Retiring the Saabs

Captain Rymek and me after our last scheduled flight on the Saab. We had just arrived back at LAX from Santa Barbara.

Here is the airplane that Captain Meyer and I flew to Kingman, AZ to park so that it can be retired from service.

Southern California coastline. I've been to Los Angeles to fly in Southern California 5 times this month...whew!

Lake Mead on the upstream side of the Hoover Dam. As you can see, the water is very low from the white water ring. After parking the Saab at Kingman, we (6 pilots) packed into an Astrovan and drove to Las Vegas, NV in order to return from there to our respective homes.

On top of Hoover Dam (built between 1931 and 1935)

The first time I've ever seen slot machines in an airport - only in Vegas!

Yes, What You're Seeing is Real!

WE'RE PREGNANT!

Erin is 4 months along now...this sonogram was at 8 weeks

Shuttle Launch

David and Lynn (Erin's parents) saw the Space Shuttle launch while they were in Florida a couple of months ago. This is the launch that carried parts to repair the toilet on the International Space Station. What an amazing sight!

New House!

The classic "New Home" picture...

We love our neighbors, and we can't wait to continue to build our friendships with them while we're here. We miss all of our friends spread out all over the U.S., but we are so excited about this opportunity to plant here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of the nation. We are excited about growing roots here, and excited about the memories we'll build in this house. May God always have the glory, and may we always remember that it's His to do with what He wills.

Boomer in his first backyard

Our newest pet, Penny. The previous owners abandoned her in front of the house out in the street. When we drove up to the house with the moving truck, she was running around out in the street. We could not believe that the previous owners did this. Thankfully, she's a sweet dog, and she gets along great with Boomer. Her fur was matted, and this is actually a picture from after Erin shaved her. It took about 5 hours for Erin to shave her down because of all the mats. Her teeth had never been cleaned, and she was left out in the backyard 100% of the time, even when it was over a hundred degrees, and when the sprinklers were on, and in the dead of winter.

The vet thinks that she's about 8 years old, but the neighbors say that she's 12 years old. We don't know, but we sure are glad that she's joined our tribe! We now have a ZOO here! We are so glad that she will have a better go of it now. Anyway, meet Penny (like a lucky penny).

Our living room looking toward the dining and kitchen area

More Flying Pics

Another day at the office...

My office view (Downtown Dallas)...

More of the view from my office window

Our 5th Anniversary

Because Erin has made the last 5 years the best in my life, I got a limousine for our anniversary to celebrate making it to this milestone in our relationship. We went to Del Frisco's in downtown Fort Worth (which is a really nice steakhouse), and then enjoyed the limo for a little while after that. After we got back home, Erin threw a Hawaiian luau for us, to remind us of our honeymoon 5 years ago. We had a great time, and it was so fun to celebrate what God has done for us over these past five years.

Vangie and Roman's Wedding

A few weeks ago, we went to Wichita, KS to marry Vangie to Roman. Roman and Vangie have dated for a really long time, and they are now finally married. It's really good to see them be married...they're truly made for each other. I got to officiate the wedding, which was a real honor. The reception rocked, and it was a blast for everyone. If you'd like to see more about their wedding, visit their website at www.vangieandroman.com

Of course, my very sane and relaxed brother Jesse...

Crazy Weather!

One of the first big spring storms here in the Republic! This is just about as live as it gets!

Ferry Flight to the Heavy Maintenance Base

Here is a front shot of the Saab 340 that we flew to Abilene, TX for heavy maintenance. A baggage cart owned by United Airlines was blown by gale force winds at DFW a few days ago into the underside of the right wing of this aircraft. It bent the flap hinges and left a scrape on the bottom side of the wing. After considering all of the options, the captain, mechanics, and I decided that it was safe to fly from Dallas to Abilene. Because of the damage, this was only a ferry flight under the provisions of a ferry permit from the FAA. No passengers were on board, and it was only the captain, myself, and a mechanic who were on the airplane. We went slow the whole way, and had to figure the numbers for a no-flap landing, which the captain executed perfectly. Great job to all involved, and I'm looking forward to the magic that the world-class mechanics in Abilene will work on this bird.

The captain considering the options

Discussing procedures

Gaggle of mechanics seeing the airplane for the first time in Abilene

Us (and Boomer!)

Boomer jumping into White Rock Lake over in Dallas

Us at White Rock Lake
Nurse and Pilot. We came home from work at the same time, and we just couldn't resist the opportunity to really cliche it up!

Flying

Between Cloud Layers

"International" Border, as named by my Texan captain (that's right--Texas is definitely a whole different country!) Here's a shot of the Red River on our way to Lawton, Oklahoma.

Rainbow from the air (my IOE captain snapped this pic)

Cumulus Mammatus on the back side of a front on that same flight--there were all kinds of weather events that day. Thankfully, I made it home in time for dinner that evening.

Rediculousness

Here's a shot of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington. The rumor is that it is costing the city of Arlington $1 billion (with a B) to build...these Texans sure love their Cowboys!

Saab Story...Living the Dream

Finally! Here in the right seat...all of this flight training has paid off in a job that I love. The IOE captain who I was flying with the day I took this picture said, "This doesn't really feel like work if you've ever worked for a living." How true that is!

Saab 340B Flight Deck

GE CT7-9B Turboprop Powerplant and Wing

Flying between two cloud layers at FL190 (19,000 feet)

Saabs on the ramp at DFW

Vangie and Roman's Wedding Shower

Vangie and Roman the night before their wedding shower in Clinton

The finished house...the work that my parents put into their house has really paid off for a very nice finish. Good job guys!

Relaxing

Jesse on his new Harley

Reflections...

Erin in Clinton

Hebee and Boomer

New Job

After 8 months of intensive training here in Phoenix, I've been offered a position as a First Officer for American Eagle airlines. It's been a long road, but it's been an exciting journey. Erin has been incredibly supportive. It's still going to be a lot of work to successfully complete Eagle's training program, but I am looking forward to taking this dream of flight to the next level.

We will be domiciled in Dallas, and I don't yet know in which aircraft I'll be training to fly. We're looking forward to living in Dallas, even though it is in the Republic of Texas! Thank you for all of your prayers for us, and please continue to pray as we move forward into the next adventure of this journey of our lives.

Goldfield Ghost Town, Arizona

We took my first day off in a really long time and went to the Goldfield Ghost Town (about a 45 minute drive from where we live). It was a good time to spend the day together, eat a barbeque pork sandwich, listen to live music, see a gunfight show, and just enjoy a beautiful day. Here are a few more pictures from yesterday...

At the Ghost Town

Cowboy, Horse, and Dog

Saguaro Cactus and Cowboy

Lantern and Superstition Mountain

Boomer at the Ghost Town

Superstition Mountain

Gun Fight!

"Dead" Guy in the street