Let the good times roll!

Stephanie arrives from CO for  few days to visit Grandma Ellen along with her cousins and to help celebrate Cooper's 2nd birthday, a 'construction crew' themed party (hence the construction work shirts).

Hamming it up!

Cooper managed to annihilate his personal ice cream cake with the help of Grandma Tracy.

Just like old times. Nick is thrilled with Glynn's new mower. Cooper - not so much.

Cooper and Emmerson tolerated each other.

Harvey, always the hit of the party!

The cousins met in Olympia  to spend some time with Grandma Ellen. She is delighted with her great granddaughter, Emmerson.

Sweet Abby wants some attention, too!

Dirt

Cooper discovers grandpa's dirt pile....

 

A bath before the bath!
(Source: Stephanie's instagram pictures)

Choosing hope

I have quotes jotted in notebooks, saved on my computer, branded into my brain, and even scribbled on a wall yet when I take the time to create, this theme of choosing hope continues to manifest myself in my art.

Four years into the current economic downturn, I'm weary of folks giving attention to all that's wrong with the world. I'm making a conscious choice to choose hope over despair and gratitude over grumbling.

 Oh my goodness! Here is the newest member of  our extended family, Harvey, our new grand dog!  Harvey is part golden retriever and part poodle and yes, his fur is as soft as it looks. For an 8 week old puppy, he is very mellow and quite the little luv. Now, if only they came potty trained......