Kayla's Senior Portraits

Time for High School Senior Portraits! Kerry and Kayla went out last weekend to get portraits done for school. They went to Portrait Innovations in the west end of Richmond at Short Pump Towncenter area. The session didn't take too long and they took just under 100 shots with different poses and props and backgrounds. Personally I think the pictures came out great with Kayla smiling. I have included a few samples here that I touched up a little with Photoshop CS3 and I think they came out great.

Can't believe she is actually on her last year of high school. I remember when I met Kerry back in 1997 when Kayla met me at the door at the young age of only 5 years old. She used to be soo cute!!! (Just kidding Kayla, you are still cute!)

Another Toy To Add To The Family

Well, Kerry and I have talked about it for a while and finally pulled the trigger almost 2 months ago. We decided to get a boat so we could have some room to carry things and friends or relatives. I have had the jet ski for about 2 years now but it is limited in carrying anything. I have a blast on it when I am riding it but the boat will be more practical. Don't get me wrong, I am not planning on getting rid of the jet ski as of yet so we'll see what happens in the future with that.

The boat is a 2001 Maxum 1800 SRL 4.3 Mercruiser. I think 18' is a good all-around size for just 2 or up to around 6 people. Kinda sucks on the gas from what I can tell but it gets the job done. The guy who owned it before apparently took care of it pretty good so there is not a whole lot that is needed to be done other than cleaning. Kerry and I have already done most of that and will continue to keep it clean.

Our 2001 Maxum 1800 SRL 18' 4.3 Mercruiser Boat

On The Chickahominy River with Kerry, Joan, and David

Suzuki DR650SE DynoJet Install

Well, I bought my Suzuki DR650SE back in January and also bought a DynoJet Kit to put in the carburetor after my break in period. I have past the break in period now by going to the mountains and shown in my previous Blog Post.

I was off today and took care of a few house things and outside stuff before tackling this carburetor kit install. David put his in and I was hoping to do this with him around but he was busy out of town these past couple of days. I am definitely able to handle this but it is nice to have someone around who went through the install just in case.

It took me around 2 hours to install it and afterwards the bike started right up (after the gas filled the carb) and was running much better already. I cracked the throttle a couple of times and I could tell right away that is doing a lot better. I put it all back together and took it into the yard and just a few hundred feet on the road. This thing will definitely pick the front wheel off the road or ground now and even in 2nd gear. Don't get my wrong, I am not a wheelie kinda guy but I like the throttle response. Now I just have to be very careful!

Hanky Mountain Ride Video 2

Here is another video off my "YouTube" site that is where Ken put his camera in his pocket upside down and recorded us riding part of the trails in the George Washington National Forest April 13, 2008. I rotated the video and the audio is not exact but close. The video footage is mostly looking at the ground but you can see me up ahead of him numerous times throwing rocks and dirt in the straights. It was a fun day!

Part 1 of 2


Part 2 of 2

Savannah Vacation Slideshow

Savannah, Georgia 4-day Vacation

Kerry and I decided not too long ago to take a long weekend or a short vacation of 4 days to spend in Savannah, Georgia. We have been here once before back in 2004 I think. We came to the historic district while we were here but we were only in town for a day. We stayed a ways away and didn't get a chance to explore much then.

This time we are staying in a 208 year old cottage right in the historic district within walking distance of most everything. We have already probably walked 10-15 miles in less than 2 days here. It is Saturday right now and we are staying until early Monday morning. We will head back to Richmond on Monday.

Please check out some of the pictures I have taken since we have been here Friday. Of course, the photo fanatic that I am, I have taken almost 300 pictures already as of Saturday night. I will post more on our Photo Album page later once I clean them up some.

Check them out here: Kerry & Brad's Photo Album
The link is also on our main page of our blog.

Motorcycle Off-Road Riding

Here is a video of me, David, and Ken from Ken's Cycles in George Washington National Forest near Staunton, Virginia. I am riding the yellow & black Suzuki with the yellow helmet and I am usually trailing David. I had a hard time keeping up during the morning but was able to catch David once with Ken pushing me from behind. Thanks Ken for the video and the help!

This was Sunday April 13th, 2008. It was around 50 most of the day at lower elevations but sleeting, snowing and some rain at higher elevations of the mountains. The trail riding was cool and the fire roads with gravel were scary! My Suzuki DR650SE was really loose in the gravel and I have no experience off-road on a motorcycle.

Check out this video for my first ever riding off-road.

Me, A Pirate?

Are You a Pirate or a Ninja?

My Result: Pirate

Arrrh, shiver me timbers if you're not the greatest pirate who ever sailed the high seas! We could try and be nice and say that you're not all bad, but we know that if ye were the captain of a ship of raucous savages ye wouldn't spend any time training them to explore their sensitive side. You'd probably be boarding luxury cruise ships, ripping pearl necklaces off ladies, and looting the men (after stripping them of their credit cards and cell phones of course). Long John Silver, Blackbeard, and Captain Hook all have nothing on you.

You could probably rob someone blind and still leave 'em feeling glad that they met you — even if you made them walk the plank! While you have one sea-weary eye on a treasure trove, your other eye (assuming you're not wearing a patch) is making sure you're always seen strutting your stuff and looking mighty fine — wooden leg and all.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=pirateorninjaogt&c=50652

Brad's New Toy!

Okay, I got a new toy also but hadn't put it up on here yet because I was waiting to do some mods first. Here is my 'Almost New' 2006 Suzuki DR-650SE Dual Sport Bike.

Of course, since David (my new father-in-law) got his early last year, I have been toying with the idea of getting something to ride off-road but still be street legal. This bike has been sitting at Ken's Cycle Center in Highland Springs for almost a year after someone traded it in not long after he bought it. The story is that the guy was around 300 pounds and needed something a little bigger so he bought a street bike that was a lot bigger.

David and I put the gas tank, seat, skid plate, highway pegs, and idle adjuster screw in the past Saturday morning and it didn't take long at all. I installed the handlebar riser in 5 minutes last week. I am waiting on a computer (LED Speedo, Tach, Temp, etc) to come in this week to install maybe next weekend. David says he might get the same thing if it all works out.


Some say I might be having a mid-life crisis but I just think I decided that I am not getting any younger (Birthday Feb 19th, age 44) and I like having these toys. I just have to be careful to not get myself hurt too bad to put me out of work! Safety, Safety, Safety!

Kerry's New Toy

After a year long search and almost deciding not to do anything at all I now have my "dream car"... It's a 2005 Screamin' Yellow Mustang. I actually found this back in November before the wedding but was too busy to pursue it. It's like it was waiting for me! It's in mint condition and was previously owned by a retired couple and the woman only drove it occasionally. I'll post more pics later.