halterhome

Time Flies

2013-05-06T21:37:00.003-07:00

May 6, 2013

Only six more days until I am on luxurious FREE vacation! I can't wait. I have a to-do list a mile long.

Before I leave, we are meeting with a college admissions advisor. Now there is an example of how time flies. Sitting down and discussing college information for my handsome boy doesn't seem possible. When I look at hime I still see this

Instead of this

And I was looking for cars online for that "little" guy. When did he grow up so much?

It's Always Something

2013-05-01T21:54:00.001-07:00

May 1, 2013

Today was one of those days. Actually it's been one of those days too many times lately. In preparation for my upcoming vacation with Nikki (more about that another time), I have been trying to get ahead at work. Usually my work is low stress and basically uses a reasonable amount of my brain power to get the job done. Well I have a project that raises issues I am not too familiar with, so I am having to re- learn (or learn in some cases) things I forgot since the bar exam. It is causing me stress. Seriously, my hair has a lot more grey than usual.
Add to that the interesting experiences we have all had getting Poppy situated in his new place. Can I just complain about HOAs one more time to anyone who will listen? Forms for everything! Today Poppy's dog temporarily escaped. Now, this did not directly effect me because I was sitting at my office in my own bundle of stress (see above), but I did feel incredibly guilty not being able to leave to go help look for the mutt. She was rescued and brought home by Kathy, who has earned herself a seat in heaven for all she's done for Poppy.
And my sweet Grace is giving me fits. She's been having anxiety in school. So I have been working with the necessary people to see if we can fix this. I hope we are on the right track. More grey hair.
Then there is the backed up kitchen sink. All I am going to say about that is: It's not my fault! That's actually a funny story actually involving three pounds of potato peels and two male chefs.
So we will have been without a kitchen sink for 36 hours by the time the plumber (hopefully) fixes it tomorrow afternoon. At least it was a good excuse for take-out tonight.
Tomorrow I will deal with my car window that sounds like grinding glass when I roll it up or down ... that needs fixing too.
When is that vacation? Only 11 days from now. Check out the sneak peak here. I do when I need to relax. In fact, I have to go.....
P.S. I went in to change the laundry from the washer to the dryer and there was literally 1/4 inch of water on every inch my laundry room floor. Apparently the plumbing issue is worse than I thought, or my washer finally bit the dust. We will find out tomorrow. I just mopped up all that water, after removing all the random now-wet crap that accumulated on the floor. And I have no mop, we use rags on my wood floors, so I now have loads of wet, heavy towels I just threw out on the back patio to deal with later. My back aches.
One more thing, then I swear I will stop whining....I showered earlier tonight but now I am totally sweaty again after the flood relief work. So much for trying to plan ahead for the morning- I need another shower. Boo hoo.

Quiet & Fancy

2013-04-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

April 28, 2013
Whoa! It's not even 9:00 and everyone here is in bed. You would think we had a crazy weekend, but nope.
Well, Tommy was unusually social, spending both Friday and Saturday nights with friends and making me worry like the mom of a teenager that I am . Needless worry.
Grace did have a dance performance today, but it wasn't long. She's just reading a good book so she's in bed. She also watched every episode of Dance Moms this weekend on my iPad, so maybe she ran out of TV viewing mojo.
This weekend was Prom for BCP and Arcadia. Most all my friends have older kids that went. It is so fun to hear all the preparations that go into Prom now-a-days. Not like the olden days back in the 80s.
Speaking of Prom and being all fancy-schmancy, here are some pics from the rehearsal dinner and wedding we attended earlier this month in Wrightsville Beach, NC.

Rehearsal Dinner

Serious

Happy

The Wedding Chapel

Wedding Reception

I tried hard to get a decent picture of Tommy- he was not cooperating that night

I realize I am not in any pictures from the wedding. I am hoping Kathy took one with me in it. I also know she took one of all 4 of us at the rehearsal. Someday I will get those from her and maybe I will remember to share.

Ping Pong and an update

2013-04-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

April 24, 2013

First the update. My solution worked... sort of. Grace and her friend were able to sit at the table with their friends and then go to the nurse, but they had to share one seat to squeeze in. Oh the life of a 7th grader.

2nd Annual Ping Pong Tournament

On April 13th we hosted the rematch ping pong tournament. Friends, neighbors, and some (several) people I don't know came to see whether Jim Schu would repeat. Jim didn't make it to the final round. I blame that on the eventful night he was having for other reasons that aren't important to the ping pong story. Instead G-Mac battled our newest contender, Amar, who also happens to be our newest neighbor.
We had a great time with the best neighbors and friends anywhere. We missed one of our usual ringers this year - Barb.

The Riley's ended up playing against each other this year.

Amy didn't get past the reigning champ

Amy wasn't too upset about losing apparently

My favorite picture of the night

Tuck photo bombing

Rojo & Verde (or is it Verde & Rojo? I don't know who is who)

Scenes from the final match:
Amar & G-Mac warming up

Friendly pre-game photo

Grant's victory speech went on and on....

Serious Ping Pong is over - now just for fun.

The Lambeth brothers

These boys shut the party down around 1 am.

I love my neighborhood.

Grace

2013-04-23T21:20:00.003-07:00

April 23, 2013

Miss Grace has been under the weather lately. I think its bad allergies. The strep test was negative. She sounds very congested and is really tired. Every so often she rallies and dances around the house, but mostly she's been lazy and stuffy since Thursday.
Then tonight tears over having to face lunchroom drama at school tomorrow. Apparently there is a new seating arrangement at middle school. Six to a table, and there are more than six, but less than 12 girls she wants to sit with. Grace goes to the nurse at lunch with a friend who takes meds every day, so by the time they come to the cafeteria, no seats available. One queen bee has declared that no one is allowed to save seats and I guess the rest of the bees just follow along, so Grace and her friend sit at a different table. It seems all the other girls they might otherwise sit with also have full tables. This causes Grace and perhaps her friend much angst.
I've suggested that other friends take turns going to the nurse and sitting elsewhere - which would fix Grace's problem, but do no good for her friend. Grace said no one else will go. I said tell the queen bee it's ok to save seats. Again, that's a 45 year old's solution to a tween problem, so not acceptable. As I type this, I just thought of suggesting that they go to the nurse after they eat. I'm sure that won't work for some reason, but I am going to go suggest it now.
I am so glad I am 45 and not 12 or even any age before 40 for that matter.

NC Day 3

2013-04-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

Tommy and I did some unofficial college visits while in NC. We drove from Charlotte area to Chapel Hill to see UNC. Tommy did a fine job navigating with the iPad as his map. We did have to silence Siri whom we both found to be completely annoying.
The nice people at admissions at UNC gave us a self-guided tour map and a coupon to use at the book store as well as a pass to a dining hall. They were very helpful. We walked around and I only got us turned around once. We walked through a classroom building, the undergrad library , student center, the Pit, saw the Well, and shopped at the book store (not for books).
We did not eat there because we also had to get over to our next campus- Duke.
After a frustrating yet ultimately successful attempt to find parking, we headed down the lovely tree lines walk/drive to the admissions office. We got another map with a self guided tour. We had to ask questions though. I was happy to have had such a helpful lady at UNC so I knew what to ask.
We headed back up to tour all the same buildings and areas as we did at UNC. The buildings at Duke are beautiful. Their chapel is giant, amazing, and just gorgeous. I told Tommy it looks like you would be going to school at Hogworts with all the old stone, gothic buildings.
We ate in the student center- not dining hall food but a chain restaurant - so Tommy has yet to sample real college grub.
I liked UNC over Duke and of course Tommy had the opposite opinion. But he did like both and said he could see moving to NC.
Now I'm going to try and attach pictures. But this is from my phone so who knows.

NC day 1

2013-04-01T20:23:00.001-07:00

Tommy and I are safe and sound in Denver NC at my aunt Nancy's house. We visit Cheri, Maria and David tomorrow. It's been a long travel day and despite sleeping on both legs of the flight and the 3 hour time difference I am ready to climb in bed with a book. Tommy is watching Parental Guidance on the iPad and I'm enjoying listening to him giggle at the movie.

Easter Fun

2013-03-31T22:24:00.002-07:00

March 31, 2013

Annual Easter Supper
Here are the kiddos after Easter Vigil Service last night.

Easter morning started with breakfast at Kathy's

Then our annual supper with family & Bettins

Kathy trying to get Tommy to pose for a photo with her...

Success!

Me & mom

with Grace who did not want to participate either

Our Easter buddies

Emmie was so much more cooperative than my kids

Grace was the only one brave enough to get in for the yearly pool christening....someone gets in every Easter.

Happy Easter

2013-03-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

March 30, 2013
We will be celebrating Easter at our house with family and friends tomorrow at our house. Tommy and I are then leaving Monday morning for NC to begin his Spring Break. Tom & Grace join us later.
This may be the first Easter there is no official Easter Egg hunt. I am just fine with that because when your kids are older, it is just not as much fun to watch them search the yard for plastic eggs. I am content to have them help me get the back yard and house ready for our guests. I did get some goodies to put in their baskets. Being the Easter Bunny is not as much fun as being Santa for some reason.

I will try to post the pictures while I am waiting in the airport. Enjoy this oldie of the Halter children in their Easter finest, circa 1977(?)

Heritage Report

2013-03-27T22:28:00.004-07:00

March 27, 2013

Grace literally just informed me at 10:00 PM that she would like some pictures of "her ancestors" for the social studies heritage report. Me: "Can't this wait until Monday so I have time to find the pictures?" Her: "No, it's due tomorrow."
If only I could refer her teacher to my blog, here is what I would give her.

Great grandparents Sigsby& Blannie with Grandma Joyce

Great Grandparents, Great aunts/uncle & Grandma (aka the Tadlocks)

Daddy with Great Grandpa & Aunt Kathy

Grandma Mary & Daddy

Great-grandpa Sigsby

Hinse Great Grandparents & Grandpa Andy, Grandma Joyce & mom

Grandma Joyce, Grandpa Andy & mom

Hynes Great Grandparents with Grandma Mary & Great Uncle Jim (funny about that Hynes-Hinse similarity, isn't it?)

Grandma Mary & Great Uncle Jim - I just love this picture

The Halter kids: daddy & my aunts plus Hildy

Grandma Mary & Poppy Tom

Mom & Aunt Jennifer

Good ol' mom & dad

Of course all these pictures are stored in my photo albums and I don't want to go rummaging through them at 10:30 at night. Well, I better go find something for her to turn in.

Halftime Show

2013-03-26T21:31:00.004-07:00

March 26, 2013

As I mentioned in my last post, Grace danced at the ASU v. U of A basketball game. Here are some pictures. She is in the pink outfit.

She's front and center here.

I caught her leap!

I am not a good sports photographer.

MaxWELL

2013-03-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

March 25, 2013

Sometime back in January (I know it's late, but better late than never), cousin Max came to visit us Arizona Halters. The story behind Max's visit is an inspiring one. Max is officially cancer free after a long brave battle with leukemia. He lives in Ohio and got to come enjoy an Arizona winter weekend here so we could celebrate his health and courage. We took him to a U of A vs. ASU basketball game, which coincidentally Grace happened to be performing at. Go figure! : )

We also had a celebration dinner in his honor. Grandma Mary took Tommy and Max to see a real life Batmobile, but I don't have a picture of that.

Here's a few shots of the cousins.

Here are the funny cousins. I just kept snapping pictures while waiting for them to sit still for an official photo.

And guess what else? Max turned 13 yesterday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max!

Here are some oldies of Max, Tommy & Grace before they got all teenagery and before the little cousins were even around

We love you MaxWELL!

Family Ski Trip

2013-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2013

Over President's Day Weekend, our family plus Tommy's friend, Jayce, drove to Pinetop, AZ for a ski trip at Sunrise.

Jayce was nice enough to take this family photo, but my group of impatient models and the photographer wanted it done ASAP so we didn't even get our goggles off and Tommy looks like a terrorist with his mask on. This will NOT be the Christmas card photo.

Grace enjoying the day. She did not have a single melt down this whole trip, which is a first and we were certainly enjoying it!!

Doesn't my head look huge?!

The boys (at least I think that's them).

Grace was pooped!

Tom

Tommy & Jayce again. I don't think I got one with their actual faces showing.

Grace at the cabin. Again, we were lucky to have friends who weren't using their place let us stay in their wonderful cabin in Pinetop. It was about the cutest cabin-y cabin I've seen.

Grace built a snow man all by herself! I don't know how she had the energy to do that after skiing all day.

Tom & Grace

Me & Grace (Tommy & Jayce only showed up to eat lunch and then again for the ride home).

Grace skiing!!

Mother-Daughter Ski Trip

2013-03-23T22:22:00.001-07:00

March 23, 2012

Over Grace's Spring Break (which was not also Tommy's spring break so he stayed home with Tom and went to school), she and I were invited with 2 other moms and daughters (+ an extra girl sans her mom) to drive to Durango, CO to ski. Lucky us, we are friends with the mom who owns a condo on the ski mountain and a Suburban big enough to fit all 7 of us plus luggage.

We headed out at 6:30 on a Sunday morning (March 10). Around Camp Verde, AZ we drove through this weird fog. I have never seen such a thing in AZ.

We hit Flagstaff and LOTS of snow. I love Flagstaff.

Then the very long trek through the res. Not much to see, but these unusual rock formations caught my eye. Apparently, they are called Baby Rock. At least according to my non-official tour guide Diane.

Eight hours later, after a stop in Durango to rent skis and load up on groceries - literally load up: we crammed the Suburban about to capacity with 5 sets of skis, boots and poles and helmets and enough groceries for a small army - we reached the condo at Durango Mountain Resort aka Purgatory.
This is the view from the condo balcony looking at the ski mountain.

Here are the 4 girls - or 3 and a bunny. Jamie's ears made her easy to find on the mountain!!

The views on the ski mountain were amazing.

More girls.

Grace on our first ski day.

The Riley girls

More girls ... on the lift

"The Graces"

Day Two.

The moms

I had THE most comfy boots and brand new skis. I think I am in love.

"The Graces" again. I love photos of people on the lift for some reason.

Tell me that is not a gorgeous view!

After 3 ski days, we headed into town. We stopped at this hot spring on the side of the road. It was rather lukewarm and smelly. But the girls HAD to climb to the top.

We moms played it safe and just posed without getting muddy or wet.

On Thursday we headed home. We made a little stop at Four Corners, so actually we visited New Mexico and Utah as well as Colorado.

Grace in 4 states at once.

I am not sure if the movie I took will post, but I wanted to show Tom how the condo was literally ski in/out. I am skiing behind Michele at the end of the day after coming down most of the mountain, we are skiing the last bit of the run into her condo.

Class of 85

2013-01-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

January 9, 2013
So way back on December 1, 2012, Brophy held its annual Parent/Faculty Christmas Dance. Parents (and faculty I assume) get all dressed up and go to in a fancy car to ~~high school~~ Brophy for a dinner/dance. It's basically reliving your youth because it's actually at the high school and you feel like a teenager again when the dinner is over and everyone is getting crazy on the dance floor. Except now you can actually walk in the high heels and they serve alcohol!
We went with one of the MOST fun couples we know. Tom actually went to high school with Grant & Jennifer. No dance photos because (sorry to sound like a broken record here) my iPhone stinks with a flash.
Here we are before the dance. Jennifer's teenage daughter posed us in the "prom pose" for the first one.

Tommy took some of us before we left in the fancy car. Funny story about that: when the car pulled up, I wasn't quite ready, so the driver was waiting patiently outside. Our other crazy friends/next door neighbors snuck into the car (with the driver's blessing) and scared the pants off us when we opened the door. It was hilarious.

This is my favorite picture of the whole night...maybe the whole holiday season (except for my Christmas card photo).

Halloween

2013-01-05T10:48:00.001-07:00

January 5, 2013

October 31, 2012

A while back I posted a picture of Grace & Alex on Halloween. Here are the rest of the Halloween photos. She wore a black inflatable suit to look scary at a neighborhood haunted house. I think she looked more goofy, but as you can see, the whole group was more scary together.

We went to Kathy's Halloween party the weekend before Halloween...

Buddy the Elf (my favorite) and the Black Eyed P's

Buddy and kids at Kathy's party

Alex photo bombing

Nikki & me

Lance & Bethany (thanks Jennifer for sharing)

The teenagers at Kathy's Halloween party...avoiding costumes and little kids

Scary Grace with the "chainsaw" (a leaf blower they used for sound effects while another kid held an actual chain saw)

The scary huanted house staff

Dancing at Disneyland & My Birthday

2013-01-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

January 5, 2013 from November 2-4th, 2012

Grace's dance company got to perform in Disneyland's Dance the Magic Holiday Spectacular and the best part was it fell on my birthday weekend. My birthday & Disneyland are two of my favorite things so together they are PERFECT!

We took Grandma Joyce with us since the boys couldn't join us. I don't think they were too upset to miss all that dance fun. But Look what I found in my suitcase upon arrival. How sweet is my husband?

These pictures are not in any particular order (sory), but the main event was the parade taping on Saturday. Grace's group performed a number to Route 66 (along with hundreds of other dancers). The performance was aired on Christmas morning, but unfortunately, we couldn't spot Grace in the quick pan of the dancers on TV. But here she is up close and gorgeous....

Arizona Angels dancers before going back stage for the day.

See what I mean? Hundreds of dancers, but mine was the prettiest.

Grace rode the Tower of Terror about 6 times...with her dance friends.

We got Grandma Joyce on Space Mountain 3 times!

I thik everyone should get to wear a pin that says it's your birthday on your birthday and everyone else in the workd should say Happy Birthday just like they do at Disneyland. No, I did not wear Ears the whole time, just for this photo. I did wear the pin proudly, though.

One of our favorite rides, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Grace does a good impression.

Our room at Disney's Paradise Pier. This was my first time at a Disney property. It was so fabulous having the early access and not having to go through the line at the main gate, that I may never stay anywhere else again.

I had to have my favorite Disney treat- a frozen banana.

Grandma in her 3-D glasses from Star Tours, another favorite of mine.

Ready to dance on Main Street

Proof of Grandma going on Space Mountain (she's the blur next to Grace).

Splash Mountain

There's Grandma again - this time in the back

My birthday beniet from New Orleans Square

My birthday flowers from Tom, another nice surprise at the hotel. I love that guy!

Our star! This is the other costume from the first dance. Somehow I have no photos from that parade routine. I hope Grandma got some.

This trip made turning 45 not so bad, although it is still pretty close to old.

Thanksgiving

2013-01-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

January 4, 2013

From November 22, 2012...We did not host Thanksgiving this year for the first time in a quite a while. We went to Paul & Donna Binsfeld's for a lovely meal. Grace & I made the vegi platters. Hers is the pretty and colorful circle of peppers. I also made a pretty good apple pie and a chocolate pie that missed the photo shoot.

I snapped this good picture of the kiddos in the food line.

Tommy with a mouthful!

Grace & Aunt Fissa

My cutie.

My other cutie.

After eating it was time to come home and go to bed early for the third annual BLACK FRIDAY shopping spree with Daddy! This year it grew to include Grace's BFF Alex, and Emmie joined them again this year. They were up and out of the house by 4:30 am. Crazies.

Suns Halftime Show

2013-01-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

January 3, 2013

Grace's dance company performed at halftime at a Phoenix Suns game in December. I forgot to bring the real camera, so here is the best I could do.

She's checking out the jumbo tron

Christmas Parties

2013-01-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

January 2, 2013

December was a whirl wind of parties. So here's a quick recap.

Mini high school reunion when Ronnie came back to town from Japan. Some of the AHS alumni (plus Devney & Brenda) met up. Anyone look familiar?

Add caption

Two nights and 3 parties later, Tom & I showed up at the Massimis Annual Christmas Party. Always fun, and always a ping pong game going on.

The next weekend, I hit the Gingerbread Brunch party with Grace, Emmie & Aunt Fisa. Although we made the best of it, it was a TOTAL bust. Not a gingerbread man in sight, much less a house in need of decorating. All they had were sugar cookies with frosting & sprinkles. Big bummer.

Later that day, (see I told you it was a whirlwind) we went to Kathy's Christmas Eve Eve fiesta.

Mel & Ashleigh

Cooper Cutie

Allie, Emmie & Kate

Grace & Kackery

Tom & Michael & Ashleigh

Me, Grace, Emmie & Kathy

Happy 2013

2013-01-01T21:04:00.002-07:00

January 1, 2013

New Year, New Post. Last night Tom & I went out with our fun and fabulous neighbors.

The girls

Deb & Diane

Cathy & Matt

Jimmy & Diane

Jimmy & Tim

Amy & Cathy

Karens

Me & Tom

Tom, Tim & Keith

Justn & Tom G

Craig & Debbie

Amy, Cathy & Justin

The whole gang

Happy 2013. Here's to good health, happiness, friendship, family, love, laughter, and peace.

Christmas Eve

2012-12-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

December 24, 2012

So, yes, I know I am posted backwards. Bear with me; I am way behind in my posting, so I figured it was easiest to start with the most recent and work my way back. '

Christmas eve is usually spent at Kathy's house. Usually, she hosts a big fiesta on Christmas Eve. This year the fiesta was on the 23rd. This meant Christmas Eve was a quiet family night. The four of us went to church (and I got no pictures). Then we went to Kathy's for a small dinner with the Halters. The kids continued the Halter tradition of opening one gift which somehow is ALWAYS new pajamas. Given their ages, its hard to find matching jammies that a 9, 12, and 15 year old would be seen in. So Emmie & Grace match, Tommy not so much.

At our house we read The Night Before Christmas, like we always do.

Christmas Day

2012-12-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

December 25, 2012

We had a very nice Christmas here at the Halterhome. We saw the Halter side of the family and Grandma Joyce & Poppy Don, then we saw long-time friends the Binsfelds to end the evening. We wish could see ALL our family on Christmas, but we send our love to the Elliotts and Hinses, Hynes family, Tadlocks, Hartmans & and Gonzalezes and everyone else!

Here are our highlights from Christmas day.

Tommy's favorite gift- a foam ball from the Dollar store. I swear he's played with it nonstop.

Snow globe tradition continues...with a Disneyland 2012 snow globe

Grace looking for gifts in the waaay back.

Tommy modeling his new sweater.

Tommy photo bombing

Kathy & Emmie at the Binsfelds Christmas night.

Grace & Poppy (Dave Binsfeld in the background)

Poppy with his local grand kids

Tommy & Grandma Mary - aren't they festive in the green & red?!

Grace & Grandma Mary

Mac with his indestructible toy that he has since destroyed

What? A photo of me?

Grace in her dance studio gear.

Grace's sign from mom

Grace listening to music on her new mini speaker

One of my favorite gifts... a balancing Santa . Now I can stop drooling over Poppy's, I have my own to enjoy! Thanks Kathy & Emmie.

Lights, Lights, Lights!

2012-12-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

December 2, 2012

After much effort by Grace, our house is all lit up! She worked really hard and strung lights on the trees with her parents merely holding the ladder (and figuring out the extension cord placement, oh and buying the lights). Grace also wanted lights on the short brick walls, so voila! Let there be lights. She is very proud and we think it looks great! P.S. Tom hung the lights on the roof line.

It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Christmas

2012-11-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

As I am baking my Thanksgiving pies, I am listening to my Holiday play list....Christmas music makes me so happy. I was going to list my top 3 Christmas songs, but I love so many that I can only give you my top three of the night and even this was hard to choose:

Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses

Gabriel's Message by Sting

Christmas, baby Please Come Home by U2