Parties Galore

Winter is on its way.  Over the last few days the snow has been falling making the outdoors beautiful and the roads slippery.  I love this time of year - I can finally wear sweaters again!

We are busy planning what Rory will wear for Halloween (purple princess...how did I get a child that wants to be a "purple princess"?????) and her Minnie/Mickey Mouse birthday party. Rory is turning into a spirited and very chatty little girl who loves to dance (she's got rhythm) and draw pictures.  Massie is a sweet little girl who loves to smile and is happiest when she is dancing along side her big sister.

Enjoy the pictures below...we've had a happy and busy last month and are so happy to share the pictures with you all.

Bud Anderson's 82nd Birthday

We love a party and what a better reason than to celebrate Bud's 82nd year on this planet.  Below is a picture of Rory, next her her great-grandfather, anxiously awaiting the chance to get her hands on one of those yummy looking cupcakes.

Jesse's 30th Birthday
It's hard to believe that "baby Jesse" is 30.  We had a fun party at my folks' house...fun for all ages!

Massie with her dad...she loves to be in the middle of the action!

Group shot before the adult pinata was annihilated...the only person missing from the picture is my mom who was taking the photo.  Look at Yuri with his arms full and I'm not even close by to help (bad mom).

Jesse takes one and only one shot at the pinata.  Look closely, you'll see lots of little bottles shooting out from Sponge Bob's head.  It's important to note that we had a pinata for the kids as well (we didn't make them watch us have fun and not offer them anything!).

Sara hanging with Sponge Bob and holding her loot.  What a cute couple...she makes him look good!

Always loving a party - Rory and Piper hamming it up for the camera

Sadler, Heather, Jesse, Petra, Rodger and Megan...a good shot of all of them!

Checking out each others loot, like a bunch of children, after the pinata met its demise.

Sparkling & Bubbly Party

I am part of a neighborhood wine/dinner group called WWWW (wild women who wine in Westgate...at least I think that's what we are called). September was my month (with my mom of course) to host the party and our theme was "sparkling and bubbly".  Anyone who knows my mom and me know that we LOVE champagne and sparkling wine so this theme was perfect for us!  Below are a few shots from the party - clockwise from top left: Party favors table, menu, the WWWW group (minus me, the photographer), and one of the decor pieces...a custom glass champagne made by my mom.

 

Linda's 60th Birthday Party

The night after the WWWW party we threw a 60th birthday party for Yuri's mom, Linda.  We had lanterns, flowers and pictures of Linda everywhere.  Unfortunately pictures don't do it justice - it was beautiful and Linda had a great time celebrating her birthday with friends and family. 

Massie fell soundly asleep in the arms of her great-grandma Joyce early into the party.

Leila's Birthday Party

One of Rory's daycare friends, Leila, had a birthday party and as we know, Rory loves a party!  The picture below is of Rory blowing Leila's candle out before Leila even got a chance.  Perhaps I should have been keeping a closer eye on her instead of taking the picture.  Regardless, we re-lit the candle and Leila got her wish.

Visits with Friends

I was in Anchorage a few weeks ago for work and was able to stop by to see my friend, Lanie, on the way to the airport.  Her son Brecken was born a few weeks after Massie and this was the first opportunity I've had to meet the little guy.  He has a wonderful disposition and is a very lucky little boy to have such a wonderful mom.  

A note to our Anchorage friends -  Take lots of pictures of Lanie with Brecken...she mentioned that this might be one of the only photos she has of her with him.

Yuri was out of town (again) for HIPOW.  So, I went with the next best date, Ms. (Southern) Ruby Riddle.  She and I were chauffeured by my folks and had a nice time eating, looking at auction items and people watching.  It might look like I have a spider on my head but it's not...it's a super cute headpiece made of feathers.  I really should have been born 60 years ago...I love the fashion.

Our good friends Betty and Bruce drove up the highway to visit and to meet Massie for the first time.  It was great to catch up and for the girls to spend time with them.  We look forward to their next visit!

 

Potty Training

Well, we were putting it off.  People were telling us "don't rush her...she'll do it at her own pace" and "she's got lots of time to learn".  Overnight these same people started saying "she needs to be potty trained" and "what is going on with her...she needs to start learning".  Well, the night after Linda's birthday party we got serious and within two days our usually stubborn girl was potty trained.  It was amazing how well she did...we are so proud (not to mention how happy we are to not buy her diapers anymore!).

Below is Rory reading the Economist (not kidding)...she is her father's daughter.

 

Rambunctious Rory
Here is Rory with her cousin Estelle.  Hmmmm...Rory is turning into a little poser.

 

One of the last days of jumping on the trampoline outside.  It is now in our garage where it  will probably get a lot of use when it is 40 below.

Rory showing off our home grown artichokes.  It's pretty cool that they grew so well here, especially since our summer wasn't particularly warm.

 

Grandma Linda bringing the girls on a "buggy" ride.

Mesmerizing Massie
Here is Massie with her cousin Estelle.

Have you ever seen such a look of defiance in a kid...Estelle has the best expressions!

Our talkative little bug...

Gen Schok meeting Massie for the first time.

Great-grandma Joyce doing what she loves to do, hold the baby.

Sitting up on her own...It's just a matter of time before she is jumping all over this couch.

 

She is just so darned cute!  We love her to pieces.

Enjoy the Fall season!  We'll catch up next month with Halloween pictures.
Love - Syd, Yuri, Rory & Massie

Friends, Family & Fall

Since returning to work, life has become just a little more busy but I'm enjoying being back on a regular schedule (instead of sitting in my PJ's until 10am).

The end of summer is here. Leaves are turning yellow and falling off the trees, the air is crisp and summer clothes are being packed away. Fall, although short, is a beautiful time here in Fairbanks.

Yuri has taken the girls out of the house to allow me to work on this blog - my excuse for needing quiet time (shhhh...don't tell).  I hope you enjoy the pictures and happenings posted below...we've been having a great time and want to share the adventures with you.

Chena Hot Springs

A few weeks ago Yuri and I packed up the kiddos and headed out to Chena Hot Springs.  We went on a mini hike (Rory's not exactly into the great outdoors), had lunch and Yuri and Rory went swimming in the springs.

Yuri and Rory pose with the Chariot on our "hike".

"The Girls"

It's hard to make out in this picture but on our walk a little girl came by on a horse.  This picture shows Rory just standing, watching them walk away.  I hoped that I would never say this but I think she likes horses.

Look at the beautiful fall colors in the background.

Rory at the swimming pool.  She usually hates the water (heck, bath time in the Morgan household sounds like a water boarding convention) but she wouldn't get out of the pool on this trip.

Yuri and Rory standing by the outdoor pool...near the water spray.

Family Fun
As I've said before, Rory is a big help with Massie.  Here we are giving Massie a bath...you'll notice the black "modest" square I've inserted for our legal protection.

We got the old "jumparoo" out of storage.  Rory gets just as much enjoyment out of showing Massie all the bells and whistles as Massie does sitting in it.

Yuri has been able to golf a lot this summer.  Here he is on a golf outing with his mom, Linda, Grandma, Joyce and Uncle Glen.  Not a bad looking group!

Dodson Party...For the Dogs?

Jimmy and Heather had a little party to allow all of Jimmy's friends to see him on his short return home from overseas.  It turns out that the party was much more...their dog, Legend, was turning one.  While it really wasn't a doggy birthday party, this was reason enough for Rory to don a party had and sing happy birthday.  Every party is a birthday party in her eyes.

Jimmy helping Rory roast marshmallows for the first time...exciting!

Just Rory
Licking the ketchup off her lip during one of our barbecues.

Just Massie

Rory With...
...her good friend Piper

...Piper's little brother, Bentley (the ham)

...her cousin Bruce (Rory just adores him...look at her leaning into him).

Massie with...
...Bentley

...Grandma Judy

...her happy sister Rory

...her sleeping dad

...her future babysitter, Piper

...her other future babysitter, Ella

...her great-grandmother Joyce

Until next time...

July/August Post

Technical difficulties prevented me from posting this blog earlier - apparently Google and Microsoft are battling and they don't seem to care how this affects me. The pictures contained in this blog are several weeks old and in Massie's life that is a significant amount of time.

Unfortunately there are no family pictures of us enjoying the Golden Days festivities as on our way to the parade I had a little rollerblading accident and ended up in the emergency room. All is okay - I was pushing Rory in a jogging stroller but she escaped unscathed (thank goodness). I ended up with a lot of scrapes and received my first set of stitches (on my chin...ugh). Stitches are now out and I'm told that my face now has "character".

Massie is getting big and is full of personality - smiling and cooing - all of that wonderful baby stuff. She can now hold her head up pretty well and is allowing us more sleep at night. Really, she is a pretty easy baby. Rory has been a big help and enjoys her Big Sister role.

Tanana Valley State Fair
Rory surprised us all by hopping on the pony at the fair. Usually a scaredy cat, she got on the pony and didn't need any assistance from us adults.

Rory and her dad sharing a fair staple - corn on the cob.

One of the few rides Rory would go on...like I said before she is a very cautious child.

Rory wiping her dad's mouth after a particularly messy corn dog.

Rory, with her new "do", and her handsome dad.

Rory's grandma Linda brought Rory and all her cousins to the fair for a seven hour fun fest. I'm sure they were given whatever they wanted, did whatever they wanted, and had total control of all happenings. Needless to say, when Rory returned home she was a mess (physically and mentally). As you can tell from the pictures below, she had a rough day being spoiled rotten and wasn't very happy to be home with rules - hence the wet-from-tears eyelashes. Gotta love the second picture - the 40 mile (tired) stare.

Rory's New Truck

We purchased a new (to us) truck over a month ago as we needed another vehicle that kids could be transported in. I like to refer to it as Rory's car as it will probably be her junker truck in 14 years when she gets her license...we'll see how good her grades are.

Creamer's Field Outing

Rory, Massie, Yuri and I took off a few weeks ago for an outdoor outing at Creamer's Field. None of us had ever been on the trails before (which is almost unheard of for true Fairbanksan's). Well, Rory proved to be my child by not wanting to get out of her Chariot (the Cadillac of convertible strollers - only the best). Below is a picture of the one time we coaxed her out of the Chariot.

After Creamer's field we hit Hot Licks for Rory's first stop at the infamous ice cream shop. Below is a picture of Rory after she dug her nose into Yuri's ice cream cone - yuck.

Gardening

This was my second year gardening. In hind site it probably wasn't probably realistic to think that I could keep up with a garden, a two-year-old and a new born. In addition to these factors, the amount of rain we have received this summer is unheard of...there is actually mold in the garden. Having said this, we did get some veggies. In addition to the pictures below, we grew great tomatoes, some zucchini, broccoli, lettuce, a few cucumbers (without a greenhouse I will add) and lots of yummy herbs.

Rory showing off just a portion of our yummy snap peas crop.

The carrots are almost as heavy as her!

I wanted to see if artichokes would grow here. Everyone said that it wouldn't work but so far these artichokes are doing great, and without our usual amount of Fairbanks summer sun. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Rory and Massie

Rory just loves her little sister!

Gives her lots of kisses...

You have to love this picture...look at Massie's face..."dad, why do you keep putting me in this crazy girl's arms?! I'm scared!".

Massie

The many faces of our sweety pie.

Bright-eyed and alert baby

Enjoy the remainder of your summer...Fall is in the air!