Christmas is long gone but I still have photos to share. Once you get past the holiday shots you'll get to our most recent happenings. Winter in Fairbanks has been mild, allowing us to get outside much more than usual. Although as I type this we are on our second week of COLD temperatures...30 below today.
WWWW Christmas
Our neighborhood group got together (with spouses) to celebrate the holidays. Below are two group shots of the gang. Most of our parties are women only (frankly it just saves the guys from potentially uncomfortable conversations); however, I always look forward to hanging out with the men as they are all just as fascinating as their significant others.
A Very Merry Warwick, Morgan, Anderson Christmas
Christmas Eve always finds us at the Warwick home. I love being there; every year we head over a little earlier than the previous year and now the festivities begin around noon.
Here are the girls competing for space on the couch.
Jesse bought the girls light sabres for Christmas. The girls haven't yet seen Star Wars but the sabres were a hit...and not just with Rory and Massie.
Grandma and Grandad
Jesse and Carrie...before she went in for the attack.
Rory and Massie
Our Christmas Eve tradition always includes my uncle Randy, aunt Cheryl and their kids, Jeremy and Philip. Below is a picture of Randy and Cheryl taking a break during the pool and table tennis tournament. These are two very special people.
Grandad and Massie
Uncle Jesse with the girls. For once he's not hiding from the camera.
Yuri won the Christmas Eve table tennis tournament and Randy was the big winner at pool. He looks mighty proud doesn't he.
Rory and Massie posing with their Anna and Elsa hooded blankets.
Yuri and I heard a noise late in the night and upon investigation found the loot left behind by the big guy. I wonder if Santa and his elves mistook Rory and Massie for two, better behaved little blond girls.
An excited Rory opening up gifts from Santa.
Massie woke up early Christmas morning complaining of a stomachache. A short while later she was getting sick - then she fell fast asleep. Here she is asleep on the couch (with her cute sleep mask) while the rest of us are celebrating Santa.
Posing with some of their new goodies.
Following tradition, we spent much of Christmas day at Grandma Linda and Grandad Steve's home.
Massie rebounded pretty quickly on Christmas morning. Here she is a few hours after being horribly sick - amazing what a new little baby doll can do to make a little girl feel better.
Curling with the Kiddos
Rory's friend, Shaye, provided Rory and Massie with some helpful curling hints. Shaye's dad is an impressive curler who travels the world competing and just barely lost out on attending the last Olympics.
Rory and Shaye sweeping with Uncle Jesse (Yuri is in the background).
Snow Machining in the Hood
There is a vacant lot between our home and the Sadler's place that we turn into a snow machine track for the kids. Several weeks ago Rory and her friend Sandy got their machines out for a little afternoon ride.
Below are Rory and Sandy waiting for their dads to get their machines warmed up.
Sadler giving directions to the girls.
Once kids in the neighborhood saw what was happening we had a lot more visitors. In all there were 4 kiddo machines running the track. Lucky kids! When I was young we had one machine for the whole neighborhood to share and there were 10 of us.
Then it became a party! We have the best neighborhood - seriously!
New Year's Eve Celebration
The Sundborg's once again hosted a family friendly New Year's Eve party at their home. And as always, we had a wonderful time. Below is a picture that my little shutterbug, Massie, took of Yuri and me.
Being the fabulous hosts that they are, the Sundborgs had plenty of lanterns for everyone to send off that evening.
Watching lanterns float off into space is such a relaxing activity.
A Massie and Mom selfie.
New Year's Day
On the first day of 2015 we packed up the car and kids and headed out to the lake. Mom and Dad also met up with us for the day as well.
This picture epitomizes the lake - long underwear, games and family.
Birthdays
Mom and Dad's birthdays fall early in the new year. While I'm not sharing a picture of Mom's celebration you can rest assured that we had one for her also!
Renee's 40th Birthday
My good friend, Renee, turned 40 mid January so I flew down to Anchorage, met up with the girls and threw a party worthy of a milestone birthday. Renee's husband rented a home in Girdwood (ski town outside of Anchorage) and we had two nights of celebrations. The pictures below are from the second evening - during the official, Kate Spade themed party.
Here is the beautiful birthday girl!
The gang (L to R) - Betty, Renee, me, Lanie and Dyanne.
The birthday girl, with cupcake, posing for a picture being taken by her husband, the pilot (aka Mike).
The girls...
I had to share this picture as Betty like a modern snow white...so beautiful
Other Fun Stuff
Rory might be the only girl in the world to learn how to ride a bike in the winter. She has been quite hesitant to let go of the training wheels although just a few weeks ago she asked us to pull the cars out of the garage - hopped on the bike - and proceeded to ride. Yuri's guilt over another unsuccessful bike riding summer is now gone! I tell you, kids are just ready when they are ready. No sense rushing anything!
Here is a great picture of Yuri on the pond during a family skate over at Grandma Linda's house. Grandpa Steve gets props for maintaining this beautiful spot.
I think I mention this in every blog but the girls LOVE to dance. Here are a few shots.
Sassy Massie, happy Rory and me posing for a selfie at the airport waiting for Yuri to come home to his girls.
Does she look like a School Choice ambassador? Probably not one that they'd like to claim. Nevertheless, we are a school choice family!
It's hard to get good bathtub shots anymore for fear of something being considered inappropriate. I don't think this one would warrant a visit from the police.
Massie modeling my headband from the Renee Kate Spade party.
Pretty girl with pretty eyes.
I'll be back soon...
