Power Crews Comin'

Day 242/Post 86

Everywhere you look - there are power crews staging to go into areas that need assistance. We are still without power but thankful that we have a home still and even more grateful that other states and communities are sending help!

Not so Lucky

Day 241/Post 85

Well, we were very fortunate at our house! We had some minor damage but nothing like some of our neighbors. I've uploaded some of our more unfortunate neighbors.

When will power return?

Day 240/Post 84

I took some pics of the power lines that came down with all the trees in the area. It will take some time for power crews to get everything running. This is right outside our subdivision (on the road). It's absolutely incredible the destruction that took place so far inland.

And the rain came down...

Day 239/Post 83

The rain came down with Hurricane Ike at our door. The wind howled through the doors and whistled through the windows. This picture is taken right outside our subdivision. No-it's not a lake! We are actually driving on the road. That's a drainage ditch that overflowed its banks. I'll be posting a few more pics depicting why it took so long for power to come back on. :)

The Calm Before the Storm

Day 237/Post 82

Well, we have been preparing for the storm. School has let out for Friday & kids were being checked out all afternoon to evacuate. I decided to take a picture from our home before the storm hit. It was such a beautiful sunset. It's hard to imagine that a storm is heading this way!

Mommy & Daddy

Day 85/Post 42

We don't forget Mom and Dad! We love the state flower too. The boys decided that Mom & Dad should have to sit down among the bluebonnets too. So, here we are in the bright sun! Mom was excited about the sun & Dad was excited about the flowers. What a team we make!

Cody Too!!!

Day 84/Post 41

Clay has been practicing photography too. Here's a picture of Cody climbing at the local park. He's conquering the world!

Rock Climbing Time

Day 83/Post 40

It's been a beautiful Spring here in Texas. We have been enjoying the great weather too! Clay & Cody have been learning how to use the digital camera and doing a good job. Here's a picture of Clay climbing boulders at the local park. Be on the look out for a rock climbing picture of Cody too.

Texas Bluebonnets in the Spring

Day 81 / Post 38

Today was such a beautiful Spring day. So, we decided to go outdoors & enjoy it! Clay & Cody were soooo excited to stop and take pictures in the bluebonnets for Mom. This is the new George Mitchell Nature Preserve here in The Woodlands. It is absolutely beautiful! The architecture for the facilities in the area are picturesque on any given day but in Spring, it's absolutely awe inspiring.

Oklahoma Snow, Time To Go Home

Day 14 / Post 13

Lucky post number 13.

This is not just another post in the Oklahoma Snow series, it is the final post. I found this picture and thought that it would make a fitting end to the series. This picture was taken after we drove the two vans out of their parking spots and down the old dirt road leading us back to Texas, and some warmth. Not being around the snow that much in my life, I found myself noticing the texture of the snow after something moved on it. How it made a lasting image of what had come by. Just like footprints, the tire tracks told their own story. Enjoy

Oklahoma Snow, Deadly Tree

Day 13 / Post 12

Well the schedule post didn't work, so we are back to posting one blog a day. I found another neat nature picture of Oklahoma snow going through my hard drive. This one was taken by GG and comes with its own ''Special'' story.

While we were in Oklahoma, we went out to see 3 of GG's brothers. Now being that they all own/work farms this is not a small task. The trip took over 2 hours of just drive time.

The story begins when we left the 3rd brothers house heading back to Great Grandmas. I was in our van with Christi and the boys following GG driving alone in her van. All of a sudden, GG saw this tree on the side of the road and instantly decided that she needed to take this picture!

Now, before we continue this story, let’s cover some important additional information:

• First of all, just like the tree and ground in the photo, the roads are also covered in snow and ice.
• Next, remember that I am from South Texas and I can count on one hand the number of times it has snowed in Houston. So you can imagine my overall snow driving skills.

Anyway, GG hits the breaks, rolls down her window, and sticks the camera outside of the van to take this picture. All of this happening while my snow driving skills, again perfected in South Texas, are sending us sliding straight at her without any control. Luckily we were going up a hill at the time and not traveling fast enough to actually collide. GG snaps this photo, looks over at us now stopped beside her, waves and drives off.

True Story! Hope you also like the photo...

Oklahoma Snow, The Vans

Day 12 / Post 11

This is a test of post of blog scheduling, if all goes right it should post itself at 1 am Saturday. Lets see what happens.

Here is a photo of our two vans one morning in Oklahoma. I know that all of the northern members of my family will laugh when I say that it doesn't look like much snow but it was surly COLD. I now remember why I live in South Texas. I will take my summers over your winters anytime. We can always go swimming. Enjoy!

Oklahoma Snow, The Aftermath

Day 11 / Post 10

Do you remember the snow storm that hit Oklahoma City the first week of December 2007? Mike sure does, he sat on the airplane on the taxiway for over 7 hours waiting to fly back to Florida. In fact, it took him longer to fly to Florida then it did for us to drive to Houston.

I thought it would be nice to take a picture of Uncle Bob’s house. So while leaving on a road trip to somewhere I did. I know what you are saying, you can’t see the house. That is because of all of the tree limbs damaged by the snow and ice. This stack is just from Uncle Bob’s yard. Every other house in the subdivision had a competitive stack. I know the snow and ice look pretty on the trees but they sure can cause you to have a lot of work to do. Enjoy

SNAKE! From 2005

Day 4 / Post 3

When I posted the woodpecker from yesterday it reminded me of this picture I took in 2005. I was on my middle son's school field trip to the Houston Zoo. The snake was just hanging around. This is also taken through glass so it has a little fuzz to it.

I have always wanted to go back and do something with the eyes in Photoshop but never have. Give them an evil red glow or something. Hope you enjoy.

Woodie Woodpecker

Day 3 / Post 2

I have always enjoyed nature pictures, mostly because it takes so long and usually requires a lot of effort to get one good one. Not this time however, this one I just stumbled on. It is threw the glass door at my Aunts house in Oklahoma.

As I moved around to get the shot the woodpecker would get scared and fly away. Luck for me that he either really like the corn or was really hungry because he kept coming back. My Aunts says that he is a regular and they see him (her?) a lot. Took some of him pecking the tree also, maybe I will post them later. Still don't know if I like them or not. Enjoy!