Let them eat Cake!

I Just wanted to share a couple of the cakes I've done recently. Colin's family friend Kelly taught me how to lay fondant last month so I could make a cake for my mom's 50th birthday party. She's so skilled and I was so lucky to have her help me out! Thanks Kelly! The other cake was done for a friends anniversary get together. Those Dahlias were fresh from my flower garden!

Mom's Cake

Anniversary Cake

4 years and counting...

Happy 4 years of dating to my lovely boyfriend and I. :) We started dating 4 years from today after meeting in the tiny town of Sweet Home Oregon. I'm very lucky to have such a supportive, smart and wonderful boyfriend to help me through this thing I call life. I'm so fortunate to have someone who shares the same beliefs as I do and keeps me in check when I seem to go overboard. Love you babe and here's to many more years!

Forget the proposal, it's PARTY time!

Aside from all the hoopla with Laura & Justin getting engaged, we just HAD to party it up for Laura's 28th birthday! Here are some of the pics that were taken that night...

What's a post without a self picture?

My high school friend danny and I (with my pimp cup)

Dad, L's future Mother-in-Law, TJ

Beer margaritas anyone?

Dude, where'd Lee go? Simmer down there Mrs. Handy!

L's future sister in law Jayme

Lee & Justin

L's future sister & brother-in-law
Dani & Jared (and a sleeping baby Evie too!)

Jen & I

Laura & Lee

The shirt Dani got her for her b-day, says "We love auntie Laura"
from Ky, Chance & Evie

Happy 28th Birthday Laura!

Perfect way to top off a great day...

Last Friday (July 17th, my sister's b-day) I was invited by Laura and Justin to go to a fundraiser for Point Defiance Zoo called Zoobilee. Basically you get all fancied up and go to the zoo, eat, drink and be merry. It was such a good celebration...especially because Justin finally, after 4 1/2 years, asked Laura to marry her. If you want to read how he did it, go to her blog here.

Before getting into the limo.

L & J with the "Proposal Tree"

Ok, so Mrs. Handy #1 has a ring, Ms. Handy #2 has a ring...
I'm feeling a bit left out. :)

Justin's best man Brian, Justin, Laura & I

Apparently people like to walk in front of us as we take pictures,
then get mad at us. haha

Had to rest the feet and call the boyfriend.

And this is what happens when there is unlimited alcohol,
a designated driver, and a nerve racking proposal over with.
Did you notice the bling on the left ring finger?

Update on Laura's Nepal trip...

Just wanted to update some of you on my sister's trip to Nepal. She will be coming home this Wednesday after a month in Kathmandu and Narti. From the few emails, updates from Justin and her blog, she has had a great time but to see the countries poverty is a bit unbearable. Their culture is completely different from ours and the views on women are especially different.

Laura worked in an orphanage for a couple weeks with girls who have been in slavery and abused. Most of them have scars from being beaten during their time in slavery. Thankfully, they were rescued and now live in the orphanage where they receive care and schooling. They have few possessions and often can't afford the luxuries we have here including fruit, meat and clothes. Most of their meals consist of rice and curry vegetables.

One of the reason's I'm writing this is because my mom and I were just on the phone talking about possibilities for collecting clean, undamaged, used or new clothing to send to these orphanages. If any of you do have items you can donate, I'd love to start collecting them so we can ship them to these little girls who have little to nothing. (ANY sizes, anything you might give to a thrift shop or any of your children's/niece's/nephew's outgrown clothing would be really fabulous.) To me, it puts a new perspective on going out and buying a $60 pair of jeans when it is equal to 4,620 rupees. To give you an idea: a coke is 15 rupees, a skirt is about 400 rupees ($5.20) and a nice meal might cost 77 rupees ($1). It makes me realize how frivolous our culture is and how such a small amount can make a huge difference. Completely eye opening.

If you want to see more about Laura's trip, you can go to her blog at: Laura's Nepal Blog

If anyone has any clothes or contributions to donate, please email me at KaraHandy@gmail.com

I think together we can help makes the lives of these sweet girls a little more happy. Please wish my sister a safe travel home and I'll post more when I have more information to share on her trip!

4th of July

This 4th of July we were lucky enough to have our good friends Trent and Tiffani come to Albany from Portland with their almost 16 month old daughter Madison. Colin went to school with Trent and Tiffani and I became good friends during that time. It's amazing seeing Madison now that she is so big, because we were at the hospital the day she was born. Seems like just yesterday!

We had a small BBQ which included Colin's parents. It was a nice and relaxing day...and super hot too! I think it was in the mid 90's. Madison was even brave enough to try out the kiddie pool. Well, kind of. Lets just say she got used to the idea after Trent jumped in with her. Later that night we headed down to a park in Albany and watched the fireworks show.

Here are a few pics from the day...

Madison is SO happy! Barely a peep from her all day!
How stinkin' cute is she??? I personally think she looks like the Gerber baby.

And she's just learned how to give kisses!

Did I mention Tiff's almost 7 months pregnant with her 2nd?
A little boy this time! How amazing does she look?

Oh I just love how squishy she is!

Here you go Katie!!! Finally snapped one of her big belly.
If that's what you want to call it! :)

Let's just say Madison didn't exactly love the idea of the kiddie pool.
We had to fill it with warmer water so she'd sit in it.

Happy Birthday Colin!

7.2.09


Happy 27th Birthday to my wonderful, smart, hansom boyfriend Colin! He's certainly accomplished a lot in his 27 years of life including getting his BS & Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), buying his first house and getting the chocolate lab he's always dreamed of! (And girlfriend too...right?) :) I know he will have a great birthday with a BBQ at his parents and a couple of softball games in the evening...and I'm sure he'll find a way to squeeze in a few beers in the meantime! Happy Birthday Colin...I love you!