Eglin Air Show

This past weekend was the Eglin Air Show and Henry and I got the chance to spend it with some awesome friends. Henry flew a yet over on Thursday and another on Friday for Zeke, the current demo pilot, and then he basically shadowed him for the rest of the day/weekend seeing what went into the demo besides flying. We got the chance to talk to not only Zeke and his wife Kristene (who is going to all the shows this year... how cool is that!) but also some of the amazing maintainers who not only work on the jets but narrate the show, sell stuff, and keep the team running. It's such a neat group of people and we are so excited to be a part of it. I also found out that there's a lot more that goes into being a demo pilot than just flying around looking cool. They speak at local schools, recruit for the Air Force, and donate a lot of money to worth causes. When they were in Chile (the country) for the first air show of the season they donated money to the disaster relief fund. In Hampton, where we used to live, one of the principals of an elementary school embezzled quite a large sum of money and therefore left the students without a lot of supplies. The demo team donated money from selling t-shirts and such at the shows to that school to get the kids supplies. It's things like this that make me so proud that we were chosen for this opportunity and that we can contribute to the community in such a positive way.

Here's the demo (not from this past weekend) for those who have no idea what I am talking about or who want to see what on earth Henry will be doing. And yes, my palms get sweaty with nerves every time I watch this. It's funny because the moves that make me nervous are "easy" according to Henry and the ones that are "dangerous" I can watch with no problem.


On a side note... did you all know there is a website call Air Show Buzz that basically follows air show performers. The people who post on their are "groupies" and it's kind of crazy. So, with that said, feel free to check it out but know that once Henry starts traveling this summer with Zeke and then takes over the team next year I will be making our blog private. These people know WAY too much about the family members of not only Zeke, but his maintainers and I'd like to keep some parts of our life private. I'm beyond excited for this experience but I'd rather not everyone in the world be able to read about what we do outside the demo.

We also had the opportunity to hang out with our dear friends the Cunninghams. Basket used to be our DO here and was chosen last year to be the commander of the Thunderbirds, TB#1. We watched his show with his wife, Krisanne, on Saturday and while I've seen their show before, it was awesome knowing that he was the one leading it. We're so happy that next year we will be seeing them more as we all travel on the air show circuit.

And what would a blog post be without pictures...

Mommy and Carter... he did not want to wear his ear protection

Goofing around on the bleachers in the DV tent (we got to be distinguished visitors)

He looks so cute with them on

Addie's turn... she has pink ones on order

Taking flying lessons

43rd Ladies

43rd group

Thunderbirds- Basket is the one in the lead