Friday, October 30, 2009

Photos from our sailor

Michael sent several photos of activities on and around his ship on deployment.


A pair of waterspouts off the starboard bow during a big storm.

Getting ready for a VBSS outing.


The RHIB that the VBSS team takes to go out an inspect/interact with other vessels in the area.


A dhow. I believe this one is flying and Iranian flag.


Another dhow, as seen from the RHIB.


An 8-foot eel that they discovered writhing on the deck as they started boarding the dhow. The dhow crew tossed it back into the water.


The air crew of the destroyer preparing to receive a helicopter.


An approaching helo.


The helo landing.


Releasing the helo.


Helo take off.


Helo leaving.



Job well done.











Sunday, October 11, 2009

Coffee drinker runs red light

Saturday morning we were awakened when #2 son’s dog jumped in bed with us as he was leaving for work. We both had a lot to do, so after a few minutes we decided maybe we should get up. Before we could even get down stairs to start the coffee, #2 called to say that he had been T-boned on 119th. He said he was okay, but that his car was probably totaled. So we threw on some clothes as quick as we could and headed out the door.

It seems that this other driver (coffee drinker - the CD) had dropped his daughter off at a debate tournament and was returning home. He was south-bound on Nall. As he approached the intersection at 119th he decided this would be a good time to take a drink of his coffee. He didn’t notice that the light was red or that there was someone stopped in the right lane waiting for it to turn green. It might have worked out okay for him except that #2 happened to be proceeding through the intersection on a green light.

After the impact the CD ended up facing northwest. #2 was pushed across 6 lanes and the median, taking out a median caution sign on the way. He is very fortunate that the impact was on the passenger side and that no one was riding there. The Xterra held together and didn’t roll but even the floor board is buckled. It was a great little SUV; tough as nails.

We will be interested to see how the resolution of this claim goes.




Below is the debis field and the median that #2 went over before he got stopped. The CD's car can be seen in the distance.


And here is the front of the CD's car.

Good bye Xterra. You were a good ride while you lasted.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Todd & Stacey - the wedding

Stacey & Todd asked us to photograph their recent wedding. It was held near sundown, by a lake in Lenexa. We had a ball. The following are just a few of our favorites.














































Todd & Stacey - before the wedding

In preparation of our wedding shoot we recently met with the bride and groom in Loose Park for some photos. It was late in the day and the light was great. These are reduced resolution for the web; the full sized ones are really nice.



Monday, September 7, 2009

Oldest Deploys



Our oldest leaves tomorrow on his first deployment. After a little over 2 years of training, he is well prepared to begin this journey.

He is a Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class. His rating is STG2. This means that he is an operator and electronics technician responsible for sonar systems on his ship, a destroyer.

He has been receiving special training to be part of his ship’s VBSS team. He began the training last year with SRF-B (Security Reaction Force – Basic) training. Earlier this year he completed SRF-A (Security Reaction Force – Advanced) training. The last of the training is the actual VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) training and he completed the course just last week.

The Navy has trained him well. He has moved what belongings he can take with him back on the ship. He has new boots and ship-board uniforms. His iPod is loaded with music and videos. All of his personal business is taken care of. Now, if Mom and Dad could just feel as ready as he does!

He will be at sea for six months. He told me he would love to get cookie care packages. I have been researching recipes for cookies that ship well and how to best pack them. From what I have found, people have cookie care packaging down to quite an art!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

San Diego, August 09

We had a great time this weekend, visiting the oldest in San Diego. The apartment complex he lives in is all Navy and on the base. It is really nice. The following are views from his balcony.


It's a little hard to see, but there are war ships on the horizon in the picture above.

Saturday morning we went to Little Italy and shopped for fresh veggies. Marc fixed his world famous gorganzola steak and all the fixins. Really good.


The farmer's market included musicians in a couple of locations. The folks above are dancing to salsa music - in Little Italy.

Stone Brewing Co. is a local micro brewer that has grown up to be a big player in Southern California. My favorite is a beer called "Arogant Bastard" the subtitle on the label says, "You're not worthy". It might be my favorite beer ever.




The brewery tour was very interesting. The free samples were even better. And they have a really nice restaurant with an interesting menu.

We also spent some time at the Maratime Museum http://www.sdmaritime.com/ and toured the boats their. They have a collection that includes surface craft and submarines, some of which are over 100 years old.





The highlight of the trip was our guided tour of a US Navy Destroyer. It was fascinating and exciting to see. We toured most of the ship and got to get a feel for how life might be aboard the ship at sea. Unfortunately cameras are not permitted, so no photos to show.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Twins

We had a blast photographing these two little guys. They are three years old and yes, they are identical twins.