Flannery Adventures

a trip to Moody Gardens

2012-02-14T16:10:00.003-06:00

We went to Moody Gardens this weekend. Got all the way there and Trevor had no shoes. So he walked the aquarium pyramid in his socks. Later a trip to Wal-Mart ended with a pair of tennis shoes for $4. Gotta love it!

The Polar Express

2011-12-22T09:48:00.001-06:00

We had a great time yesterday riding the Polar Express train. We had hot chocolate, a treat and saw Santa! The kids loved it.

dance

2011-12-01T10:14:00.001-06:00

Grand Canyon / Sedona 2011

2011-11-27T13:44:00.001-06:00

We had a wonderful time on our trip to the Grand Canyon. Frank and I spent two nights in Thunderbird Lodge in the Canyon and two nights in Sedona on the way back to Pheonix. And yes, we did ride mules but not into the canyon. We opted for the three hour ride to the Abyss lookout. My mule was very nice and only stumbled a few times!

The Grand Canyon -

it's hard to imagine the depth of this place. Quite literally,

your brain has trouble interpreting what your eyes are seeing!

Sedona from Mesa Airport Vortex

Sedona itself is considered a very spiritual place. There are 5 vortexes, or energy centers, in Sedona. They are either masculine (getting rid of spiritual baggage) or feminine (inviting spiritual creativity in). I took this photo after a very wonderful, quiet meditation atop this vortex.

Lots of different species of cactus

Cathedral Rock - a feminine vortex

Spirit towers - you build one in honor of someone else and they were everywhere!

The cactus outside of the Church of the Holy Cross along with the rocks called the Nuns (the two large rocks on the right) and Madonna with child (the small one on the left).

The Church of the Holy Cross was built into the face of the rock as a non-denominational church. The Catholic church bought it but no services are held. It is an "unofficial" vortex site.

To the zoo we go...

2011-11-09T15:22:00.002-06:00

Leah is telling Trevor something about the lions...

sometimes it's just easier to sit IN the food bowl

this elephant gave himself a dirt shower

this little dude could hardly stay awake sitting there...he was awake for a minute and then the head would start to droop and then he'd jerk awake again...kinda like falling asleep in front of the tv

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T16:29:00.001-05:00

a day in the park

2011-11-01T16:27:00.002-05:00

Annual pumpkin carving

2011-10-31T14:05:00.001-05:00

The annual Flannery pumpkin carving...don't ask me why they keep pretending to eat whatever it is we're doing...

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-24T16:16:00.001-05:00

Our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch: Leah, Trevor, Maddie and Ben.

Leah and Maddie enjoying some goat time...

got caterpillars?

2011-10-18T12:49:00.000-05:00

So we found out why our tomato plant looked like it was about to bite the dust. CATERPILLARS! We gently removed them from tomato plant and relocated them. Not before we had some fun though.

No, Daddy, don't eat the caterpillar!

Here it comes Leah!

Leah does her own investigating...

Tough Mudder - October 2011

2011-10-10T14:26:00.003-05:00

Leah's ballet photo

2011-09-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

This is from her June recital.

SUPER DAD!!!

2011-09-05T07:48:00.000-05:00

Frank took the kids to the dentist last week. When he came home, he had this giant sticker on his shirt...very proud! I had to laugh and take a picture so I could remember the moment!

FIRST day of FIRST grade!

2011-08-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

Ready to roll on her first day of FIRST grade. Really?!?! Seems like just yesterday I was putting her on the bus for the first day of Kindergarten. I can't wait to see her this afternoon and find out how it went.

a little playtime

2011-07-29T17:27:00.000-05:00

I got out my light and backdrop and asked the kids to pose. Leah is getting to be a professional model and has learned to pose nicely. Trevor, on the other hand, doesn't have a clue. He's 3. What can you do! I'm saving the kissing photo for when they're 18.

Happy Birthday Frank!

2011-07-22T21:06:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late in blogging this...but happy birthday! I took Frank out to the Backstreet Cafe in Houston for his birthday. What a great place! The food was excellent. We had wine, appetizers, dessert and adult conversation. What could be better??

splash pad fun

2011-07-06T14:53:00.000-05:00

I took the kids to a splash pad here at the beach while the others were 'gone fishin'. They loved it! The water was cold...

my beautiful girl

what is that face?

I'm outta here!

Trevor drinking the fountain water. ew.

Happy 4th from Seagrove Beach!

2011-07-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

Aw...they do get along sometimes!

Trevor is so happy to be chasing after the candy. He is focused on one thing alone during the July 4th parade: CANDY!

Leah carries her loot back to the condo.

Fireworks on the beach!

DADDY, florida 2011

2011-07-05T15:20:00.002-05:00

Leah and NaNa

2011-07-01T14:41:00.002-05:00

Adventures at Gulf World in Panama City

2011-07-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Our trip to Gulf World was a good one! First we saw gigantic turtles and sharks getting fed. Then we saw the penguins (my favorite), a bird show and sea lion show. Otto, the sea lion, thought he was a dolphin!

Glass bottom boat

2011-06-28T22:18:00.000-05:00

Today we took a ride on a glass-bottom boat. It was more like a dolphin cruise. We went out into the Gulf and were accompanied by some huge waves. Leah was not a fan. We spent most of the trip at the bottom of the boat where the swaying was much more subtle. At the end and back in the calm water, she was busy picking up the little fish that they gathered from the nets. Whew!

Sand castles galore!

2011-06-28T22:12:00.000-05:00

Mr. Mark from Sand Odyssey taught us how to build expert sand castles! Trevor, Leah and our friends Maddie, Henry and Jack all loved it!

http://sand.odyssey.home.mchsi.com/

a trip to the fire station!

2011-06-21T21:24:00.000-05:00

The kids, Makaela and I enjoyed our trip to the fire station. I always learn something new when I go. Today I learned that the ladder truck holds enough water for them to go for about 2 minutes if they're lucky. They've got to plug in quickly when they get to a scene.

Space Center Houston

2011-06-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

While NaNa and Paw-Paw were here, we made a trip to Space Center Houston. I have a new 18mm fisheye lens and was bound to get all of the space shuttle in one image. Woohoo!

This is a mock-up of the space shuttle in the astronaut training facility.

Trees and markers stand as reminders of those who we have lost in space.

Paw-Paw shows Trevor the giant engines.

Leah's Ballet Recital

2011-06-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

Leah's second dance recital! They danced to a Pocahontas song.

Leah loses her first tooth!!

2011-06-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

Over Memorial Day, we visited some friends in Louisiana. While we were there, Leah lost her first tooth! She bent it back with her finger on accident. Then just moving it with her tongue and it popped out! She was super excited and very glad that she had 3 more days of school to show off her missing tooth!

Memorial Day Weekend FUN!

2011-05-31T09:04:00.000-05:00

It's good to be silly sometimes! Having fun with our friends!

HALS (Houston Area Live Steamers)

2011-05-22T14:56:00.000-05:00

I took the kids to see the trains at HALS this weekend. We ran into some friends who happened to be there. I love the unexpected surprises...we had such fun with them!

Leah and Madeline

Trevor, Lukas, Leah and Madeline watch the trains as we wait patiently for our turn!

safety first!

2011-05-19T14:43:00.001-05:00

Gotta have the helmet for some bike riding with friends. And of course, a few cookie crumbs on the chin...just wouldn't be right without them! Love being 3!

a gift from the Divine Feminine

2011-05-17T15:04:00.001-05:00

This yellow orchid was a gift to me from my love on Mother's Day. And today I give it back to the universe in honor of the Divine Feminine.

Leah found this wing on the playground and carried it home.

I marvel at the mystery that surrounds us.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

Cutie-pie Owen

Leah, Maddie, Trevor, Ben

Two words: hand. some.

Easter box

2011-04-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

We got an Easter box in the mail yesterday. It was filled with Easter goodies. Who doesn't love an empty box?

Palm Sunday

2011-04-18T16:32:00.000-05:00

Leah looked so beautiful on Palm Sunday that I just had to get some photos before we headed out to church. She has a couple of new Easter dresses so we're starting a week early!

Trevor had to get into the picture with his cheesy grin.

Tony's Birthday

2011-04-18T16:23:00.000-05:00

A little birthday dinner for Tony.

We won't mention the number...mostly because I'll be there soon myself!

Broadhurst Crawfish Boil

2011-04-18T15:26:00.001-05:00

The Broadhursts' Annual Crawfish Boil!

Here's a crawfish before going in the pot.

Leah

the spread...

diggin' in

the other option

the Trev

2011-04-12T09:19:00.000-05:00

I set up my lights at church getting ready for some photos. Had to get some of the Trev while we were there!

Show me your surprised face!

Serious.

Oh yeah, the mean face...his favorite!

Oh, how sweet! I'll have to remember this one when he's hitting me later.

they say every kid does it...

2011-04-07T09:30:00.000-05:00

House was too quiet so I knew trouble was in the air. Went upstairs to find Trevor in my bathroom sink. First I noticed Frank's open watch cabinet. Then I looked in the sink and found reddish blond hairs all over. Then I saw the clippers and then I saw this...

Happy Birthday to Leah & Trevor!!

2011-03-28T16:20:00.000-05:00

bluebonnets

2011-03-25T15:21:00.001-05:00

Warrior Dash 2011

2011-03-20T15:04:00.000-05:00

helper

Frank the warrior!

Trish, the warrior!

the family

Frank and David

Frank and David going over the hay bale hill

Frank and David after the fire and before the mud

bringing it home

Frank into the mud

Frank and David in the mud

Trish bringing it home

gingerly...

oh, there's a hole there

Nick bringing it home

Tom looking cool

Tom diving into the mud (not recommended)

Tom's splash into the mud (also not recommended)

Mardi Gras with friends

2011-03-20T14:44:00.000-05:00

Could these kids be any more adorable?

the ladies!

Trevor is catching the beads thrown to him!

nap time

2011-03-19T15:55:00.000-05:00

Trevor got mad today at nap time but was so tired he finally gave up and fell asleep in the hallway. Poor little guy!

Happy Birthday to Leah - rodeo-style!

2011-03-19T15:51:00.000-05:00

We went to the livestock show for Leah's birthday on Monday, March 14th. Daddy took off of work to have a family celebration. We had a great time even though it was raining. Luckily, it stopped raining as we were leaving and we got to ride a couple of rides in the carnival.

cotton

2011-03-10T15:10:00.000-06:00

Trevor and I did some exploring today. We found some great historic homes in Tomball. Thanks Molly for the tip! Out in front of the farm museum were two rows of cotton plants. Very cool. And Trevor loves anything soft, thus the big smile in the second photo.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

2011-03-04T16:09:00.000-06:00

Calf roping

Bareback (notice the cowboy exiting stage right)

Chuck wagon races

Calf scramble

determination is 50% of the battle

will is the other 50%

rodeo clown (also known as a bullrider)

Clown in green is Leon Coffee...I don't know how many years he's done the rodeo but probably more than I've been alive!

Mutton bustin'...strap your kid to a sheep and watch 'em fly!

Sugarland

Zoo Trip

2011-02-26T14:19:00.000-06:00

Leah picks clover

Oh, the bongo drums...

Trevor, meet your relatives

GO TEXAN DAY!

2011-02-25T14:29:00.000-06:00

It's GO TEXAN DAY at school. The kids got ot dress up in their favorite western wear...(read, Mom made a trip to Cavender's yesterday along with 800 other people to buy her a shirt for today)! Good thing was that it fit and she liked it...whew.

Makaela

Deer Lease

2011-02-22T15:20:00.001-06:00

We took the kids to the deer lease this weekend. They had fun until they realized how LONG of a walk it is to the deer stand. Then the complaints started. Had fun nonetheless...

corn

Notice the armadillo that they're chasing.

warm day + no plans = PARK!

2011-02-15T14:25:00.001-06:00

DH reminded me of our family blog and the fact that it's been neglected a bit. No updates since Jan 8th!

very happy boy at the park

nevermind the crumbs on my face, don't I look angelic?

fly like Superman!

climbed all the way to the top of the rock wall pretty much by himself

for Paw-Paw

2011-01-08T14:51:00.003-06:00

my test subjects

2011-01-06T08:20:00.000-06:00

cutest darn test subjects ever! I got a new strobe light for Christmas!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T20:51:00.001-06:00

the princess and her shadow

precious

my heart belongs to u

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T16:29:00.000-06:00

Christmas morning

Amanda and Daniel

Mom and Trevor

Christmas dinner

Mom and Trevor

Margaret and Owen

Paw-Paw, Trevor, Leah

Kevin, Cori, Dan

Ja'Vien and Kim

Trenton

Daniel and Tony

Thirsten, Colleen, Ja'Vien and Trenton

Owen

Kim, Trey and Nicholas

Flannery zoo trip

2010-12-22T14:25:00.000-06:00

SANTA comes for a visit!

2010-12-18T14:56:00.002-06:00

the cooking, cleaning, shopping, preparing...is all worth it when you see the look on your kid's face when the real SANTA walks through the door...

PRICELESS!

thanks Winklers! The kids had a blast!

park day

2010-12-16T08:02:00.001-06:00

Trevor is investigating a new park.

at the park

2010-11-15T15:58:00.001-06:00

sometimes life is not fun...

and not fair...

but then again...

sometimes it is...

lots of fun!

E.T. phone home

2010-11-15T15:53:00.000-06:00

the great pumpkin gets carved

2010-10-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

After seeing Daddy carving with the knife, he went inside and got a dip spreader thing and tried to help carve the pumpkin with that. Hilarious!

New favorite phrase is STOP IT. No, he's not hurt, he's just yelling. I think he's mad at the bike because it fell over.

its the great pumpkin, leah flannery

2010-10-24T14:03:00.000-05:00

In his annual quest, Frank went out yesterday in search of the great pumpkin. Although not quite as large as he had hoped for, this one did the trick this year. Our giant pumpkin. Enjoy kids!

Trevor + leaves

2010-10-24T13:39:00.002-05:00

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-12T14:28:00.003-05:00

Feeding the goats...
Waiting for the train ride

I love old tractors and cars.

jumpy slide

duck races

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-04T21:05:00.003-05:00

Everybody loves a hay ride!

Festival Aeronautica

2010-10-04T15:22:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday was a benefit at Hooks Airport for a friend whose child is severly ill. Cooper has a mitochondrial disorder and has had a small bowel transplant. My MOMS Club had a face painting booth and we raised $230 just on face painting!

Here is Trevor in a plane...not one that we were supposed to be on but nonetheless, at least they got to sit in one!
Trevor and PawPaw watch the plane gear up for take-off.

Leah and NaNa and their bumblebees.

the latest

2010-09-27T21:08:00.003-05:00

Trevor with a "mohawk". This was the only picture he'd sit still for... the kids in old town spring

oh, for the love of ramps!

the trev in the woodlands

2010-09-15T21:07:00.003-05:00

At the park...

The Koi pond was fascinating!

labor day gathering

2010-09-06T14:14:00.004-05:00

Daniel my boys
artistic expression

Trevor

Tony and Daniel

the boys playing football

Trevor's first day of MDO

2010-09-03T08:14:00.003-05:00

The cheesy smile... Trevor did great on his first day! They have to wash their hands before they go into the classroom. That way, they can get right to playing when they come in. I checked on him a little while after dropping him off and he was playing nicely at the table with play-doh. Then he had lots to say when I picked him up at noon. Not much of what he said made sense but he had lots to tell me.

arboretum

2010-09-01T14:53:00.002-05:00

let the children come...

TEXANS game

2010-08-30T14:14:00.004-05:00

ROMO vs the TEXANS

Scott

for the guys...

sorry Dad, I didn't know you were sneaking into the photo!

First Day of Kindergarten

2010-08-23T14:17:00.006-05:00

Leah is ready to go and full of energy!
Leah and Makaela

Trevor finishing his milk at the bus stop, car in hand

Ethan

She got on and didn't look back!

Zoo Trip

2010-08-23T13:54:00.003-05:00

Yes, it was 800 degrees outside but we needed a fun family outing on Saturday. We had fun and the lions were even running around!

We love the train ride. A good chance to sit down and relax before going home.

july birthdays

2010-08-02T08:36:00.005-05:00

Mimi, Maddie and Leah

the kids eating dinner...see how they're all sitting nicely at the table together? This lasted approximately 3.5 minutes. Boppy and Trevor

the birthday boys...ahem, men!

ice cream?

space center houston

2010-08-02T08:27:00.004-05:00

We took a trip to Space Center Houston on Saturday. What a fun place! We rode the tram and played in the playground area. This is Trev and Daddy waiting for the tram.
on the tram

They use liquid nitrogen to imitate the harsh conditions (minus 320F) in space.

astronaut training facility

the arm

notice the bikes...

the campus is huge and the employees must use bikes to get

around the campus without having to take a car

notice the Trev running around

thank you breads

2010-07-12T14:30:00.003-05:00

We have a very sweet neighbor who mows our yard while we're out of town. He mowed twice while we were gone this time. So I made him a treat!

Mini Banana Nut BreadMini Apple Walnut Bread

Florida Slideshow

2010-07-11T14:43:00.004-05:00

Florida 2010

2010-07-10T20:16:00.004-05:00

Trevor is ready for a walk to the beach.Mom and Leah have a frozen lemonade in Seaside.
Leah posing...I think she may be a movie star!

playing chase...

the fam. minus Trevor who is running around like crazy

the grands

Mom & Dad

Trevor learned to LOVE the pool...getting splashed with Daddy is fun!

Daddy and Trev have matching July 4th shirts.

Trevor playing with Paw-Paw

We went to see Toy Story 3 and Trevor is still wearing his 3D glasses. Really, still today and that was 2 weeks ago!

Beautiful girl!

sucker

2010-06-21T14:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day 2010

2010-06-20T15:32:00.002-05:00

Mike is cooking...he made a wonderful guacamole and queso to go with our fajitas, yum! Tara and Amanda
Tony doing a dance

Father and Sons

on Father's Day!

My girls weekend!

2010-06-20T15:27:00.003-05:00

I just got back from a fabulous girls weekend in Lost Pines, TX. This was our gorgeous room. Kristi is modeling. There were huge trees everywhere. Love them~
A waterfall by the pool.

Anna and Kristi

beautiful ballerina and her compadre

2010-06-05T15:41:00.004-05:00

Leah is SOOO excited about her upcoming ballet recital on June 12th. This week they took photos individually and with the class. She has hair, makeup and her costume.
Some pics of Trevor in his bed holding Tiger.

Mother's Day Crawfish Boil

2010-05-10T16:06:00.004-05:00

Is it Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick's Day, big afro day?

No, it's Mother's Day.crawdads
I suppose it's good to be on top of the pile.

little crawdads

makes you want some, doesn't it?

the chef

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T14:04:00.004-05:00

Kristin's Baby Shower

2010-05-08T21:28:00.002-05:00

yes, it's summer...

2010-05-05T14:56:00.003-05:00

lovin' running in the sprinklers

fish museum

2010-05-04T12:35:00.003-05:00

well hello alligator
octopus (no flash allowed)

the zoo at the zoo!

2010-04-30T10:04:00.003-05:00

the princess poses meerkat
zebra rear...Leah loves the zebras but this was all I could get a shot of...oh well!

the best I could do with these wild animals too

the kids and Ms. Jan

Leah waving to the elephant

so cute!

strawberry pickin' 2010

2010-04-27T21:19:00.003-05:00

getting ready to head out for "strar picking, my mouf" as Trevor said, which interpreted means that we're going strawberry picking and I'm going to put a lot in my mouth...and here we go...

running down the aisle to show me a strawberry (so he could then eat it!) Leah showing off her strawberry

Leah showing off her roly-poly (she's obsessed with them)

fuzzy caterpillar

yum yum! our delicious reward

new floors

2010-04-24T13:38:00.000-05:00

beforeafter

cows

2010-04-12T15:45:00.002-05:00

I went to a field to photograph some bluebonnets and these cows were in the next field. When they finally realized I was there, they all came running toward me. Frank says they wanted food...I didn't stick around long enough to find out what they wanted...

Sunday Best

2010-04-12T15:29:00.002-05:00

so precious with his hands folded...
matching

Leah and her friend Ellyn at church

bluebonnets, baby

2010-04-05T20:56:00.005-05:00

running running through the bluebonnets

ok, make a silly face
beautiful azaleas

Happy Easter 2010

2010-04-04T14:10:00.004-05:00

two pops?...oh how do I choose? candy?
let me help you out there Trevor

"My mom is hot"

"cheese"

beautiful girl

Happy 2nd Birthday Trevor

2010-04-03T20:31:00.000-05:00

Trevor was very sick on his birthday. Poor baby just didn't feel good.Leah was fine, however and posed for a pic.
John Deere tractor on his cake! Poor guy didn't even get any cake...

Feeling good enough to open some presents that Boppy brought over.

Now playing with the new presents...

"CHEESE"

driving his new John Deere

Disney 2010

2010-03-24T22:24:00.005-05:00

Happy 5th Birthday LEAH!

2010-03-15T14:10:00.004-05:00

Before church on Sunday, March 14th.Leah's birthday party on Saturday, March 13th.

Avery

Trevor and uncle Mike

Taylor

Ethan and Richard

Maddie

the girls playing in the dirt

Mollie and Jackson

Stephen and Carter

Birthday from Ben, Liz and Doug

2010-03-15T14:05:00.002-05:00

Thank you aunt Liz, uncle Doug and cousin Ben for Leah's

birthday presents and her birthday song! We loved them!

family day at the park

2010-03-07T14:52:00.003-06:00

gorgeous blue sky
hangin'

GEAUX SAINTS!

2010-03-04T15:25:00.003-06:00

the girls playing during the Super Bowl

A little late but these are the cookies I made for the Super Bowl...geaux saints!