Milking Summer for All It's Worth...

Summer is in full swing here in Fairbanks and we are milking every last drop of possible fun out of it. 

Massie is officially on two feet - walking like a little duck and doing a lot of quacking too.  She has a few words but "uh oh" is her favorite as she throws things onto the floor.  She has a wonderful disposition and is simply a pleasure to have around.

Rory is a great big sister and is smart as a whip.  She's a little chatter box who is interested in everything around her - how things work, why things "are" and constantly says "are you really sure" when asking for a commitment on something.

Massie's Birthday - Continued

I know...we covered Massie's birthday in the blog last month but I've got a  few more things to share.  The first is the video I tried to post last month but wasn't successful.  I'll again apologize for the terrible singing of Massie's mother.

Here is Massie reading her birthday card from Grandma Judy and Grandad Andy.  She did the respectful thing and read the card thoroughly before looking at the amount on the check.

Golfing Weekend in Fairbanks

A group of Yuri's pals from Anchorage came in for a good-old-fashion guys golfing weekend.  They spend several days golfing and then we had them over for dinner and a "skills challenge".  The challenge could be likened to to an obstacle course and included skills from the following sports: soccer, Frisbee golf, boccie ball, and golf (with the clubs of a three year).  This is a competitive group so fun was had by all.  In fact, after the official challenge we ended up in two vacant lots in the neighborhood for a long drive competition (still using Rory's clubs).

Here is the gang (L to R): Dewey, James, Bruce, George, Rob, Massie, Yuri and Rory.

Yuri showing the guys the rules of the skills challenge.  You'll notice that Rory has a stopwatch around her neck - she was keeping time...not sure why Yuri has a yard stick in his hands though.

Our good friend Bruce Tangeman holding a quizzical Massie.

WWWW - Glamping

It was my turn again (along with my mom) to host the monthly WWWW dinner and this time we chose a "glamping" theme.  For those not in the know, Glamping is a mixture between camping and glamour...Google it.   We set up on a vacant lot my folks own in our neighborhood right on the pond; it was the perfect setting for our evening.

My mom made the table - it had a gutter in the middle that held ice to keep the beverages cold - she is so talented!  There was an eating/dining area and a lounge area (pictured below with my Mom and Rory).  A wonderful time was had by all and I can say it was one time where the picture in my head actually came to life.  I wish I had taken more pictures as there is so much missing I would have liked sharing.

Yearly Craziness in Riverview - The Midnight Sun Run

The yearly Midnight Sun Run goes right past our house and always bring a lot of fun to the neighborhood.  There are hundreds of runners but even more people on the sidelines cheering them on.  Our neighborhood turns absolutely nuts!  There are multiple DJ's, dozens and dozens of parties, and the grandest party of all  included a dunk tank and probably 300 people dancing in the street until 3am.  If any of you out-of-towners have any interest in visiting Fairbanks next summer make sure you do it over this weekend...you won't be disappointed.

Below was early in the evening...first glass of champagne in hand while hanging out with Rory who got to stay up past her bedtime to watch the racers that didn't start their run until 10pm.

Once the serious runners came through the neighborhood, the gang of girls stood in the middle of the road to give high-fives to the race participants.

Sydney's 20-Year Reunion

It's been twenty years since I graduated high school and frankly it doesn't feel any longer than a year or two. I was hesitant about attending the festivities but ultimately acquiesced and am happy I did.  Reunion's are simple - there may be a few gray hairs, extra pounds and some laugh lines but the at the end of the day you can kind of anticipate how peoples lives will turn out.  I had a nice time catching up with some old friends and some interesting people that I didn't know too well in school.  All in all it was a nice time.

My childhood friend, Rick(y) Allen and me.  Rick and I have been friends since before we were born - my father and his were high school friends and in fact his father married Yuri and I.

One of the reunion events was held at Harding Lake (where we spent many weekends in high school behaving ourselves).  Below is Rory with the daughter of John Sadler, my close childhood friend and neighbor growing up.  The two of these girls got along like peas and carrots.

Other Happenings

I took an accounting class this summer and one of the class days happened to fall on the same day that Yuri had golf league so we had to find sitters every week.  Things got desperate one week and Uncle Jesse (my brother) was called in.  He did awesome - the kids love him and he will definitely be called in again soon.

On a beautiful sunny Fairbanks day we decided to pack a picnic and head out on the boat.  Rory has finally gotten over her fear of being on the water and Massie's not scared of much so it was a pleasant trip.  Below is a picture of the gang (minus me) at the mouth of the Chena. 

Sisters

Rory is growing up so fast - here she is being a little mother to Massie.

Some more sisterly love.  Yuri thinks that Massie's hat makes her look like a Japanese tourist.

Yuri with Rory, Massie and cousin Estelle in the playhouse.

Rory, Rory, Rory

As mentioned in previous posts, Yuri has high hopes for Rory's golf career.  Take a look at the video below and you can come to your own conclusion on this. 

Rory likely appreciates snack time on the course more than she does hitting the balls.

Rory with Great-Grandfather Bud.

The Marvelous Massie Morgan
Massie was invited to her first birthday party a few weeks ago.  Her friend Janelle turned one and we had a great time celebrating.  Below are Massie and Janelle munching on messy watermelon.

Hello?  Hello?  Massie has been watching her sister enough on the phone and now wants a piece of the action.  Soon Yuri will have to give up his cell phone to one of the girls like I have been doing for the last two years.

Massie snapped eating dinner.

We hope you are all enjoying your summers...thanks for checking into the blog!  

Summer's here...go...go...go...

I know that I sound like a broken record but here it goes...I've been terrible about updating the blog in a timely fashion, and because of that there are a lot of pictures to share (beware, the amount of pictures posted might be a little excessive).  It has taken me so long to post this latest update that I'm already ready with enough new happenings and pictures to begin immediately on the next update.  I'll quit whining and just get to it...

Walking
So, Massie began walking a couple months ago...here is a video.  Soon after, she had a bad fall at school (aka daycare) and subsequently turned cautious.  She manages to get around alright but she's not running from us yet.

Grandma Karen
We received a welcome visitor in April, Grandma Karen.  We love when she visits (this time was, however, without Grandpa Sid).

Karen taught Rory how to play "Angry Birds" last year. As her reward, she gets to play it with Rory every time they see each other.

While Karen was in town, it just so happened that the other two grandmas (Grandma Linda and Grandma Judy) showed up.  How many kids get to to claim that they have three fabulous grandmas?  Left to right: Karen, Linda, Rory, Sydney, Massie and Judy.

Springtime Fun
As soon as the snow started to melt we were outside.  The trampoline finally moved from inside the garage (we finally have room in there for cars now) to the back yard.  This is better than any playpen; put the kids in, zip it up - instant containment (they actually like it).

Yuri gave Rory her first set of clubs once spring fever hit.  They are adorable purple clubs with a mini golf bag.  I know that Yuri has visions of playing 18 holes with her every weekend but I think that he's forgetting that SHE'S THREE!

Putting the tee in the ground...there is a lot of concentration going on here.

With spring comes an overwhelming desire to garden...here is Rory watering her newly planted seeds.

WWWW - Women Who Wine in Westgate
My neighborhood gal group has done it again...thrown an amazing party.  This time the theme was "spa" and they hit it out of the park.  We started at Christi's house for appetizers and found these fun flip flops waiting for us.  Then, a limo picked us up and brought us to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures.  Next stop was a quick shot (warm lemon drop I think) at the Boatel, our neighborhood bar, and then it was on to Heather J.'s house for dinner.  It was AMAZING...I'm so lucky to have made friends with these wonderful women.

Fancy jello shots...

At the salon - oh, did I mention, there was champagne!

Posing outside the Boatel...such fun!

Children's Museum
We brought Rory and Massie to the traveling Children's Museum last month.  The volunteers and sponsors that put this together every month have started something really extraordinary.  There are tons of activities for the kids, everything from simple art projects to science discoveries.

Rory is always drawn towards the art projects...she takes her work very seriously.

This was an air table...the kids put objects over the hole and up, up, up they go.

Summer...finally.
We're proud to announce that summer has finally arrived!  Here are the girls taking in some rays on the trampoline.

Let's go fly a kite.  For some reason, we've had a fair amount of wind this year which makes for wonderful kite flying weather. 

Many already know that Rory is a very deliberate, organized and non-messy child.  I'm beginning to think that we got the opposite with Massie.  Here she is after getting soaking wet playing with the water table and then jumping into the garden. 

Getting Rory's garden ready.

. 
Kiddo Party
A friend of mine, who is insanely creative, loves to have parties and makes amazing desserts, had a party for the kids recently.  This party was a pajama party theme (without the sleepover) and Rory had a wonderful time meeting new kids, eating lots of junk food and just being a rowdy kid.  Below is a picture of the take-home party favors (left) and the "hot cocoa in a cup" treats with lots of marshmallows.

Here are a few of the kids enjoying their pizza, jello jigglers and other treats.

Gardening
I never thought I would get into gardening but I really am enjoying it.  This year I'm trying a few new crops - potatoes, radishes and spinach as well as the tried and true staples - carrots, lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes (lots of tomatoes), strawberries, peas, beans and tons of herbs. 

In past years I have focused mainly on growing food...this year I'm adding flowers to the mix.  I've got a lot to learn but having more flowers around makes the backyard look lovely.  Below is a picture of the blooms on one of the trees/bushes in our yard.  They are absolutely beautiful - it's a shame they only last for about two weeks in early spring.

Brooke and Keith's Wedding
Our entire family of four was supposed to travel to Juneau for Yuri's sister, Brooke's, wedding but it didn't work out.  Massie continues to have ear trouble so rather than getting on a plane and risking making the problem worse, she and I stayed home. Yuri and Rory got a long weekend in Juneau to spend time with family and celebrate a wonderful event.

Rory was the flower girl for the event and those who know her well know that this is right up her alley.  Below is Rory (center) with her cousins Quinn (L) and Addy (R).

And, another cousin joins the picture - cute little Estelle.

The Bride's family, left to right: father of the bride, Sid; brother, Leon; groom, Keith; brother, Yuri, brother, Dylan, beautiful bride, Brooke; and mother of the bride, Karen.

This is a pretty cool picture...the wedding party getting staged for picture time.

Rory with Grandma Linda.

Rory dancing the night away with her cousin...

Massie's Birthday
Well, our "little critter" is one!  Simply amazing!  I'm sad and embarrassed to admit that things are just too hectic around our household and because of this we couldn't fit in a birthday party.  The best we could pull off was a 6:30 a.m. mini party for our little girl.  I searched the "party bin" and found some left over party supplies from Rory's last birthday party.

Here is our sweet little mouse on her big day.  We don't usually put bows in her hair but she looks so much like a little boy (no offense, Massie) that I think Yuri wanted to make her a little more feminine for her first birthday pictures.

I'm so sorry for posting this with the sound...my singing is absolutely horrible.  I admit that I can't sing - add the fact that this little event is taking place at 6:30 in the morning and I think I should get a little leeway.  When I sent this video to my dad he summed it up well responding, "happy little girls".

After singing this song Rory turned to me and said "where are all the people".  Again, I'm feeling very guilty about this "party".  I'll make it up to her next year :-).

The Morgan girls.

Random Events and Moments
Speaking of Birthdays...My friend, Lanie's, son, Brecken, is also celebrating his 1st birthday this month.  Massie loved the invite and thought it was tasty...

Yuri and I in the theater ready to watch The Avengers...fun movie and even better fashion statement.

Yuri with his happy girls.

A coworker gave me some hand-me-down roller blades.  Here is a terrible picture of Rory trying them out for the first time...I look forward to doing some "blading" with her this summer.

Supergirl...

These girls LOVE each other...I'll have to remind them of this when they're in their teens fighting over clothes.

Well, off to do more summer stuff!  I'll check back in soon...