Three Cheers for Summer!

Summer has arrived with a big bang!  Right now we are into a stretch of over one week of 85+ degree temps with no change in site.  We are soaking up massive amounts of vitamin D.  One week it was snowing the next it was 80 degrees - only in Alaska.

We always enjoy our home and neighborhood but once summer arrives we appreciate it even more.  There are always people out and about, neighbors chatting up each other while watering their yards and the sound of children laughing is a constant.  We are lovin' where we're living!

Summer Barbecues

We've had several barbecues this summer and the first one was instigated by a visit from Yuri's Juneau folks, Sid and Karen.  They are easy house guests and it's always a great experience when they make a stop in our fair town.  Below are the girls with three sets of grandmas and granddads - L to R: Andy, Steve, Rory, Linda, Judy, Massie, Karen and Sid.

A few weeks later, when the sun was finally warming things up, we hosted another barbecue for friends and family in the neighborhood.  Here is Yuri explaining the rules of the obstacle course to some of the kids in attendance.

Jesse and Steve at the grill.

Messy (but cute as a button) Massie.

Batter Up
Before summer really started and the grass turned green, Yuri got the girls outside for some good old fashion baseball.

Look at Rory's form - we might have a major leaguer in our future.  Massie's not looking too bad herself.

Soccer

My brother Jesse is coaching Rory's soccer team this year.  It is adorable to watch eight 4-year old kids running around with a soccer ball.  So cute!  Rory is having a great time prancing (yes, prancing) around the field.  She's not too keen on being aggressive enough to get to the ball (much like her mother was at her age) but she sure likes the snack at the end of the game (also like her mother).

Rory and her bestie and teammate, Shaye.

Betty Comes to Town
Our good friend and former Fairbanskan, Betty, made a visit up to see us.  We miss her lots and it was great to catch up.  Below is Jesse, Yuri, Betty, me, Meadow and Bill celebrating her visit.

Massie and Rory dressed up for Betty's visit.

Alaskaland
We've made many trips to Alaskaland this summer.

Lucky Massie gets pushed by three girls all wanting to her her mom for the day.

Rory pushing her other bestie and classmate, Gelissa.

Massie Turns Two

Everyone says it but...WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE????  I can honestly say that with the exception of the sleep deprivation for the first three months of Massie's life, being her mom has been an absolute joy.  I am so blessed to have a daughter I'm proud to call "Sassy Massie".

We had an outdoor birthday party with a few friends (and of course family).  Fun was had by all and the afternoon even included a water fight between Jesse (31 years of age) and an 11 year old.  I'm not sure that Jesse was declared the winner.

Those of you that had to stay home sick as children probably remember The Price Is Right and the "punch board" that contestants broke through to obtain their prizes.  I created a mini version (below) for the kiddos at the party.

Grandma Judy and Granddad Andy with the Birthday girl.

After the party Massie enjoyed a ride on her new toy.

Sweet little Massie.  You'll notice a few little scabs on her nose...she did a face plant a week earlier and tore up her nose pretty badly.  It almost healed for her party.

Massie copying her sister's moves.

Rory's "go to" move.

Massie struggling to copy Rory's "go to" move.

Girls Weekend in Anchorage

About 5 years ago my friend, Shannon Straube, left our beautiful State in search of a higher education and professional opportunity.  She succeeded in finding both and finally made the trip back home to visit her "girls".  This group of girls has been a constant in my life for many years (most of us met as Juneauites) and they are some of my nearest and dearest friends.  We had a whirlwind weekend of slumber parties, stories, food and drink.  Below L to R clockwise: Dyanne, me, Renee, Lanie and Shannon - Betty had to leave us a day early and missed the photo opp :-(

Messing around sans Dy and Betty.

While Mom's away the girls (and Dad) will play.

Father's Day

I arrived back from Anchorage just in time to celebrate Father's day with the two best fathers I know.  The day started off with Yuri enjoying some man time on the golf course.  Next, we loaded up our bikes, took a trip to Alaskaland and had a Father's day picnic.  

We had some down time after the picnic and then headed over to my folks' house to continue the celebration of dads.  We loaded up 2 boats with food and beverages, 6 adults and 2 children and took a ride up the river in search of a dinner picnic spot.  

Here is Rory being secured to the boat by Grandma Judy.

Massie and her mom, wearing a stylish Arctic Man Hat.

Yuri, Martin, Massie and me at our beautiful spot at the merging of the Chena and Tanana Rivers.

Combing the beach.

Even in 85 degree temps we still managed to roast some marshmallows.

Rory, the girl who prefers not to get dirty, learned how to make mud balls.  Here she is chasing her Uncle Jesse with one...she never did catch him.

Summer Outdoor Fun
Workin' at the Car Wash...

Rory golfing with Bruce.

Learning Hopscotch...

Rory getting watered by Piper, the most photogenic child ever.

Summer Indoor Fun
Theatre seating with their babies...

Swimming (without getting her hair wet) at Grandma and Granddad's place...

Practicing her skills with the chopsticks.

Massie is now building towers just like her big sister - look at the look of envy on her face as she assesses Rory's work.

Massie at her friend, Janelle's, birthday party.

Our big two year old with her proud, big sister.

Next up...more summer fun!

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).