It’s that time of year again–the annual air show at Scott Air Force Base. Last year, we got to see the United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

They were very loud, very fast, and very impressive!

This year, we got to see the Canadian Snowbirds, a group I hadn’t even heard of before this year’s show.

The Snowbirds were very different from the Thunderbirds, but equally impressive. The Snowbirds were more…graceful, for lack of a better word. It seemed like they did more looping, more with their smoke trails (including a heart, which was awesome, but faded before we could get a picture of the whole thing), and were, in general, a little more low-key.

Don’t get me wrong–they were still very fast, and did lots of amazing stunts, including several that made me a little nervous because they were flying so close to each other. Maybe it was just that the Snowbirds didn’t have the same volume as the Thunderbirds, but it felt much more relaxed.

We even got to meet some of the pilots after the show, and they were so nice, and very good with children. One of them asked Turkey if he thought he’d like to be a pilot someday. Turkey’s response? “Maybe someday I’ll fly the Space Shuttle.” What can I say? He dreams big!

Our whole family loves going to air shows, and the children were able to enjoy this one a little more because the noise level was less. They love watching all the things the planes can do–flying upside down, doing formations, swooping down and then climbing up so high–and I’m right there with them watching in amazement that anyone can learn to fly like that!

Now that we’ve seen the Thunderbirds and the Snowbirds, I’m hoping we’ll get to see the Navy’s Blue Angels before too long!