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Mothers [2 in particular]

There have been many women who have had a positive if not powerful influence in my life but on this Mothers Day I’d like to honor 2 of them: my mother Sue C. Smith, and my wife of 10+ years Sara (formerly Tischmacher).

My mother comes from a line of strong, Mormon pioneer women who were known for their character and faith. To her I am indebted for her never-ending love and encouragement that to this day challenge me to try and be a better person, a better man, a better husband. I also credit her with instilling within me (and my 2 brothers and sister) very early in our lives a knowledge of who God is and our relationship to him and each other, including a faith that I lean on heavily to this day. She also taught us through word and example the importance of kindness and love for not just others but all of God’s creations, and, along with my Father has sacrificed much on our behalf. It has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated for without such a person watching over me as she does I dare think what I would have become. I am and will be forever grateful to call her Mother.

Eleven years ago I met Sara. I’d like to say the rest is history, but our history hasn’t yet been fully written. What obviously caught my eye was her striking beauty. What attracted me to her more was her character, strength and sense of humor, things that don’t often go together with such beauty in our modern world generally speaking, or at least in my experience. Many of you might know of them to some degree or know of her talent as a photographer, but in the brief time we have spent together I have come to witness an unselfishness and passion for all things good that I have rarely seen before. While we yet do not have children of our own I have seen her a mother and friend to many, often times at the expense of herself and her own interests or pursuits, albeit she would never say as much. Without her love, patience, endurance and righteous desires that continue to challenge me to be a better man, husband and some day father I dare think what I would yet become. I am and will forever grateful to call her my wife, my friend.

To both of these women I thank and honor you and those like you for your love, patience, caring nature and righteous examples. I love you both and openly express my gratitude for the influence you are and continue to be in my life.

cs

Family – Day 3

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Seattle

Another stage in the Tour started the day but just barely. Each day we seem to get to bed later and as a result wake up later. A note about the Tour: Lance Armstrong, who was expected to compete for the win in his last Tour hasn’t been a factor since his wreck leading into the Alps last Sunday, so it’s been a little anticlimactic. It’s still the Tour, but just not what we had hoped for going into it.

Today was yet even a later start than yesterday (noon), but that’s OK, it’s vacation and shouldn’t be stressful right? We spent most of the day at The Museum of Flight near Boeing field. They have an amazing collection of planes and other aeronautical achievements spanning the history of flight, some of which you can go inside (a Concord, an older US 1 presidential plane). It’s pretty cool to be able to walk in and/or around these aircraft – they are such a big part of our industrial & technological history.

After the museum we swung by Costco so everyone could restock for the long drive home home then took 99 along (and above) the waterfront, one of my favorite drives because of the views of the city and Elliott Bay.

After a short stop at the house we went to Golden Gardens beach for some last minute fun (kids) and R&R (adults), then home for a pasta dinner gratis Sara.

I wish we had more time together but it is what it is and we’re just glad everyone made the trip up.

Just a warning…there are a lot of photos in this entry!


Museum of Flight

Airpark—


A British Airways Retired Concord


Boeing VC-137B Air Force One [SAM, retired]
Several US Presidents used this plane including Ike, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. By today’s standards, not very cushy but that’s progress.


L to R: Jacob (facing away), Isaac, Heidi, Matt & dad


The original 727 model (yes, I’m old enough to have flown on several of those babies!).


The original 747 (didn’t fly on one of these until this past year though I’m sure it was a much later model)


Some eggs with that ham?


Not to be outdone…


…only to be outdone.


Not exactly what you call ‘lift’…


L to R: dad, Isaac, Dave & Stu


What can I say…I couldn’t resist.


Off to the Great Gallery at break-neck speed…


The Personal Courage Wing from the Airpark (houses the WWI and WWII exhibits)


Pedestrian bridge


Dad and Stu in the elevator up…


L to R: dad, mom, Matt, Mindy, Matie (in front), Tana, Heidi, Em (in front), Rachel, Isaac, Jacob, Stu, Dave



The Great Gallery


I had to take Matt to the airport so he and I blazed through the Great Gallery ahead of everyone else. The Gallery is composed of planes and displays on the ground level and a ‘cloud’ level. A pretty impressive sight and collection of aircraft. Here: Lockheed M-21 Blackbird.


Boeing B&W


Douglas DC-3


Mikoyan-Guervich MiG-21 PFM


McDonnell F-4 Phantom II (one of my favorite fighter jets as a kid)


From the rear…


From the front…


Detail.


And one more for the road (I did say it was my favorite as a kid…).


Lear Fan 2100 & DC 3


Stephens Akro (mounted in a bank turn)


Beach C-45H Expeditor


Northop YF-5A


A look back through the Gallery


Douglas A-4 Skyhawk II (Blue Angels Navy Jet)


Canadair CL-13B Saber


Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15


Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper


Swallow Commercial


Fairchild F24W (Grasshopper in the background)


Stinson SR Reliant


Bowers Fly Baby (yellow, foreground) & Nothrop YF-5A


Closeup of the Goodyear F2G-1 Corsair, another of my favorite planes from WW II (Bah, Bah Blacksheep).


Matt saying his goodbyes…


…and an unsuspecting Tana, who doesn’t like her picture taken (gotcha!).


Snapped a shot of this vintage MG on the way back from the airport (Boeing worker’s car).


Resurs 500 Capsule, launched by the former Soviet Union


McDonnell Mercury Capsule Reproduction, Space Pioneer


Boeing Model 40B


Boeing 80A-1


From the front…


DC 3


…another (one of my favorite planes in the gallery)


When I got back from the airport I found several of the family in the 2 flight simulators…this is the peanut gallery (so to speak).


Gavin, Dave and Jacob practicing before going into the simulators.


A view of the western side of the gallery


Curtiss Robin C-1


Cockpit of one of the jets you can sit in (can’t remember what jet). At this point my phone died, so i didn’t get any other photos from the museum. I’ll have to go back for more at some point!



Shots from 99 as we made our way back from Costco to Phinney Ridge.




Golden Gardens Beach


…not really golden or much of a garden, but it’s the closest, nicest beach in this part of town.


While the kids played, we sat or stood around and talked or took pictures…


…while Jacob trolled for any sea life just off shore…the only ‘older’ one brave enough to venture into the frigid water of the Sound.


OK, so Isaac’s eyes are shut, but I still like the shot.


Nice try Jacob, but there aren’t any ‘girls’ here worth impressing…good practice though.


Matie plays on while Em quickly dunks herself in the cold water to rinse off the sand.


While Stu and Zack blissfully play on…


…and mom and dad patiently wait…


…until it’s their turn for a quick dunk to rinse off.


Matie just keeps playing…ah, the blissful life of a kid.


Back at the house, a quick warm up in the hot tub.


Your guess is as good as mine 🙂