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!

Summer is Here

Massie is now a month old and is bringing a lot of joy to our family. She has already participated in quite a few events as you will see below.

Midnight Sun Run
While Massie and I sat on the sidelines in front of our house, Yuri and Rory participated in the Midnight Sun Run. There were thousands of participants and, as usual, our neighborhood turns into party central. Rory won 1st place in her age category and didn't even break a sweat!

Father's Day

Yuri, Leon, Steve, and Grandpa Bud all took a flightseeing tour around the Fairbanks area for Father's Day (it was Bud's gift from his daughter, Linda). Below is the crew enjoying the flight.

L to R - Yuri, Bud, Leon, Steve and their pilot extraordinaire, Ken.

Yuri's 20-year High School Reunion in Juneau

Yuri and I packed up the kids (along with nearly all of our household belongings), hopped on a plane heading to Juneau for Yuri's 20-year high school reunion. In addition to attending the reunion, the trip allowed us to see a lot of our Juneau family.

Below is a picture of Yuri and two of his high school buddies, Rob and Rodney.

While in Juneau we were able to meet up with family and introduce them to our newest addition. Below is Grandpa Sid in an oh-so-serene pose with Massie.

Rory, Massie and Grandma Karen hanging out on the couch.

The summer weather in Juneau was wet and windy but, nevertheless, Rory enjoyed walking the beach with Yuri.

Rory finally got to meet her cousin Madeline; they got along wonderfully and Rory looks forward to their next meeting.

Yuri's cousin Amy, and Uncle Jeff (Madeline's mom and granddad) - It was great to see the two again.

Yuri's Uncle Lee and Aunt Sherie...they are always a hoot to visit with and we appreciated getting to see them again.

Fairbanks Family Time

Many of Yuri's siblings and their children were in Fairbanks in June. Below is Rory with her cousins Tyson (4) and Quinn (6).


Cutie Cousin Estelle (10 months).

Yuri's Brother Nick, Sister Genevieve and her daughter, Estelle.

Yuri's brother, Nick, and his model good looks...am I right ladies?!

Estelle with her Dad, Kirill.

Rory swinging with her Grandma Linda and Great Grandfather Bud. If you detect an unhappiness in Rory's facial expression, it's because the person taking the photo (her mother) had just - minutes earlier - pushed her off the swing into the gravel. Bad Mom!

Grandma Judy and Grandad Andy with baby Massie.

Yuri's cousin, Barbara (who is expecting her second child this winter), with her son, Lincoln, and family friend, Jesse.

Shannon holding Massie for the first time.

Massie's cousin, Addy, holding her very gently and lovingly.

Just Massie

Well, we wouldn't be the parents of a newborn without taking a million pictures and wanting to share them with everyone we run into. Below are (way too many) pictures of our sweet little Massie.

The "crazy eyes boxer" look...

I love this picture...it shows you just how small her little fingers are (holding onto my thumb).

"The Thinker"

"The Burrito"

And a Few Miscellaneous Pictures for Viewing

As summer progresses we are certain to have many more adventures and pictures to share with you. We hope you all all doing well and enjoying your summer!

Love,

Yuri, Sydney, Rory and Massie