Young Eagle 5/15/10

Today was a big day in aviation. Today we found out that our niece, Melinda, had been accepted to the Air Force Academy, and, today, Race joined the EAA (experimental aircraft association) Young Eagles and took his first ride in a 2-seat experimental aircraft. He took off from Buchanan Field and Daddy got to see him circle the plant in Bay Point before he returned for a perfect landing. He received his Young Eagles Logbook and the first entry reads, Aircraft: Lancair 235, Registration #:N19BJ, Route of Flight: Concord Local, Duration of Flight: 0.5 hours.

Race also got to fly a flight simulator. The EAA members were a little stumped when he asked for Missiles on his simulator, but one of the EAA members rescued them by explaining that he would have to be older and take a lot more flight lessons before he could have missiles. Another Young Eagle alertly pointed out that if he had missiles, and he crashed, he would blow up!

The coolest thing was that Grandpa Don had taken a flight to Columbia, CA in the same Lancair just last weekend.

Go Kart Driving School

Yes, Go Kart Driving School. For Race's birthday present this year we gave him a half day driving school at the Jim Russell International Karting Center located at Sears Point (Infineon) Raceway. There were only 6 kids in the class and the instructors were awesome. Once the kids were suited up the instructors took them on a track walk to teach them the racing line. After some safety instruction it the classroom the kids were assigned karts, the drivers position was adjusted to fit them and they were taught how to start the karts, brake and accelerate. Race spun on the first session and decided to sit out the second session and have the kart readjusted to fit him better. He got some individual instruction in the pits and then we went in for a debriefing before the third session. The instructors had a debrief after every session that detailed what the kids were doing right and wrong and offering them some more training. Race spun again in the third session on Kramer, a wacky off camber turn that caught every kid at least once. One of the girls went straight into a tire wall and bent the steering on her kart in this session. After another debrief Race and the rest of the kids (including the quickly repaired wrecked kart) went out for their fourth and final session. Race began hitting the line and his speed came way up through The Sweeper, Monaco, The Last Turn (yep, that's really it's name), and even the dreaded Kramer. He's ready to go back for another driving school. The instructor paid him a big compliment, saying that Race was the only driver who followed all of his instructions. Way to go Race.

I am putting together a movie of his driving. Unfortunately the helmet cam didn't work, but we have some good video and a bunch of pictures for the DVD. Email me if you want a copy when it's done.

Race's 8th Birthday

All right, I know it's been a while since I posted anything. Here are some pictures from Race's 8th Birthday party. Since the garage is still cleaned out having the floor re-poured, we decided to have his party there. Race chose a Lego theme and Elizabeth went all out and made a Lego cake, a Lego t-shirt (that all the guests signed), a Lego Pinata and Lego garlands. It was pretty awesome and all the kids had a great time.

Valentine's Day Chapel

The 2nd grade were the featured performers at today's All School Chapel. Dean was fortunate enough to be able to attend. Listening to them belt out Love Train was the highlight of the performance. Here's a few pictures of the performance, including Race dancing to Love Train with his classmate Paris.

More from Thanksgiving

Oregon for Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at the Morgado home in Klamath Falls. We had a great time cutting Christmas trees, visiting Lava Beds National Monument with cousin Chris from Keno, and a great Thanksgiving Dinner with all the entire extended Morgado family.

Clowning around

Here's a cute picture of Race and Aurora clowning around at the Mustang club meeting.

Sunday 11-8 Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness

We tried a new East Bay Regional Park or a hike. We will be going back. It's a nice uncrowded park with lot's of nice hiking trails. We took the Indian Joe and Hayfield trails and played at Cave Rocks for a while.

The leaves are finally falling

Race has been waiting for his chance to jump in piles of leaves. He finally gave up and raked up his own pile. It should be even more fun once the rest of the leaves fall!

10/25 City of Concord Halloween Costume Contest

Race and Elizabeth took 3rd place inthe annual costume contest at Todos Santos Plaza. Race went as Luke Skywalker and Elizabeth went as Princess Leia. Check out the awesome picture.

10-18 Our annual trip to the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch.

We made our annual pumpkin patch visit to get pictures by the great pumpkin measuring stick. Look at how much Race and Aurora have grown.

10-11 Breakfast ont he Red Oak Victory

The SS Red Oak Victory is still undergoing restoration at Point Richmond. One of the ways they raise funds is to host a pancake breakfast on deck monthly. We attended with a bunch of our fellow Mustang club members a a few cub scout families. Race tried on the Captain's chair again. He fits better in it now than when he was 2. The boys sent ship to shore messages home via Morse code. Generally speaking we had a great time.

10-6 Field Trip to Buchanan Field

Elizabeth organized a field trip to Buchanan Field for Race's second grade class. They got to play in a Huey, see the medical evacuation helicopters, to try on the firefighting gear and a demonstration of the airport firetruck at work. Great fun.

10/3 Camp Concord

The Lions Club went ot Camp Concord on the south shore of Lake Tahoe to close it for the winter, but winter beat them there. They woke up to a bear in the dining hall and 5 inches of snow on the ground. While installing the wooden window covers Elizabeth discovered the danger of roofs covered with fresh snow and became an instant snow woman.