Spouse Taxi 2010

I got to do the spouse taxi with Zach again this year. I forgot how much fun it is. I got to get in a flight suit and go to briefings and learn all the things NOT to touch in the T-38. After the briefing, we went to life support and found our helmets and gloves and parachute. We made sure everything fit. We took some quick pictures and went out to the jet. Zach helped me get in, (the parachute was so heavy he had to practically lift me up the ladder into the jet!) He helped me get strapped in. After he strapped me in he asked me if I knew how to undo it. I said "oh ya, I won't die if I had to get out quick". (more on that later :) ) He let me talk to the crew chief and do all the hand signals to let him know we were ready. After a lot of test radio calls, we were really on. There were 4 jets in our group and we each had to say things on the radio so the air traffic controller would let us know when we could taxi. It was SO SCARY! I didn't want to say the wrong thing. I was jet number 2 so luckily I just had to say "2" most of the time and at the end "Snake 2 back in the pit". It doesn't sound that hard, but to get the timing right and everything else going on I was freaking out! I got it all done though. We waited for the first jet to taxi and then it was our turn. We took off and my stomach was going crazy! It only took about 5 seconds to get 100 miles per hour. They wouldn't let us take off so we had to just slow down and taxi back. Zach let me have control and taxi back on my own. I tried SO HARD to do it right but Zach kept having to take control back because I couldn't stay in a straight line. I never knew how hard it was to just taxi, let alone fly the dang thing. Each time I do this I realize how hard Zachs job truly is. I think "what a hard job you have to fly every day." It really is a hard job. I need to give him a lot more credit.!!!!
I am so glad I got to do this again with him and I am a lucky girl. How many people get to do that? I love my Air Force life!!! Thanks Zach!!!

Before we stepped

A quick picture with the snake mascot (in the glass container) and the dead armadillo

Our four-ship

After our Taxi

Getting ready to Taxi

Helping me get strapped out
So the rest of the story is that after the flight Zach told me to un-buckle and I tried FOREVER! I couldn't figure it out. I felt so dumb. He had to climb up and help me get out. I guess if I would have died after all if I needed to get out quick. Next time I will listen to him. I guess he does now best.

Zach's Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Zach! Yesterday was Zach's 34th birthday. We really didn't do a ton, but had a fun night together. We opened presents after work and then went out to eat. We bought donuts and ice cream and ate that at home at night. We all love Zach so much and are so blessed to have him as a husband and father. I am not sure what I would do without him in my life. He is my center and makes me whole. Happy birthday ZRoy, we love you!!

A birthday picture of us. We only have about 10 pictures of us together in 10 years. Thought we better get another one.

Look how great he is. He had to bring in his own birthday food.

Blowing out his candle.

Birthday donuts. He is not a fan of cake so this was a nice change.

Halloween 2010

Happy Halloween from:
Ironman, Ben 10, Cinderella and Hobo Stewart