Everyone has heard the Christmas story about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Well, Sunday we are watching conference on the internet. I had picked up some chestnuts while out walking earlier and thought I might try roasting them. In my mind, which operates at a somewhat simple level, I figure you just toss them in the oven for little bit and they pop like popcorn or something. So I have them in the oven and we are in the other room watching conference and I hear a thud that came from the kitchen. I figure that must have been a chestnut popping open. So off to the kitchen I go. Before I get there I hear some more substantial bangs. I open the oven and chestnut is everywhere.
After further research I find that you are suppose to puncture them like potatoes or they explode, just like potatoes. Needless to say I had to clean out the oven. Julie thought it was funny after she found out she didn't have to clean up the mess. After all that I find out chestnuts aren't really all that good.
-Ken
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
RAF Duxford Airshow
We traveled to RAF Duxford for the Flying Legends Airshow. Duxford was a RAF base that was used by the Americans during the war. Now it is part of the Imperial War Museum. It has a large collection of American planes as well as other types of aircraft and museum stuff.
This is a B-17G which would have operated from nearby airfields like RAF Molesworth and RAF Kimbolton.
F-86 Sabre of Korean War fame.
This would have been a familiar site at RAF Duxford during the later part of World War 2. A P-51 taking off from Duxford.
A Supermarine Spitfire landing at RAF Duxford.
The Spitfire doing a flyby.
A Hawker Hurricane. This was the most numerous fighter involved in the Battle of Britain. It shot down more German aircraft then all other means combined. It is a interesting plane in the fact that the rear of the fuselage is frame covered in fabric. This made the explosive shells used by the German fighters somewhat useless since they would pass through with out exploding.
The Battle of Britain Memorial flight. A Lancaster bomber and a Hurricane fighter.
This is Stuarts favorite plane. The new Eurofighter Typhoon. This is just going into service with the RAF and is due to rotate to Persian gulf in a few months.
Enjoying a ice lolly (Popsicle).
This is a B-17G which would have operated from nearby airfields like RAF Molesworth and RAF Kimbolton.
F-86 Sabre of Korean War fame.
This would have been a familiar site at RAF Duxford during the later part of World War 2. A P-51 taking off from Duxford.
A Supermarine Spitfire landing at RAF Duxford.
The Spitfire doing a flyby.
A Hawker Hurricane. This was the most numerous fighter involved in the Battle of Britain. It shot down more German aircraft then all other means combined. It is a interesting plane in the fact that the rear of the fuselage is frame covered in fabric. This made the explosive shells used by the German fighters somewhat useless since they would pass through with out exploding.
The Battle of Britain Memorial flight. A Lancaster bomber and a Hurricane fighter.
This is Stuarts favorite plane. The new Eurofighter Typhoon. This is just going into service with the RAF and is due to rotate to Persian gulf in a few months.
Enjoying a ice lolly (Popsicle).
Ward Bike Ride
The ward had a bike ride around Grafham Water. It's about 10 miles around the lake on good trails. Everyone made it including Brittany. Steve
Our house came with a very large hedge named Steve. We thought that Steve was looking a little ragged and he needed a hair cut.
Steve is so large that Stuart had to stand on top of him to give him a trim. Funny thing is that Steve apparently thought Stuart might taste good. So about half way down the hedge, Steve swallowed Stuart. One minute Stuarts was there and the next he was gone. You could here him screaming though. Must have upset Steve because he spit him back out.
Steve is so large that Stuart had to stand on top of him to give him a trim. Funny thing is that Steve apparently thought Stuart might taste good. So about half way down the hedge, Steve swallowed Stuart. One minute Stuarts was there and the next he was gone. You could here him screaming though. Must have upset Steve because he spit him back out.Saturday, September 19, 2009
Stuart's ROTC class
Stuart is taking an ROTC class this year at the suggestion of his counselor. The curriculum is aerospace science, which is perfect since he wants to be an aerospace engineer for NASA. He has gotten very involved and is having a great time with it. He is part of the ROTC drill team and color guard and is also in the rocket club. Today he is doing the flag ceremony for the football game and is part of the ceremony at a wedding.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Newsflash
We are Grandparents! Benjamin Nathan was born on September 12, 2009 to Kenny and Rachel. He was born at 7:04, weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz and is 20" tall. This is one grandma that is really wishing she was in Pullman, Washington right now holding that little guy.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
School has started
The kids started at their new schools this week - Brittany at the Elementary school and Madison and Stuart next door at the Middle/High school. They are finding it different from what they are used to, but seem to be settling in. They all ride the same bus - a charter bus - or coach as they call it here. The bus stop is at the end of the village next to us, so we have to drive them and pick them up every day. We don't mind however, since the base is a half hour drive from our house.
The schools are much smaller than what they are used to. There is about one class for each grade at the elementary school and the middle/high school is very small. I don't know how many students are in the middle school part, but the high school has about 400 students total. Last year's graduating class had 25 :) That being said though, we are finding some very positive things that come with being in a small school.
They have a good offering of honors/AP classes and since the classes tend to be smaller, the students don't get lost in the crowd. The teachers can adapt to each student's needs and pay attention if they aren't doing their best work. When we met with the school counselor to set up schedules, she ended up spending an hour!! with us to try to work out the best schedule for Stuart. The principal even took the time to come in for a few minutes. The counselor and principal had some excellent suggestions to help Stuart get ready for a career as an aerospace engineer at NASA. They suggested some classes we hadn't considered before that would be helpful in getting a scholarship. All in all we were very pleased.
I do have to say though, that I'm finding the adjustment back into military life a bit interesting. The first day of school it was MANDATORY that both Ken and I be there most of the day (it was like a back to school night). That is something I always go to anyway, but somehow being told that it is mandatory brings out the rebellious side in me :) Everywhere we go, something is mandatory. I'm getting really tired of that word.
Enough complaining. Life is good. We are enjoying it here. We like our ward and are making friends. We miss our friends back home terribly, but know we are supposed to be here, for whatever reason.
The schools are much smaller than what they are used to. There is about one class for each grade at the elementary school and the middle/high school is very small. I don't know how many students are in the middle school part, but the high school has about 400 students total. Last year's graduating class had 25 :) That being said though, we are finding some very positive things that come with being in a small school.
They have a good offering of honors/AP classes and since the classes tend to be smaller, the students don't get lost in the crowd. The teachers can adapt to each student's needs and pay attention if they aren't doing their best work. When we met with the school counselor to set up schedules, she ended up spending an hour!! with us to try to work out the best schedule for Stuart. The principal even took the time to come in for a few minutes. The counselor and principal had some excellent suggestions to help Stuart get ready for a career as an aerospace engineer at NASA. They suggested some classes we hadn't considered before that would be helpful in getting a scholarship. All in all we were very pleased.
I do have to say though, that I'm finding the adjustment back into military life a bit interesting. The first day of school it was MANDATORY that both Ken and I be there most of the day (it was like a back to school night). That is something I always go to anyway, but somehow being told that it is mandatory brings out the rebellious side in me :) Everywhere we go, something is mandatory. I'm getting really tired of that word.
Enough complaining. Life is good. We are enjoying it here. We like our ward and are making friends. We miss our friends back home terribly, but know we are supposed to be here, for whatever reason.
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