I sound like a broken record...but, I'm late on the blog again!
Summer flew by in the blink of an eye. Fall is here and we expect the snow to fly any day. I enjoy this time of year; hunkering down for the winter and preparing for holidays, Rory's birthday and winter activities.
Rory is growing like a weed and is an amazing little girl who likes to help her mom, dad and little sister. She has a wonderfully pleasant disposition, dances like a superstar and has an innate desire to learn. After spending the weekend with my friend Dyanne and her daughter, Natalie, Rory now likes to play Go Fish and War; she usually ends up beating her dad and me. Rory's favorite thing to do lately is to watch Uncle Jesse on the Healy Lake version of
Carly Rae Jespen’s song Call Me Maybe – look it up on YouTube. Jesse can be
seen in the night vision shot – far right – the terrible lip syncer.
Massie has grown leaps and bounds in the past two months. Just like her sister, she's a dancing fool who would rather listen to music than watch TV. She is curious and one of the sweetest babies you'll ever know. Her vocabulary is growing exponentially with each day that passes. Some of my favorites (and most frequently used) are: night night, up, no, dada, mom, banana (or something
that sounds similar), yes, all done, tank you :-), hello, I love you (or more like - ra ruv ru).
Now that you have sufficiently been updated on the girls...let's get to the pictures.
Outdoor Adventures
We are making an effort to get the girls outside more and with Fall upon us it is a perfect time to get out and breath the fresh air.
Yuri with the girls on a beautiful fall day.
Playing in the leaves in her brand new jacket. I had no idea the jacket would be neon pink when I ordered it. The good news is that we'll be able to see her from a mile away (heck, the airplanes flying overhead will be able to see her).
Massie picking up one of one thousand leaves.
Dyanne and Natalie / Robyn and Mike Visit Fairbanks
One of my dearest friends, Dyanne, brought her daughter, Natalie, to Fairbanks for a visit about a month ago. We had a nice time catching up and running after the kids for a long weekend. The girls got along well and by the end of the trip were acting just like sisters.
Natalie loves the water and is a little fish. Fortunately for us, this interest rubbed off on Rory. Rory is now enjoying the water and has even dunked her head a time or two. Thanks Natalie! Below are the girls at the Chena Hot Springs pool.
Not my finest hair day but below is Dy and I with the girls.
A day after Dyanne and Natalie headed back to Anchorage, my oldest (not talking age people) and dear friend, Robyn, made a stop in Fairbanks with her hubby, Mike. Robyn and I enjoyed a day of pampering while Mike and Yuri hit the golf course. They then headed off to Anchorage where Yuri and I met up with them, and the rest of the gang, the next day.
Once I arrived in Anchorage I headed over to Sullivan's to meet up with the crew - L to R (pay no attention to the terrible picture - everyone seems to have glowing raccoon eyes) - Mike A., Robyn, Dyanne, Betty, Bruce, Mike R., Renee, Lanie and me (Yuri was at another function but met up with us later in the evening). This group never has a dull time...we can get together after not seeing each other for ages and it's just like no time has passed!
The next day, Robyn, Dyanne and I, along with our husbands, headed out to Girdwood for the evening. Below is a picture of the three of us girls at the Double Musky. Hard to believe our little group of three has been together for 20 years...I'm so lucky to have these gals in my life!
Parties
The WWWW gang got together at my Mom's studio last month to watch Martin and Maurik blow glass. We had a nice, low key evening and everyone got to go home with a hand-blown wine glass.
Here are a few of the hand-blown glasses that were made for the gals.
Baby Jesse turned 31 this year. To celebrate, Mom and Dad had a small get together at their house. Below is Jesse after blowing out the candles. Rory is staring in disbelief as Jesse actually blew out his own candles instead of having her do it as most people do.
Jesse with his sister and nieces.
Grandpa Bud celebrated another birthday last month too. Below are Rory and Grandma Linda with Bud, who is cracking up at the card he's been given.
Outdoor movie night - Living in Alaska we rarely have an opportunity to watch movies outside as it is usually too cold to be outdoors when it is dark. For those of you who haven't experienced Alaska, the summer months are daylight nearly 24 hours; it only gets dark when fall/winter comes which makes it COLD. It seems that it's been unseasonably warm so our friends, the Baileys, hosted an outdoor movie night. Yuri attended the party with Rory as I stayed behind with a sleeping Massie. Below is a not-so-great picture of the movie watching participants. What a great night and a great party!
My friend and fellow WWWW member, Jacyn, made these cupcakes for her son's birthday party (that we crashed :-)). She is incredibly talented - the toppings are edible and the cupcakes were delicious!
Dodson 4th annual chili cook off - Jimmy and Heather moved into their new (amazing) house and christened it by hosting their annual chili cook off. I, of course, brought a vegetarian chili - I mean, someones got to come in last place, right? Just kidding, I'm not positive I got last. A good time was had by all and Rory spent all evening outside with her girlfriends.
Heather and Jimmy announcing the winners of the chili cook off.
Grandad Andy with Massie at the cook off party.
Several months ago we celebrated Jacyn's 30th birthday. Below is me, my Mom (middle) and Sue Wilken.
Renee Visits Fairbanks
Renee was brought to Fairbanks for a work function and stayed the night to hang out with the Morgan girls. We love seeing Renee!
Rory and Massie - Like Peas and Carrots
My girls are always loving on each other...it is very sweet to see.
No fear here...finally enjoying swim time.
I'm convinced that Massie was a Yogaite in a former life - every now and then I'll look over at her and she'll be doing the downward dog pose. Here is Rory trying to copy the move.
Rory being a wonderful teacher - showing Massie how to adhere the window clings.
All Rory
Rory got tired of watching me take pictures of her and Massie so she grabbed her Elmo camera and started snapping away at her masterpiece.
I think she's taking after her Grandmother Judy...the light looks just right for a masterpiece.
We took a family trip to the fair in August - there was a lot to eat, ride and experience. Here is our little dump truck driver taking a turn at the wheel. Gotta have a flower in your hair when you are delivering a load of dirt.
Rory had the unfortunate luck of having a her back tooth break and then get infected. Long story short, poor little thing had to have a root canal. She was AMAZING! No crying or wiggling; nothing but listening to the doctor, following directions and being incredibly grownup like. Here she is getting the laughing gas.
All Massie
Massie is turning from a "little critter" into a very cute little girl. Having said this, the next two pictures don't quite show her new found beauty.
We like to put Yuri's glasses on Massie and call her Mr. Chesterfield...not sure why the name is used but it fits! Doesn't she look like a little number cruncher?!
She won't thank me for this picture when she gets older...but...gotta love her jowls in the pic!!!!
Next month...Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sid visit!
