2009 Air Show

ALI, ANI, a friend of the kids, & ARI in front of a local plane

This year at the base semi close to where we live, we were finally able to go to the Air Show, which is a big deal around our home. Daddy Vic loves these shows, because his biggest dream that he has had since he was a young child has been to be a pilot like his Grandfather, whom which he has been flying with several times... this is where he fell in love with being in the Air. It was also a tradition of his families growing up, where ever they lived they enjoyed the air show together as a family. He talks so much about how he loves to be there with his father, and watch his Dad's eyes and face light up just like he was a little kid again. This year we were unable to go with his family which was very upsetting to Vic, but it was also the first time that we were able to go as a family and that was very nice.

For me, I come from a line of Military Men, My Great, Great, Great Uncle, whom is also one of my all time favorite people served in the Army and in 3 wars and survived to tell his story, My Grandfathers both served in the military, one in the Army and was a distinguished Honor Guard for the President, he is a man that I love dearly and look up to more than he will probably ever know!! My other Grandfather served in the Air Force and was a fighter pilot, he is also someone that I adore, but I must say I need to work harder to get to know better. My father worked on the planes when he served in the Air Force Reserve for many years, his younger brother, my uncle flew AC-130 planes until he retired a few years ago, I haven't seen him in years because of his service to our country but I am proud to be related to him as well! And in my generation; I have many friends that I love as my own family, I have brother-in-laws in the military, and an amazing cousin who just recently joined as well as in my first year of marriage to Jake he and I decided that he would join active duty Air Force, which he still serves in, and I love him dearly and have developed a sincere sense of pride in my country and armed forces and those who serve us by being a part of them because of what I learned during my years as a military wife. It is a lifestyle that takes alot of commitment, love, honor, patients, gratitude, and a ton of nights on your knees praying for loved ones, and friends who are in harms way or who have lost one that we all know and loved!! It gave me something that no one can ever take away from me and my children... the knowledge that Freedom is taken for granted, and as it has been said a million times before, that it is FAR FROM FREE!!

Any way, Sunday we arrived at the base in POURING rain and froze our bums off for hours while we waited for the air to clear enough for the planes to take to it. During the time that we waited we have the great pleasure to find a few F-15 pilots that had worked directly with Jake and told the Girls how great their father is at his job, as well as a few stories about what it is like to be on the other end of their Daddies Job, Since the girls don't get to see their father as much as they would like they loved spending time this way to get to feel close to him for just those few moments.

The planes were loud as always as they did their tricks to impress us that day, and even though we had all waited in the rain for a long time for them, it was worth it all to see the excitement on Vic and the kids faces, well Tino had a problem with it until we got him something to protect his ears and then he was full of nothing but WOW's for us all. It was a great day and a perfect way to kick off the first day of summer vacation for the kids. More pictures will come later of this fun day.