Doug, a proud Southern California native, grew up in Downey, a bustling suburb of Los Angeles. After college, he planted roots in Irvine’s Woodbridge community, closer to the coast and a stone’s throw from Orange, for work. Enter Karen, an Arizona-born interior designer and graduate of Arizona State University. 

In 1989, fate played its firsthand. While visiting her sister in Irvine, Karen was introduced to Jerry—her sister’s boyfriend—who decided to set Karen up on a blind date with his good friend Doug. Coincidence #1 had set the stage. 

The two couples went to a baseball game, where Karen and Doug quickly hit it off, chatting nonstop through all nine innings. Despite their differences—Karen described them as “truly opposites”—there was an undeniable spark. Their shared interests grew with each meeting, beginning with a casual run that turned into many more. “We complement each other,” Doug says simply. 

After a year of dating, Doug proposed, and in 1991, they tied the knot in a Catholic church in Santa Ana. The ceremony wasn’t without a memorable twist—Doug realized mid-ceremony that the wedding ring was locked in his car’s trunk! After a brief, comical pause, the ring was retrieved, blessed, and the Hausers were officially united. 

The celebration continued at the Center Club in Costa Mesa, managed by Club Corp—a delightful Coincidence #2, as Stonebriar Country Club, their current club, is also managed by the same company. 

For their honeymoon, the couple embarked on an exotic adventure to Hong Kong, Macau, and China. It was a trip full of inspiration—and, as it turns out, family beginnings. Nine months later, in April 1992, their eldest son D.J. was born. A testament to their memorable journey, D.J. even sports a tattoo that reads “Made in China! 

 

The Hauser family flourished in Irvine as their household grew to include two more sons: Christopher, born in 1993, and Brandon, born in 1997. Karen and Doug were fortunate to have family nearby.  Karen’s siblings and parents relocated from Arizona. Doug’s mother met and married one of their neighbors and moved down the street.  After retiring, the couple moved to Wimberley, nestled in the Texas Hill Country. 

As the years went by, the Hausers relocated to Newport Beach, where Doug’s business ventures flourished, and the boys’ activities kept the family busy. D.J., the eldest, pursued his passion for accounting at the University of Miami. A year later, Christopher was enrolled at SMU. 

The final nudge came in 2015 when Brandon, the youngest, decided to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. By this point, Texas wasn’t just on the Hauser’s radar—it was calling them home. All roads were leading to the Lone Star State—Coincidence #3!

 

Sadly, tragedy struck in 2016 shattering their close-knit world. Brandon, the family prankster and a talented musician, was involved in a fatal auto accident. Despite this unimaginable loss, the Hausers found themselves drawn closer to Texas. 

The Lone Star State began to hold increasing appeal for the family.  In 2019, Doug’s business partner Mike, and the couple, began an earnest search for a new home.  They opened a branch office for their insurance business in Legacy West.  Mike settled nearby in Starwood, while Karen and Doug found their ideal neighborhood in Stonebriar Village. The community offered exactly what they were looking for: a welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with neighbors. Here they found their forever home on Windsor Ridge.  As Doug put it, “We decided on the house in 10 minutes and qualified in the driveway.” A week before Christmas and lights already on the house, they settled into their new home, and Karen immediately began channeling her interior design skills. With her touch, the house quickly became a home, marking a new chapter for the family—one defined by resilience, cherished memories, and a fresh start in a new community. 

Karen and Doug have fully embraced life in Stonebriar Village, becoming integral members of the community. Karen has taken an active role in the Stonebriar Neighborhood Committee (SNC), chairing the annual Holiday Home Tour for the past two years and adding her distinctive touch to this cherished event. Meanwhile, Doug has stepped into a leadership position as an elected member of the HOA Board of Directors, now entering his second year of dedicated service to the community. With their sons living nearby, and three spirited Shetland Sheepdogs, this close-knit family is complete.  

Karen and Doug’s impeccably remodeled home is not only a haven but also a stunning showcase for their eclectic and meaningful collections. Their bar area boasts an impressive tequila collection, complemented by unique and intricate glassware. Also, throughout the home there are acquired artistic treasures of colorful and unique wine label lithographs. Lego enthusiasts at heart, Doug (along with his sons) have created a remarkable display of fully built models spanning various genres and themes. Star Wars icons and Marvel superheroes hold a special place in this collection, thoughtfully and tastefully arranged throughout the house.

Karen and Doug have created a home and lifestyle that seamlessly blend their personal passions, community involvement, and a welcoming spirit—truly embodying the essence of Stonebriar Village. To that we say… welcome home, Karen and Doug. We’re so glad you found Stonebriar Village.  And that’s no coincidence— simply put … it was meant to be.