Halterman Happenings: September 2006

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Kira Turns 5 (April 22, 2006)!

We had a Mulan themed birthday, this year. With Kira's grandparents and cousins in China...and the fact that she loves the Disney movies, it seemed appropriate. Here she is blowing out the candles with many friends looking on, and a shot of the Dragon (Mushu?) cake.

Mulan Memories

At Kira's party, she and her friends took turns having, "Lesson Number One" (Karate basics with Amber), "Mulan's tea" and Chinese food with Kristin, and "oriental fan crafting" with me. (Amber and Kristin are life savers!!!)

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Europe Trip June 2006

I traveled to Europe this summer with a small choir. We participated in a festival in Germany and performed in other venues. It was an amazing adventure. Don't worry. The most dangerous part of the trip was probably the subway in the Atlanta airport between concourses (when they say hold on, they really mean it).

I have posted the highlights from the trip below. I posted them in chronological order for me, which means that if you read straight down, you will get the trip in reverse (which is OK, too.) If you are terribly interested in a place or in Dachau or Oberndorf, which we also visited, let me know. There are many more pictures where these came from!

To sum it up, it was everything I imagined Europe to be and more. Hopefully, I will go back someday.

Wunderbar Wien (Vienna)

As magnificent as Vienna is, it was actually a little bit of a let down after some of the other places we visited. The art and architecture is amazing, but it is a big city and feels a bit like other big cities. We went to a rather strange performance of Strauss' opera "The Gypsy Baron." And were serenaded by an accordian player at dinner before.

Scenic Salzburg

I loved Salzburg! Mozart's birthplace and the setting of "The Sound of Music." Much of the town really takes you back in time. The fortress on top of the mountain began to be built in 1044 or something. Here you see me singing for Mozart as he peddles his Chocolate balls, trying to imitate Maria Von Trapp singing "I have confidence" by the horse fountain, and enjoying the incredible view from the fortress!

Fairytale Land

There is a castle on a cloud... and it is called Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the castle featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the one that inspired Walt Disney with Sleeping Beauty's castle. It was a cold and rainy day so some of us rode the carriage up the hill.

Meet the Haltermans

2011 finds us as a family of six and as busy and crazy as ever. Barry continues working at Clear Creek Associates, which we consider to be a tremendous blessing, given the current state of the economy. Barry is serving in the Stake Young Men's Presidency, and I am in the ward Primary Presidency at church. Besides being busy with a new baby and his brother and sisters, I am teaching Let's Play Music Classes, and blogging about my creative endeavors at meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com. Kira (9) is enjoying drama club this year. She has read more books thank I probably have in my life. She's learning the keyboard quickly in music class. She was asked to give a speech at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building at her school. Trenton (6) is adjusting to 1st grade and homework. He has suddenly become an excellent reader. He has a gift for music, but not a gift for following directions. *sigh* He still plans on being a scientist and is full of all the imagination and energy that a 6 year old can have. Tessa (3) has recently taken up hairstyling. She is responsible for the short hair do she is sporting now. She loves preschool, dance class, and attending music class (even though she isn't old enough). She's a little computer addict and will play Dora all day, if we let her. She's quite the artist on paper and on walls. She likes to write "T's" for Tessa on everything. She is a sweet big sister to Alec. Alec (8 mos.) is a mover and a shaker! He is exhibiting the same determination as his siblings in learning to get around. He is really a delightful baby! My only complaint is that sleeping is at the bottom of his priority list. He loves people and makes friends wherever we go.