January 01, 2005
'tater launch
They kept forecasting for rain, and probably somewhere around fifty people after all was said and done. Because I was busy visiting with everyone, I nearly forgot to take photos, but managed to get a couple of the tater launching:
That's Luke (left) and Jake (right) prepping to shoot. Luke made that 'tater gun just a couple of hours prior to the party.
Here's a close-up of Luke spraying in the propellant:
And of course, our fancy schmancy target:
There were kids running around, hence the spacewalk:
Tons of food, lots of fun and great company. We only had one minor injury. My neice (16) saw her cousins about to launch taters and decided to go stand near the target. I don't know why. A 'tater part riccocheted off and smacked her on the thigh, but no bruising.
(Someone asked last post about the emergency trip. That would be for Luke, a couple of years ago. The first year, Luke singed his hair on one side when looking into the barrel (from the side, near the flint). Next year, he singed his eyebrows. The emergency room year, he got a piece of flint in his eye. All of this while trying to make it safe for the other people to handle it. I pointed out to him that perhaps "safe" didn't mean what he thought it meant, since he was the only one getting injured, and that if he got injured again, we would be cancelling the 'tater launch. He's managed to be injury-free for two years.)
Posted by toni at January 1, 2005 12:18 PMSomething tells me I'd be safer with the kids on the spacewalk. ;)
-G
Posted by: Garrison Steelle at January 4, 2005 12:59 PMI am so sorry I did not make it -- it looks like a blast! Talk soon.
Posted by: Eliza at January 4, 2005 01:49 PMMy stepdad had one of those. We would shoot it straight up in the air and I'm not sure where the taters were landing. In fact they could use those at riots instead of rubber bullets.
Have fun and don't loose an eye, or your whole head.
MP
Posted by: Michael Paul at January 4, 2005 10:34 PMOMG, I nearly spewed my soda all over my monitor when I saw the pic safety first and remembering the ER trip!!!
Glad everyone had a blast (yes, in this case all puns are intended) and look forward to seeing more pics (hint hint)
Hugs,
Shan
Posted by: Shannon at January 4, 2005 11:15 PMIt's probably a good thing I don't have Carl's email address, cuz I would send him three words of advice: gas grill igniter. They make fantastic igniters for tater guns. I'm sure Carl can figure out how to get it to work. Way safer than flint, and it lets you keep the combustion chamber closed up nice & tight.
Made one with my boys last summer (my first). I was utterly amazed at how accurate it was and really impressed with how far it could shoot one. They make such great toys!!!
Posted by: Brian at January 5, 2005 10:57 AMI have heard of people using propane to shoot taters with. I think every kid in america should have one.
Oh, your sons are cute! Are they available? LOL
So which one duped you into thinking he had to potty, and which was the one who you failed as secret keeper in front of his girlfriend when he wanted to get her a present?
Posted by: Toni at January 5, 2005 03:15 PMOMG coming here is the highlight of my day, you just crack me up. The boys are so similiar to mine. My daughter is the one who always seems to be the voice of reason and then they "reform" her into a complete nutcase too.......Thanks Toni
P.S. my boys motto....It's only funny until someone gets hurt, then it's hysterical......(small injuries only please)
TSB @ followthatstar.squarespace.com
Posted by: TSB at January 6, 2005 08:43 AMGlad you posted pictures....I was dying to see what that was all about! Love your blog!
Posted by: Stepmonster at January 6, 2005 03:09 PM*wanders off muttering about how peculiar some folks can be...*
:-0))
Posted by: Daisy at January 6, 2005 05:45 PM