"Pain"t ball

It was Noah's birthday earlier this week and he got a Tippman A5 paintball gun. I set up a get together for Saturday and some friends were able to come.

Getting all the equipment out and set up to play is the first order of business. Guns are checked and tested. Safety equipment inspected for cracks and to make sure it fits right. Then the hoppers are loaded and the game is on. We play on our hill side so dominating the high ground is always the first part of any plan.This is Noah on the top of the hill looking down onto the playing field. Noah had a great time, his gun function flawlessly and he got to shoot his brother more that once which is a reward in and of itself.
Here's Luke, at 8 he is our youngest player. He sports a full helmet, body armor and gloves. His weapon of choice is a Tippman 98 custom. He more than holds his own on the field and even the older kids show him his dew respect. He is not afraid to empty his gun in your direction.
Micheal and Brian are brothers and practice together at home as a team. They get more playtime than my boys so they tend to win a few more of the rounds than Noah and Luke. This part of the field is the low section and is divided in two by the creek. When you play at our house you need to come ready to get wet and muddy. Micheal and Brian both have the A5 markers.

In the end everyone lost count of who won what, but keeping score was never that important, having fun was and fun was had by everyone. Josh

Yesterday

Yesterday was one of those days where alot happens in a very short amount of time.

Noah and Rowan were promoted to First Class and received the patch and neckerchief denoting their rank. After the Court of Honor the Boy Scouts preformed a flag retiring ceremony and invited Luke to help them since he was in uniform.
Before all awards and ceremony the kids and I were working in the garden digging sweet potatoes. They were the largest we have ever grown. Some of them could be entire meals in and of themselves.

Kristi's back is doing better now that she is going in regularly for traction. We continue to hope and pray that surgery can be avoided.

Thanks for checking in, Josh

New project

Don't ask me why this is all underlined, because I cannot figure it out.

The 207 is all but finished and is only waiting on a new propeller governer to complete the engine set up before the test flights.

I have been assigned a new project and will once again be working with Paul Gettle. We will be doing an inspection on an engine involved in a prop strike. The engine must be completely torn down and the important parts sent out for professional inspection. We will then reassemble the engine and run it before returning it to the owner.

Last weekend the scouts had fall camp and although a bit cold and wet everybody had a good time. Luke is seen helping to learn how to make rope. We also worked on knots, wood working and athletics.

Hannah went with the scouts last weekend as well and got to participate in most of the activities. She is seen below helping in the fire safety portion of the weekend.

I only have one more thing to add and it is a request for Kristi. We found out earlier this week that she has two herniated disk and one ruptured. Most likely surgery will be required to fix her back. She has suffered with back pain for almost two years now. I ask that you pray she is willing to go thru with the surgery, that the surgery is successful and for the finances to cover it. Also pray for her she is depressed and in pain, not a good combination. I'll also be going to Florida for two weeks to help a mission down there, you could pray for her extra while I'm gone.

Thanks, Josh

Thanks again, Josh

Almost there

The 207 is nearing completion. The owner arrives next week to begin the test flights to work out the final few bugs. The interior is really the only thing left to be finished, right now the engine is getting its final look over and the wings are getting rigged for flight. Hopefully there will be a video next week of the return to service flight.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers, Josh

Last week

I'm sitting outside the paint booth waiting for my first coat to dry enough so I can put on the 2nd. During my break I thought I'd fill you in on last week.

Last week we took our family vacation to Williamsburg, VA. The kids had a great time seeing and hearing about our history. We spent 4 days exploring and learning the town, I think everyone's favorite part was the big meeting that would be held each day towards evening. Being able to hear Martha and George Washington speak or Thomas Jefferson.

We also had time to visit the beach one day just long enough to get really burnt. The kids picked up sea shells and "other" interesting things they found on our walk.
On Saturday, in the rain we visited Jamestown, I was amazed at the size of ships that were used in crossing the ocean. I would't have wanted go in a boat that small. As we toured the boats the 20 or so visitors kept bumping into each other and getting in each others way and that was only a small fraction of the people that would have been crammed into those boats. Think of an average sized living room, with 40 people in it.
Hannah also celebrated her 10th birthday last week. So, after we got back home she took her birthday money and bought herself a puppy. Her name is Lady and she is a Yorkie. When Lady and Bree are nose to nose, Lady is about the size of Bree's head.
Thanks for checking in, Josh