Time Experience Thoughts

Cade's three older brothers, Ryan, Sean, and Kyle being silly. Ryan squishing his neck. Sean making a funny face/mouth. Kyle doing his grinning Winston Churchill. Sean acting surprised, Kyle sticking out his tongue, Ryan slouching. 

Our project this trip was to design and create three paper airplanes from the Star Wars saga, a Tie Fighter, an X-Wing fighter, and the Millennial Falcon. Sean and Ryan came up with these three. We researched online double-checking the coloring and physical form of the three. We experimented with multiple designs. On his own, Sean made (based on my previous design), then painted Super Sonic paper airplane red and blue. Sean had also stumbled upon a way to make a Tie-Fighter, taping two other planes together. I thought we might try the same tactic in creating an X-Wing (taping two "wings" together onto a fuselage). Ryan liked my idea of how to proceed, but said that if it failed he had a backup plan. My plan failed. We had previously acknowledged that, like Edison, there may be successes and/or failures. (We knew that some designs which LOOKED good, might not fly, and vice versa.) We would build upon any "failures" to adjust to some other potential design. Turns ...

Again He sighs   And comforts our very soul. His eyes   Reveal our every goal. Then he testifies   And now we really know. Again. Scott L. Vanatter, 30 September 2010 (This poem, in honor of Cade, can be read in at least a couple ways. First, when we encounter him -- taking care of him when he is 4 weeks, or 4 months old, etc. Second is when he is forty or fifty years old – when he might be caring for us.)

Another science experiment/project. Mentos in Diet Coke. Carrie built a delivery mechanism for the Mentos (a curled up piece of paper to fit inside an open soda bottle top). The boys carefully placed the Mentos in the ammunition cartridge, then dropped the charges into the soda. The blast of fizzing soda went about 6-10 feet in the air. Over my head, and way over the boys heads. Note the boys faces. See movie below.

We did a thoudand things. One was to draw the gold plates on the computer. Ryan entitled his, Gold Plates in the Dark. Sean's is the colorful one on the bottom.

Ryan chose the following images to draw on this Sunday afternoon. First, he drew a picture of the actual sword that George Washington used in the Revolutionary War. We visited Mt. Vernon again a few days ago, and Ryan saw the sword in a glass case. His picture below shows the sword resting in the display case. The second picture is of the Declaration of Independence. The initial R and D stand for Ryan and Declaration. He chose all by himself, the yellow background to look like the actual paper, and he chose the caligraphy pen to represent the words of the Declaration. The third picture is of a Revolutionary War pistol. The fourth picture he called Heart Lightsaber and sent to his Dad for Father's Day.

Scott Serves now as first counselor in the bishopric. Works for a competitor to his last company. Finalized move of three wards into a new chapel—including ours. Drove to Kansas to spend Christmas with mother and sister—just got home. http://scottvanatter.blogspot.com/ Becky Serves as the shift coordinator every Thursday evening at the Washington D.C. Temple (with President and Sister Tingey—Scott’s former mission president!). Teaches the Adult Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class. 8th year working for BYU—Coordinating the Washington D.C. Student Teaching Program. Sydney Moved to Arlington (Crystal City) this year. Now in the Colonial Ward. Works in the Washington D.C. Temple on Thursday evenings on Becky’s shift. Traveled to Greece this fall. Is dating Mike! (“Love is in the air!”) http://photogal98.blogspot.com/ Carrie and Scott (along with Ryan, Sean, and Kyle) Summer and Thanksgiving in Virginia. Bough...

Ryan chose to draw from scratch and from memory Mace Windoo's purple lightsaber. He designed and drew it 100% all by himself. Including the red button, and the yellow light (which, he says, if on, signifies how much damage the lightsaber can do). Note the two colors of the actual lightsaber; the outer/lighter color being the "glow" of the inner/actual lightsaber itself. Ryan's idea, design, and accomplishment. Ryan further informs me that the tan color is part of Luke's Obi-Wan's cloak/robe on the Jedi's arm.

Tonight Becky and I experienced the Fourth of July fireworks show in DC with grandsons Ryan, Sean, and Kyle (and their parents and Sydney). As usual, the show was over-the-top fabulous. All three boys were transfixed. Though, about 3/4 the way through the show, Sean (4 years old) got a little distracted, maybe even a bit bored with the constant flow of color and light and sound. However, he could not keep from being drawn back into the drama of the "Finale." Always a crowd pleaser. This year was no exception. As it got going, he re-engaged and could not help from dancing and bopping to the sight and sound of beat of the constantly exploding fireworks. I caught him on video in a freeform joyous dance. Towards the end of it all, he was so excited he let loose with a spontaneous sommersaut. Enjoy. We sure did!

[NOTE: Double-click on the arrow in the center of the movie immediately below.] Dear Ryan, 'What a wonderful world' it is because you're in it. Happy birthday. See you next month! With love, Grandma Becky & Grandpa Scott

Sean pulling funny faces Ryan pulling funny faces Both boys pulling funny faces, plus (Reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes pulling funny faces.)

Within seconds of Carrie getting down onto the floor to play, the boys jumped onto her back playing horsey, etc. (with light sabers)! They are full-on boys, rough-housing, and having fun, fun, fun whenever feasible. (Always a good thing!) Grandma Becky reminds me that the boys are as quick to play horsey, etc. with their dear ol' Mom when she gets down on the floor with them, as they are with their Dad. The boys love love LOVE their Mother. They tell her so; they tell her she's pretty; they follow her; and respect her. She is -- along with her dear hubby -- raising a team of righteous sons. A sight to behold (their interaction, their eyes, their council, their nightly prayers, their Family Home Evenings, etc.). Happy Mother's Day Carrie. (And Grandma Becky, and Grandma Lee, and Grandma Dot, and all.)

The boys have MOVES! A little bit of Kung Fu Panda, add in some Star Wars lore, and a lotta BOY, and you get excellent martial arts moves. See the movie for a long strectch of Ryan's improvisational Kung Fu moves. Loved being with and watching and admiring and loving these boys.

Dear Sean, Happy Birthday, you "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy." We like to listen to this song every now and then before we fall asleep at night -- and think of you, "darling Sean." Can't wait to see you ride your bike! See you soon . . . With lots of love, Grandma Becky Grandpa Scott