Independence Day 2012

Happy Independence Day America!

Today, we didn't do our usual 4th of July party. This year we wanted to keep it simple and enjoy the fun. Earlier in the afternoon, we went to the beach. It was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the sun. And that's exactly what we did. The girls played around in the water, while Andy and I relaxed up on the shore. After a while we got hungry, so we headed back home and grilled ourselves a great dinner. Then, we waited a bit until it got dark. That's when the fun began. We got out our supply of fireworks and we went to town. It was a gorgeous display this year. The people in our neighborhood really had some spectacular ones too. Each of us also lit a lantern this year to send to the heavens so our friends and family who are no longer with us could see the sparkly display of lights too. This year I was so grateful to be able to relax and enjoy the time with the ones I love the most. It was a truly awesome Independence Day.

Merry Christmas 2011

Wakey, wakey children. Up and at 'em! Time to unwrap gifts! Christmas is here!Christmas was fun and exciting as usual this year. The girls got mostly everything their little hearts desired. Hey, even Andy and I got what we wanted, too! Amazing. :o)

Merry Christmas from The Happy Ketter Family!

Oh, Christmas Tree

Above is a photo of our 2011 Christmas Tree Cutting Adventure. We spent the rest of today decorating it. Kassie picked it out for us this year. She did a great job! We decided to go against our normal blue spruce tree this year. Instead, we opted for a nordic fir. They are a tad more pricey, but they don't shed their needles like the spruce does. It has a different look to it, as the branches on the spruce are more to *my* liking. It smells great, which is a plus. I can say overall, I am pretty pleased with the tree. Even our cat seems to like it. Dexter keeps chewing on the branches! Here are a few pictures of the girls decorating the tree.

And below is the picture of it decorated in all its glory.

Now we can't wait for Christmas!

Happy 10th Birthday Kassandra!

So I'm sitting here, planning which pictures I'm going to put on the blog of Kassie's Birthday, when my daughter comes up to me and says, "Mom... are you going to put the pictures on the blog?" Now you'd think it was the birthday girl asking me this, but no. It was Madeline. I'm not sure why she cared so much, I mean it's not her birthday. I'd like to think it's because she just loves her sister so much.... (crickets) :o)

Kassie says she can't believe she is 10 now. Neither can I. It's yet another case of time flying by. Ugh... Anyways, much to her (and her sisters) delight, here are some pictures of the birthday girl opening her presents.

And blowing out the candles...

Happy 10th Birthday Kassie!

Sun Lakes Birthday Getaway

Most. Beautiful. Place.

That is, here in Washington State. My word, this place was awesome.

On Monday, Andy, me, the girls, Jamie, Sarah, Brian and Ben packed up and headed out to Sun Lakes State Park, in Eastern Washington for my birthday. The temperature was, well... hot every day we were there. Perfect for swimming, sun bathing, and Water Wars. What's that you ask? Well, they have this thing there called Water Wars where there are 2 stations/sides that compete by pelting water balloons at each other.... all to get soaked. It was awesome. You were a winner if you successfully got another person wet. That's it. Totally fun, especially when it's a solid 95 degrees outside. And, no matter how much sunscreen you put on, it really didn't matter. The sun shined constantly.

We rented cabins. Ours was right on the lake. The picture below is our cabin, with views looking off the porch to the lake.

We also rented paddle boats and paddle trikes. They were so much fun. We paddled out to the island in the middle of the lake and then let the current and wind take us back in.

Then, Andy, the girls and I headed up the road to Dry Falls. This place was so awesome. It looked like a miniature Grand Canyon. I didn't know they had landscape like this in Washington State.Below, in the picture, is the story of Dry Falls. Amazing how it was formed. This place was truly spectacular.And finally, we hiked around to some of the other lakes in the area. Beautiful scenery everywhere we went. I enjoyed it so much.

Now, we are all sunburned and tired. Back to reality....

Madeline's 7th Birthday

Presents....check.

Friends....check.

Party at Chuck E Cheese....check.

More presents when we get home....check.

One happy, happy 7 year old....priceless.

Happy 7th Birthday, my darling baby girl.

May this year bring you all the luck in the world!

3rd Annual Ketter 4th of July Party

As is our tradition, we hosted our annual 4th of July party again this year. This time, the weather actually cooperated! It was an awesome 80 degrees. Beautiful sunny skies. Perfect for family, friends, food and lots of fireworks! Everyone had a blast. We are so blessed with everything we have. It's good to celebrate and enjoy it with friends.

This is what happens when you give a short-armed person a camera and she wants to take a picture with everybody.

Lots of half-faces, lol....

We got a floating lantern this year (like the one from Tangled, which is Madelines favorite movie, so she was thrilled.) It was tricky to light, but the end result was awesome. I wish the pictures would have turned out better.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July!

Meet Dexter...

Yes, I know. We just had our precious cat, Mr. Meows, laid to rest yesterday. Last night was probably the roughest night I've had to deal with as long as recent memory serves me. It was unbearable. I needed my kitty. He was gone, and I was grieving uncontrollably. I could not bear it. I cannot help it, I am an animal lover. It also didn't help any that my three girls were also crying to no avail. Plain and utter sadness loomed in this house... Well, that was until today. After school got out, Andy and I loaded up the car with the girls and our kitty kennel. I was on a mission... A mission to fill the void left in my heart from the passing of my darling Muggles. So, off we went. Now, I'm a firm believer in adopting a pet from the Humane Society. The work they do with animals and the amount of love and devotion they have for them is astounding. Not to mention the huge difference between the Humane Societies cost and the cost in spaying/neutering them and getting their shots at the vet. Plus, I'm a sucker for a non-profit org. Anyways, the Kitsap Humane Society didn't have a kitty that jived well enough with us so we went to the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society. They apparently, according to the lady at the front desk, are the largest humane society in the state. And boy was she right! They had so many kitties to choose from. And choose we did. A little boy, well in kitty years a "preteen." His name is Dexter. He is 10 months old and is a tabby cat. He was a stray, but now he has a loving home. The girls are so in love and so is my softy husband. He loves that cat. They are new BFFs. Here are a few pictures I captured as we introduced him to his new home. (Mainly my bedroom.)

See the girls. Yeah, they're all smiles.

Sydney is in love...

Kassie is too...

And of course so is Madeline.

Dexter is thinking,

"Whew, I had a long day. Time to relax..."

Now when do you think I should introduce him to our dog Parker.......

Mothers Day 2011

Best. Mothers Day. Ever.

Andy and the girls took me, my mom and the rest of my family to Safeco Field for Mothers Day. It was wonderful. The sun was shining just for us. Granted the Mariners lost, but it was still an awesome day.

We bought hats at the game. We walked around downtown Seattle. We ate, then we caught the ferry back home.

I love my family!!!

Like I said.... Best Mothers Day, ever!!!

Happy Easter 2011

After a wonderful service, these are some photos I took from the Easter Egg Hunt we had for the girls at my parents house this afternoon.

And... the hunt is on!

And then we ate a fantabulous Easter dinner with my parents, and now I'm stuffed and tired...... ZZZzzzzzzzzz..........