sidewalks

So, what do you get when you take a driveway, add some chalk, then add kids (and their parents)?

Here are the artists posing for a rare photo-op.

And this is the aftermath!

Water, Water

Wednesday was to be the day of relaxing. Family and friends were all gone. The house was still trashed, but who cares? The bed was calling to be used. Jennifer had stated she intended to stay in it all day. I had to get up and go in to work, my transfer had been officially approved. I needed to start checking out of the base so I could transfer to Corpus Christi to continue training. After a nice warm shower along with my normal morning routine I headed out the door to the garage and am greeted by an odd sound. I hear what seems to be water cascading onto cement, like an over sized water fountain splashing onto our patio. Surprised, I walk toward the back door to see what it could be. My neighbor out watering his patio? The kids leaving the hose on? Someone pranking me?

No, it was none of the above. As I rounded the car I stepped into a small river and became painfully aware that the sound was indeed coming from the room housing the water heater. I dash inside and tell Jennifer that we have a problem. I then return to the garage to find the shut-off valve for the water heater supply line. The shut-off is located on the line above the water. The water heater is already 7 feet tall (with it's stand) so now I have to get above it, reach around behind it and turn off the valve. All the while, water is shooting up, out of the water heater and cascading down around it. I can hear the burner (it's gas) boiling the water which happens to fall down the exhaust duct, adding some steam to the mix.

Finally I get the water supply turned off, without actually getting too wet. I then tell Jennifer I have to get in to work (I know, I'm the greatest husband in the world!). While I'm gone Jennifer researches hot water heaters on the internet so that once I return home we can make an informed purchase. Well, a few hundred dollars :-( later I can now say I have replaced my first gas water heater!


The good news: I didn't have to pay an installation fee; we have hot water again; the water heater was located in the garage, not the laundry room; other than the walls getting wet, the area mostly contained plastic bins, so everything is good!

Texas Beach

With family in town we decided to head out to the beach on Monday. We went up to Corpus Christi to Gatti-town to eat (like Chuck-E-Cheese, only nicer). Then after a little shopping we went out to the beach. We showed up around 4:00 and didn't leave until about 8:30. Luckily it was later in the day so no one got too scorched. I think everyone had a blast.

Getting the stains out

Kaleb turned 8 and was baptized Saturday evening. He had both sets of grandparents, two uncles and an aunt here. One friend made it from Washington state, and a lot of local friends all showed up to support him. It has been great having family and friends around.

Good-Bye 20's

So Jennifer had to kiss her 20's goodbye. She was treated to a surprise party, and surprise guests. My brother Mark and our friend Brendan came out without her knowing. Brendan also sent her a flowers!


Here is her shirt we made for her.


Jennifer had to use all her super-strength to break open the pinata we made.

Changes in the wind

This is Scott. I have been here training in the T-45 (the Navy jet trainer) for about a year now. Lately I have been struggling, not performing up to par.


Well, on Tuesday I received notice that I am no longer going to train in this aircraft. I am being transfered to a twin-engine trainer in Corpus Christi, one I have already flown.


My final aircraft will no longer be aircraft carrier based, instead I will be flying the P-3, the same airplanes I used to work on.