Bandy Family Shenanigans

When you do something big, you have to write it down. In my case, I should write EVERYTHING down, because if I don't, then I forget. Just ask my husband :) Last weekend was a weekend I don't think I'll ever forget. It started with 2 Friday weddings. My cousin Jesse and Jenni and one of Jason's high school friends Bonnie Thoe and her now husband TJ. Let me tell ya, it was FUN! I've never seen so many people out on the dance floor at a wedding ever. Also, my husband took the entire dance floor through the MJ Thriller dance...a moment that would make any wife proud. Saturday the Bandy family spent the day together at the beach, hiking, and going out for dinner. Sunday we loaded up 2 cars, and headed toward the cities to go skydiving. I being the street savvy person that I am (yes I'm on my soap box :) was originally planning on jumping with the rest of the family, but kept having these weird feelings that my parachute wouldn't deploy and I would bite the dust. So I decided to sell my ticket and just be on the cheering section. Just as we got to the Skydiving place, the first thing we saw was the plane. No lie, it was the biggest pile of crap plan I've ever seen. At this point I was glad I was going to be grounded. We found the shed where they had the desk, and my family proceeded to start signing away their lives from any liability if anything happened. My mom, being the crazy (and fun) person that she is, decided it wasn't acceptable that I wasn't going to jump. So her and my dad went to the desk and bought me a ticket. K, so not only was a not planning on going, I somehow ended up being the first to go! Jason and I get all suited up from the instructors and got in the plane. So here it is, in random order, my memories of my first experience skydiving:

• I remember how uncomfortable it was wearing the skydiving gear. It was so darn tight I felt like I had an atomic wedgie :/
  
• I remember how much my heart was racing as we got in the plane.
  
• I remember the plane not starting, DJ and Jason starting to get out the plane, and then the pilot getting the plane to start.
  
• I remember the plane backfiring after it started
• I also remember seeing that Joe was relieved after the plane started and thinking that this doesn't mean it's going to keep running once were off the ground!
  
• I remember looking at my altimeter (measured altitude) when we were at like 1500 feet thinking we were about high enough, only to hear Jumpin Joe say we had another 8500 feet to go.
  
• I remember at this point thinking, I really should have listened to the instructions better!
  
• I remember it taking forever to get to the altitude we needed to be at, and all of the sudden the plane door swung open.
  
• I remember seeing Jason at the edge of the plane, than all of the sudden he was gone.
  
• I remember when we got to the edge, Joe told me to move my right leg out to the wheel of the plane. I tried to move my leg out to the ledge, and it nearly blew away.
  
• I remember our tuck and roll out of the plane.
  
• I will never ever forget that feeling when we jumped out of the plane. It's a feeling I know I will never forget.
  
• I remember pulling our parachute and being so darn glad it worked!
  
• I remember how incredibly peaceful it was once the parachute was pulled.
  
• I remember Joe steering our chute right through a cloud.
• I remember my family rushing over to me when we landed, and I couldn't say anything, I was speechless.
  
• I remember the looks on all the Bandy's faces when they landed.
  
• I remember watching my parents jump last, thinking I have some of the craziest parents I know. :)
  
• I remember how fun it was to go to dinner after we all jumped and talk about it.

Here's some of my other memories from the weekend:

• I remember thinking how our family always draws a crowd when were together. At one point looking around when we were at the beach to see several groups of people looking at us. I think some people just watch us for their entertainment. :)
  
• I remember Joey trying to catch that snake at the beach.
• I remember how much of a workout it was to hit Chimney Rock, and feeling much worse for Cherie hiking it pregnant.
• I remember how beautiful Cherie looked pregnant - and how happy she was.
• I remember putting Parker's toes in the cold water for the first time at the beach.
  
• I remember Dan, Joey, Jason and dad trying to throw all the girls in the water.
• I remember meeting Karen for the first time and thinking about how great of a match she is for Craig.
  
• FINALLY....I remember thinking how cool it is that we have such a close family and how God has really blessed all of us.