We did it!

We finished the requirements for the Virginia Aviation Ambassadors program!

Last fall, after I got over the worst of the morning sickness, and before I got put on bedrest-- Husband and I flew like mad to try and finish visiting all 66 airports, the 4 requisite museums, and safety seminar and flyin. We almost made it. We had two airports to go-- plus Dulles, National, and the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico. We knocked off the museum on Thursday-- we loaded up the twins and took a field trip. Then, last Friday, my Dad, the awesome Grampy that he is, offered to babysit the twins so we could go flying (Husband had taken the week off).

It was great to be back in the air together. Though a little warm, it was a pretty good flying day for summer. Miracle of miracles, we even got a Bravo clearance on the way out. We don't usually get cleared into that airspace even when we fly IFR! Husband used the flirst stop at Essex to practice his short field landing as we'd need that later on for the landing at Hummel. The new airport at Essex is beautiful-- very nice and clean. Then we flew the short 25 miles over to Hummel. Good thing he'd practiced as this was a tricky landing given how lihttle we've both flown this year. 2200' runway-- right on the water. Thankfully, though the winds were squirrelly, they were light. We landed, fueled, and taxied across the grass to park next to the Pilot House Inn for lunch. Lunch was good-- much better tasting than it looked. Then we hurried on back toward home.

Flying back across Virginia, we had perfect ending for our quest: the controller offered us the East-side Transition past Dulles-- and for a second time that day, we were cleared into IAD's class Bravo airspace! The controller routed us right across the approach end of the active runways, and left us on a perfect 45 entry for Runway 17 into JYO. Very cool. On Sunday, we drove to DCA and IAD and collected the final two stamps. All that's left is to put them in the mail to Richmond!

Back in the Air!

It's been a LOOOOONG winter. Not only because our area has seen record snowfall amounts in addition to our usual windy Spring weather... but also because I've been grounded. In December, I was put on "home rest" in response to some signs of preterm labor. I could still move around some at home-- but no more going out and doing normal things. In February, I was then put on strict bedrest. Thank goodness for the Winter Olympics or I would have lost my mind! In March... our new little future pilots were born! Julia and Jonathan made their arrival (somewhat unexpectedly) and immediately took over our hearts and lives! After almost 2 weeks in the NICU, we brought them home and began a new life as a family of four.

A month after the twins were born, I took my first flight as a new mom! Of course, things can't be simple with us-- we had N's brother's famnfily with us that weekend, and decided to take everyone with us to the airport (4 adults, 2 kids, and 2 infants). Since I hadn't flown in so long, we asked our CFI to come along and make sure I didn't do anything stupid! After getting everyone situated, CFI and ond circuit, I was feeling better and we went back to the ramp to pick up my sister-in-law for her first flight in a small plane. We went twice around with her-- and I think she really enjoyed it! Then we went back and picked up niece (7) and nephew (4) for their first flights in our plane. After 2 successful circuits, we went back and traded out for my brother-in-law, who is also interested in learning to fly. With him, we flew out to the practice area, did a few steep turns, and flew along one of my favorite flight seeing routes-- out along the ridgeline, over Harper's Ferry, and then worked our way back in for landing on Runway 17. We had a welcome party waiting along the runway on the ramp.

What a fun day! Maybe next time, we'll take the twins up!