No, I haven't had any out of this world experiences lately, but my son and his family came close on Monday when they got be be live and in person at Cape Canaveral for the launch of MAVEN, a Mission to Mars. This was especially exciting for them because for the last few years my son has been a part of a team of rocket scientists at an astrophysics lab at the University of Colorado that built instruments that went aboard the spacecraft. After years of work and a few pre-launch work trips to Cape Canaveral being there for the launch was as good as it gets for my son and his family.
They got to Florida a few days before the launch to be a part of the pre-launch excitement and to soak up some space lore.
A day spent at the Kennedy Space Center got everyone even more excited for a real live launch.
Anna manning a Space Shuttle.
Anna and Wil soaking up some space culture.
Maven on the launch pad the night before launch day.
Wil got a little "spacey" as they were waiting for the bus to the launch site.
Up, up and away,
or as my son said "and that is how you do that".
Yes, I am a proud mama, but mostly I am glad about this dream-come-true experience for a boy who grew up with his eyes on the skies.
Rob at the Space Center in Houston in 1977.
No, he wasn't always that serious and, no, he doesn't still wear his pants that high.
wow what an awesome experience...you have every right to be a proud Mom...
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic, Jeanie! How many moms can boast that they have a son who is a genuine rocket scientist? I live in the geographic center of the state and from here we can see rockets rising above the horizon from the Cape. I'll never forget witnessing first hand the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see Rob's children getting such an exciting and educational experience. I know they will all be holding their breaths for ten months until MAVEN is safely on Mars and operational.
Have a nice Wednesday and enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Jeanie!
That is SO exciting! Oh, the little guys must have loved it! So, when you go places do you say, "My son, the rocket scientist, says..." -- because I think I probably would! You must be very proud!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible thing for the whole family -- and delightful to hear about!
You have every reason to be proud. This is truly just "out of this world." Congrats to your son. How exciting for all of you.
ReplyDeleteGee, your son and his kids must have been so thrilled to see the actual launch. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience and adventure for your son and his family, Jeanie!! Glad he was able to follow his dreams so to speak from way back when and achieve so much in his career!
ReplyDeletebetty
Well Mom/grandmom that is too cool for everyone, including you. You have all the bragging rights.
ReplyDeleteVery excited to see the little ones inside the shuttle. They must have enjoyed a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cape Canaveral, and the experience of watching a shuttle launch, but THIS... this was so much more. This was personal. With your son having an interest in space for so long, and for his personal work contributing to this mission, it was a culmination of a dream. How (ahem) uplifting.
ReplyDeleteThis is very cool. I had gotten the impression that there were no more space missions. Glad your son and his family are part of this!
ReplyDeleteWow how exciting for them, but mostly your son I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat an achievement for him.
This is so cool and wonderful. Congratulations to your son for realizing his dream.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This is just so fabulous. What an utterly proud, happy and exciting time this was for all of you. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYour boy had a dream and you have watched it come true for him. Looks like it was a wonderful trip for the family and a good experience for them as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great experience!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great experience!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie, What a fantastic post! I love hearing about a dream coming true-- How exciting for your son and his kids to see his work in action. And congrats to his fabulous parents who share in his accomplishments! Woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteHappy thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family.
xo jj