As a boy, several times a year, I grew up riding through North Alabama to my grandparents house in Muscle Shoals, AL. I would look out the window as we passed through Huntsville, AL & see the NASA rocket pointed toward the sky & dream about one day flying to space. I was for sure it was in my future! And I almost had a chance when I was in fifth grade & competed in a paper airplane contest where I advanced to the finals. I ended up placing second & narrowly missed spending a week at Space Camp. Frankly, I’m still upset about not winning that trip. Moving on…

On May 10, we celebrated our oldest son’s, Brennan, birthday; he turned the big 5. For the past year when we’ve asked him what he wanted to do for his fifth birthday, he said, “I want to have my birthday at the US Space & Rocket Center.” Throughout the year we would inquire again to make sure that’s really what he had in mind & to our presumption, each time he insisted that he wanted the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Of course I was super excited & Joy did an incredible job planning the day, inviting family/friends & making cupcakes.

When we arrived, we trekked into the Rocket Center & had a blast celebrating Brennan’s big day. I’m still kicking myself, but as Brennan was opening his presents, I forgot a battery for my film camera & only had my iPhone. However, when we arrived down at Joy’d parents house to spend a few days, I whipped out the ole Contax 645 & went through a few rolls. Here are some of my favorite pics of some of my favorite people!

iPhone pic… Space & Rocket Center
Joy’s parents’ have an amazing piece of land where the kids are in ‘heaven.’ Here are a few from around the farm. 

(L) Brennan showing me how old he is, 5. (R) The boys like to hammer nails into old stump logs; I think they got carried away with this stump.
Brennan’s present from Papa & Nana, a new bike! Do you think he’s excited?!
(L) The little playhouse. (R) Joy’s sisters’ little girl, Anna Beth.
And our other niece, Amy Kate, was so excited to see Molly. She squealed & ran up to her, greeting her with a big hug. Cute!
A boy & his bike. My nephew, Charlie.
Knox absolutely loves animals & is quick to go feed Hotshot, the horse, any chance he gets.
Amy Cate… so cute, my goodness!
Mollypop riding her horse.
Scenes from around the pond.
We love spending time at the creek behind Joy’s sisters’ house; it’s a family event!
Love this!
Molly made it a game to fill up Amy Kate’s pockets with rocks. Really cute.
My favorite two girls!

Personal: Family on Film on Contax 645 all shot on Kodak Portra 400/800 & processed at Richard Photo Lab in LA.