Did you know....?

My grandpa Hammerschalg happened to be a pretty cool dude.

I was just talking with my Grandma and got some good stories out of her so I thought I should write them down before I forget everything again.

My grandpa, Fredrick James Hammerschlag worked on the lunar module? and a bunch of space shuttles, and helped to develop what became corning wear which later became the tiles on the belly of the shuttle?

Did you know that he was sooo important that he was on call during missions? He also got to go up the elevator with the astronauts when they were loading the shuttle to launch. Ya- he's that cool.

Did you know that he had to be flown to Cape Canaveral, Fl and Houston, TX on numerous occasions for his expertise?

He worked hard, but was laid off twice as an engineer. It was kind of a big deal because, back in 1969 engineers didn't get laid off. Once the lunar module made it to the moon about 50 brilliant engineers were laid off before the astronauts were even back on earth.

I wish I had more time with Grandpa Fred when he was here on earth...but I'll have time to get all the really good details when I see him again. I hope I'll learn some more stories soon!

Beautiful Spring in Vegas

Jacob has officially discovered cupboards. It is both adorable and annoying :) He loves to laugh at himself (when he's not throwing his newly acquired tantrums...oh what fun we have in store)

Jake is also getting his 7th and 8th teeth, at the same time, poor guy. We just found them this morning but he has been aggressively chewing on things for the past week or so. And, don't worry, that is an empty, clean, prescription bottle.

We were just enjoying a beautiful day in the backyard. Jacob loves to be chased by Tyler, mom or dad. The boys have also been enjoying the sandbox and trike.

Just a cute little messy-faced boy. Taking all the rocks from where they are supposed to be to where they are not supposed to be.

Back on a Horse already!

Granny- this one is for you and Phoebe :) See, no harm done. Tyler is so brave he's already back on a horse and smiling in the saddle. He really is a resiliant little boy. PBR is coming to Vegas next weekend. We're thinking about taking him to see a real bucking bronco to show him just how cool he is to be a rodeo cowboy at 2 years old.

Easter

Our Trip To Granny's

This was Jacob's second airplane ride to visit Granny...and Tyler's 5th or 6th probably. The boys slept like little angels the whole way there and then the fun began!

My camera wasn't working for most of the time we were there- but somehow decided to work again at the end?! I'm missing most of the week, but I'll have to fill in the gaps with pictures from Granny's camera after we get them emailed.

This sweet boy was throwing up most of the week- sorry Granny and Grandpa. We managed to give Granny our 24 hr bug and poor Grandpa got it too, in the middle of busy season no less. Sorry :(

Tyler had a blast doing crafts with Granny. He made some awesome paintings, an entire family of bunnies, and a cute little Easter basket. Even Jacob got into the coloring and painting. We love the little kid-sized table at granny's.

Big brother became a pro at playing games on Granny's laptop. He found some fun PBS games and spent hours cracking up with Granny.

Fun times on the motorcycle. Both Jacob and Tyler took turns riding around the motorcycle and playing the songs all day long!

See that little scratch on Tyler's cheek? That is all that was left after getting thrown off the horse. What a blessing!

Jake enjoyed crawling all over granny's house, exploring new cupboards and wide-open spaces.

April Fools?!

We are spending some time with granny and somehow my camera got turned on in the bag while flying and the battery is dead...so I don't have any super cute pictures of the boys playing around, loving the merry-go-round, playing at the park, painting and coloring, making little bunny decorations, or riding horses...or being thrown from them.

Tonight I am counting my blessings. Sweet (well, let's be honest, testy, demanding, stinker) Tyler got to ride a horse for the first time today. We even packed his helmet so he could ride Granny's friend's horse. He was so excited!

The boys started off getting to know the horse, petting it's nose and feeding it treats. Tyler got on the horse and looked studly with the special little stirrups. He rode the horse like a pro, smiled for a few pictures on Granny's camera and then the horse freaked out. Tyler was thrown from the bucking horse to the ground and all I could think was, "oh my gosh! oh my gosh!". However, being a mom I'm not allowed to look alarmed. I need to maintain the farse that everything is normal and fine.

My sweet Tyler was swept up by Granny's friend and handed through the fence to me and he held on for dear life. He was scared, but fine. Thank goodness for that. It was one of the most frightening things I've experienced and I am so, so, so, grateful that Tyler is okay.

Hopefully there will be no more fooling on this April Fools Day.

Changes

This past Sunday my ward was split. As much as I thought it wouldn't effect me because I really don't know many peoplel- I was still sad. Kinda grateful we had two sick kids that had to go home after sacrament meeting so I didn't have time to say any good-byes or get too emotional.

We are blessed to still have some pretty amazing people in our ward- but there are some of the few people I knew that are in the new ward that I will miss seeing twice a year ;) you know- since I'm in the "wandering the halls" phase of life with Jacob.

I don't mind change- in fact, I usually like it. I am so nervous for what change will mean this time. It seems like there is just a lot going on right now- but, change is change right? Ryan just had some big changes at work and we're hoping they will turn out to be positive. Now some (unexpected) changes with school. We're excited for the ward to be a manageable size so maybe we'll have a chance to actually get to know some people a little better.

For now, we're off to play with Granny for a few days. I'm praying that my 1 and 2 year old boys don't make me hate myself for flying with them alone....oh and did I mention we just spent 3 1/2 hours at the DMV today to replace my lost license? Let's hope that a temporary license works to get me on the plane tomorrow!

More pictures and fun randomness coming sometime soon :)