eYVhWGV4qrIinuoT0gsoRFq83Z8N-IGp8BsSpD-2OJdSLtg/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdNCJZ6B1yMs7sfZtWngqWPh_jynWRYfP8GnBhCxP0s145uRmKLPuazhZ_nW3G3UuJIm0T_O6tCXl2eN1NIWYXQulsm-eYVhWGV4qrIinuoT0gsoRFq83Z8N-IGp8BsSpD-2OJdSLtg/s400/DSC_0457.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and Erin</td></tr>
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(you can see the full-size picture <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112745640982055781822/JessieSGraduation02?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank">here</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786459889106443409.post-30229144258696821212013-01-08T22:22:00.001-05:002013-01-08T22:22:04.093-05:002012 in Review - Part 1So since I was so bad at posting pictures this year or blogging or doing anything besides dressing and feeding my children (and other small things like launching two satellites), here is a Review of 2012 as seen through my pictures. So like, don't be mad if something is missing cause I must not have been there to document it. :-P<br />
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<span style="background-color: blue; color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">January</span><br />
Here is what Zoey looked like at 8 months:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWtqToAIEZkCqANBK87h2RNs7QVBuQQXfr3-W3YRmbjzHqGdw9Q1xmXDSKvoWLr_iZmKjT-84B0qVdfg_wmBc83296obMiQ6jSDnwGScXLBuxkOZtASKv87pEuANbIIqLISt_z86hiA/s1600/DSC_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWtqToAIEZkCqANBK87h2RNs7QVBuQQXfr3-W3YRmbjzHqGdw9Q1xmXDSKvoWLr_iZmKjT-84B0qVdfg_wmBc83296obMiQ6jSDnwGScXLBuxkOZtASKv87pEuANbIIqLISt_z86hiA/s400/DSC_0499.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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We took Evan ice skating for the first time (too bad in this picture you can't see his brand new Bauer's):</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">February</span>:</span><br />
Here I am with my friend Becca's Baby Amelia (born on Christmas Eve of 2011):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oLLRjqh9_eyPySEwTuxGqxm5ha-lpfv9770-stP0KeEyuCg_M_CBxqJJV86ayuQ_insU2Lr2sDfKYDJqrrUHVjxurzbIaZzxbWAwEo4WUq72LT5G7w1Quj1wf8d8VgS0CebIAe9vMA/s1600/DSC09918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oLLRjqh9_eyPySEwTuxGqxm5ha-lpfv9770-stP0KeEyuCg_M_CBxqJJV86ayuQ_insU2Lr2sDfKYDJqrrUHVjxurzbIaZzxbWAwEo4WUq72LT5G7w1Quj1wf8d8VgS0CebIAe9vMA/s400/DSC09918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: blue; color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">March</span><br />
Cindy's baby shower (Tia Marie would be born on March 28th).<br />
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Visiting grandparents, and what is possibly the greatest picture of Zoey ever:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZoNekluAfBuOCH96dAftLa23moFpAGzg68slDAEilvt_9NZM56drVc5R863o940nJbviLayvXhr-kGq__PMNDOeADV5Rb73TjXlS0MRPUUeUMeL40Hfl4S0BMM3pt4Jqv3tCkTArGQ/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZoNekluAfBuOCH96dAftLa23moFpAGzg68slDAEilvt_9NZM56drVc5R863o940nJbviLayvXhr-kGq__PMNDOeADV5Rb73TjXlS0MRPUUeUMeL40Hfl4S0BMM3pt4Jqv3tCkTArGQ/s400/DSC_0170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The kids first trip to Consol Arena to watch a Pittsburgh Penguins game<br />
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Oh, and Emma moved in with us temporarily while Jessie and Lance looked for a house. She was quite comfortable here.<br />
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We also started work on redoing the master bedroom, you can see how much help Evan was with the spackling (needs to be a <i>little bit smoother</i> there kid).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK9fxdOdAanxoJwuYPEw4jifmCOsKHVsklBxFr9A3NkpmPRLp4eH3z6s5ZV3pNx98wD3r1mEtR-NOcdqdy3Af0XEgS6SCyel9mQ6inye00v6X4RYI-DzTRWkiNjBDOqXtGb0RSzYd3A/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK9fxdOdAanxoJwuYPEw4jifmCOsKHVsklBxFr9A3NkpmPRLp4eH3z6s5ZV3pNx98wD3r1mEtR-NOcdqdy3Af0XEgS6SCyel9mQ6inye00v6X4RYI-DzTRWkiNjBDOqXtGb0RSzYd3A/s400/DSC_0357.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: blue; color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">April</span><br />
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Zoey's 1st Easter, in which Mark takes some great pictures that we will use for her birthday invitation. We also had steamed crabs. What a great Easter.
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5KHMqM7pIn6FyUXqoXBzK2vTuWQla5q9hhqeDFVhUqplJbmo-dwlPtGqOQXrx-m6kbDs26SJ6RztAd4DkmLYj5R1S0QL7shVX7sqRRCve5tcLQ5630VUOqcUISxK9rblS_3SSzYBuQ/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG" width="350" /></td>
<td><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMU7JRWm_jg3JsIbjqfHSM6bVRBlQWVvOtN4v5Ei7hPIgXQnKA1P6WO1W9R7YOEsFapLy8p_7_xu3w_oiLrtjx3hyreYFaK0ph9s9INWDEX_QWXmbCZqc5u7FVgCkC-_LjpwGveC6tw/s320/DSC_0527.JPG" width="214" /></td>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP68mMyZwWDCVv98RvhgVo5AjnoyGKmmgTtF2bhZad59_uz2CS012puua5h_X1bmTuZMA_QB_5XHWm7sQMhROHjEfT1655SniDCLL5y_eSEyhDxibZegH1FahIcbdECnw4H_r0ZiOlKQ/s1600/Zoey+Bday+1+updated.JPG" width="350" /></td>
<td><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikMFY4dj3Eakm3G-gpMsnvxGamL-JJ5P4DykCW-Oj-ThjzUOATNHVVCg17bmye5i3MiuM6GOWqykW-X8LTfuvICtqe_WrYhs4wBdazihz6Inkt18fybMx3WytcZYzL5RezWnPjqXiTA/s320/Zoey+Bday+2+updated.JPG" width="214" /></td>
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Also in March, Evan met the Chick-Fil-A at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab fishing tournament. You know, instead of ACTUALLY attempting to catch any fish. Maybe next year.</div>
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On that day I also got to take my parents and Jessie to see the <a href="http://vanallenprobes.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank">RBSP</a> spacecraft as they were still being built (but only weeks away from shipping to the Cape in Florida).</div>
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<td><img height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkYq9-wgclMky5nbfC02jLN7C47TqSSCd5dLZJMY4_x1rUFV9IAMmfKtOXdIm4wg6IdI_9g0lvK3s3_ce0cGgWRaZQAG1LNpB0PoZNk5b1241uTN4qU_i_YGiq8hqNKZzrK-ehtis8Q/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="320" /></td>
<td><img height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6q5Vqo8Xl4DQDmUYbN1XQ2Fh3iDLH-MD8p1-VsR3SPK9KdYZg4PXpBvtceR2gItfwhmAQbQZxH87c-TqxXsqgubZ2LNq81z9Bl0bjoIA77bUKzS2eZTAoqXYtlgqBqWImGC5jtpVRA/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></td>
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At a cookout later I got to finally meet these cutie pie twins (plus Spencer and Zoey got in there too):<br />
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Finally, a trip to Hershey Park got Evan doing the thing he was obsessed with, driving a car. See? We weren't scared at all.</div>
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Phew, that was only four months worth. Stay tuned for more.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11011121170365111045noreply@blogger.com0