Halloween

Ainsley dressed up as a 50's girl for Halloween this year.  We went to our church halloween festival which inclueded trunk or treating, playing war, a cake walk, bean bag toss and fishing for treats.  I think Ainsley's favorite events of the night were eating birthdays, carrying around Scooby Doo, and exchanging her treats with others.  I have included some fun pictures for your viewing.  Enjoy!

Learning to Talk

Ainsley is at the stage, where every few days, she is able to speak a new word.  Most of the time  I think she has been practising how to say the word for some time and we finally understand what she has been trying to say.  For example, for some time she has been saying some word that sounds like Honey to me but a few weeks ago I finally figured out she is saying Connie (our daycare lady).  Wow, was she excited and now Connie is a main word in our home.  Practice, practice, practice.  Now, she can say many of the kids names @ daycare and more importantly we know what she is saying.

A few weeks ago, Ainsley and I were playing on the floor and I said 1-2-3!  She decided that would be fun to practice so needless to say we practice this everyday.  She practices when she is running around the table or down the hallway, jumping off the stool, or chasing the dog.  The video is a good example.  It makes me laugh how she says 1 with the hand motions.

Another of her favorite words right now is BIRTHDAY which I think is quite a big word.  We were making zucchini muffins the other morning and she kept pointing to the pictures of the muffins and saying birthday.  I continued to try and convince her they were muffins but she was having none of it, they were birthdays.  Kasey's mom later pointed out to me they look like cupcakes.  Ah, don't I feel silly.  Since then, all muffins or cakes in our house are Birthdays!  It really is more fun to eat them with that name.

Ainsley's vocabulary now includes mine, more, night night, Leah (who is Connie's dog), Ajax will always be doggy,  open (which sounds like up on), cut, outside, horsey, commands to Ajax, with hand motions of course, like down, stay and no.  Yes, not used often enough, excuse me, please and working on thanks.  She is really putting words together into sentences that are almost understandable and I am excited to hear about what she is telling me. 

The Best Flight Ever

I know its been a while since I've written on here but that's because Jenn is always hogging the laptop. Well she's been very sleepy at night due to growing a new baby and all, so I'm taking advantage and sharing about a really cool experience I had last week.



Between Layers on the way back to Auburn



  

Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by airplanes. It was only natural that I would eventually become a pilot.  I wanted to join the navy and fly F-14's. Somewhere along the way, I veered off course (regrettable pun).  I was on track to become an airline pilot, I had obtained my Flight Instructor Certificate and only needed to teach for a while, gain my hours and boom, fly the big planes.  But along the way, I discovered  I enjoyed teaching people how to fly and have found a passion on the business side as a bookkeeper for the flight college I work for.  



Me & Jon above the clouds on an Instrument flight







My view



But back to the navy, what happened to my fighter pilot plans?  I obviously didn't go that route but I did get one step closer to flying a navy fighter....just a couple generations older than the F-14.

 

 

The mission was to introduce a new cadet (me) to the systems and operation of the North American T-28 Trojan. I was to assist my flight instructor (my boss Michael) in pre-flight check of the airplane, review bailout procedures in case of emergency (you didn't see that mom), start-up procedures, and finally the best part...the flight!!

Cadet Maiorca after his first flight

After takeoff we turned out to the east where Michael handed me the controls.  It was amazing.  I've never flown such a balanced aircraft.  The plane seemed to move without effort.  I could move the stick just a hair to the left and I was in a 30 degree bank, then a hair right and I was level again.  Before I knew it, I was ordered to circle a possible target.  (ok, I'm slipping into the part to much but ohh well)  By now my confidence is high and i bank it 50 degrees and look for my target....I couldn't find it.  but that;s ok, this is all for fun this time.  We 're at 2500 feet and I receive the order to climb to 7500 feet.  The throttle is increased, I ease in the rudder, I pull back and set pitch attitude for climb, 140kts.  (by the way, fastest I'd ever been was 140 during my multi engine training, now I'm climbing this fast, I love this plane!) We reach 7500 feet and I realize why I was ordered that high, it was nice and cool up here...ok, so maybe it was to avoid the Cascades, whatever, this plane is so cool, the mountains would have parted to let it through!  My instructor took the controls and showed me a taste of what this thing could really do. Some fast dives, hard turns, and ride through Stevens Pass and I had the controls again.  We ended up heading home over Lake Tapps, I flew over my parents house (only to find out later they weren't home, errgh) and brought her into the pattern back home.  Michael took controls again to land (this was a good move on his part) and we landed safely.  Hands down it was an awesome ride and I hope to have another go some day. 

Thank you to my T-28 instructor and friend Michael for sharing this experience with me, I will never forget it.

Signing off,
Cadet Maiorca

Good to Be Back

For those avid readers of the blog, I apologize for my much belated update on our family.  My excuse for the lack of writing can only be blamed on our unborn child!  If you have not heard, we are expecting another baby in March and I am just rounding the corner into my second trimester.  The last few months have been rather exhausting (I think I blocked the 1st time around out of my head), between work, playing with Ainsley, trying to be a good wife and other pre-planned actitivites with family and friends.  I am grateful to Kasey for taking good care of me and Ainsley.  BUT IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK!!!  I am happy to report life is getting back to normal this week.

We have had a busy couple of months mostly small trips around Seattle, visits from family and a weekend trip to Idaho.  Contrary to most you talk with here in Seattle, the summer temps have been just right for me but overall it has been colder than past times.  We are in the process of canning for the winter.  Our garden is looking great with fresh green beans (canning most of them-21 Quarts so far), peppers, tomotoes, carrots, cauliflower, snow peas, and strawberries.  I love this time of year!!

Mom and Uncle Ben came for a weekend.  We had a good time yet both Ben and I were not 100%.  It was beautiful weather so went on a bike ride @ Alki Beach, Uncle Ben taught Ainsley how to walk on the balance beam ( a piece of wood on concrete blocks), played in the pool and just spent time together. 

Grandma and Ainsley in the hammock

Focus, focus...I made it Uncle Ben



Love this shot!

We went to Idaho for the weekend at the end of July and got a chance from some R&R and catch up with everyone.  Christie, Brady, Madie and Carter were there as well so got a good chance to spend some time with them.  They came back over the mountian with us and spent the rest of the week staying at our house.  I love seeing the kids spend time together and the cousins seem to like playing with Ainsley

The cousins

Auntie Christie was so happy to spend some time with Ainsley

Learning to jump on the trampoline

Gotta love the outfit-a real country girl.



Driving the tractor like a pro already.  She loved getting up there all by herself.

I neglected to take anymore pictures of the rest of our times this summer.  I can't seem to remember to take the camera.  We did go to a few Mariners games when Christie and the kids were here.  We drove up to Sequim for a few days to meet up with Mom and Randy and his familly.  We had a great time with lots of walking, great food, and playing.  We then met up with our sister-in-law Diana and her daughter Angela in Seattle and spent the day there at the aquarium.  This was the first time they had been up this way so was great to have them.  Again, I took not pictures to capture the moments. 
We have spent a lot of time with Kaseys parents here and there over the summer as they live about 1 hr south of here.  It has been great to have them close by and see them more than twice a year.  They just bought a house on Lake Tapps up here so will be helping get them all settled in.  It will be great for them and also give us a place to go swim in the summertime. 

I suppose that is a wrap up of the last few months.  Hope this finds you healthy and happy.


First Flight with Daddy

Proud Daddy ready to take Ainsley on her 1st flight!

Pre-flight check of the airplane-engine check, wings check, cute baby check, one daddy to fly the plane check! 

Already knows her way around the plane

Trying to get us to let her sit in the front seat

In flight nap!





Amazing she kept the headset on for most of the flight



We flew to Bremerton and stopped to have dinner at the runway airport.





Ainsley running down the ramp



Took a few minutes to get some great shots of Ainsley sitting on the wing of N5347M.





Happy 32nd Birthday Kasey!

We celebrated another birthday for Kasey this last month.  He is finally my same age again for at least another few months!  We had a quiet day around the house but homemade carrot cake for dessert.  YUMMY!!! 

We went to a Mariners game the next day with his parents and had a great time.  Wonderful weather and they won! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEETHEART

A New Tricycle and Lawnmower

Ainsley got a brand new tricycle this last weekend.  We picked it up at a garage sale for $5 just down the street from our house.  It's perfect for her! 

More pics of the big 1st ride on the tricycle.

The picture below is of Kasey's toy lawnmower he used to push around when he was Ainsley's age.  His parents thankfully kept it all these years.  So much fun!

Chores

Ainsley now has 2 daily chores despite her only being 17months old.  At this age, she is excited to do her chores which Kasey and I are soaking up every minute of as we know this time will soon pass.  She doesn't get paid quite yet for her chores around the house but in true Dave Ramsey style, we will implement this in due time.

1. WATERING THE PLANTS

Strawberries need water

 2. GIVING THE DOG HER TREAT

Ajax patiently waiting for Ainsley to give her the treat

Finally a decision

Down on the Farm @ Papa and Gma Paula's

Rain, snow and sunshine!!  The weather in spring is always unpredictable but we went from 75 to 32 in 1 day is just down right crazy.  None the less, we made the most of our time outside on the farm. 

We headed out to check on the animals the first day there.  Ainsley, in her usual style, was slow to warming up to all the animals but by the last day of our trip couldn't stop talking about them.  We had a lot of firsts including seeing chickens, horses (Ainsley say's horsey), driving the tractor with Papa, feeding the cows, and jumping on a trampoline. 

The sun finally reappeared the last day of our visit so we spent time outside picking flowers, finally getting brave enough to pet the horsey and just enjoying spending time with family.

Playtime outside

Taking a closer look at the chickens

Gathering eggs from the chicken coop

Feeding the cows

Driving the tractor

Picking daffodils with Gma Paula

Jumping on the trampoliine

Looking for horseys out the window of the plane on our way back home

I thought this was too funny, on the flight home, Ainsley kept knocking on the window and saying horsey.  I guess she was looking for them in the clouds.  I didn't have the heart to tell her horseys don't fly.  Funny!!!

My new friend Tom

My mom's friend Sara and her 2 1/2yr old son Tom came over for a play date today.  In her typical style, Ainsley was slow to warm up to the new kid but soon realized her new friend Tom was quite a hoot!  After some time playing, Tom and Ainsley decided sticking their hands in the bird bath water was too much fun.  Not to worry..Grandma got them clean water to play with! 



These two are too much fun



The simple things are just too funny

Watching Tom to see what he was going to do next

Absolutely love this video!  I will never forget these moments of laughter

Story Time with Gramps

Gramps was nice enough to share his rocking chairs with Ainsley last night.  Bedtime stories included reading the Smithsonian learning about zebras as well as other parts and people of the world.  Surprisingly, the magazine kept Ainsley's attention for quite some time. 

Thought this was a great shot of the two rocking in their chairs!

Shopping in the cupboards at Grandma's House

Shopping at Grandma and Gramps house is so much fun!  Ainsley decided last night to move the canned goods--beans, fruit cocktail, and chicken from the cupboard to the table. 

These cans are heavy!

She lined them up very neatly along the edge of the table then she precided to return them all back to the cupboard when she was done. 

Grandma says the apple doesn't fall from the tree on cleaning things up.  I would have to agree!

Ainsley making sweet music with the bowls.

Happy Mother's Day

Kasey and Ainsley's Mother's Day Gift for me...tulips, a card, and my very own tiara.  What a special lady I am to get this kind of wonderful handmade gift.  Honestly, it really was great!

 Yesterday, we had a Mother's Day tea @ our church.  I was asked to decorate a table with my own tea set and whatever other decorations I wanted to add.  I was excited to get to use my china for such a special occasion.  I finally landed on a plan for my table and I think it turned out beautiful.  I was happy to have Kasey's mom and Ainsley with me but wished my mom could be there also.

Ainsley and Nana enjoying brunch

Ainsley managed to down a cupcake and 2 then 3 then 4 CUPCAKES before I noticed she had wandered off to another table and was trading smiles for cupcakes.  I've got to watch this little one closer.

Ainsley and Seraphina all dressed up!