Going Private...

After having a public blog for awhile, I have decided that it's time to go private. Send me your email if you would still like to know what's going on with the Flaherty Fam.

Raylee Jean Flaherty

Raylee Jean Flaherty was born on July 16, 2008 @ 7:08am. She weighed 7lbs 1oz. and was 20.5in long. She is such a good baby and has brought so much joy into our family. In fact, the last two nights she has had 5 hour stretches and with the help of Babywise, will hopefully be sleeping through the night in a couple of weeks.

As many of you know, I was planning to go to Bolivia with my fam to pick up my brother, Justin, off his mission in less than 2 weeks. It was fun to email Justin on Sunday and tell him that he was now an uncle to a beautiful little girl and that I wouldn't be coming on the trip. I am sad that I won't be able to go, but I wouldn't trade the reason for anything. Thanks to everyone who has called, emailed, texted and come over with such love and support. We are so very blessed and know the Lord has very specific plans for each of us. Everytime Brett and I have considered doing invitro a baby has suddenly blessed our life. We know his plan is very different than what we thought it would be, but it's definately much more rewarding to allow him to guide us. We feel so priveleged to be able to be parents and to have such special little spirits in our home. We couldn't be more happy!!

I am probably bias, but I don't think I could have hand picked two more beautiful kids if I tried. She is such a sweetheart and Bradock already loves giving her kisses.

Our first pic of Raylee in the hospital. Brett took this with his phone while we were holding her in the nursery.


It so strange to say "I have two kids". I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it's still quite a shock.

I just had to get a pic of our two kiddos sleeping on the way home from Pinetop.


Proud Papa...Raylee already has him wrapped around her finger.

Leaving the hospital after picking up our precious little miracle.

A Few Days Before We Got Raylee, We Were Here...

After taking 12 hours to get to Lake Powell (we had a bearing go out on the boat trailer) and taking a day and a half to get set up, the trip ended up being a blast. At first I kept thinking "why is this fun?!", but after the hard work came lots and lots of fun. We got there Saturday night and I flew home from the Page airport on Wednesday morning to get back to work. Brett and Bradock got to enjoy another full day of fun before they got a call from me to get home ASAP. We always joke that something always happens at Lake Powell where somebody ends up in the hospital (i.e. struck by lightening, amputated hand, stitches, teeth knocked out, etc.). So when Brett called family to tell them he was headed to the hospital they all knew something bad must have happened on the lake. Fortunately, it wasn't bad news, he was just heading to Pinetop to pick up Bradock's new baby sister. This is a few of our fun pics from the trip.

This was my favorite pic of the whole trip. I just love all these good looking boys.


Bradock had a perma grin the whole time he was around the water. Lake Powell will have to continue to be an annual tradition.

Bradock and Dad...best buds.

Bradock could sit at the front of the boat and stare at the water for hours. I just love the little things that fascinate him.

My Mr. Personality...gotta love the hat. Lake Powell just wouldn't be the same without it.

Grady's first attempt at wakeboarding...what a STUD!!!

Nothing like water and sun to wear out your kiddos. All the kids were begging to go to bed by the end of each day.

Now that Brett has had a busted ear drum, 2 nose surgeries, 2 knee surgeries and is currently waiting for another knee surgery because of his love for wakeboarding, he stuck to just surfing behind the boat. Tanner decided to boogey board beside him in this pic.

The Gonzalez boys were a little afraid to go tubing, but they were willing if they knew Bradock was going to.

After trying to sleep with Bradock in between Brett and I, we ended up sticking him in the "CRACK"...the little space between the bed and wall of the trailer. Why didn't we think of that the first night??!

Kiley and I attempting to be "cool" moms.

Bradock loved tubing and had the biggest smile on his face the whole time.


We call Tanner "D2". Bradock is super clingy to Brett right now and if he wasn't around he would go to Tanner, Dad #2.


Lindi and Tanner...two little lovebirds


All the little boys loved hanging out at "Grady's Rock".

WELCOME BABY RAYLEE

SUPRISE!!!

Not only to our friends and family but to us as well. This is a horrible post as it is my first attempt but I am sure Donnie will edit it very soon. Thursday late morning we got a phone call from Grandpa (Dr. Tindall) saying there was a baby girl that needed a home. Donnie rushed up from Mesa and Bradock and I ran down the Sand Hill at Lake Powell loaded up and met Donnie in Pinetop. Lots to tell everyone but just wanted to let everyone know what was going on.

Happy 4th of July

This weekend Bradock and I had so much fun celebrating the 4th of July with my parents and the Cabezas in Pinetop. In fact, we were so excited to get out of this excruciating heat that I totally forgot to pack my camera. Oh, well...my phone camera came in handy. I know they are totally ghetto pics, but at least I took some.

Friday morning we headed to the Showlow parade, which was so fun. Bradock loved seeing all the horses, tractors and trucks going by. That evening my mom, dad and I met my in-laws for the Showlow fireworks. They seriously lasted forever. We kept thinking the finale was right around the corner, but they just kept bringing them.

Saturday, we headed to Taylor for the 4th of July program held at the church and then the rodeo and fireworks that evening. I didn't think Bradock would last the whole night, but as soon as they played "YMCA" at the rodeo he got his second wind. I sent the pic of Bradock and I to Brett, who was home frantically studying for his dental boards that he takes this Wednesday. Brett said "cowboys don't use binkies", but that is the one thing my baby loves and he was so tired at the rodeo, so I gave in. Usually he only gets a binkie when he goes to sleep, but since it was waaaaaay past his bedtime I thought he deserved it.

The weather in Pinetop couldn't have been more perfect and I was so bummed to drive into Mesa yesterday to a very hot Sunday. I think Bradock and I will need to make more frequent trips up north this summer.