Cool Tunes

April 21, 2010

I was looking around for some new music...Sting's newest cd is awful.... yes, I said that.
I got a new old Brett Dennan already, so I was looking for something I could listen to while driving around in my new toy with the top down.

Although the Dixie Chicks don't have a new cd, I found this new band, Court Yard Hounds, made up of the two sisters from DC.  I can't get the cd yet, but you can listen to it at their website here:

http://www.courtyardhounds.com/us/music/court-yard-hounds

Enjoy!!  I am.  Right now as a matter of fact.

Karen

I Was Right!

April 20, 2010

If you haven't read my post from April 18, 2010, go read it right now.  I'll wait.
. . . Done?

Ok.
Now let me just say, I was right about how great Tom is.  In fact, I underestimated how amazing my husband is.
Reason # 14 why Tom is the absolute best-ever greatest husband E-ver is this little baby right here:

Yep.  He surprised me yesterday with this baby in the driveway.  I have wanted a convertible bug since I was 16.  I LOVE, love, LOVE it!!  It's just adorable from top to bottom.  Woo Hoo!

Karen

Happy Birthday Dad!

April 19, 2010

Happy Birthday to my dad, aka Grandpa Andy.

We miss him here and hope he had a great day and caught lots of fish.  We love you!

Karen

Happy Anniversary!

April 18, 2010

2010

2009

2007

2005

Thirteen years ago Tom and I got married by a judge and then had a lovely dinner with our families at ACC.   We spent the weekend at the Camelback Inn, which still my favorite resort.
Two kids and ten years later we renewed our vows at our former church, Christ Church of the Ascension.  It was a really rainy November evening (no we didn't do it EXACTLY 10 years later 'cause we were in Hawaii on the actual anniversary).  We had some of our family there, the kids, and a few very good friends.  Father Chris Shutte performed the service and I think it was just perfect.  I'd do it again and again, it's good to say those promises to each other in front of God and witnesses and just remember what it means to be married.  
So in honor of this special day, here are 13 reasons Tom is the best husband ever (in no specific order).
1.  He treats me like I'm special every day.
2. He does the dishes EVERY time.
3. He's funny.
4. He's smart. In fact, I think he is the smartest person I know.
5.  He loves dogs.
6.  Family is the most important thing to him.
7.  He keeps me from spending myself broke.
8. He spoils me.
9. He is easy to re-train if he is developing an annoying habit.
10. He gets along with almost everyone, in other words, he's nice.
11.  He doesn't criticize my poor cooking/cleaning/etc.
12.  He lets me sleep in (unless he's got an early tee time).
13.  He is a great father.

I love you Tom.

Karen

Roses Are Red...

April 16, 2010

Our anniversary is on Sunday.  Every year Tom sends me a beautiful bouquet of red roses.  So you would think I would expect it and not be surprised after 13 years.  But Thursday, I was completely surprised when this was delivered to my office....

Aren't they pretty?  Trust me, they smell lucious too!  Too bad my computer isn't a scratch & sniff model.

I'm the luckiest girl around!

Karen

Crafty Friends

April 15, 2010

My friend Cathy came up with really cute "invitations" to our friend's 50th birthday girls weekend party.
As you would be able to see if I had a clear photo, the sticker shows that we will be going to Napa for a bicycle tour of the wineries.

It says: Cash for Diane's Birthday Bash.  And the jar has a slot to put your dough in.

But the cutest part is the rhyme she came up with:  

Cathy could work for Hallmark...or as a vacation planner.

So cute!
Karen

Easter

April 4, 2010

OK, so my dates are not very chronological this week.  I finally got around to downloading the oodles of pictures I had on my camera.  I'm over scheduled.

Easter Sunday we had brunch at Aunt Kackery's house and then the kids looked for Easter Eggs at Poppy's house which is, conveniently, right down the street.

Here's pictures beginning Sunday morning...we went to church Saturday evening.  I have no picture to prove that so you will have to trust me.  Honest we did.  St. Barnabas (an Episcopal church).  

Don't you just LOOOOVE Grace's skirt. I wish I had one myself.

The HUNT is on...

Trading candy ... 

(that's Joe, an adorable friend of Emmie's).

After a nap, we all gather at the Halterhome for Easter supper.  The Hahnenkratts and the Bettins join us for great food and fun.  For the past few years, we've come up with some unique Easter "traditions" like:

 the (hard-boiled) egg toss

Chipping contests off the diving board and SWIMMING!  

Eventually four of five kids ended up in the pool.  No adults this year.

Believe me, that water is CHILLY!  

This year, we added a croquet match at the end of the evening.  Tommy was ahead when we called the game on account of darkness.  

I can't wait till next year.  

Karen

Happy Birthday Emmie!

April 10, 2010

Pretend it is Saturday.

Today is Emmie's 7th birthday!!!

Emmie is . . .
very cute,
smart,
chatty,
funny,
very-well-dressed,
loves animals,
has great hair,
a good speller,
my middle niece,
Tommy & Grace's second girl cousin,
Tom's god daughter,
nicknamed "Slo Mo," "Emmit,"and "Emma Lou Sue"
loving,
silly,
and now she's SEVEN!!

Here's she is:

(this is my favorite picture)

OK, I know I didn't the photos in any sort of order or nice looking arrangement, but I CAN'T FIGURE THAT OUT!!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMIE (BELATEDLY).

Karen

La De Do

April 8, 2010
Check out Grace's new favorite hair do.  It kind of looks like a slinky on top of her head.

She spends a lot of time brushing her hair while bent over upside down perfecting this look.
It's, ummm, interesting, don't ya think??

Karen

Time Flies...

April 6, 2010

April already!  Where has this year gone? It's been almost a whole week since my last post.
Let's see...what have we done around here?
Baseball game last Thursday: Tommy took a ball to the face as catcher.  He stood up spitting blood and I FREAKED out.  Turns out he was OK.  By Saturday it was so swollen he looked like he had a mouthful of sunflower seeds.  He also had a great looking bruise. 
Friday the kids were home from school.  I had a porch party Friday afternoon.  As always, it turned into a mini-block party.  Fun.  I made my now famous White Sangria.  Yum. 
Saturday was another free day.  No sporting events!  We went to dinner at ACC.  The Club was getting ready for the Sunday Easter Brunch and had the most amazing flower arrangements I have ever seen.  They were about 4 feet tall.  Seriously. 
We went to Easter Vigil service at St. Barnabas.  I decided that I am definitely an Episcopalian.  I felt right there.  Now if that church wasn't so gi-normous, I'd be completely happy. 
Easter Sunday: brunh & egg hunt at Kathy & Poppy's.  A nap.  Great supper with the Halters, Hahnenkratts, and Bettins. (more on that later...with pictures).
Monday another day with no regularly scheduled events.  How'd that happen?  This was the first post-lent day, which meant SHOPPING!  New shoes for Grace and I.  One for her and one for us to share ...yes we can now share shoes. 
Tuesday: dentist for the kids.  No cavities.  Yea!  And Tommy didn't damage his teeth in the aforementioned baseball incident.  Another baseball game (won!) without injury this time.  Basketball and drama practice for Grace (as if she needs to practice being dramatic!).
 Now you are up to date with the Halterhome.

Karen