Kennedy Space Center

Today we slept in, then got up and headed off to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. I used to work out at Kennedy and James worked as needed on as an ultra-sonic tester for the rockets out of Canaveral Air Force base. We loved being a part of the space program while we lived there and looked forward to passing this onto our kids. They didn't disappoint! Roman was fascinated by everything. Hope and Bethany enjoyed it too. We decided to start off with the tour. Our 3 hour tour was closer to 5, but hey, we saw EVERYTHING! Of course, with a launch just a few days away they got to see the shuttle on pad A from the observation deck. It was a bit hot out there so we treated ourselves to some space dots. Man are those things addictive! Roman loved the little astronaut helmet they served it in and washed it out in the bathroom and carried it with him the rest of the day. After the tour we went into the gift shop, he set it down and walked away! Later we stopped for nachos and ice cream and he convinced the cashier to give him another. We ended our day at Kennedy for the new Shuttle Launch Experience! Man was that awesome!!!! Bethany was too short so we had to do a parent swap with her. Hope just barely made the cut, but when the noise and smoke and cautions during the video prior to simulation scared her enough that she was NOT going near that thing! LOL James, Hope, and Bethany were escorted to a live feed room to watch. They saw the same video, and us in the simulator, they just didn't feel the motions. Basically it starts by putting you on your back feeling as if you're in a shuttle ready for lift off. The count down begins, you feel the rumbles as the boosters fire and the vibrations of lift off. You're walked through every step of the way, as the engines die down, then back up again before entering orbit where they simulate a feeling of weightlessness and open the doors overhead with an aerial shot of earth. It was amazing! When we came off James got to go on while I stayed with the girls. Roman loved it so much he snuck on with James for a second ride! During their ride and listening to me explain it to another mom on kid swap, Hope decided it wasn't so scary, but it was too late. The park was closing and we were late for dinner!

Of course Ronda was also late for dinner, so we missed our reservation and had to wait. On the way over she called and said it was a reservation for 15 that she had invited some friends. Doing the math, with 5 additional people, our suspicions were confirmed.... Kari and Kermit surprised us by arriving a day early! We all met at Dixie Crossroads, a family favorite and the most amazing rock shrimp ever!!! You just can't get seafood like that in Richmond! The kids were really surprised and so excited to see Abby, Megan and Emma. Once we finally got our table everything went perfectly. We had a great waitress, the service and food were excellent, and everyone was in great spirits. The perfect ending to a great day!!