July 22, 2009
We left Flagstaff yesterday. When we left it was 70 degrees and raining off and on...especially ON Tommy, as you can see in the picture below. I took him to the Meadows golf course to walk 9-holes and he was soaked head to toe when picked him up. Seriously, it was barely sprinkling at the house (see how dry it looks behind him at the house).
We all were sad to say good-bye to the house at Forest Highlands. Big Tom finally sold it, so it was our last visit there. The buyers must have known what a special place it is because there were A LOT of homes for sale there. I am just grateful we were able to spend so much time there this summer and say a proper good-bye to our favorite vacation destination. So now I write a farewell letter to the house that has given us such wonderful memories.
This past winter while we were visiting you for our annual sled-fest, we discovered a fun Flagstaff event, the New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop. It was FREEZING in town, but it was a fun, family event....if a bit hoakey. You can see the lighted pine cone at the top of this photo.
We also have lots of fun memories of the Coconino County Fair. It's jut the right size and always fun for everyone (except Tom who hates those kinds of crowded events). Love that Indian Fry Bread.
We left Flagstaff yesterday. When we left it was 70 degrees and raining off and on...especially ON Tommy, as you can see in the picture below. I took him to the Meadows golf course to walk 9-holes and he was soaked head to toe when picked him up. Seriously, it was barely sprinkling at the house (see how dry it looks behind him at the house).We all were sad to say good-bye to the house at Forest Highlands. Big Tom finally sold it, so it was our last visit there. The buyers must have known what a special place it is because there were A LOT of homes for sale there. I am just grateful we were able to spend so much time there this summer and say a proper good-bye to our favorite vacation destination. So now I write a farewell letter to the house that has given us such wonderful memories.
Dear House at 352 Lee Doyle,
We are sorry to have to say farewell, but we want to thank you for hosting us on so many special and ordinary occasions. You have been one of our family's favorite places to spend summers, winters, and any other holiday time we can make it up to Flagstaff.
Our little family first came to see you when Tommy was not even a month old...Labor Day weekend 1997. According to the "Halter Hotel" towels you were just two years old then (established in 1995). I remember everyone rocking Tommy on the porch swings. That was also the weekend of Princess Diana's funeral. Mary and I watched it while the men-folk were golfing.
We also came up when Grace was just a newbie. We have such cute photos of Grace, Tommy, and Max in their matching footie jammies...boys in blue, Grace in pink. There are so many adorable photos of the kids and cousins enjoying the porch, the park, and the parties we had there. Both of the kids celebrated their first birthdays on the Flagstaff porch, which is nice since they have summer birthdays and it is too hot in Phoenix.
Grace sat up for the first time in the sun room. We spent many hours in that sun room watching that teeny-tiny TV, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing cards. I will never live down my infamous saying, "If you're not winning, you're losing." And now I am usually on the losing side at hearts or gin or even war against the champ, Emmie.
One time, Tom and I celebrated an anniversary there and it snowed in April! There were a lot of fun times sledding on the hills on the golf courses. I remember Grace laying face down and eating snow on the driving range at Canyon. What a nut! Emmie even learned to have fun sledding after a few frightful attempts.
This past winter while we were visiting you for our annual sled-fest, we discovered a fun Flagstaff event, the New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop. It was FREEZING in town, but it was a fun, family event....if a bit hoakey. You can see the lighted pine cone at the top of this photo.
We also have lots of fun memories of the Coconino County Fair. It's jut the right size and always fun for everyone (except Tom who hates those kinds of crowded events). Love that Indian Fry Bread.
Then there is the golf. Tom has always enjoyed it, but recently Tommy has gotten good enough to go a full 18 holes with his dad. This summer Grace got to see what a fun sport it is (or so they say, I don't particularly like it myself). She took some clinics . Then she and Tommy spent many hours on the driving range. She also took up caddying for her brother, who didn't pay her very well despite telling her what a great job she did. Oh, brotherly love.
Thank you, house at 352 Lee Doyle, for all these great memories. We hope your new owners love you as much as we do. I only regret never learning who the heck Lee Doyle is/was.
Karen and the whole Halter family
Grace and I joined Tommy as he played 9 holes on July 6
Grace learned how to caddie. Tommy was very patient and showed her where to place the flag, where to stand, and how to wash and replace his golf clubs. She had a lot of fun and is excited to go out again and caddie.
