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.
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.
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.
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
