Sunday, March 30, 2008

Blimp

As we were landing (see previous post) we saw a blimp coming in from the west. It landed at mid-field while we were still at the airport. We're not sure why it was in town.

3/30/08 Flight

We've too busy the past few weekends for Scott to go flying so he decided to go do a few touch-and-gos at Stennis Sunday afternoon/evening to get warmed up before flying any more cross countries. So it wasn't the most interesting flight but here it is...
Lakefront Airport.
Taking off to the east for Stennis.
The pilot. Flying through the clouds.
Entering the pattern at Stennis. Coming in for landing at Stennis.
Scott.
Coming in for landing at Lakefront.
Landing on Runway 9.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bridget

This past weekend we stayed with Eric and Katie in Omaha. Since we drove, we brought Bridget with us since she likes to play with their dogs, Sadie and Nala. In the 48 hours we were there, Bridget managed to:
1. Get white little beagle hairs all over the couches she was not supposed to be on.
2. Put several deep scratches with her nails in the end table she was standing on after knocking off everything that was on the table. And of course she had to get on the couches to get on the table.
3. Poop all over the house. Not sure why, she doesn't do it at home.
Needless to say, I think Eric and Katie were grateful to see her little white butt walking out the door Tuesday morning.

Florida Vacation

Last Monday through Wednesday (3/17-3/19) we went to Destin, Florida with Eric and Katie and stayed in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo on the beach. It was very relaxing, and the view was great! We were lucky to have nice weather, although it was very windy. The rain held off until Wednesday when we left.
The Pelican Beach Resort from the outside. All of the units are angled so everyone has a view of the beach.
The kitchen.
The living room (very beachy!).
The master bedroom also had a door to the balcony...we were able to listen to the ocean roar all night, which was very soothing!
The view from the balcony-17th floor!
A jellyfish that washed up on the beach. We're not sure if it was alive or dead.
Renee and Scott at Fudpucker's, a touristy restaurant. Right by Renee's shoulder are little baby alligators in the pond in front of the restaurant. You can feed them, and a guide gives a presentation about alligators 5 times a day.
View from the balcony Tuesday. We spent the late afternoon on the beach soaking up the sun.
Katie sharing the hot tub with numerous strangers. The max capacity for the hot tub was 6 but the middle school and high school kids kept piling in regardless.
The beach Tuesday evening at sunset.
Dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Tuesday night. Eric's company wanted him to take all of us out to nice expensive dinner, and Scott picked Ruth's Chris.Standing in line for go carts after dinner. Scott is the one in the party shirt.Renee and Eric getting ready to go in the go carts. We rented a movie Wednesday night on the last night Eric and Katie were here after we got back. Eric and Scott are both wearing their new Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts.
It was great to see Eric and Katie again and we're glad they could make it down!

Renee's Parents' Visit

Renee's parents came for a visit Thursday night through Sunday (3/13-3/16, this is a late post). We had a great time, and it was nice to see some family after being down here for 8 months!
Friday morning we went to the swamp in Lafitte where we went on a tour.

All of us on the boat, ready to go. A gator hanging out on a log.
A gator heading for a marshmallow.

A gator eating a marshmallow. They had a baby gator on the boat with his mouth taped shut that they let people hold.

From Lafitte we headed downtown to the aquarium. (Notice the penguin)
And we finished up the day walking through the French Quarter.
Saturday Scott caught two flounder. Notice the eyes on the same side of the head!
Scott and Renee's dad throwing the cast net. They didn't have much luck, they caught mostly little bait fish but one cast caught 3 good-size mullet.
We were able to set up Saturday and Sunday on the pier right by our apartment to have picnics and fish.
Group picture, Saturday night after a day of fishing and right after Eric and Katie arrived.
All of us heading out to the ramp for the helicopter tour of the gulf coast on Sunday.
Renee and parents in flight.
Group picture from left to right: Jim (chief pilot), Katie, Eric, Renee, Scott, Laura, Rich, and Sophia (Jim's daughter) and Bridget in front.
Sunday afternoon Scott caught a crab on his line.
Sunday night we took all of our extra bread and fed the seagulls.
It was so nice to see Renee's parents, we had a great time. Thanks for making the 17-hour drive down!