Thursday, August 6, 2009

Mi Cumpleanos Feliz

I love my birthday. It's the one day out of 365 where I get to slack off and finally get some recognition for working my butt off all year. Dads and husbands, yeh feel me? (2 fist bumps on chest then sideways Peace sign).

All I really wanted to do was play Call of Duty 4 all day on a gihugant screen with zero interruptions...but golf with the misses was lovely, even if I couldn't kill any Krauts.

This is something I like to call "Over-Photoshopped". Notice aura around my being...that's just natural.

I taught my wife how to swing, and now she is returning the favor.
After golf, it was outdoor party time. Liz's extended family was all in town, RV-ing their way to Cowflop, IL or some darn place for a family reunion. We're supposed to be there, but Liz is teaching at Creating Keepsakes University this week. Bummer.

Uncle KC put his specs on Matty-boy...looks like a young Drew Carey/Napolean Dynamite.




This is Liz's brother Josh and lady friend Arianna. Josh is the best guitarist in P-town, he will melt faces with his Gibson. P.S., guess who bought him his 1st guitar when he was 13?? Muah.

This is Liz's sister Camille, husband Matt and kids. Camille was in my grade, and I feel bad that I used her to get to her little sister. No hard feelings. Matt is getting his PhD and will be the first Doctor of Social Media. Lila is ticked that Matty-boy took her cupcake.

KC and Allison. They don't come any cooler. He is ketchup, she is mayo, and together they make beautiful fry sauce.

The hip Grandma Dravland. I have her to thank for my wife's 1/8 Greek and all the fun antics that come with that Punnet Square.

Grandpa Dravland, one of the best people I know. Give him a mic, he'll can sing anything Sinatra, and I'll give you a donut if you can tell them apart. Favorite quote: "Don't forget to wear your seatbelt, and all that jazz."


These two give me hope for marriage. My parents just signed the divorce papes last week after a 32 year go at it. I asked Dick and Char what their secret was...."There was a time we wanted to split up, but neither of us would give up the kids, so we MADE it work!" I think they were being a tad humble, these two epitomise the Hinckley quote: "I'm convinced that happiness in marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion."

This is Bruce, Liz's uncle. He's the uncle I never had. We can talk about west-coast offense and watch re-runs of Deadliest Catch like they're the most interesting things in the world.

To quote my little sister Emily Frame's last Tweet, "Family: it puts the "brace yourself" in dysfunctional."
I can't imagine having a functional family. How boring would that be?

10 comments:

Maritza said...

Happy Birthday. I think you are so funny. God bless. Love the pics. Disfunctional is the new norm. LOL

Mrs. C said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. C said...

bday kudos to you! The only normal there is,is whats on your dryer!

charity said...

I'd just like to say that the Kartchners were all in attendance too...happy b-day lil bro!

Haberdawoman said...

Happy belated Bday!
Your posts crack me up, especially the one I read on the Mrs' blog today.
Wishing you many more Happy Bdays and wedding anniversaries.
Remember that marriage is like a job, you have to work at it every day but it is SO worth it.

kELLY said...

ooh that matty-boy is SOO cute.
happy birfday :)

Sara Ancich said...

is there room for me, my husband, our 3 kids, and 2 chihuahuas in your family?

Collin Kartchner said...

Sara, we'll take all but the Chihuahuas. I already have 2 ankle biters.

Pink Daisys Blog Spot said...

Your pictures are the BEST! Love your blog, found you through your wife's blog.
yes, disfunctional is the new norm.. So there for.. we are all normal! Thanks for entertaining us all. :)

Anonymous said...

Colin, firt off I love your photography! Such amazing stuff! But your quote there about Char and John is so right. I feel the same way about those two! Just amazing people and such an inspiration for marraige and just family in general! They revitalize me everytime I visit with them! thanks for all the wonderful photos I love checking out yours and Liz's blogs! Just love it!