The Wonder Years

Abbi's First Stake Dance

2011-06-12T14:18:00.002-04:00

Abbi just turned fourteen! Here she is getting ready to go to her first dance. Be sure to check out how it went at embysisters.com.

Birthday Bash

2011-05-19T03:08:00.006-04:00

The Big 14! We celebrated with two parites. Here friends from church came home to have lunch after our meetings. The day before we took Abbi and three school friends to Georgetown for nails, pizza and cupcakes. We are so blessed to have her that two parties were needed to celebrate.

Our meaning on earth

2011-04-05T19:39:00.003-04:00

Written and created by Abbi Karren

The only way to

have meaning this earth is to learn to

laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

And the

Affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

And

Endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others,

To leave The world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

growing a garden patch,

being kind to the earth,

a redeemed friendship;

And

To know even one life has breathed easier because YOU have lived.

Remember to Check out Abbi's Blog "Nail Polich and Running Shoes" All about Abbi and Emma! www.embysisters.blogspot.com

Morning Commute

2011-04-05T10:19:00.003-04:00

So here is my life. I have rolled out of bed to drive John, who works so hard, to the airport at 7am in my pjs. Two mutts on my lap and one in the backseat. And yes I did stop at 7-11 on the way home to get that gallon of milk we needed. I think my purple and pink striped pj pants really gave the cashier a lift. A man came in to say that my dogs were really missing me. I walked out out to see three doggie faces waiting anxiously for my return. It has happened. I have become the crazy dog lady. If only I had been driving the Bonneville the picture would have been complete.

Spring Surprise

2011-03-23T14:23:00.001-04:00

Our neighbor trimmed his tree and I thought the branches were pretty. Surprised us all when after I stuck them in water they bloomed with pink flowers.

2011-03-23T13:57:00.004-04:00

We did it! Finally moved the laundry room upstairs. I am getting so much more laundry done. Pop in a load before bed, change it in the morning. I have wanted to do this for years and I love, love it. Here are after and before shots.

2011-03-23T13:52:00.001-04:00

Poor little Eeker. Tripped on her bell bottoms (it was Hippie Day at school) and broke her wrist. To pass the time John helped her make gum.

2011-01-21T20:24:00.003-05:00

Sunset Spitivard

We love to see stage plays!

We head down to the Kennedy Center about 5 times a year to see their wonderful shows. Another favorite theater is the Signature Theater in Arlington where we recently took in a production of Sunset Boulevard.

Because of the smoke and lights used in the show, every bit of spit was visible when it came out of the mouths of the actors. I am here to tell you that we people spit, a lot!! It was hard to watch.

Also, the song Sunset Boulevard has a lot of s's in it. Here is a picture of Emma ready for the show.

Snowbunnies

2010-12-17T15:26:00.002-05:00

The snow is here! Hip Hip Hooray.

All is white and lovely except for the

little yellow doggie patches in the yard. A and E

took pictures of each other outside.

Where's Emma?

2010-12-09T07:51:00.002-05:00

The other day Abbi and Emma had a little disagreement. Emma stomped off and left Abbi to decorate the Christmas Tree by herself. After 15 minutes Abbi went to look for Emma. Not able to find her, she enlisted Dad, Mom, Grandma and Grandpa. After a long few worried minutes, we finally opened the door to put on shoes to look outside. Surprise! We found that Emma had fallen asleep in the coat closet- pout still on her face.

Pickwick Singers!

2010-12-08T14:27:00.003-05:00

The Pickwick Singers has started a singing group. We sang for a Christmas Festival in Leesburg. Such Fun!! Here we are singing away:

Nail polish and running shoes

2010-10-25T07:49:00.003-04:00

Abbi and Emma have recently posted to their old blog from a loooong time ago. Check it out! (Click here)

Victims of a Vicious Crime

2010-10-24T10:07:00.002-04:00

Wondering what that lovely picture is? John and I were walking the boys (our three dogs). Strolling down the sidewalk having a lovely conversation when I hear a bang, bang, bang and hear John screaming "AAAAAAAA, I've been shot!" Someone had aimed from their car and pelted him with a beebee gun. John yells "I'm going after those idiots!" Dropping the leash he dashes off after the moving truck. It was so brave and beautiful. He didn't get too far before his flip flops tripped him up. Oh, my knight in shining armor. I shudder to think what would have happened if he had run fast enough in his flip flops to catch the moving truck with the guns! The police came and took a report as well as pictures of the injury. This is his arm- there were six in all. I was very proud of my knight in leather flip flops.

Lots of Locks of Love

2010-10-17T09:37:00.003-04:00

Emma's Luscious Locks

Emma has been growing out her hair for a while. She has a purpose in mind.

Locks of Love!!

Scary Karren Halloween

2010-10-17T09:25:00.002-04:00

John says these are too frightening to post!! Abbi has enjoyed making these. Our next post will be more uplifting. BOO!

Back by popular Demand!

2010-09-07T15:15:00.003-04:00

Okay thanks to my high pressure fanclub (that would be Laura) I will continue with the posting. Since we last talked I have been to New York City, Indiana twice, Bermuda, Hawaii, Utah and Idaho. Guess which place was the favorite?

Piano Recital June 2010

2010-06-13T09:39:00.002-04:00

Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin was played by Abbi. Emma played Close Your Eyes. They weren't nervous at all! I couldn't believe it because I am a serious wreck when I play the piano- such a wreck that I opted out of the recital this year.

A New Hobby

2010-06-10T08:05:00.003-04:00

Driving back from piano lessons Abbi notices a man blowing leaves from the sidewalk. Turning to me she asks, "Mom, does that guy leafblow for his job?" Sarcastically I reply "No honey, that's just his hobby." Incredulous, Abbi exclaims "People leafblow for their hobby? I've never heard of that, why would they do that?!!" Whenever we see a leafblower we now say "He's doing his hobby".

The Coolest Car

2010-06-09T08:25:00.004-04:00

7:32 we are searching for Emma's backpack. The bus comes at 7:34. After searching upstairs, downstairs, between stairs the missing pack is discovered hanging on the hook where it belongs. As Emma runs out the door we hear the distant hum of the bus driving away.

We jump into the car, load all the dogs and I start zipping down the street but notice my zip has been zapped. The car is not driving well. Emma says "Mom, maybe we have a flat tire." In my yellow floral nightgown I drag myself out of the car and walk around to discover that we indeed do have a flat tire. Slowly backing up down the street into our driveway, I tell Emma we will need to take Dad's car.

Oh no Mom! "If we take Dad's car I will look like a fool. I love it because it's Dad's but it is a little embarassing. " Humming along in the Bonneville I am grateful to have it at that moment and grateful for a husband who hangs onto things. My peace is disturbed by Emma's comment, "Mom, what year was this car cool?" I looked at her and told her with reverence "In your Dad's world honey, this car is cool every year."

Musical Musings

2010-06-05T09:56:00.001-04:00

Abbi loves to compose music and write songs. Here's a little snippet of her latest.

Pickwick Invades

2010-06-05T09:44:00.004-04:00

Two or three times a year our garage is taken captive by the Pickwick Players costumes. Since I am on the board and we have all the costumes at our house, we feel the brunt of each show. Here is a before and after clean up.

Sprinkler Fun

2010-06-05T09:33:00.003-04:00

Trying to keep cool- Abbi Emma and Hannah running through the sprinkler

The Boys

2010-06-03T12:53:00.002-04:00

More scenery from the porch : Choncho and Bugsy- So dang cute but surprising the amount of output these two perform.

Why We Love Virginia

2010-06-03T12:47:00.002-04:00

I love this time of year! The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and all around me I see lush greenery.

Oh if it were only 75 degrees and mild instead of 90 degrees and 70% humidity!

Why the Karrens are so Rich!

2010-06-02T08:47:00.005-04:00

You may have been wondering why we are so loaded! Here is the secret:

Every time I give anything away to Goodwill or any other charity John takes pictures for tax breaks. From these pictures I am sure you now know why we live in a mansion and have all these servants running around here. I mean, we are giving away some pretty extravagant stuff. Almost worth the digital space it takes up on the camera.

Some Things You Missed

2010-06-02T08:33:00.002-04:00

Spring Break in Sedona, AZ- a spiritual vortex where it is rumored that Space Aliens frequently visit.

Thanksgiving Dinner- Emma is our budding chef. Grandma B is a willing teacher.

Our puppies Bugsy and Choncho.

The Huge Snowstorm!

Portraits

2010-06-01T08:47:00.003-04:00

Our lovely portraits from Las Vegas!

2010-01-08T19:11:00.002-05:00

Our new plan? Teach the kids responsibility by giving them "Trust Bucks" for certain deeds. What kid wouldn't work hard for this?

Better Late Than Never?

2010-01-08T19:05:00.003-05:00

Standing in the kitchen with flour hand prints all over my black stretchy pants (you know the type I always wear) I am finally getting into the Christmas Spirit. I have made two types of cookies today. One double chocolate and the other Russian Tea Cakes- my favorite. Emma and I both ate about five cookies worth of dough. Salmonella be darned!

2009-08-04T22:42:00.000-04:00

Lava Hot Springs.

Here we go!

2009-08-04T22:32:00.001-04:00

Testing, Testing.