We had been waiting for this moment for many months now.  When we were down in Puerto Rico with Big Blue on the Hurricane Relief efforts, we noticed a sad looking R44 stuffed in the back of a leaky hangar.  After many weeks of walking past it….Aaron decided to do what he does best and “make a deal!”  The gentleman that owned it had been meaning to overhaul it but just never could find the time….so Aaron made him a ridiculous offer….and well, the rest is history!  The biggest hurdle was how were we going to get it stateside in order to overhaul it.  I had already returned home so I was pretty much useless..but Aaron and his infinite wisdom got a sea container and arranged the container to be shipped to New Jersey via the good old Atlantic Ocean.  Ha…what possibly could go wrong!!!  After figuring out all the logistics in getting the container (which remember wasn’t easy as the entire Island was still recovering from a hurricane)…the logistics then became…how are we going to LOAD IT into the container!  Well, with enough educated coworkers around him and Aaron being Aaron…it got loaded without any damage and sent off to New Jersey where it would then be offloaded and head to Altoona, PA to get overhauled.  Once in New Jersey, the container was officially lost in the shipyard for 4 days, but once found, the only minor damage was a scrap to the passenger window!  Not too bad for our first ocean cargo voyage!  

After about 6 months, the overhaul process was complete and it was time to pick it up!!!  We had planned at some point down the road to finish up my Major League Baseball journey in an Epic Trip and take the R44 all the way down the East Coast and hit up the last remaining stadiums….which may happen at some point, but we didn’t have enough time allotted for that epic trip so we did a mini epic trip instead!  We got weathered out for a few days in Altoona, PA, but that gave Aaron a lot of time to look things over and get his check ride.  Once the weather lifted, we headed to Beach City, Ohio where we surprised my grandpa and circled over his house with the help of my Cousin Kelsey!  We stayed the night in Ohio and took everyone for a few rides out at the Beach City Airport.  The next day our plan was to head to Perkasie, PA to Carson Helicopters where we would leave the R44 until we made new plans, but we noticed a light flickering on the dash and we needed to get it checked out.  So back to Altoona we went…stayed the night and then left for Perkasie the next day.  

There is nothing better than flying 500 to 1000 above the deck….seeing everything from the air like a soaring Eagle….absolutely surreal.  Aaron never ceases to amaze me how he can jump in the Cherokee 6, the Cessna 150, the SK-61, and then the R44 like it’s no big deal.  He’s a pretty amazing pilot…but don’t tell him I said that as I need his head to fit through the doorway!!!  

We made it successfully to Carson Helicopters, pulled in the Red Rocket for safe keeping…caught up with the Carson crew like old times and then took a day and explored downtown Philly which was awesome!  We will have to come back…not only to pickup the chopper but to hit a Philly game as they weren’t in town when we rolled thru! Thanks for the ride Red Rocket…..until we pick you up…hangar well! 

There is nothing better than seeing a magical place through the eyes of a child! Aaron and I have each been to Disneyland a few times in our lifetime…but never with kiddos.  Sean and Laura weren’t able to come to AZ and visit us, so we did the next best thing and met them at Disneyland for a few days which was so much fun.  The kids had such a blast and Aaron and I had a great time just taking them on rides and hanging out.  It’s crazy how expensive it is…I’m sure it always has been…my parents ate the bill when they took us as kids…sorry mom and dad….so we were sure to not waste anytime and use our all day pass….ALL DAY!  From the moment the gates opened to the last possible minute the gates closed, we made the most of it.  Paisley had the royal treatment in the morning, as well as Lucas, and they both walked around all day in their special costumes…it was so adorable.  Sean and Laura are such great parents and their kiddos are amazing.  We are so lucky to have such amazing and special friends!  Thanks Inkster’s….can’t wait for the next adventure.  

In May, my brother Todd got his PHD in Professional Studies of Education from Delta State University.  He has worked on this for a long time and we were happy to be able to celebrate his big day with him.  Less than 2% of the population is able to achieve this…so kudos to you bud!  Also, any chance that we can get to see our little Zoester…who’s growing up way too fast….is always a good day. 

I got a little surprise of my own at the airport as Aaron flew in from Puerto Rico to surprise us all.  I walked right passed the sign he made as I was busy on my phone working on a Real Estate deal!  See….just another reason to get your head out of your phone and pay attention!  We were able to celebrate Aaron’s 38th birthday and enjoy our first ever crawfish dinner out on the carport.  Short but sweet trip nonetheless.  

Aaron worked 318 days this year and was either in Puerto Rico for the Hurricane Relief Efforts with N448JS or in Australia with Coulson Helicopters working on becoming the first ones to participate in Australian night-flying trials.  The trials took place with CASA in February of 2018 and were officially approved to suppress wildfires at night using night vision googles in June of 2018 and they will begin flying night operations hopefully this fall.  The video below shows Aaron doing what he does best.  We couldn’t be more proud of him and the role he played in making this happen.  He works hard everyday and now we truly have a “Rockstar” in the family!  Way to go bud.  

The last week in February and the month of March were bittersweet.  In less than a week apart I lost both of my lovely grandmothers.  On February 27th, my mom’s mom, Marie Agnes Baum Colley, 93 years young, passed away from this world.  She had suffered so much the last few years from dementia and anxiety that we were glad to no longer see her fierce spirit and independent soul suffer any longer.  She  loved animals, music, nature, loved gardening, writing poetry, enjoyed wildlife and sacrificed immensely for her children.  She gave unconditionally many years to others and I can only hope that my love for nature and nurturing others was because of her.  She used to call me her lovely lavender lady….until we met again MAC…I love you.

A week later, on March 4th, I lost my father’s mom unexpectedly.  Church Lady known to us, but Donna Jean Davis, known to everyone else, passed at 84 following a brief illness.  My grandparents had been high school sweethearts and this journey for my grandfather will not be easy, as he no longer has his partner by his side.  In September, I was able to see them both, for what would become the very last time.  Church Lady loved to laugh and she may have had that stern look on her face, but we usually found a way to turn it into a smile.  Her hands were always so soft and I would love it when she would take my hand into hers and just hold it.  I know her life wasn’t always easy, but she cared for her 4 children and made sure their needs and wants were always taken care of.  In the last couple of years we were able to really connect and enjoy each others company and for that….I am truly blessed and grateful. I wish that we would have had more time to make more memories….but as they saying goes…you are never guaranteed today or tomorrow….so live life to the fullest and enjoy the perfect present…and open the two gifts you were given every morning….your eyes!  I’ll see you again Church Lady!

Marie Agnes Colley – Cremation Society of Georgia

Marie Agnes Baum Colley passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27th following a brief illness that followed many years of decline from dementia. Marie, a long time resident of Ohio, was born November 15, 1925 in Canton, Ohio to Mary A. and Albert C. Baum. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother Donald E. Baum and two spouses, James A. Schlarb and Richard A. Colley, all Ohio residents. She graduated from Zanesville High School in Zanesville, Ohio in 1943 and attended Bethesda School of Nursing also in Zanesville, Ohio on a scholarship from 1943 – 1946. She had a long and diverse career in nursing which included many years in psychiatric nursing and teaching at Cambridge and Massillon State Hospitals in Ohio. In her last nursing position prior to retirement she was with Timken Roller Bearing in Canton, Ohio as an Industrial Nurse. She retired from this position in 1992. For a brief time, she took a break from nursing and sold real estate in Northern Ohio. But nursing and caring for others was her calling and she ultimately returned to her field. Following retirement, Marie, an avid gardener, spent her time gardening, writing poetry for friends and family, contributing to her garden club and spending time with friends and family on her pontoon boat enjoying the scenery and fishing on Leesville Lake, Leesville, Ohio. As a young woman Marie played the piano, organ and trumpet, sang on the radio with a local trio and in the choir at Grace Methodist Church in Zanesville, Ohio where she was an active member. She continued playing the piano and organ well into retirement. She was an independent spirit who spent her life in love with nature, music and literature and provided comfort and care for those around her in need. For a number of years, she was a simultaneous caregiver for her mother Mary and spouse Richard who were both seriously ill prior to their deaths in early 1980. In 2007, she relocated from Justus, Ohio to Lawrenceville, Georgia to be closer to family. In Georgia, she continued to spend her time gardening, reading and writing poetry and caring for her new dog who she aptly named Peaches after The Peach State, her new home. She had a delightful sense of humor and quick wit that remained with her long after dementia compromised her memory. She touched many, many lives over the years and will be sorely missed.

Marie leaves 3 daughters, Merry Lou Schlarb (her primary caregiver) of Lawrenceville, GA, Sally Sue Ames of Wilmington, NC and Beth Ann Davis of Buckeye, AZ, 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date when all her family will be able to attend, however, Memorial Donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association at (alz.org) or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at (alzfdn.org).

Donna Davis Obituary – Beach City, OH | IndeOnline

Donna J. Davis

84 of Beach City went to be with her Lord, March 4, 2018 following a brief illness. She was born at Alliance, Ohio, the daughter of the late George and Gladys Vaughn McClellan. She retired from Fairless Local School in 1995 where she was the food service director. Donna was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Beach City, Atwood Yacht Club and Wilmot Study Club.

She is survived by her husband, Charles (Chuck) Davis of the residence; one son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Beth Davis, Buckeye, Ariz.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl (Steve) Siciliano, of Litchfield Park, Ariz., Katherine (Jim) Neininger of Goose Creek, S. Car., Laurie (Don) Artzner of Bolivar; one brother George McClellan Jr. of Strasburg; one sister, Mary Jane Widder of Beach City; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held. To offer

condolence and sign guest book www.lantzerfuneralhome.com