more friendly photos.....

Let the good times roll......

I'll post more pictures later.  Love you all!

Forever Friends

I had a marvelous Monday this week.  Cheryl, Hilary, Hannah and Natalie came to visit me.

It was so wonderful to be reunited w/ good friends.  I made Cheryl's favorite 'cow cookie.'  Chocolate Marshmallow cookies have been her favorite from our family for quite a while now.  We enjoyed cookies and milk (before dinner.) Then we went outside and ate pizza around the campfire that Hilary started for us.  Cheryl ran around w/ Sage and Stephen.  I hadn't seen Sage that excited in a long time.  Cheryl is such a puppy herself that Sage just wants to wrestle her.    : )  It was so cute!  I will post more pictures after this post.  I could only get 3 pics to load at a time.  So, keep scrolling down for more love and laughter. I love you friends!  Thanks for coming and brightening my day!
Here is a picture of Cheryl and I holding the adorable dress she got for McKinley.  How sweet!  Thanks Cheryl!  I love it.  Don't we look like "young" women? : )
Hilary and Hannah hanging out w/ Sage and Stephen.  Stephen finally warmed up to them right before they had to leave.  He had just woken up from a nap, so he was a little surprised to see all these people here.  But, he had a blast w/ the girls.  High 5 me!

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirates life for Ray!

Here is my matie Ray!  Can you believe it?  He dressed up for his students to celebrate the last day of the school year.  He has been preparing this activity for a while.  He led up to it by reading Treasure Island to his students.  He told them there was a buried treasure at Colony High School and only the Colony Knights could find it.  So, Ray got this random costume together, made treasure barrels w/ 'treasure' candy in it and got music from the Pirates of the Carribean.  He made his grand entrance to his classroom as the music was playing.  His students and TAs were very surprised that this was Mr. Hafen.  He had quite the pirate voice.  I was very pleased w/ his creativity.  The students did find the buried treasure thanks to the locator signal device Ray found at the store that is actually called a "treasure detector."  It beeped like crazy when they found the "X" out in the woods by the school.   The students were so excited about this activity.  They returned to their classroom to divide up the treasure.  During the treasure hunt activity, one of Ray's students struggled w/ participation and cooperation.  So, Ray told his students they needed to have a 'treasure council.'  They were to decide if 'Joe' (changed name to protect privacy : )...would get to have part of the treasure.  He taught them a lesson at that moment from the Book of Mormon.  He told them that they could show justice or mercy.  He explained what that meant.  He told them that they could give Joe a smaller portion to show mercy, but only if they felt that was right.  So, he walked away from his students that were sitting in a circle having their 'treasure council.'  He heard them discussing justice and mercy. Some thought Joe didn't deserve any of the treasure because of his behavior.  Others thought mercy was a better option because that would give him a second chance to behave and feel included.  Time was up and it was time for them to tell Ray what they had decided.  "Mercy."  Ray's heart was so touched that he had to hold back tears.  This was a teaching moment to be remembered forever.  
Stephen thought Daddy was pretty cool.  Sage was a little unsure what happened to Ray.  Good times!
Stephen thinks the pirates life is for him too.  He loves his Dad.  

Yo ho, yo ho a pirates' life for me.

Playing outside is fun to do!

Stephen loves to play outside.  He enjoys kicking the ball to Sage.  Sage will bring the ball back to Stephen (carrying it in her mouth.)  They make a good team.  Stephen thinks finding sticks to give to Sage is fun.  She likes to chew on sticks now and then.  Stephen just has to be careful not to poke her eye out when giving her a stick.
Running down the trail in the yard is fun to do too.  Sage was running right behind Stephen in this picture.  His expression comes from knowing that he is racing Sage. 
Squatting outside is fun to do.  You discover things you wouldn't otherwise see standing up.
The crocuses really open up when the morning sun shines on them.  Smile Mommy!  

Stephen is learning to 'just look' and 'not touch' the flowers. He likes to smell them.  

Life is good and we continued to feel blessed that Spring has sprung.

Smiles,

Kary

Stephen & Sage

Here's Beethoven practicing for Grandma!  He loves to play the piano.  Maybe one day, he'll accompany me.  I sure miss having Mom around to play the piano.  I haven't sung nearly as much since she's been gone. : (  But, she'll be home soon, so the 'sound of music' will return.
Stephen says:  "Yeah baby, that sounds sweet!"  Rock on!
Stephen and Sage hanging out after dinner (you may notice a few ketchup stains on Stephen's face that Mommy missed when cleaning him up after dinner.) : )  He does have a good bruiser between his eyes.  He nailed his nose on a toy downstairs a few days ago, but he's good to go.
Buddies for life!  Sage and Stephen like to "sit" together.  It was so great to capture a shot where they are both smiling!  
Stephen says:  "Hee hee! I put Sage to sleep.  I said:  "sleep" and she obeyed my command.  What a good girl she is." : )

we love you all.

Love, 

Kary, Stephen & Sage

Celebrate Spring!

We think Spring is finally here.  Two days ago, I saw Canadian Geese, Sandhill cranes and an eagle fly over our home.  I love the sounds and sights of Spring.  I also noticed a crocus flower opened up in the yard.  Today, I noticed that Mr. Moose was trying to eat the crocus, so I had to tell him to go away and find food elsewhere.  I thought I better capture a quick photo of the flower to show Mom.  It's hard to see, but it's there (picture #4 below.)
This is Mr. Moose checking out the goods in our yard.  I'm sure he left us some 'goods' too (ie. moose droppings.)
Mom, remember your plant?  Well, check out the flowering bloom on it.  I was so surprised to see this yesterday.  Does it bloom very often?  I did re-pot it last week and it seems much happier now.  It just keeps growing and growing.  I also repotted the Azelia plant and it's smiling too.  Thanks for making plants and flowers such a joyful part of our lives Mom (and Dad. ) : )
Tulips growing in the front yard.  Mr. Moose tried to taste these too.  
The crocus flower.  A sure sign of Spring.  No sunshine today, so it didn't open up as much.  I can't wait to see the tulips in bloom.  Green grass and trees are on the way.  I'm so grateful for this time of year.  

More Spring to come in the near future.

Love,

Kary

Dirt Dessert!

Yesterday, a friend of mine showed up at my door holding two beautiful Spring flowers.  Ray and I had been painting and replacing a garbage disposal when she stopped by.  It was so nice to have this surprise visit.  She truly delivered us some cups of cheer.  She had to explain that we were to eat the "dirt" in these flowers you see below.  They are made with crushed oreos, pudding and cool whip.  Yummy!
Stephen loved eating the dirt dessert!  He gets happier in every picture.  I think the sugar is kicking in. : )

MMMM.....I love sucking on my spoon when it's covered in chocolate.
oh boy...I hope Mommy doesn't mind giving me a bath tonight.  
I hope we have this dessert every night.  I love sweet treats!  mmmm...good!