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.