Pumpkins & Ballerinas

I've been terrible about getting this blog updated so let's just get to it!

All Dressed Up

Yuri accompanied me to HIPOW this year and, in addition to being my date, he helped me stay within my budget.  HIPOW is a private school fundraiser that is always a lot of fun and a chance to dress up.  Following is a picture of the two of us - in hindsight perhaps he should have sat on the other side of me so that he didn't have ostrich feathers and lace blocking his vision!

Halloween

The weeks leading to Halloween were filled with fun and parties.  We attended three Halloween parties and all involved carving pumpkins - needless to say, we purchased an entire pumpkin patch. 

Yuri is the best at taking the guts out of the pumpkins and we gals are happy to let him do this work.

Cute kiddos posing after carving.

We typically experience negative temperatures and have plenty of snow on the ground in October, however that wasn't the case in Fairbanks this year.  For the first time I can remember we were able to visit a pumpkin patch in our home town.  Now, it was really more of a field with store-bought pumpkins strewn about but they had hay rides, animals to pet and hot cocoa, so it was still pretty neat.  The girls and I met up with Heather, baby Harper and Harper's grandma, Robyn.  The picture below is terrible but I had to document the fun time we had.

Rory and I made jack-o-lantern faces on the mandarin orange cups for her snack day at school...super cute.

After parties and fun Halloween activities the big day finally arrived.  Rory was very clear about wanting to be a fairy and never waivered.  Massie didn't really care so she got to wear the ladybug costume that I ordered from Etsy for Rory last year that didn't get worn.  They were both cute little bugs. 

Halloween in Fairbanks is usually pretty cold, but this year was different.  Instead of cracking the door open to keep the cold out when handing out candy, I had Yuri build me a bonfire in our driveway where we enjoyed the evening handing out candy outdoors.  We had at least 400 kids stop by for candy (our neighbor said she got almost 800 visitors) so it was great fun to watch all the kids running up and down the street.

Massie and Grandma Linda enjoying the fire.

Golf
Yuri went on his annual golf trip with his Anchorage/Juneau friends.  This year, they went to Dallas and played quite a bit of golf.  Bad picture, but again, I want to document these fun experiences.

Cabin Time

With the warm weather, we decided to bring the girls and some family friends out to the Harding Lake cabin. 

As indicated by the note below, Rory enjoys her time at the lake.  If you can't figure out her writing...I'll decipher: I'm happy (hape) because (Bcus) I'm going (goen) to the the cabin (caben).  I'm so impressed with her ability to write and read at the age of 4 - I'm certain I didn't exhibit any of these abilities at that age.  Proud mom.

Ella took this great picture of Massie at the cabin.

The girls and I beach combing on a sunny and brisk day.

Rory's 5th Birthday Party

Although Rory doesn't turn five until November 28th, we had her birthday party at the beginning of November as our schedules were booked the rest of the month.  She wanted a ballerina birthday party so that's just what she got.

Here is Bruce with two pretty ballerinas.

We had a real ballerina spend some time with the partygoers at the ballet studio - here are the kiddos posing with the beautiful dancer.  The birthday girl is tucked in the back with a pink crown.

Rory and I made tutus for all her guests...even baby Harper got one. 

When is the last time you opened up a gift with this kind of excitement?

It takes a pretty cool guy to wear a crown.

My Girls
Rory has been taking ballet lessons and since Massie wants to be just like Rory, practice sessions are so much fun to watch.  

We finally got snow!  Rory and Massie with our neighbor, Piper (left).

Messy, but marvelous, Massie.  Check out those crazy blue eyes.

Hanging out in the car, being goofy.

Rory doing her thing on the balance beam.

As I mentioned, Rory has been taking ballet classes and I always bring Massie along to watch.  Here is an adorable picture of the little sisters watching their big sisters dance.

Rory and her mini-me.

The children in Rory's class were asked what their parents do for a living...here is Rory's answer that was tacked on the wall.  Since I struggle to explain what I do for a living I'm not sure that I could expect much more than this from Rory.

Until next month...

Girl Time

The girls are growing so quickly - both love to dance and help out around the house.  Massie is a girl that is excited by everything around her.  She is a physical comedian that loves babies.  Rory is reading and writing like a kindergarten student (although she doesn't start until next year) - we couldn't be more proud of her curiosity and desire to learn.

Cousin time

Yuri's sister Genevieve came to town with her twins, Ari and Marion.  Marion did a lot of sleeping while visiting so we weren't able to get a picture of her but below is a picture of Massie bonding with cousin Ari.

Big sister Estelle celebrated her third birthday during their visit.  Here are the cousins anxiously awaiting cake.

 

While the twins were sleeping Gen was able to get away for a quick family bike ride.

Fire fighters

Yuri's Aunt, Andrea, is the fire chief at a local fire station and invited the girls up for a tour.  They had a great time and enjoyed modeling their new firefighter hats when they returned home.

2nd Annual Joyce Anderson Family Golf Day

In memory of Yuri's Grandma Joyce, the Morgan family headed up to the golf course for a day of bogies, sun and time with the family.  Rory is turning into a good little golfer...thankfully she has her father's patience.

Yuri, Rory, Bruce and Linda on the course.

The Anderson/Morgan clan at the end of the day.

A Morgan "selfie" in the golf cart.

Girl's Weekend

Yuri had to go to Juneau for work and decided to take Massie for a long weekend to spend some time with her grandparents.  This meant that Rory and I had a GIRL'S WEEKEND - it was great to spend some one-on-one time with each other.

First thing Saturday we stopped for a hot cocoa and coffee cake and met up with the runners on the Equinox Marathon trail.  My friend and co-worker, Kathleen Hook, was running and we wanted to show our support...as I write this I'm not sure how eating a treat, drinking a sugary beverage and sitting in a warm car while we watch the runners is showing support!  

Rory got her choice of restaurants...she chose Japanese. 

Meanwhile, Massie was riding the moving sidewalk at the Anchorage Airport.

Beautiful Ballerina

Rory has been taking ballet classes for a little over a month now and she loves it!  She practices constantly and enjoys teaching her moves to Massie.  Here are Rory and Shaye being graceful little ballerinas.

This little ballerina then went on to visit her great grandpa, Bud, at the Pioneer's Home.

Baby Jesse's Birthday

The Warwick family got together for yet another birthday celebration.  Luckily, Marek and Martin were in town to help us celebrate and we got to meet Carrie, Jesse's girlfriend.  We had a nice evening and hopefully we didn't leave too bad an impression with Carrie.

Outdoor Movie Night
The Baileys hosted their third annual kids' outdoor movie night.  It was a wonderful night even if there were a few sprinkles.  Doesn't their house look magical in this picture?  I stole the photo from Bill's Facebook page...

Rory sitting on her granddad's lap with grandma waiting her turn.

The Cham (Champagne Fashional)
I got roped into participating in a Quota Club fundraiser event called The Cham.  I had to do a little dancing which was a bit embarrassing but I was with a great group of people so it was a blast.

My mom and Yuri were out of town so Granddad Andy brought Rory, as his date, to the show.  Unfortunately, the show got started quite late and they had to head home to bed before I hit the stage. Here is the cute couple.

I had a photo-op with my darling little girl.  The stylists put this wig on me before deciding it wasn't right for the show.  This wig was actually worn by Cher...how cool is that?!  And look how beautiful Rory looks - when she put her dress on Massie said "Rory's a princess"...heart melting sweetness!

The Girls
Rory's friend Shaye celebrated her fifth birthday recently which afforded me the opportunity to take this picture of Rory with three of her school friends.

My little bakers...thanks to Grandma Judy and Renee for the cute aprons.

 

Sweet sisters...

Making Memories

Our late but hot summer is coming to an end and I'm welcoming fall with a smile. I'm ready to slow down a bit and hibernate for the winter.  The last month has been filled with memories that will be with me always.  Following is a little taste of our August fun.

Nelson and Valeska's Engagement Party
The Morgan clan got to attend the engagement party for our friend, Nelson Parrish, and his beautiful fiancé, Valeska.  The party was held at Harding Lake; it was a magical, relaxing night filled with long-time friends and lots of laughs.

The happy and gorgeous couple.

The Morgan and Curry (Wilken) girls hanging out at the party.

Hammocks and lollipops

Massie running from her Dad (Uncle Jesse is in the background).

Massie is turning into a beautiful little girl although I might be a bit biased.

Beer in one hand, bean bag in the other...not a bad life, eh?

Towards the end of the night we got the group (we lost a few party goers just prior to this) together for this beautiful shot.  Yuri is missing as he took the picture.

Relaxing around the campfire.

Total contentment...what an enjoyable evening!

As beautiful as the girls looked at the party...this is what they looked like the next day.  Ragamuffins...pay close attention to Massie's lake hat.

Fun with the Cousins
Yuri's cousins, the Ehrlander boys, were in town for a short visit and we were fortunate enough to meet up with them and their large clan of kids.  Below are just a couple of the cousins.  L to R: Emma, Massie, Rory, Bruce and Ayman.

We got to celebrate Emma's birthday...look at these cute kiddos.

I had the wise idea of getting all the kids together for a photo - this includes one nine-year old, two four-year olds, one three-year old, two two-year olds and two one-year old twins.  I took about 40 shots and, believe it or not, these are the best shots.  Look at Lana (left) - she is the mother of four children under the age of five oh, and she's a doctor.  She tried very hard to get these kids in the shot but it just wasn't meant to be.

The twins making a run for it and their mother starting to give up.

The Girls on Sonoma
A group of eleven of us gals took the trip of a lifetime to Sonoma and the Napa Valley.  The amount of wine that was consumed was enough to put me off the stuff for at least a week after my return.  It was a very low maintenance group of girls so we travelled very well together.  I didn't include too many pictures as there are hundreds to look at and I want to get this blog done.  I consider myself one lucky girl to call these women my friends.

We stopped for a photo op on our way to Sonoma.  Meadow looks as beautiful as ever!

Day 1 of the wine touring...we were treated like royalty.

Only one other group has ever been allowed to this owners bungalow up in the hills.  We had a picnic lunch at this heavenly spot.

Mom swimming in the pool at our rental.

Now this is outdoor living!

Fair Fun
Rory's number one desire when the fair rolls around is to ride a pony.  She got her wish.

Cousin Bruce accompanied us to the fair.  Here he is just after passing Rory and Yuri.  I think Rory could blame the extra weight she was carrying around.

Grandpa Andy brought Rory on the bumper cars.  I'm not sure she knew what she was getting into but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Fun was had by all.

Yuri, Bruce and the girls were brave enough to try out the viking ship ride.  Massie cried most of the time (it really was a bit too scary) but the rest of the gang enjoyed it.

I snapped this photo just before Massie started crying, the ride was stopped and I had to rescue her.

The fair gang.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Rory and Piper on the golf course.  Apparently, Rory's swing is improving greatly; we have high hopes for a LPGA tour in her future.

The girls pickin' at the ole banjo. 

Rory hitching a ride with the Sundborg clan on their electric, fancy-shmancy, golf cart.

Rory after her haircut enjoying a Popsicle for her troubles.  The cool girl also got some (temporary) color in her hair.

Massie was next on the chopping block but she didn't mind with a lollipop in her mouth.

We missed Ella's Parisian Soiree birthday party; despite Rory's cheery disposition evident in the pictures below, she was experiencing 103 degree temperatures.  Luckily the Bailey girls shared some cupcakes so that we could have our own party. 

This little girl is obviously pretty excited about the pink and blue cupcakes!

Missing the party was made more disappointing by the fact that we bought berets just for the occasion.  I look forward to bringing these kids to France one day - Bonjour! Massie couldn't seem to take her eyes off the TV for the picture.

 

Enjoy fall everyone!