Good times at NAS Kingsville

Last weekend Chrissy and I went down to the coast for a lil getaway...on Saturday we went to Naval Air Station Kingsville for the Wings Over South Texas 2010 air show...it was awesome! Seriously one of the most specatular displays I've ever seen. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted in with the American and Texas flags...then there were numerous trick planes that did some crazy stuff. There was also a Pearl Harbor reenactment, that was pretty cool. (intel reports that more personal pics can be found at Chrissy's blog in the near future.)

We saw the T-45 Goshawks stationed there at NAS Kingsville...they are the training planes for future Naval and Marine Corps fighter pilots.

We saw an Air Force KC-135...a huge tanker plane that refules planes in flight.

Then things really got amped up with a USAF F-16 Viper...it blew me away....it flew past us at low altitute at 650 mph...it just cut through the air...it was crazy how it just kinda glided past us...and then a second later the roar of the jet caught up to us...mind boggling that it was less than half it's top speed....but very impressive for how low to the ground it was.

The main event...the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels. A team of 6 FA-18 Hornets...two solo demonstrators and 4 who flew in formation.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the Marine Corps C-130 Hercules also known as Fat Albert, which accompanies the Blue Angels everywhere and brings maintenance equipment and what not. Surprisingly nimble lil bugger.

my TV hero...

ron swanson is the man.

get that weakness outta here...

well it's been a trying year in sports...tough pill to swallow at the end of the college football season...and a very inconsistent season from the spurs...tough times. but manu has finally got his legs back under him after his injury and is beginning to look like himself...hopefully that continues. i am a kevin durant fan (hook 'em)...but this block was the best defensive play thus far this year in the association. no battle. (by the way...this pic makes it look like he fouled him...the replays clearly show that he didn't...in fact after when kevin durant was asked about it he himself simply stated "clean")...here's to good times.

...the rest of the trip

well it was a great trip to maryland...i had a day to spend before going to the temple with the flores family. so i immediately headed down to annapolis to find me some pupusas. they were delightful. i washed it down with a big gulp from the sev that was across the street from our old condo.


this is the view from across the river looking into annapolis at the U.S. Naval Academy.


then i ventured up to b-more, specifically highlandtown...where i roamed the streets as a young elder in his first area. not gonna lie, felt a lil uncomf walkin around that area alone and at night time...


...but i had to get me some chicken rico! it was so good...peruvian style charbroiled chicken...i love that place. it was my first time back there since eating there with mom,dad, and grandma nielsen when they visited me on the mish. so it holds a special place in my heart...then i made it back to my hotel and visited with an old friend robby t. the next morning i was pleasantly surprised to not only get to see the flores, but the entire cedar creek branch practically. that branch was clearly the branch that i became the closest to throughout my mission. it was a great trip, the only thing that would have made it better was a little more time out there and if chrissy could have come along to see and enjoy with me.

un día especial

I flew out to Maryland this weekend for a very special experience. While serving in Winchester, VA I became very close to Salvador Flores and his family. He was baptized a few days before I got transferred there, and I got to teach him the recent convert lessons and watch him grow in the gospel. I participated in his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood and watched him baptize his wife Sandra and daughter Fátima...I also got to teach him how to prepare and bless the sacrament...and then sat with him as he did it for the first time. I gave members of his family priesthood blessings, and was amazed by their faith....I ate many a delicious meals of carne asáda, frijoles negros, and ensalada on Saturday afternoons. And we played many a games of futbol together. I learned a lot from his family and greatly appreciate their example of humility and faith. They are an amazing family. Yesterday I was at the Washington D.C. Temple as Salvador and Sandra went through the temple together and then were sealed to their three little girls. It was an experience I'll cherish forever. I will never forget sitting there in the temple and looking over at Salvador and he just grinned at me and waved. I was filled with an overwhelming feeling I can only describe as a tender mercy of the Lord. As I hugged both of them they both said, "gracias por venir." I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Indeed my friends, there are a few times in life when you realize what good times really are...yesterday was one of those for me.