STS 125

We were fortunate enough to make another trip to Florida to view a shuttle launch. This time it was STS-125 Atlantis. It was an extra fun trip for us as we met up with friends and family from California (Abercrombys and Jorgensens), Amarillo (Gigi and Poppy) and Canada (Deana)!


(NASA photo of launch)

Of course a trip to Florida isn't complete without a day at the beach! We spent the day before launch hanging out at the beach and relaxing. Here is K ready in his beach gear.



What a great way to spend my first Mother's Day!! (Lichar even arranged to get my favorite breakfast and bring it to me in bed. Fortunately for him, that would be chocolate covered donuts) :)

K had his own special hang out--it's called a Pea Pod. It was a wonderful way to keep him cool and out of the sun. (You can see Lichar in the background.)


Andrew, Deana and "A" playing in sand.


A in sand--that girl loves the beach!!


K even ventured out and put his feet in the water.


Dad and Larry pondering life.


Alyssa and K


After the beach we headed to Megan's reception. K was ready in his outfit with the STS 125 patch! (Thanks Meg!)


Dillons with Flat Meg and Bob


Jorgensen-Abercromby-Smith-Dillon crew with Flat Meg


The day of launch we hung out at Kennedy Space Center. It was so hot that K and I spent most of our time wherever we could find air conditioning while the rest of the crew explored the center. Here we are on our quick "photo op" with K.


K with space shuttle at KSC--he was not diggin' the sun in his eyes.


After everyone explored the center, we hopped on the bus that took us to our viewing location on the causeway. Here is our crew camped out waiting for launch. Oh my goodness it was hot!


Alyssa and K melting on causeway. It was so hot, I mean really incredibly hot, with NO breeze. We learned that K is really not a fan of heat. Thank goodness we were on the second-to-last bus out to the causeway, so we weren't out there too long.


Atlantis on the launch pad.


Here is the video we took. It is a little shaky at first, but gets better once Lichar finds the shuttle. :)


I am so incredibly sad that we didn't take any group photos after launch, but it was so hot that none of us really thought about it. My only concern at that time was getting K back on the air conditioned bus, so I practically ran back to the bus. But, we had a wonderful time with Gigi, Poppy, Deana, Abercrombys and Jorgensens!

Even though I watched him put on sunscreen (several times), Lichar's feet got a little too much sun!


After launch, we all took a nice cool walk along the beach.


Don't worry, we didn't leave K out, but he'd already gone back to the hotel with Gigi and Poppy.