Responsible Celebrity - "Make It Right"

As the year comes to a close, two things come to mind very quickly...

1) Celebrities have never been more in the news for their idiotic behavior as in 2007. However, I question how much of that idiocy is really that outside the norm.

2) Social Cause is the responsibility of every person...especially the institutionalized Church.

This hopeful article from the New York Times today addresses both as Brad Pitt acts on his desire to help rebuild New Orleans. My favorite quote as a precursor to a forthcoming Haffner Home blog regarding Christmas Consumption...

"Mr. Pitt is asking foundations, corporations and individuals to contribute to the project by adopting one house, several houses or a portion of a house through the project Web site, makeitrightnola.org. 'You can adopt a tankless water heater or a solar panel or a tree or a low-flush toilet,' Mr. Pitt said. 'You can give it to someone for Christmas,' he said — instead of another sweater."

Read the whole article here.

happy Friday to YOU!

Helio WINS!!!

Can I get a wahoo?!! Helio and Julianne won Dancing with the Stars! Let the media frenzy begin.

yelling...

... in gift wrap tubes is fun

a trip through the house...

...according to Landon

heating & cooling needs

Most of you already know, but just in case you didn't, Crystal's Dad (Frank - aka "Papa") is a heating and cooling expert. With the cold moving in, we thought we would remind you. :)

fun with tp

Why is it that we adults always work to convince ourselves (& our children) that they need toys (& lots of them!) when it's really the simple things they enjoy the most?

our little LA.....

.......is walking all over the place.



...makes us smile bigger everyday! I gave him his first haircut last week...it was needed!



....loves hanging out with his Nana!



..........gets sad when Dada has to leave for work in the morning!



.............loves to open cabinets and walk away real fast with that smile on his face. Is he thinking......"I got away without them seeing me. haha!"



......gives us this face when he doesn't get his way. Poor LA!

+ - (x2)

We learned a few backs back that when two of them are positive, it's pretty much a sure thing.



And, we couldn't be more excited to be expecting baby2! We have had a couple doc appointments and all signs are healthy and go. Due date is June 2. Could even be an Indy 500 baby. And, Landon will be almost 2 (and, hopefully that's not terrible twos). Crystal is working through the joys of the first trimester. :) ...but loving every minute of knowing that little baby2 isn't far off. And, no, we won't be finding out gender this time either. Blame Amos. :)

The below picture isn't entirely on topic, but it sure makes us smile. This was Landon's Nana's (Crystal's Mom) reaction when we shared with her that we were pregnant with Landon back in December 2005. She was completely surprised...as was everyone else. Including us! :)

Halloween chicken!

Crystal The Hippie, Amos The Not Costumed Yet Rocker and Chicken LA.

Landon looked so cute!! He got to visit Amos at work and two people said she is so cute. So, maybe next year we will but him in a superman costume, so there will be no confusion! Thanks Jakey Poe for letting Landon borrow your costume!!


Papa with his 2 grandsons, Raymond "The Bat" and Landon!


Landon hung out with his Papa and Nana and cousin Raymond for the evening. Amos and Crystal got dressed up and headed to Brookside Celebration Church on the near east side to help out with a party for the kids there. It was a blast and we had tons of kids attend!!!


Landon chewing on Chloe's ball.


Crystal and the little chicken. Thanks Emily for letting Crystal borrow your very funny costume.


Landon playing with his Bat cousin.

Here's Josiah!

Amos's cousin Kim and her husband Mike welcomed their firstborn into the world on Tuesday at 4:47pm. 8lbs, 7oz, 21in. Welcome Josiah Michael Chaffin! We can't wait to meet you.

Step to this?

A few more days of organized chaos?...before LA takes off walking. The boy hasn't mastered more than 3 steps without assistance yet. Dad and Mom are alright with that. :) But, it likely won't be long.


...trying to get in the fridge

Landon likes to stand when we say "stand up."

...after the ball

LA's new Hummer

Papa and Nana (Crystal's parents) picked up this sweet little ride at a garage sale a couple weeks back. While LA's little legs can't reach the pedals yet, he sure likes hanging out in it. And, he should...Frank even Armor All'ed the tires! There are also about 5 different music selections. LA is living up to his middle name; he dances the most to the rock and roll tunes. Free Bird!!

Tonight on ABC -- Helio keeps on dancin'!

Helio and Julianne during last week's Jive dance.

Helio's letter of the week to his IndyCar friends....

Hello My Friends,

Wow! What a drama last week! Although Julianne and I got strong judges scores for the Jive, total of 24; we had to wait until the last minute to know if we were going further on the show.

Thank you for all of you that have been voting and because of that I am dancing the VIENNESE WALTZ tonight. It is a romantic and a classic dance, it is really nice.

It is live on ABC channel at 8pmET

You can vote 9 times on line here.
9 times by phone 1 800 868 3409 (1 800 vote 409)
9 times by text message (at&t customers only) text vote 3409.

Don’t miss tonight, it is looking good!!!!

All the best,
Helio Castroneves

LA's favorite song (at least this week)

LA absolutely loves his Five Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed book. He has recently learned motions that go along with it as well. Including "bumped his head." Watch...

Babie, babies, babies

What a couple weeks it has been! Our dear friends Ryan/Shannon, Matthew/Debbie and Micah/Brooke ALL got to welcome new additions to their families! Welcome Emily, Max and Myla to all of our lives and especially those of your wonderful parents. Oh, and, BabyGap is doing a casting call for some cute kid thing. So, be a good proud opinionated parent and nominated your child by clicking here.

One year photos

These just in....

LA picks out his '07 pumpkin

Amos was able to take yesterday off of work and we got to take LA down to Brown County to pick out his pumpkin for the year with Papa and Nana.



We went to the same place as we did last year. Kelps Pumpkin Patch alongside IN-46 just east of the state park.



"So many! Which one do I pick?"



"Um, this one."



Papa gave LA a few rides around the property.



And, LA and "Dada" got to play on a tractor before we headed west to take Crystal's parents to Oliver Winery.





We didn't get any photos inside the winery, but if you haven't been to Oliver, you're doing yourself a disservice. Amos and Crystal have been before and done the whole deal, tasting, tour, picnic, etc. It's a fantastic time. And, Amos can vouge for the quality of the wine especially after just having been in Sonoma for a wine tour. For the price, it's the best around!







LA's afternoon ended with getting to feed the mammoth-sized "fsh" (as he calls them) at the pond before we headed back to the big city. The little man was bushed after a long active autumn afternoon.

circa 1997

Should Amos go back to his look from 10 years ago?

IndyCar Staff Party!

We didn't get a whole lot of pics from the party. But, here are a couple of shots that Amos's co-worker took. (Thanks, Nathan!) We had a lot of fun at the annual Season Ender Bender at the Forbes residence. Thanks Kevin and Ruthie!


Landon enjoyed playing in the grass. And check out his belly!!!:)


Check out camo baby having fun w/his turtle car in the yard. It's his favorite toy of the week.


My adorable boys!!