Las Vegas
In mid-November we took a parents only trip to Las Vegas.
Yuri had never been and it’s a place that you need to see once in your life so
we went. In hindsight, it’s not really his kind of place. Having said this, it was still a nice trip with lots of relaxing, eating and a few good shows. We left Vegas with only one picture...Yuri documenting one of his miniature lobster tacos.
Thanksgiving/Rory's Birthday
Rory’s actual birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year.
She is officially five and is thrilled about the prospect of turning 6 in
2014. Rory hit some major milestones in the last year – learned to read,
count to 100 (with a few hiccups), sew (by hand), and ride a snow machine - just to list a things.
Here is the birthday girl with her gift from Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sid, a purse filled with all kinds of fun stuff. It was a hit!
Here is the birthday girl with her gift from Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sid, a purse filled with all kinds of fun stuff. It was a hit!
Thanksgiving dinner doubled as Rory's birthday celebration. Here she is with Grandma Linda posing in front of her princess birthday cake.
The goofballs enjoying their cake.
The girls stayed with Grandma Judy and Grandad Andy while Yuri and I were in Vegas. This little piece of art came home with Rory - it seems that she didn't mind us leaving one bit.
The Eagle River Cousins were in town during the Thanksgiving weekend. Rory and Massie thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Addy and Quinn. Missing from the picture is Tyson...the odd boy out.
The girls asleep at the lake; these kids thrash like fish on a line. Unfortunately I was their bunk mate.
Rory's Dance Recital
Rory has been taking dance class for the last 6 months and
early December brought the "end of class" recital. Her group danced to
“It’s a Hard Knock Life” from Annie. She was adorable and remembered most
of the choreography.
Grandpa Steve and Grandma Linda posing with the little star. She really got into character with her soot covered face.
...and with Grandad Andy.
Rory with a few of her friends.
And a throwback picture so that you all can see where Rory got her moves. That's me second from the left (right next to Ricky Allen).
December Fun
December brought a lot of fun parties and events.
Massie missed out on many of the festivities of the season as she had the
crud…she was still in good spirits but I couldn’t, in good faith, bring her to
parties with 103.5 degree temps.
Our beautiful, Harding Lake - Charlie Brown tree.
Party at the Binkley's
We attended a Christmas cocktail party at Sabrina and Ryan Binkley's beautiful home. The best dressed people were found there that night! Here are the boys.
...and the girls.
Kissing under the mistletoe.
Early Christmas with the Franks
Yuri’s Aunt, Georgianne, and Uncle, Randy, had us over
for an early Christmas celebration. We had great food and an opportunity
to catch up with the Frank side of the family. Below is a very grainy picture of Massie, Dorothy, Rory and family friend, Jesse (along with Bruce who is hiding in the back).
Santa Visits the Lambert Home
Heather Lambert had her annual Santa party and the Morgan clan was thrilled to attend. The big guy made a showing and Rory was excited, although she was so flustered that she forgot what she wanted to ask for. Massie wouldn't go anywhere near him!
Another Early Christmas
We celebrated
an early Christmas with Yuri’s Fairbanks folks, Linda and Steve, this
year. The girls got spoiled as did their parents. The entire Braden
crew was able to join us as well which added to the festivities.
Bruce, Rory and Massie handing out gifts.
The Braden kids - Dorothy, Jacob and Bruce.
And, of course, the kids loved playing in the boxes.
A WWWW National Lampoons Christmas
The theme of our Wild Women who Wine in Westgate Christmas
party was “National Lampoons Christmas” and we were not left
disappointed. Significant others, as well as a few special guests, were
invited, adding to excitement and fun. Our cups were running over with love, joy, food, booze and most importantly, good friends!
If you haven't seen the movie I can't help you understand the pictures below...enjoy!
If you haven't seen the movie I can't help you understand the pictures below...enjoy!
Christmas at HooDoo
We had a little neighborhood get-together at the local
brewery, Hoodoo. Pizza and beer were served and the afternoon provided a
chance to meet new people and talk to fellow Taku neighborhood residents that
we don’t get to see too often. Here are neighbors Rory and Shaye hanging out at the pub.
The Kids Take Over the Dodson House
Heather and Jimmy held a fun little get-together for
their friends and family. There were a lot of kids there (as you can see
from the picture) – it was nice to catch up with many my childhood friends that I
don’t see frequently enough. Below are three Roberts/Harter kiddos, two Crowder cuties, two Burks kids, one Parrish newborn, one Dodson cutie pie, and Rory.
Heather had a cookie station set-up for the kids. See the adorable baby in the background? That's not a doll, that is a Roberts/Harter baby.
Karen and Lance Parrish invited us up to their place to mingle with close family friends and to view their Christmas village. They must have seventy-five village houses set-up…an amazing site. I’ll get a picture next year. Oh, and they also appeared to have nearly the same number of nut crackers.
Here We Come A Caroling...
Global warming has brought above normal temperatures to Fairbanks (we love global warming). It's usually much too cold to be outdoors this time of year but since this wasn't the case, a group of us neighbors decided to go caroling. We had a great time bringing joy and bad singing to the neighborhood and only two moose were encountered!
Rory with her two superstar babysitters, Jenna and Holly, and her BFF, Shaye.
Santa Visits the Home Turf
Santa made a special visit to our house and this time,
Rory didn’t forget what she wanted to ask for – a toy pony and a
nutcracker. Yes folks, that was her wish list! Massie didn’t want
to get near the big guy but her wish list included “pink and purple
toys”. No more explanation than that.
Rory and I went to the Nutcracker a few weeks before Christmas. I think this visit was the reason for her odd gift request from Santa.
A Very Warwick Christmas
We continued the tradition of Christmas Eve at the
Warwick house after a visit to the Birch Hill Cemetery to tell Zach how much we
miss him. As usual, my Aunt, Cheryl, Uncle, Randy, and cousins Jeremy and
Philip joined us for some food, drinks and gifts. In addition, my aunt,
Trish, cousin, Wendy and her husband, Dennis, were visiting so the evening was
even more special.
I caught Rory and my aunt Trish mesmerized in front of the TV watching the Nutcracker. In her prime, Trish was a Prima Ballerina. She and Rory enjoyed their time together and shared love of dance.
I caught Rory and my aunt Trish mesmerized in front of the TV watching the Nutcracker. In her prime, Trish was a Prima Ballerina. She and Rory enjoyed their time together and shared love of dance.
Not the most flattering picture but nonetheless - Uncle Randy, Aunt Cheryl and my Cousin Jeremy.
Aunt Trish wanted a picture with the dogs...one didn't make the shot so there are ONLY six.
The Morgans Do Christmas
We host Christmas morning brunch at our home. It was a nice relaxing morning.
Opening stockings amidst the Christmas morning carnage.
Opening presents...
Massie got a golf club and golf ball swingy thingy.
The girls received a lot of baking/cooking stuff from Santa.
Trying out some of the new utensils and hats.
A successful visit to the dentist.
The girls with fun Christmas crazy straws.
Rory finally giving up on the possibility of mom and dad heading home from yet another party any time soon.
Girls loving on each other.
Mom and Massie selfie.
Grandma Judy and Rory selfie.
Gourmet Alaskan meal...
'Till Next Year
It's now time to remove our tree from the house but the darned thing is thriving (see the new growth in the picture below) and to be honest I'm feeling really guilty throwing this guy out into the cold.
