Sunday, April 7, 2013

California




The California Poppies were breathtaking. I have never seen so many in one place and so vivid. They looked fake.

My first visit to this temple was the beginning of my conversion story.  I looked at this sign and remembered that I said many years ago.  That I would go there someday!  I did and this sign means the world to me.


I don't know who took this but i dont like pics of me.
 I am the ph0tographer taking ever one else. not me.
my little little loves




we always right our name in the sand when we are there.

                             these 2 could sit and play in the sand forever and ever and ever

                                                                     my wave catcher.

                                                Until our next visit there...sigh...I hated leaving.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

garden love....


i love everything about it!

I was out one day ( i am out Every day) and took these pictures.I love to tend to the garden. I pull weeds and water and eat from the garden every day.   some of the things I am growing right now are
red onion
green onions
lettuce
buttercrunch lettuce
romaine lettuce
spinach
lavender
basil
oregano
cilantro
peppermint
chocolate peppermint
rosemary
squash
zucchini
tomatoes
beans
snow peas 
snap peas
raspberries
radishes and watermelon

I want to grow more.  I can't get enough of it.











Wednesday, March 13, 2013

love to be shooting...

I love to take pictures.  When I am in a photo shoot, i say I want to shoot you over here.  I want to shoot you this way...

It makes me crack up when people bring it to my attention because I don't realize I even say it.   I love to shoot ( with my NIKON!)

well my Photography website just went public on the web.. I am excited.  Check it out!

http://karyannphotos.webs.com/




Monday, March 4, 2013

Monday nights are family nights

( I found this old picture of my family on a family night)

Monday nights are family nights at our home.  Nice dinner. We read scriptures and learn how we can do better.   Tonight was extra special because my mom stopped by for a little bit and had dinner with us.  It's always fun to have her around. We learned about being peacemakers and. Played a fun "what if"  game in the jacuzzi for a half hour.   I love my family. 

Monday, February 11, 2013

vulgarity...

our family  recently stood up against vulgarity.  Some people are mean, but do what is right and you will be blessed.

love dance...

the Valentine's  Dance.  
swing dancing

 gangham style....that Ethan owned that dance!
Connor and Keaton ( our other 13 year old. We love that kid!)


Ethan and his best bud Landon... Remy photo bombed   Cute kids.

Connor and Ashley getting over their fears of future stake dances.   They did good too!
 
Keaton and Elise.  We love these kiddos like they were our own.!

Dave and his friends...also his counselors  Brother Gable and Brother Cozzens


 We got photo bombed.
Scott and Lexi the future Mr. and Mrs.

                                Cute girls.  I got them both to dance!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

our home schooling room. I am in love. Everything is organized and now i am a happy mom!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

never skips a beat...

this sweet guy sure is my better half. we had an interesting 2012 and he never skipped a beat.   he has a new job(still selling software and traveling, and an awesome sales guy) but has been back and forth between phoenix and boston since early december.  we sure have missed him, but he would fly home on the weekends to take care of his duties as the Bishop of our ward.(the leader of the congregation in the LDS church).   he never skipped a beat.  he is our rock.   he supports me and our chickens, and works his bootah off,gets some church bball when time permits, makes pinewood derby cars and still serves the Lord without skipping a beat....

 

he exhausts me a little :) 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

i love him



i love this man.   for his birthday i rounded up thoughts from all the special people around him and they gave us insight to why they love him.   he got teary eyed.  i cried as they came in.  the kids and i put together a little book for him and his birthday was a success.   I love him!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Love

I have the best sisters.   Miss laughing with them



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Grateful

 

I am so thankful that these 3 chickens call me mom... I love this old picture

Saturday, June 30, 2012

treasures in hidden spots

 
 We were at Dave's sister's wedding and she had a candy bar. Connor was in Heaven!
 this picture was so cute because Ethan was so embarrassed that he was caught dancing with his sister.
 I love this she was so happy to be dancing with dad.
I love when I find gems like this. It's like finding money in your pockets when you do laundry, but even better!

14 years and still smiling

we celebrated 14 years married this weekend. i am sure lucky to have him. we had dinner at another one of our favorite spots Maggiano's then dinner with the kids at Grimaldis. We love yummy restaurants and scottsdale seems to have them all.  We stayed at the Scottsdale resort & spa. Highly recommend it.  Love you dear!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

New home.

We said goodbye our home of 5 years and moved to a wonderful home close enough to walk to church.The kids didnt want to, but it has turned out to be a great decision. There are lots of friends from church around us and it's a great neighborhood. The house is great. The space is great. The yard is much easier to maintain because it's smaller. House is more to maintain, it's bigger. We are blessed. There is some fun perks to the house, like the jacuzzi which we are loving a place to cool off, maybe in the winter we will turn on the heat.



The kitchen had been totally overhauled to a fabulous state. Awesome kitchen island, with a large fridge, 2 dishwashers, double ovens,( awwwwwww so very nice) A pot filler, and great cabinets. Our friends designed the kitchen to their liking, and funtionality. They both love to cook and both Dave and I do, so it is a great space to work in.

Hard to believe all my gadgets fit!



The Yard is one of my favorite spaces. I spend so much time tending to growing things.

Here are my grapes from 2 years ago that died and came back.





Sunflowers I planted seeds straight in the ground and in 3 weeks they are over 2 feet tall. We planted about 10 seeds and they are all growing.




Spinach butter crunch, red leaf. Can't wait.

The Rosemary and zuchini and some Basil were here and we planted 2 more Basil from seed that I started about 8 weeks ago. Can't wait for my friend Carrie, to teach me how to make her yummy pesto.

We are loving our new home.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Cancer fundraiser

as an employee at the wonderful school my kids go to, We all had the oppourtunity to do our part for the fundraiser.....I was on the cheer squad. We had so much fun! and we made the paper. BOTTOM LEFT PICTURE- I'm in the top right!. We laughed and cheered and fun was had by all!

Monday, April 2, 2012

thankful...day 2

health...i am thankful for my health. i have taken up a new hobby...running. slowly but surely i am getting there. new kicks, new socks and i am off. my goal was to run a 5 k in 2012 well by march i had!(yeah me) run/walked a 5k and plan many more. i love that my companion is helping me. i am thankful to have the health to get up and go.  My family has been healthy and what a blessing. I want to get in better shape and be examples to my kids.  i'm getting there.  not going to lie, i am not excited to be running in the 120 degree arizona heat.  ouch i will stick to my treadmill with a fan blowing on me!

thankful day 1

family is key in my life. i am blessed everyday to call them my friends. i have friends. my friends that i do have, are my family! i am learning day by day that the people you surround yourself with are the ones that build you up and make you better and want you to be better.   i am thankful for the knowledge that we all make mistakes. in the words of a wise man - be kind to one another and just love each other.   aww wouldn't this world be a better place.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

new church building

Our ward and stake has been blessed to get a new church meetinghouse. It is just beautiful. It is so new, that in the Dave's office only the clock is hanging, i am busy trying to decorate it for him so it's a little home away from home, since he is there just as much :)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Turkey break from school....

 White chocolate, peppermint oreos. Yummmmmm
Whole wheat homemade dough with Fresh basil from the garden, tomatoes &fresh mozzerela Martguerita pizza. A new family favorite

Parmesan bread sticks inspired by pizza factory in provo, utah.

monkey bread.. nuff said

Young Women's

Our Young Women's Thanksgiving Feast

I have been so blessed to be a leader in the Young Women's program. I am so thankful for this calling. I have been in over a year and love it. I am now the 1st counselor in our ward and I love it. We have funny girls.

The Hoopes 5