HMX-1 Christmas Party

Last night was the HMX-1 Christmas Party. It was in one of the five hangars.  Complete with buffet line of wonderful food, vendors, craft tables, cookie decorating, santa, bouncy houses, cotton candy, face painting, and more!  The food was great, and there were so many people there. This squadron is a tiny bit bigger than the Ugly Angels.  I keep meeting new people and don't know how on Earth I'll be able to remember them all.

After we ate, Santa flew in on a helicopter.  Nick took Trevor and Addison outside to watch him fly in.

Then he sat in his "throne" and the long line of kids began.

I got 3 of the 4 kids to go up to Santa. I'm sure you can guess who was not willing to sit with him. "OMG, Mom, are you serious?! I am NOT going to stand in line for Santa." [insert scoff]

After telling Santa what we wanted for Christmas, Trevor and Addison got in line to ride/fly the "Whirly Gig" that Sikorsky brought in. Unfortunately, early on, someone got a little crazy with the controls and busted off the tail rotor, so one of the men had to help control the contraption "manually". But the kids didn't seem to mind one bit.

 

 

They went UP, DOWN, SIDE TO SIDE... etc. Addison squeeled and just grinned from ear to ear the entire time. She loved Trevor flying her around.  Trevor had a blast too, he wanted to get back in line and do it again. I am thrilled Addison was brave enough to go. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. After all, she is our little wild child!

So, it was on to the bouncy houses.

While the little kids played, McKenzie roamed the hangar with her friend Maliah (who just got "issued" a set of crutches for pulling a muscle in her foot the other day). AND, her long lost friend Katelyn B., who lived up the street from us on base in Hawaii.

It was a great party, the kids had a blast, and we all came home with full bellies, and lots of goodies!

Here is the H-3 on static display.  One of the 3 helicopters Nick will be flying while at HMX. Isn't it gorgeous?!?!