Friday, September 4, 2009

All things space . . .

So, a few weeks ago as we were leaving church, Scott asked me a question about some obscure nebula or solar system in space. Of course, I had no idea what he was talking about, so I told him to ask Brandon. So, he did. Brandon's face lit up when Scott asked him, and then he and Scott walked out of church with their heads together like two little school boys planning their next adventure! They talked all the way home, and as soon as they were home, they both headed to the computer to check out space stuff. Pictures, facts - known/obscure - and all things relating to space.

Fast forward a couple of weeks. Brandon was at the church while Bishop was meeting with members of the ward (Brandon's the ex. secretary, so he gets to be there on those nights), when a ward member walked in. They got talking about space, and it turns out that her husband is a big space fan. He's got a few telescopes, and they regularly attend star parties. So, she invited us to have one of our own at their house.

We went over the next night to our "star party" and were able to see Jupiter with four of its moons lined up right next to it. It was pretty cool. We also looked at the moon, and then the boys were able to look at a nebula that our neighbor found. All in all, it was a fun night! Sly even followed us over to their house to be part of the fun. He ended up hiding from a tiny little kitten that was wandering the neighborhood. Scaredy cat!


A pretty close view of what we saw that night of Jupiter and four of its moons

The next Saturday, the St. R.S. presidency (which I'm a part of) put on a clothing swap in the stake, so I was gone for most of the day. Brandon noticed that our neighbors were having a yard sale, so they wandered over to check things out. Scott found a telescope and REALLY wanted it. So, for $5, they bought it. They came home, and then Brandon just walked around the yard taking pictures of their fun! (B got a small telescope for Christmas last year, so the two older boys each have one of their own.)

When I got home from the clothing swap, Scott kept pulling me outside to "look at this" or "check this out." It was so fun to see his little face lighting up with excitement over this telescope and the fun things he could do with it! Unfortunately, it's either been cloudy or smoky enough up here that we haven't been able to take it his telescope outside and look at Jupiter again. One of these days we will, though! Enjoy the pictures!


B setting up his telescope


Scott - hmm, what should I look at next?


B checking off his list of things to look at


Scott checking off his checklist


Scott's checklist


B's checklist


Scott focusing on the wood grain in the deck


B checking out the lilac bush leaves


The boys - working


Cute Scott


Cute B


Gavin, waiting for "his boys" to be done with their "work" so they can play with him again!

2 comments:

Nathan and Shanna said...

That is so neat! Your boys are really growing fast! By the way thanks for the b-day gift. Now maybe someday I will have a minute to read it! :O)

Valeri Crockett said...

That is so fun Renee! I'll have to remember it and get my little boys a telescope when they are older!