Bruiser

Cecilia and Papa were out in the yard doing yard work this morning.

She was very excited about pulling weeds, so he gave her a bucket and they had at it.

I wasn't complaining from the cool, air-conditioned house.

Don't you worry, I pulled my weeds later.

And here we have Miriam. She is showing off her black and blue face cut. The girls were goofing around with Papa on the couch (I was out getting dinner). I was talking to Matt on the phone to see if there was anything else we needed. All of a sudden he had to get off the phone right away and I heard crying almost immediately. Mimi's face was the result of a collision on the couch with Cecilia's mouth. Guess who's teeth won? It was an accident. I guess Cecilia fell on top of Miriam and her mouth was open. Moral of the story, if you are falling, close your mouth. You could accidentally bite someone with knowing it.

The face of innocence. Who me?

GPS IIF-1 Launch - Encore!

On 27 May 2010, a Delta IV rocket carried the GPS IIF-1 satellite into orbit.  Matt has been highly involved with this launch - his job at Cape Canaveral has been leading the team that prepares this satellite for launch.  So a pretty cool culmination - Matt worked with the team for a year and a half to get ready, receive, and process the satellite for launch.  Check out the launch pics below (and don't miss the video at the end)!  

Delta IV Rocket on the stand - at Space Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Seconds Before Liftoff

Liftoff!

Time-Lapse

This is the Ground Track of the GPS IIF-1 Satellite - the satellite separated from the rocket over Indonesia about 3.5 hrs after launch

I also decided to throw in some additional photos for background:

A Pictoral of the GPS constellation - not completely accurate, but you get the picture.  The GPS constellation has over 30 operational satellites on orbit that provide extremely precise timing signals for global coverage.  These timing signals enable any user (almost) anywhere on the globe to determine their location (think triangulation, its basically the same concept).

GPS IIF-1 Processing at the Factory in El Segundo (LA), CA

At the Factory

GPS satellites are produced in blocks (purchased via government contracts from Boeing or Lockheed, depending on the block).  There were I, II, IIA, IIR, and now we're on block IIF.  Currently, there are IIA, IIR, and now one IIF on orbit.

GPS IIA - The Oldest GPS Satellites On Orbit (12 satelites launched)

GPS IIR - The Next Block of GPS Satellites (21 launched)

GPS IIF - The Current Block of Satellites (12 on contract, 1 launched so far)

GPS IIIA - The Future Block of Satellites (36 on contract - Won't launch for a few more years yet)

All of the previous GPS satellites have been launched on the Delta II rocket (shown above).  This GPS launch - and all future - will be aboard the Delta IV and Atlas V rockets - much bigger than the Delta II.  But the above is what the old launches used to look like!

A way cool video of the GPS IIF-1 launch - worth watching!

Story Time, Story Time

Just about every Thursday morning, the girls and I head over to the Suntree/Viera Library for Story Time. I like getting out of the house, the girls like being read to...everyone wins!

But what Cecilia loves sometimes more then the story is CRAFT TIME! Every week they do a coordinating craft that goes along with the theme of the day. So here are some samples of Cecilia's crafts. They are starting to get damaged and becoming so numerous that I am not so sure what to do with them. My answer....take pictures, let them get played with to death, then send them off to the great craft bin in the sky. Sorry girls. I will save some of your childhood crafts and projects....just no ALL of them.

Right before Easter we made bunny hand puppets out of paper bags and glue-ons.

This was one of our favorites. It was supposed to be a clown hat, but it looked more like a princess hat. Since we like princesses more than clowns, it worked out.

Valentine's Day Crown

Gator Rocker out of a paper plate and paper gators.

And, the birthday card Cecilia made for Papa. So sweet!

GPS IIF-1 Launch

After a very long week of trying, the GPS IIF-1 satellite finally launched! Matt is completely exhausted as I think it took him about 2 seconds to fall asleep this morning when he got home, but he can sleep now for a job well done!

Not sure what pictures I can post that Matt has sent out, but this is a shot that my friend Erin's husband, John Moss took of the launch. I think it is pretty much amazing!

Stay tuned for more pictures!

Space Shuttle Atlantis Landing

Some of the GPS team at Matt's work got to go watch the Shuttle land.  It was a beautifully clear day out - and the double sonic boom was awesome!

Signage

Ever since Grammie bought us that roll of butcher block paper from Sam's, we have become sign making pros. We have signs for Easter, birthdays, feast days, and of course now Mother's Day. Not sure if we got a picture of this one before, but here it is! How cute are my husband and girls?! Love you all!

Living room picnic. Snack time on the rug. Right where we like it.

GPS Launch Team Pic

This photo was taken prior to the first launch attempt, on 21 May.  The launch didn't actually occur until 27 May, on the 4th try, due to various issues. 

Matt (on the right) and some of the GPS launch team from CA 

(Note the rocket in the background)

All Caught Up

Hey everyone! I finally caught up on all our blog posts for the last month or so! Be sure to check out April too....there are lots of fun ones! Happy reading!

Zoo with Auntie Steph

For Auntie Steph's last day (sniff sniff) we thought we would take her to our little zoo that is just down the street. Now it is no Brookfield Zoo, nor is it the Cincinnati Zoo, but it works for us considering you can get through it in about an hour and a half to two hours. And, thanks to Aunt Laura, Ge Ge and Lou, we have an annual pass!

This is Howard the Rino, also the name of Steph's boss.

Cecilia has learned to climb. Wonderful.

The Rinos

Miriam so excited to see the Rinos!

And of course the giraffes.

Cecilia in the tree tunnel!

Flamingos

Gators. By the way, there is another gator in our back lake. Great.

Baby bird of some kind...can't remember.

Bald Eagles...Proud to be an American!

The toupee birds. Don't they look funny?

Lizard!

So happy with Auntie Steph!

All Miriam wanted was freedom!

Cecilia kicking back with a drink!

And last but not least, our Jr. Veterinarians