My Rocket Man!

Tony has always enjoyed building model rockets.  Years ago he started with kits, then began designing his own rockets.  He gave up the hobby for a while when our daughters grew older and started to lose interest.  But now that he's retired he has the time and patience to work on the models again, and with 6 young grandkids, he has an instant  captive, interested audience of potential future rocket scientists.

At home Tony has his own rocket/hobby room, sort of a man cave.

When he builds a new rocket, he fills the payload section with candy for the kids.  As the section parachutes back to earth after the launch, the kids go running through the field looking for their candy.

I suppose this stuff makes sense to rocket aficionados.

The design table, where the magic happens.

He likes to paint the rockets bright colors to appeal to the kids.

Some recent models under construction.

Um, remember a few pictures back when I said Tony had a man cave?  I neglected to mention he generously shares his cave with our baby paraphernalia.

Only a real man would allow a crib in his man cave.

Yeah, the room literally screams pure masculinity, alright!

Finally, launch day arrives. Maggie and Etta are ready to tromp through the fields in their protective boots.

Leo, Zoey, and Ruby love to explore together.

Sam obviously can't contain his enthusiasm.

The first rocket goes up flawlessly.

What goes up must come down, candy and all!

Setting up for the next launch.

Everything must be perfect so the rocket will go straight up.

Another successful launch makes it into the record books.  After cleaning up our equipment, it's off to McDonald's for ice cream cones.  Memories made!!