NASA - Johnson Space Center

NASA is a pretty cool place. I mean, looking at stuff that actually went out into the solar system and came back down to Earth is pretty awesome.

What can make it more awesome?

When they mix in a George Lucas exhibit. lol

Shooting Nerf like balls at Star Wars targets...

Indiana Jones inspired obstacle course...

Checking out Indy's motorcycle...

R2D2, L and C3PO

I never realised George Lucas did Howard the Duck...does everyone remember this movie? I loved it when it came out, now it's just creepy.

Willow...(Val Kilmer ;) was so great!)

Then we took an hour tour of the NASA grounds. When I took this tour in the past you got to see the Mission Control room and the Training center. Now they have it split, you can choose one. Well, guess you could choose both, but they are each an hour long, so we chose the Training center, it was L's decision.

Why did I take a picture of a bike? Because I found out that the bikes all over the NASA campus are there to make it easier for employees and astronauts to get around, from one building to the next. I thought that was a pretty smart idea. :)

News stations have their own trailers on site. We saw CBS, NBC, AP, ABC...Lil C went and sat on brothers lap while the lady was playing some audio from previous astronauts...
A working mock International Space Station...

Rocket Park

C, Lil C and Grandpa...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Eatin' Food from Chile

1/2 my family comes from Chile, but I have only had Chilean food from family members. I mean, Chile isn't really known for it's food like Italy and China, there aren't that many restaraunts around to go to.

Knowing that my dad has one in his general area, I requested that we go.

Yummy cilantro based salsa called, PEBRE...

C trying to stay awake after a VERY long day of driving...

A sweet corn and chicken baked casserole, PASTEL DE CHOCLO...
Lil C enjoying the fact that he's up way past his bedtime and surrounded by food...
My favorite, EMPANADAS.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

San Jacinto Monument

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day La Porte, Texas It was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. General Sam Houston led the Texas Army and defeated General Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted only eighteen minutes. About 700 of the Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured, while only nine Texans died.
Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he signed the peace treaties that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, paving the way for the Republic of Texas to become an independent country.

(thank you Wikipedia)

The front of the monument displays some of Texas's history

Just below the star on top of the monument is an observation deck
L and Nana looking out over the San Jacinto State Park
The USS Texas battleship from the observation deck
Looking at items from the battle in the museum on the lower level of the monument

The USS Texas

In San Jacinto Park, in the city of La Porte, Texas sits a large US battleship named the U.S.S. Texas. This was a highlight for L who had been looking forward to visiting the battleship for a good week. Drawing pictures of what he envisioned it to look like.

L fired at passing ships

Lil C shot at them too!

Can't forget to get any passing enemy planes!!! Under the deck we saw where the sailors slept...not to comfy looking if you ask me.

This is where the officers ate.

Climbing to the top with Grandpa.

Sam Houston

Outside of Huntsville, Texas in the middle of a heavily forested area stands the largest free standing statue of an American figure, Sam Houston. When I was younger, I remember driving to Dallas from Houston in the middle of the night stunned to see a glowing (and I mean GLOWING) 67 foot tall Sam Houston off in the distance. It was almost hypnotic as I was trying to remain focused on the highway in the blackness of the night in the middle of no where.

Large Sam Houston head in the middle of a small garden

Monday, June 22, 2009

Changing Diapers

The weirdest thing happened this morning.
Chris and I were talking in the hall way when something caught his eye in our bedroom.
There was lil C lying on the bed while his big brother changed his diaper.
I couldn't believe it. He did an awesome job too. :) We were very proud at the great big brother he has become. He is always helping his little brother out.

And because I know you don't want to see pics of that. ;) Here are some cute pics of the boys.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Visiting Grandmommy

My grandmother is actually the boys Great-Grandmother, but they call her Grandmommy as I always have.

I don't know about other peoples grandmothers, but mine is a pack rat, and this creates quite a treasure trove of interesting finds for the boys or any kid for that matter.

To keep them out of getting into trouble in her small home, I asked Grandmommy if we could show them the button box. When I was little I spent quite some time in the button box, sorting, counting and just admiring the neat buttons my grandmother had in her possession.

The box itself has changed from what I remember as a square plastic box to a now round tin box.

colorful thread...

(The top is her sleepy cat whom I believe is now 18 years old.)

Sunday, June 14, 2009