Reading and Rambling

Our new and amazing news to share is that Rory is reading.  I'm overwhelmed at the quickness in which she has caught on to it and every day she's able to sound out more and more words.  I used to say it jokingly but I'm starting to believe that it might just be a good thing that I'm a working mom as if I stayed home with her she'd still be muttering goo goo gaa gaa and stacking blocks on the floor.  I had no idea that a four year-old could read - Montessori has done wonders for her.  We are so proud of our little girl.

Massie continuously cracks us up.  She is smart as a whip and her favorite saying is "look at me" - usually following one of the following incidents:  wearing shorts on her head, writing all over her body with markers or attempting to skip which is really just an awkward two foot hop.

We are celebrating the end of session as now we have Yuri home full time.  We sure do miss him when he's gone.

Viva Las Vegas
Once Yuri returned from Juneau I set off with my two oldest friends, Robyn and Dyanne, to Las Vegas.  We had a great long weekend of sun (I stayed in the shade), shopping, fabulous food and a drink or two too many.

Here I am on the strip - don't look too closely at the sign right above my head.

L to R - Dyanne, me and Robyn.

The Morgan Girls Meet Harper Dodson
Rory and Massie finally got the chance to meet Ms. Harper Elizabeth Dodson, born to good friends Heather and Jimmy.  They had to wait nearly two months as either one or both of them were sick and we couldn't risk giving this sweet little girl their nasty germs.

Here is Massie studying the birth announcement that came in the mail.

The girls were so excited to meet this little bundle of joy.

Harper is all smiles - she must know what a lucky little girl she is.

WWWW - Kentucky Derby Style
The crazy WWWW gals got together to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.  We dressed as Southern as 14 Alaskan gals could possibly get.  We each had a horse and the evening was filled with horse races, southern food and mint juleps (I couldn't stomach them and went straight for the champagne).

The Southern Alaskans.

Visiting the Geese
Every spring the geese arrive in Fairbanks.  We took a little trip out to see them and the only thing I could think of while watching them is "I'll bet they regret hitting the road so soon."  It is absolutely freezing in the interior right now.  The sky is blue and the birds are chirping but we're all still in our winter gear.

Here are the girls at the look-out stand shivering to stay warm.

Water Walk
Even with the cold temperatures we decided to participate in a 5k race, the Water Walk.  Yuri ran (and did quite well) and I walked with my folks and the girls.

Below is Yuri with the girls prior to the race starting.

The rag-tag Morgan clan after the race.  I'm not sure where Massie learned to push her fingers into her cheeks when someone says "smile" but it reminds me of those pageant kids on TV and I don't like it one bit.

The Lake
We packed up the girls and everything but the kitchen sink and headed out to Harding Lake for Mother's Day weekend.  The girls had a great time and I loved every minute of it.  Those of you who have spent any time at the Warwick Harding cabin know that it is infamous for having swings.  Well, the swings have been updated from the old wooden slats held up with rope but the fun is all the same.

Massie has officially moved up from the baby bucket swing...what a big girl!

Granddad left some glasses at the cabin.

The Girls
The weekend before session ended Ella came over to entertain the girls for an hour while I did some household chores.  This was one of her first babysitting gigs and she did spectacularly.  Here she is playing dress up with Rory and Massie.

Massie couldn't decide which tutu to wear so she put on four of her favorites.  You wouldn't believe how many of these things we have...I think we are up to over 10 of them.

Laying on the trampoline...it's amazing how much Massie looks like Rory in this picture.

Rory's best friend, Gelissa, celebrated her 5th birthday over the weekend.  Rory talked about it for weeks; frankly, I'm not sure what she's going to talk about now that it's over.  A good time was had by all.

Rory shot this picture of Massie.  I did no work to it - no cropping or color correction.  She seems to have a good eye for the shots.

And finally, Massie attempting her ABC's.  

Next up, Massie turns two and summer arrives (or we hope it does).

Hop, Hop, Hopping into Spring

This spring, if you can call it that, has been very slow to come.  Although it's about 25 degrees out right now just one week ago it was 25 below zero.  I'm hopeful that spring is finally here.  

The girls are growing by leaps and bounds.  They love, love, love each other and provide so much joy to us.

Rory is enjoying learning to write her letters.  She often grabs a book, paper and pen and patiently works on writing the words just as they are printed in the book; she'll be writing novels in no time.  She also spends a lot of time creating buildings with her magnatiles.  Just last week she built a structure and then asked her dad if she could go downstairs to get her "Madeline" book as she wanted to see if her building looked like the Eiffel Tower in the story.  Low and behold, and much to our amazement, it did.  Finally, Rory is very concerned about whether or not she has eyebrows.  She can see mine as they are very dark and defined but since hers are blond there is some confusion in her mind.  I have assured her that she does in fact have eyebrows.

Massie is turning into a miniature version of Rory.  She mimics the words and sounds we all make and is a true comedian.  She loves to love and has a heart of gold.  I'm not sure how we got so blessed to deserve these two little critters.

Yuri's 40th Birthday Getaway to Whistler

As you learned in last month's blog, Yuri celebrated the big 40 in February.  To properly celebrate this milestone birthday we left the kiddos with my folks and jetted to Whistler for a long weekend of skiing, site seeing, eating and drinking.  Although I was a little rusty and wobbly legged on the slopes I managed to keep up with the old man just fine.  It was a great trip.

Here is Yuri, looking mighty handsome I might add, waiting to hit the slopes.

We had to hike up to this point on the mountain. You can't tell but just a foot from the back of my skis was almost a straight drop off...I couldn't think too much about it, I just had to go for it.

Skiing on an absolutely beautiful, warm and sunny day.

World Championship Skijor Races

My Dad participated in the World Championship Skijor races about a month ago.  There was only one category (i.e. all ages raced against each other) and my 70 year old father came in 9th out of 13.  Pretty impressive!  Below is my dad with his dog handler, Jesse.

Marek was also there to cheer on my dad and the dogs.

Coming into the home stretch.

Yes, that is Massie face down in the snow.  Uncle Jesse got a little rambunctious on the sled ride and tipped the girls over.  Massie was not impressed.

Saint Patrick's Day

My friend Jacyn hosted a Saint Patrick's Day party for kids and moms.  She throws great themed parties and is the perfect hostess - can't wait for the next one!  

Just one of Jacyns many fun and whimsical touches.

The kid's treat table.

Ice Skating

We got Massie on the ice for the first time and she did surprisingly well.  Rory's already on her third pair of skates and is starting to feel comfortable.  

Massie is already working choreography into her basic skating moves.

Ice Park

As I've posted in previous years, the International Ice Art championships take place in Fairbanks yearly and it's the place to be if you are a kid in search of fun.

How is it possible to be so goofy looking and cute at the same time?

Look at the amazing detail that has been carved into this slide.

The girls posing outside of a beautifully crafted cabin.  The inside was just as spectacular with a kitchen, bed and sink.

The sun reflecting off the ice makes for beautiful lighting.

Rory and her "mini me".

Pure fun.

3rd Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Boy-oh-boy was it cold for the Easter egg hunt this year!  But, Fairbanks kids are tough and although the numbers were a bit shy of last year it was still a good showing.  Below are the kids lined up waiting for the "ready, set, go".  Waiting to be found were 1600 candy filled eggs, 10 chocolate Easter bunnies and 40 bags of candy.

Rory and her girlfriends, Sandy and Shaye.

The girls lined up and participating in the egg toss with their parents: Shawn, Yuri and Catherine.

Easter

I love Easter!  I saw this idea on Pinterest and on the Friday before Easter I sent Rory to school with this as her lunch; an egg carton containing plastic eggs filled with food.  I, for once, enjoyed making her lunch and she sure got a kick out of it.

Although egg dying is a fun activity it does make me nervous every year as we have a WHITE counter.  All went well and the only real mess was made by Massie's "handler", Yuri.

Easter morning - Rory waiting on the stairs for Massie to make her way upstairs to participate in the hunt.  No early starts for the eldest daughter.

This great shot captures a girl who's just seen the remnants of the carrots the Easter Bunny left behind.  Priceless.

The girls and their loot.  It may look like the Easter Bunny overdid it but frankly he did me a favor.  All of the goodies in their "baskets" are outdoor toys which will help occupy their time while I garden this summer.  Or, at least that's what I think his plan was.

Massie getting ready to go to Grandma and Granddad's house.  She couldn't leave without her baby in the basket.

The Warwick Easter egg hunt was another success this year.  Here are the kids after their hunt - they made out like bandits!  The adult hunt followed and was much more dignified than in previous years - Jesse is starting to mature.  Yuri didn't participate as he says he feels awkward participating in a competitive egg hunt at the age of 40 - BORING.  My folks really are amazing for going above and beyond with this hunt every year.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Bubbles are always an Easter favorite.

Can't Get Enough of Rory and Massie
Hanging on the pull-up bar at Grandma Judy's studio.

The girls made comfy beds out of plastic bins.

Massie is constantly mimicking her sister.

Looks like a successful shopping trip.  I'm amazed at how similar the girls look in this shot.

Another adoring look from one sister to the other.

Rory is a girl that prefers simple clothing - jeans and a purple shirt.  But, when it comes to dress-up time she loves her accessories!  Take special note of the fancy feather heels.

Okay - I know this is gross (I don't participate in this activity) but for the sake of memorializing these phases I have to include this picture.  This is called "toe jam check".  

Below are two videos: "Massie the dancing dinner eater" and "goodnight dad".

Please send your "spring" thoughts our way!  Lots of love from the Morgan Clan.