From the Caribbean to Camping: 23 Years of Us -- Happy Anniversary, Carrie

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Carrie and I have been married for 23 years. Yes, I know — I’m getting older. It feels like just yesterday we met on a cruise somewhere in the Caribbean. Somehow, our paths crossed 24 years ago, and that chance meeting brought us together. So many great memories stem from that cruise back in 2001. It’s one of those moments that feels both distant and fresh, like it just happened. I still vividly remember our first meeting.

Recently, I revisited the website we created to announce our wedding — and yes, it’s still available at https://www.haverty.net/projects/wedding. Back then, it was hosted at wedding.haverty.net, but the domain wasn't carried forward in new site design. The site still exists, and it’s a nostalgic trip to revisit it and read both my version and Carrie’s version of how we met. Note: some links on the site, such as guestbook and gallery, no longer work.

Like any couple, we’ve had our share of ups and downs. I choose to focus on the good times and look forward to many more ahead. We love to travel, attend sporting events (well, Carrie tolerates them), read, hike, watch shows, and — most recently — we’ve gotten into camping. Over the past four years, camping has become a shared joy, and I’m looking forward to the day we can get a travel trailer and explore the country together. Retirement is still about 12 years away, but I know those years will fly by before we know it.

Looking back at the wedding website I created, I can’t help but laugh. The design was simple — not fancy — but it got the point across. Some of the links, like the photo gallery and guestbook, no longer work, but the core details are still there. It makes me smile to see how basic web design was back then and how far things have come.

Reflecting on the past 23 years, I’m filled with gratitude. We’ve traveled more in recent years, and I’m excited for the adventures still to come. I think back to our first anniversary trip to Costa Rica, where our friend Javier was our tour guide. What an incredible experience! Since then, we’ve taken numerous cruises together and discovered a love for Virgin Cruise Lines. I can’t wait to take another cruise with Carrie.

There are so many reasons I’m thankful to be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. As we move into our mid-to-late fifties, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed and how much life we’ve shared. I love Carrie deeply and wish her a very happy anniversary.

Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and adventure.

Greg’s 50th: A Surprise Weekend in Tulsa

Last week, I shared a bit about our trip to Tulsa and some music highlights (see post). This post is all about the trip itself—and what a weekend it was!

We had a great time surprising Greg for his 50th birthday. He had no idea where we were going when we left Friday morning. All he knew was that he needed to pack a suit. Leading up to the trip, Carrie and I kept the surprise alive by pretending we had a long day of work ahead, along with weekend plans and Sunday commitments.

Carrie and I got up early so we could head over to Erin and Greg’s place. We wanted to hit the road early, and Greg still had no clue what was happening—or that we were even coming. After dropping Oliver off for his staycation with Joan and Eddie, we made our way to Erin and Greg’s. We told Greg we were just dropping something off from Joan, but he saw through it pretty quickly and was excited to see we were joining the adventure.

We loaded up the car with luggage and snacks and hit the road, heading north on Gage and then onto Highway 75. Greg was still in the dark and commented that it was an interesting direction. When we turned off onto a side road, he thought we were stopping at Love’s for snacks—but we drove right past it and continued on toward our friends Laura and Jason’s house.

Laura had been in Dallas that week, and while Greg knew Jason was home alone, he had no idea we were picking him up for a road trip to Tulsa. Once Jason joined us, we finally told Greg we were heading to Tulsa for a birthday weekend celebration. He still didn’t know where we were staying or what we’d be doing for meals, which added to the fun and suspense.

Our first stop was Ron's Award Winning Hamburgers and Chili. We’d eaten at a Ron’s a few years ago with the Shirron family on our way home from Texas and loved it—so it felt like the perfect place to kick off the weekend. The chili was just as good as we remembered!

Since we couldn’t check into our VRBO until 4 p.m., we needed a place to hang out. We landed at Crawpappy’s Bar and Grill—an interesting spot! None of us realized smoking is still allowed in some Oklahoma bars, so that was a surprise. Once we got used to the smoky air, we settled in with a beer. After that, we headed to Big Whiskey’s, which was a great place to relax until check-in time.

Greg still didn’t know the full plan until we pulled up to the house where we’d be staying for the next two nights. The house was fantastic—great layout, a pool, and plenty of space to enjoy the evening. We chose to stay in that first night so we could relax by the pool. Laura arrived later from her road trip from Dallas. Greg had a hunch she might be coming, but it wasn’t confirmed until she walked through the door.

Saturday was all about the pool. We spent the day relaxing, listening to music, and splashing around. We had dinner reservations that night at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. While we originally planned for a 7 p.m. reservation, Greg suggested moving it earlier so we could get back to the house and enjoy more pool time and games. We were able to adjust the reservation and had a fantastic dinner in a private room. Carrie and I had never been to Mahogany Prime before, but the others had visited different locations. It lived up to the hype—dinner was amazing!

After dinner, we returned to the house for more pool time and then played games into the night. It was a packed and fun-filled weekend.

Sunday morning, we had to be out of the house by 11, so we hit the road and headed home. Once back in Topeka, Carrie and I were in bed well before 10 p.m.—we definitely needed to catch up on rest after such a great weekend.

Books, Bikes, and Baseball: A Sunday State of Mind

Oliver Sleeping

This Sunday morning, I’m struggling a bit with what to write about. I feel like a blank slate that I can’t quite start filling in—so I’m jumping in and writing anyway, hoping it sparks some ideas. I’ve got golf on the TV and baseball coming up later today. There are a few chores I need to tackle around the house, and I should probably think through some work-related things, but overall, it’s a pretty relaxed Sunday.

With no set plan for this post, I’ll be jumping around a bit as different thoughts come to mind. Bear with me as I shift from topic to topic.

Reading Goals and Audio Book Struggles

My reading has been steady, but I’m not quite meeting the goals I set for the year. I’ve only finished one book in the past two months. I recently started a new book and also began an audio book that sounded interesting.

When it comes to audio books, I’ve realized that unless I’m in the car and fully focused, I don’t retain much. If the TV is on or I’m following sports, my attention drifts. It’s clear that multitasking doesn’t work for me when listening to audio books—I need to be fully engaged. Right now, I’m about three books behind where I should be.

Bike Riding: Out of the Habit

I’ve definitely slacked on my bike riding. Between camping, travel, and just falling out of the routine, I haven’t been on the bike since June 6, 2025. Wow. I keep telling myself I’ll get back to it, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve got a conference coming up in early August, and I’m planning to restart my riding routine once I’m back. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall out of a habit—and how hard it is to get back into it.

Camping Adventures Continue

I’ve shared quite a few posts about our camping adventures this year—and for good reason. We’ve done a lot of it, and we already have another trip scheduled for the end of October. It’s been great to get out so often. Carrie summed it up perfectly: last year was our year of concerts, and this year is the year of camping. All of our trips have been in Kansas, and our final one will be as well. I’m really looking forward to it.

Family Time in Lawrence

Group Photo of Cousins

Carrie and I met up with my family on Thursday for a cousins’ dinner in Lawrence. We gathered at the Lawrence Country Club for drinks and dinner. It was a fun night. Some cousins couldn’t make it, but Mom, Dina, and Aunt Barb joined us, which was a treat. We usually meet in Kansas City, so it was nice to have a get-together closer to home.

Birthday Dinner at Fire Keepers

Birthday Celebration Wine Toast

Friday night, we celebrated my birthday at Fire Keepers Golf Course with dinner at Three Fires Steakhouse. It was our second time dining there, and it lived up to our memories—excellent food and great service. Big thanks to Joan and Eddie for the birthday dinner! Erin, Carrie, Greg, and I keep talking about making a trip to Fire Keepers to stay overnight and do some gaming. We haven’t made it happen yet, but we brought it up again while walking through the casino.

Sports Season Shifts

As July winds down, baseball is still front and center—especially with the Royals managing to stay somewhat in the hunt. But football is on the horizon. Fantasy football leagues are forming, and draft dates are being set. It should be a fun season all around:

• KU football kicks off in a newly renovated stadium.
• Washburn has a new coach and fresh energy on campus.
• And of course, the Chiefs are gearing up for another exciting run.

Let’s go!

Wrapping Up

That’s enough rambling for this Sunday. We’ve moved into the afternoon, and baseball is about to begin. The Royals are just about an hour away from first pitch.

Have a great rest of your Sunday—and a fantastic week ahead!

🎆 July 4th Camping Weekend at Council Grove

Happy 4 of July!

We went camping once again this year for the July 4th holiday weekend. The weather was great, and we were at one of our favorite spots—Council Grove Lake. It’s a fun place where we’ve rented a boat in the past, but this year we weren’t able to get one since we booked the site too late. Still, the campsite was wonderful—tucked along the dam with plenty of space and areas for our dogs to roam.

Erin and Carrie headed out a few days early, and Greg and I joined them on Thursday night. I actually made a quick trip out on Tuesday night to drop off a carload of supplies before heading back to Topeka. Erin and Carrie had great weather for their first night, with the temperature dropping to a cool 61 degrees. Carrie told me she got a little chilly that evening.

It was nice pulling into our campsite Thursday night to find everything already set up. Erin and Carrie had decorated with American flags and lights, and the tents were ready to go. Greg and I unloaded a few things from the car, and we were all set for the night. We picked up Pizza Hut for dinner since the town is only about 5–10 minutes away—another reason we love this site.

 

 

 

  

🌊 July 4th by the Water

Oliver in his Wagon

There had been a lot of rain in the weeks leading up to our trip, so the lake was flooded in some areas, and the main beach was closed. We found a nice little spot with shade where we could get down to the water and spent the 4th of July there. Charley and Oliver loved splashing around and staying cool by our sides. We think the area used to be an old campsite, so wading out was a bit tricky with hidden stumps and debris. Still, we set up our chairs in the water, dipped our feet in, and had a great day.

Steak and Potatoes for Dinner

After a relaxing day by the water, we returned to camp for our July 4th dinner: steaks, mashed potatoes, and green beans. So good! We stayed up late by the campfire, listening to music, enjoying drinks, and soaking in the night. Our friends Taylor and Rachael stopped by for a visit, which was a nice surprise.

🎇 Fireworks & Furry Friends

We were a bit caught off guard by how loud the fireworks were at our site. Fireworks aren’t allowed in the campground, but we were just on the edge of town, and there were plenty of booms and flashes. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, so I took him to the car, turned on the AC and the Royals game to help drown out the noise. That helped, and thankfully the fireworks ended by 10:30, so we could enjoy the rest of the evening.

☕ Saturday in Town

At the Brewery

On Saturday, we spent some time in Council Grove. We visited a great coffee shop that Erin and Carrie had been going to daily. Later, we hung out at Riverbank Brewing, which has been open for three years now. The beer and other drinks were great. We set up on the patio with both dogs, fans running at full blast, and had a relaxing afternoon.

🍗 Guests & Goodbyes

That evening, we had two more guests—Joan and Eddie—who came to see our campsite and brought Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. It was so thoughtful of them, and we had a lovely evening. After they left, we gathered around the campfire for our final night and enjoyed each other’s company.

🚗 Heading Home

Packed Car with Stuff on Top Too

Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Topeka. Our car had been acting up since July 4th, struggling to start. Thankfully, it kept working, but I wasn’t sure how long it would last. Turns out it was a bad battery cell, which I got replaced after taking it to the shop on Tuesday. All fixed now and ready for more adventures!

🌦️ A Rainy Lesson

Overall, we had a fantastic time. The rain held off, the weather was nice (even if a bit hot during the day), and we were able to bring both dogs. Oh! I almost forgot—Carrie and I got caught in a rainstorm early Friday morning without the rainfly on our tent. We had to scramble at 5:30 a.m. to get it on. Lesson learned! Everything got damp, but we aired it out and it dried nicely throughout the day.

Until next time—have a great week and happy camping! 🏕️

Smoke in the Air, Memories in the Heart

Hot summer nights, thick humidity, and the smell of smoke in the air—there’s something about the Fourth of July that makes it one of my favorite holidays.

In my younger years, you’d find me on a boat at my parents’ lake, soaking in the sun and the excitement of the day. These days, I might still be by a lake, maybe camping, but I’ve traded lighting fireworks for quieter moments under the stars.

I’ve always loved the Fourth of July. It brings a flood of memories—running around with friends, sparklers in hand, and the thrill of fireworks lighting up the sky. This year is no different. As I write this, I can hear the booming of fireworks from nearby neighbors. Our dog, who used to be terrified of the noise, is slowly losing his hearing, so the sounds don’t bother him as much anymore.

I still enjoy a good fireworks show—especially when it’s far away, high in the sky, and shared with a crowd. But buying fireworks myself? That’s no longer my thing. If someone else wants to spend their money lighting up the night, I’m happy to sit back and enjoy the show.

It’s funny how holidays have a way of bringing back memories. I hope this Independence Day brings you joy, reflection, and maybe a little nostalgia too.

Stay safe and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Birthday to our dog Oliver — he’s 14 today!

Wow! It’s hard to believe we brought this little guy home 14 years ago. He brings so much joy to our family. We love taking him on vacations (when we can), enjoy camping with him, and cherish every moment spent together around the house.

Last night, I took him on a birthday-eve walk, and he had a great time. I’m trying to take him on more walks lately—he gets so excited just to be outside. It’s a simple joy that never gets old.

We’ve been on so many fun journeys over the years. Here’s to many more adventures with our little guy.
Happy birthday, Oliver!

 

Love, Lawn, and Long Balls: Our Wild Weekend

Carrie and me at Wedding Reception

Carrie and I attended a wedding reception a few weeks ago. The picture to the left is a selfie we took at the reception. We had a great time celebrating and did a lot of dancing too. It was a good party at a cool spot just outside of Topeka. I had never been to or heard of The Brownstone. It's a great spot for a party, and we all had a fantastic time.

Today has been a combination of exercise and getting some things done around the house. This morning at 11 am, I did my weekly bike ride on the Peloton with Ally Love. Following my bike ride, I took Oliver on a mile walk, which is one of his longer walks in a while. He was so excited! I told Carrie I am going to try and take Oliver on a walk following each time I do a bike ride. After the walk with Oliver, I mowed the backyard and did some picking up in the front and back by blowing things off the driveway and back patio. The main reason for doing so is to prevent Oliver from tracking oak tree debris into the house. Finally, after mowing, I took our glass that had been overflowing for a while to the recycling area.

It is beautiful out today, so after I finished my tasks, I told Carrie I was surprised she was not sitting out in the hammock. The next thing I knew, Carrie was headed out to the hammock with Oliver. Meanwhile, I am inside watching the Royals hit a home run franchise record. We are up 11-6 in the bottom of the 9th against the Orioles. Both sides have been hitting a lot of home runs, but in the last inning, the Royals set a franchise record for the most homers in a game.

New Work Picture

About a week ago I had a new profile picture taken for work. I had been using the same picture for I am not sure how long. I am presenting at a conference in May, so I needed to provide a higher resolution picture which prompted me to reach out to our campus photographer who took about two dozen pictures of me. In the end, I picked the one to the right. 

Old Profile Picture

To compare, my old profile picture is to the left. It was also taken by our campus photographer, but it was probably over ten years ago. I really do not recall. I know when I would do virtual meetings with people that had not seen me in a while, they would comment on my old picture that I looked young. So, the new picture to the right is a better reflection of how I look today.

Another somewhat rambling post on this Sunday afternoon. I am happy to report that the Royals won 11 - 6 and won the series against the Orioles.  For me, I am headed outside to enjoy the weather. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a fantastic week!

 

Celebrating a Championship Season: The Washburn Ichabods Journey to Victory!

Ichabods Celebrating

This has been a fun year to be an Ichabod fan. Carrie and I have had season tickets for Ichabods basketball for a few seasons. We made it to the majority of the games this season, but we also missed a few. We were able to make it to the last two regular season home games. Washburn clinched the title on February 22. We finished the season 26-2, going the majority of the season undefeated. We played the last regular season game on March 1 and are ready for the MIAA Championship to start on March 6.

Michael Keegan Cutting Nets

Attending games and then watching games when they are away, I have some good memories of our players. Michael Keegan will be graduating this year. Michael has a fan club that travels from his hometown of Dyersville, Iowa. They were at the last game of the season, and I remember them last year at a game where they were all wearing shirts and holding signs cheering on their hometown guy. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Michael at an athletics event. It was fun to be able to talk to him and hear his insights on basketball, academics, and even his fan club.

Andrew Orr Celebrating

Another favorite from the team is Andrew Orr. Both Michael and Andrew are seniors this year. It is fun to see how Andrew progressed over his career at Washburn from his first year in 2021-2022 to this year. He is a force inside and can hit the short jumper. He has been fun to watch as an Ichabod, and I wish him all the best in his future.

Jack Bachelor Celebrating

Jack Bachelor has been a lot of fun to watch this year. He drives the lane with ease but is a big threat from the three-point line. He keeps opponents on their toes as a constant threat. I look forward to watching him play next year for his junior year.

It was great watching the team cut down the nets and celebrate. Following the team, it feels as though I know the players, and it is great to see their success this year.

Head Coach Brett Ballard Celebrating

It has been so fun to follow head coach Brett Ballard. Every time I talk to my mom to tell her we went to a game or that I was watching them later in the day, she asks who our coach is and how much she likes him. Coach Ballard played basketball for the University of Kansas, and she remembers him each time we talk. He has done great for Washburn, and I wish the team all the best in the postseason.

Join me in following the Ichabods on March 6 for the MIAA tournament. Go Bods!

Celebrating Love and Football: Our Anniversary Tailgate

Family Day at Washburn University

Saturday, September 21 was Family Day at Washburn University. This day also happened to be the 22 wedding anniversary for Carrie and me. We talked about staying in Lawrence, or Kansas City, for our anniversary, but made the decision we would attend the tailgate and game instead.

It was a hot day, but we had a good time. The game was exciting and it is always good to see friends at the tailgate. We had our spot set up with some new items which included a box fan to give some air movement in our tent, a new rug that we received as a gift for our anniversary, and then many pictures of us throughout the years that Erin did for us. We had a fun time and our corner spot was full with friends and family throughout the afternoon. It was perfect!

Box Fan for Cooling

The box fan for cooling our tent worked well. I am not sure we could have stayed throughout the afternoon if not for the box fan. Erin had seen pictures from people using this method for tent camping and we thought we would try it for tailgating. Game changer! It worked great with our chairs below and kept the air circulating through the tent. Carrie and I bought a larger tent which barely fit in our spot by the flagpole, but it worked out well. 

Beverage Station

We had a beverage station going that started our day. We got out to our spot about 9 am and while we did not have breakfast prepared, we did have the beverage station along with donuts. Carrie said at the next home game she will make us breakfast, so that is always a good way to start the day.

We lost 39 - 31 to Pittsburg State. Once again we were in this game throughout and had a chance to win, but a few stumbles and we lose again. It was a fun game with a lot of scoring, but could have used the win. We are now 0 - 3 on the season and playing at Missouri Western State University next weekend. 

Pictures of us to celebrate Anniversary

Selfie on 22 Wedding Anniversary

Brenda Joined our Tailgate

We had a fun time even with us losing. Joan and Eddie came out to join us for the tailgate and game. After returning home, unpacking the Pilot and putting things away, I took a nice long nap. I then went to bed early as it was a long day but so well worth it.

Happy anniversary, Carrie. I love you so much! Thank you for wanting to tailgate and watch football on our wedding anniversary. 

Nashville Birthday Bash: Honky Tonks, Brunch, and Bourbon Steak!

On Our Way to Nashville

Here we are in the middle of July and it is hard to believe that a month ago we were in Nashville, TN for the 50 birthday celebration for Corrie. We had a great time. I meant to write this following the trip, but we were busy following the trip and did not get it done. We had a wonderful time in Nashville and plan to go back in the future. We went to so many great spots to listen to great music, drink, and of course we ate at some great spots too. This will be a few of the places we went but not an inclusive list.

Drinks at Assembly Food Hall

We were in Nashville from June 13 - 17. We packed in a lot during our time there. We would sometimes sleep late to about 9:30 or 10, but we were out the door and doing things in Nashville everyday we were there. We would not head back to take naps or breaks, but it was nonstop and a great time. Picture to the left was a spot we ended up a few different times called Assembly Food Hall. A variety of places to eat or get drink. Fun spot!

Group at Brunch

There were ten of us total on the trip although all ten were together I believe only two days together. Picture to the right was brunch at Adele's where we went Saturday morning on June 15. We all came away stuffed and happy. I want to go back there in the future for dinner. We spent that day going between drinking spots while the ladies went shopping. 

I am jumping around a bit, but on Thursday we spent the day on Broadway going around to the various bars. It was so fun with great bands at each and every stop. Some places would have multiple bands playing at the same time, but the way the bars were set up, you could only hear one when in the vicinity of that band. Most bands would take donations with a bucket or with a QR code to send money. We did both methods while we were going around Broadway listening where we would drop cash into a bands bucket or send Venmo through their QR code.

Dinner at Bourbon Steak

The highlight of the trip was the birthday dinner for Corrie at Bourbon Steak. We had reservations for ten and we had talked about doing a private dining room but ended up leaving it in the main dining room. When we arrived, we were surprised they took us to the private dining. It was incredible with the views, the food, and the company. The picture to the left, or the others in Flickr album, do not give it justice. We had our own wait staff that took good care of us. Javier was in charge of the wine and we had three bottles of wine through the night. It was a fantastic evening! 

To see all photos from our trip, you can browse them using the images below.

Fun memories to celebrate the birthday for Corrie. It was fun hanging out with everyone to celebrate big birthday weekend for Corrie. Carrie and I hope to go back to Nashville sometime soon.

Happy July 4, 2024! Have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

t always feels like a sign that summer is half-over as July 4th weekend comes and goes. The summer is speeding by and only gets faster. I hope you have a fun and safe holiday.

No fireworks purchases for us this year, but we might watch some as others fire off their fireworks. Hoping our dog, Oliver, can remain calm and not be too bothered by the sound of the fireworks from neighbors. It is pitiful to watch him outside the past few nights as people fire off their fireworks. 

If you shoot something that goes into the air, please follow safety protocol. My sister, Dina, has had one too many fireworks chase after her. I remember one time it hit her and put a hole in her shirt. She was far back from the fireworks, but somehow they managed to seek her out.

Happy 4th! Stay safe and keep all of your digits.

Celebrating Javier's Journey to Citizenship

Javier in 2009

Our friend Javier recently achieved a major milestone – becoming a United States citizen! We've known Javier since his days attending Washburn University to get his MBA and then after he graduated with his MBA, he got a jot at Frito Lay. Back in 2009, we even went the extra mile to help him out with his house and finances while he was back in Costa Rica, ensuring things ran smoothly as he completed the process to work legally in the US.

Javier in 2024

Fast forward to April 27th, 2024, and the big day for Javier's citizenship ceremony finally arrived. He let us know on Thursday, and we surprised him with a trip down to Dallas, Texas to celebrate. But we weren't the only ones with a surprise up their sleeve – our friend Corrie from Houston also made the trip to celebrate with Javier! We managed to keep it a secret, making the reunion even more special.

Group of Friends to Celebrate

Javier got us a limo to take to the ceremony that then dropped us off at Rodeo Goat for a late lunch. With Corrie coming in Saturday morning and it being a surprise for Javier, we had to ask that the limo pick Carrie and I up at the hotel which was really so Corrie could ride in the limo too. Carrie, Corrie, Jess, Brock, and Kim all went to the ceremony to celebrate Javier becoming a citizen. We all had to remain outside as the event space was small and one hundred people at a time become citizens, so there is not a lot of room available within the swearing in location. We all stayed outside of the main doors and cheered when Javier, and others, came out after becoming citizens.

Javier and John Selfie

I am excited for Javier to have this completed. He can now vote in the United States elections. He is able to know that his retirement will go to him and not be seized by the government through future changes. He also keeps his residency to Costa Rica which is still in our plans to some day retire to Costa Rica, so I am glad that he keeps his residency to his home country. 

Javier, Hat, and Limo

It was an incredible experience to witness hundreds of people from all backgrounds taking this important step. The excitement was contagious as they exited the ceremony, waving American flags and met with chants of "USA! USA!"

Congrats Javier on becoming a citizen of the United States.